I would like an option to "opt out" of advanced search

Yeah, I suppose so wannabe.

As I say, I can't get into a froth about it - and my browser at works blocks any thread title with the word Facebook in it so I can't even read the threads were people are flouncing or slagging off lurkers (is that happening? Why is that happening?)

not actively "troll hunting" on the boards no.

But mn do rely on reporting if something seems suspicious.

The other day I reported a thread after having gone back over their posting history which incidentally wasn't that suspicious but the thread itself was. If the option wasn't there people might be less inclined to report because one or two posts might not seem as suspicious whereas threads and threads would, eg qvc/dizzymare/ethanchristopher/the other more damaging trolls.

It would certainly make it easier for the more paracitic trolls to post here more freely without the fear of being challenged on their inconsistencies. And while I know that mn hq don't encourage active troll hunting on the boards, they certainly don't encourage those kind of damaging trolls either, which are the ones that would most likely slip through the net with such a feature.

I can't get worked up about this. I've had a good go - I've done some huffing and a bit of puffing... and still nothing.

You can be anonymous. You can name change, withdraw specific posts, not post stuff... or de-reg.

Or you can huff and puff at the evil lurkers (wtf is that all about?) and get in a tizz. Seems a lot like hard work to me.

I know what you mean about the trolls (and as I said I personally use AS on a regular basis - especially if a poster smell "off" to me) but we're not meant to be blimmin troll hunting anyway - are we?

And MNHQ have clamped right down on troll hunting in the last year.

Don't be too sure rubyrubyruby.

I think the people getting hysterical about facebook are mad.

There's always been a link to facebook button - it's just that there's now an additional "like" button.

And if you're not liking posts on your own fb wall how is it that you are going to be identified any more than if someone reads mn and identifies you?

If you're making yourself identifyable on the internet the only person responsible for that is you.

And having username search disabled would increase the prevalence of damaging trolls IMO - one of the key factors when trolls are outed is when people can identify inconsistencies in their posts which often gives them away. That would be lost if a troll could make their username unsearchable and more trolls would get away with it.

The link to facebook and twitter has been here a couple of years hasn't it? There used to be buttons in the coloured band above every single post. I remember a similar hoo-ha at the time they were introduced when some posters who were inexperienced in the use of fb and twitter (some of them inexperienced because they choose not to subscribe) being shouted at and ridiculed for not quite understanding the anonymity thing. I see not much has changed.

I'm a bit non plussed by all of this TBH - and I'm finding it difficult to "pick a side"...

anyway - I do kind of think that taking away the nickname advanced search would be a GOOD IDEA. (and I use it quite a lot) I remember being very surprised when I first joined MN that you could, in a couple of keystrokes, look at every post written by a certain member - that's a bit mad really.

Hmm. I can kind of see the OP's point. Occasionally I've been debating a point with a poster and they've clearly "advance searched" my name to get more background on me and then used these details in an unrelated debate. However, thats a bit annoying but not really a huge issue. I mainly post in the 90 day deletion sections anyway.

I have to agree that most people don't come on the forums for advice- they come on for entertainment/to watch or participate in the debates. Chat and AIBU get by far the most traffic. I think the people who spend a lot of time giving advice for nothing are great, but the forum wouldn't grind to a halt without them.

Ok caught up, it's not on the mobile version (shh)

Have I missed something? The link to Fb has been here a while

A Google search for every post may be unlikely however it has always been possible to pull a post from.Google then come here and advanced search it. Nothing has changed from that p.o.v. Yes having more threads linked will increase exposure and up site traffic - but this is a business so increasing exposure and site traffic are pretty key aims for mnhq.

The site changed a long time ago and everyone had to learn to be careful, then it changes again and everyone learnt again. Some left of course but overall the site gets bigger and stronger like any good business. The place works fine without recognizable posters, it works fine if people de-reg in a huff. We have learnt the hard way that stamping our feet and demanding that HQ see how important we are dammit gets us nowhere and changes nothing.

It is an internet site, it is public and searchable either name change and limit posts or realise that you are going to get outed at some point. There is no point asking HQ to delete old posts, despite the fact they have promised several times in writing to delete posts from my original user name (in the dark ages) they ate still there. It is jot easy to do it even for people with a good reason like child endangerment so I can't imagine then leaping to do.it.for everyone who has just noticed the site.is public.

Why would someone who saw a link on FB follow up with an advanced search on a poster's name though?

Most threads are very unlikely to be liked, the kind of threads which get liked are the kind which go in classics, they tend to have hundreds of posts and sod all identifying information.

I can't see anyone following the link on FB and then doing an advanced search on every poster on the thread, unless they had an axe to grind, in which case they'd already be a MNer.

MN and the advanced search existed long before you joined and they will continue to exist long after you dereg (if you do).

The choices are: live with it, namechange or leave. Take your pick.

phone cut my post- grrr
my final point was, to those of you who are saying "get over yourself and stop making such a fuss" - lucky you!
But I don't feel that way about it

This incident will definately change my usage of MN

And the like button is seriously naff
Might as well have tickers and glitter

I can see where you are coming from op, but I'm going to take a different tack.
I'm a longtime mnetter that mostly lurks so nit recognisable to anybody I font think - but everytime MNHQ do something stoopid I scuttle under a stone.

The newspaper roundup caused me to shed my original and well known name and post far less often. Now I have shed another fairly recognisable name.
I post hardly any details but the vague possibilty of being outed os horribly scary to me (I suspect I have aspergers-possibly part of that? certainly would be for my son who deffo has)

FFS get over it!!! What a lot of drama over absolutely fucking nothing.

Guess what? Most of the world doesn't know who you are or care.

It's the internet. It has never been private and never will be.

Don't like it? Bye. Because you're right. MNHQ doesn't care if you leave as you are 1 in, literally, a million.

You are having a bit of a hissy fit over nothing new, you know. Maybe you're just outgrowing the place or getting bored and jaded? Lots of people do after a while, and take a break or drift off. It's a shame when the shine has worn off for you, but I think to some degree it does for everyone, eventually. Which is partly why MN needs new posters to keep going.

I think it's a good idea.

Also, it is perfectly possible to give reasonable help and support on any thread without vomiting your entire personal life over the keyboard. MN has never been private. If you don't want to share too much, just don't.