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MNHQ

Update from MNHQ - Name changes

91 replies

AmeliaPMumsnet · 21/02/2023 09:23

Hi all,

We recently received some helpful feedback from Mumsnetters about name changes. Some users have mentioned finding it frustrating having to remember to change their username to match the one that they’ve already posted under on a thread. We understand why that’s annoying, and why it might cause some confusion if yourself or other users have switched usernames mid-way through a thread accidentally.

We’ve just released some changes to the site (not in the mobile apps) to help combat this. From now on, if you start or reply to a thread, we’ll automatically set your username to the one you used first on that thread. This means that you won’t need to remember to change your username or go looking to find out which one you posted under before.

Here’s is an example of how it’ll work:

  1. I start a thread with my current username, which is “username1”
  2. I then decide to change my username in my settings to “username2"
  3. I revisit the thread I started under “username1”. My username will be set to “username1" by default in the reply box (I can still edit this username if I’d like to)
  4. If I go to a thread that I haven’t started or posted on yet, my default username will be my current username, “username2”

We hope you find this helpful and we’d love to hear your feedback!

OP posts:
EasterlyDirection · 21/02/2023 13:24

LanaDelBoy · 21/02/2023 12:08

Sorry easterly didn't mean to sound patronising, I just wasn't understanding what situation this change would make harder IYSWIM.

I think you can go into settings and change to 'view 100 posts per page' - this is what I do.

I still can't quite grasp what you are trying to do - keep one username or change regularly? You can still set your default in 'settings' and this will only change if you have previously posted on a thread under a different name. (not badgering just trying to help! I was on here for years before I realised you could overwrite the 'username' box when posting). I am used to changing my name frequently in the 'username' box as well as in settings but I guess if you're not used to doing this it might seem like a hassle.

I expect it's not just because of sockpuppetting but OPs having namechange fails, which I see all the time - it then becomes much harder to view OP's posts in a thread because some aren't labelled as OP's.

@LuxLucet sockpuppeting is when the same poster posts under different names in one discussion to have a fake argument/conversation/back up themselves "Oh yes I agree" etc.

It's OK, my reply may have sounded a bit snippy. I've been aware of the ability to change name in the username box for years but have virtually never done so. I change my username at least once a month so people can't advance search me easily. However most of the threads I'm on trundle on for months and weeks or months so if they revert back to my old username every time it defeats the object of changing it regularly - it is these sorts of long running threads where cumulative identifying information tends to happen which is exactly why I like being able to change whenever I want. I change it such that people on these regular threads will still know who I am if it changes halfway through a thread, I'm not sockpuppeting, I'm talking about eg gardening threads, nowhere contentious. I really don't want to have to scroll back, see what I was using and change it manually all the time.

Smidge001 · 21/02/2023 12:53

Excellent update, thanks mumsnet.

HighRopes · 21/02/2023 12:51

Working for me, and it’s a fantastic upgrade - thank you MNHQ!

TanteRose · 21/02/2023 12:47

Excellent - working for me on mobile site

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 21/02/2023 12:44

Working for me, thanks MNHQ.

HardAsSnails · 21/02/2023 12:39

Oh yay, it actually does, thanks MN Gin

HardAsSnails · 21/02/2023 12:39

This sounds like a great update, just testing with an old name to see if it works 🤞🏼

MaggieFS · 21/02/2023 12:25

I've just been onto the iOS browser for the first time in a long time (instead of the app) and I can't think of any reason anyone would use the browser. It's awful by comparison. I'll stick to the name change fails Grin

Seeline · 21/02/2023 12:18

mybunniesandme · 21/02/2023 09:41

@AmeliaPMumsnet

Thanks but my point is more that I would think most users use the app so why not concentrate on updating that first?

May IOS users use the app.
The Android app is less than useless so I think most of us use the mobile site instead.

MaggieFS · 21/02/2023 12:12

Great news. I'd also like to know if it's ever planned for the app or not at all?

LanaDelBoy · 21/02/2023 12:08

Sorry easterly didn't mean to sound patronising, I just wasn't understanding what situation this change would make harder IYSWIM.

I think you can go into settings and change to 'view 100 posts per page' - this is what I do.

I still can't quite grasp what you are trying to do - keep one username or change regularly? You can still set your default in 'settings' and this will only change if you have previously posted on a thread under a different name. (not badgering just trying to help! I was on here for years before I realised you could overwrite the 'username' box when posting). I am used to changing my name frequently in the 'username' box as well as in settings but I guess if you're not used to doing this it might seem like a hassle.

I expect it's not just because of sockpuppetting but OPs having namechange fails, which I see all the time - it then becomes much harder to view OP's posts in a thread because some aren't labelled as OP's.

@LuxLucet sockpuppeting is when the same poster posts under different names in one discussion to have a fake argument/conversation/back up themselves "Oh yes I agree" etc.

LuxLucet · 21/02/2023 11:55

@Ceryneianhind what is sock puppeting?

EasterlyDirection · 21/02/2023 11:30

LanaDelBoy · 21/02/2023 11:12

@EasterlyDirection if you name change halfway through a thread, it could be seen as sockpuppetting (even though I'm sure many of us have done this innocently).

If you're determined to post under different names in the same thread you can still edit your username straight into the username box. It's just the "default " that will change depending on whether you've previously posted in that thread and since changed name in your main settings. So it's completely in your control.

I am perfectly aware its because of sockpuppeting thank you but it seems that because some sockpuppet we al have to be penalised. I am also aware that I can change my name manually each time but this will make it much more effort to maintain a single username and hence privacy which I normally keep by changing my name regularly (within parameters which mean people I know still recognise me).

The latter option is also much harder since MN removed the ability to show all posts in a thread by toggling a few months ago, I won't always have posted in the last 50 posts - this is because most of what I post is on fairly slow moving long running threads, not fast ones.

LanaDelBoy · 21/02/2023 11:13

Yes I'm on the mobile site and it's working. Appreciate this change!

CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 21/02/2023 11:12

(It’s working perfectly on the mobile site on my phone. I never use the app. And almost never use MN on my laptop.)

LanaDelBoy · 21/02/2023 11:12

@EasterlyDirection if you name change halfway through a thread, it could be seen as sockpuppetting (even though I'm sure many of us have done this innocently).

If you're determined to post under different names in the same thread you can still edit your username straight into the username box. It's just the "default " that will change depending on whether you've previously posted in that thread and since changed name in your main settings. So it's completely in your control.

CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 21/02/2023 11:09

PRAISE BE!!! Star

Thank you, MNHQ - this is your best upgrade ever!

I’ve sometimes felt you probably have to employ someone solely to keep up with my self-reported mistakes. And I’ve had countless opportunities to be grateful for your speed in changing names back to the correct one.

Really excellent decision.

LanaDelBoy · 21/02/2023 11:08

Interested to see how this goes!

EasterlyDirection · 21/02/2023 11:03

I noticed this yesterday, I'm not happy about it. Also it doesn't seem to work properly as it has still allowed me to post on one thread under two names (I nc'd a day or two ago and also a couple of weeks ago), maybe because I first posted on that thread under the name before last. When I namechange I want it to be changed across all threads, not have it taken out of my control like this. Maybe I had better switch to the app.

PutItInTheFuckingBasket · 21/02/2023 10:12

The app does seem to have way less functionality than the website (even things like dark mode). Maybe the MN developers aren't good on apps?

Utilitaparking · 21/02/2023 10:04

MyOldFriendTime · 21/02/2023 09:53

The app always gets forgotten about, I'm still waiting for the vote feature on aibu to be enabled on it 🤨

Yes I'm not holding out much hope of this feature making it to the app Sad

Utilitaparking · 21/02/2023 10:03

mybunniesandme · 21/02/2023 09:41

@AmeliaPMumsnet

Thanks but my point is more that I would think most users use the app so why not concentrate on updating that first?

I always thought the opposite, most people don't seem to realise there is an app!

I think the majority probably use the mobile site, I'm sure MN know the figures though.

Siepie · 21/02/2023 09:59

AlmostSpring2023 · 21/02/2023 09:57

@AmeliaPMumsnet

that's a great start, I've been blathering on about that for ages!, but do you mean it's desktop only?

Show quote history

It will work on the website, whether you use it on your phone or a computer.

It won't work if you use the app.

AlmostSpring2023 · 21/02/2023 09:57

mybunniesandme · 21/02/2023 09:28

Great but I would think 99% of users use the mobile site?

@AmeliaPMumsnet

that's a great start, I've been blathering on about that for ages!, but do you mean it's desktop only?

MyOldFriendTime · 21/02/2023 09:53

The app always gets forgotten about, I'm still waiting for the vote feature on aibu to be enabled on it 🤨