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Original poster

Idea!!!

58 replies

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 17/06/2024 20:28

Hello MNHQ

Apologies if this has been suggested before!!

Oneone of my previous threads on this forums, you guys advised me why you have the username change facilities!!! That's great and I see your point!!

I find it had to follow names and get to know posters and their views/stance etc

My suggestions: A new MN's member or an existing member has one main name, like the one they use the most.
Then, have a permanent second name that could be used as a secret name, EG, those that know you via your main name wont know your second name.

This IMHO, will make it easier for posters to embrace or not the main names and or the second names, a way of building trust and respect, etc, etc, IMO

I hope I'm clear as often reading back the forth time my longer messages get a bit diff to follow, so sorry about that!!

Please lock the thread if this has been considered previous;y!! Thank you ll!!

OP posts:
MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 17/06/2024 20:53

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 17/06/2024 20:43

Hi LilyMumsnet

Fair enough!! TBH, I disagree with that stance as its open to abused IMHo
However, you guys run the site and you are the professionals and put like that - thank for explaining it well
😄

Show quote history

Thanks for the feedback.

We have offered an unlimited name change facility since the dawn of (Olivia's) time. To reassure you, though, we have a team of moderators who look into concerns quickly.

The idea of name-changing is to protect our users from identifying each other. However, MNHQ can see a full username history and will investigate anything that may be disingenuous. It's best to report these concerns using the report button - we'd much rather manage these concerns on a case-by-case, than limit all of our users across the whole site.

If something has been reported and it doesn't break talk guidelines, we would advise hiding a thread or not engaging further with a poster.

TheShellBeach · 17/06/2024 20:51

Have you considered cutting down on exclamation marks?

I was going to ask that.

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 17/06/2024 20:50

When you say ‘follow’ posters are you thinking of using Advanced Search?

Have you considered cutting down on exclamation marks?

CorylusAgain · 17/06/2024 20:50

The ability to name change is fundamental to MN.
It's not about following posters or building "trust". Posters are free to use names as they wish. Flexibility is key. It's not "open to abuse" if that flexibility why the system is in place.

TheShellBeach · 17/06/2024 20:49

BirthdayRainbow · 17/06/2024 20:47

Im sure im not the only poster who barely notice the names and it could be only when a proper conversation starts happening, or you come across someone batshit, that you notice who it is.

..............only when a proper conversation starts happening, or you come across someone batshit, that you notice who it is

🤣🤣

Original poster
DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 17/06/2024 20:49

Coughsweet · 17/06/2024 20:43

It’s better to adopt a policy of never trusting randoms behind a screen. If you have reached a point you feel you can do this I think that’s unwise.

Good point, but I do trust the posters as the final decision always rests with me to do my own research and only then move forward

FYI - I'm hoping this will better help you understand what I was saying re "trust some posters on a certain forums" - its a Landlords forum. The info they have is second to none - therefore in our early days as LL, even though we employed and still de employ a letting agent, we always ask question on the forums to confirm etc stuff or scenarios - there are several there that are 101% on the ball, even then we do our own research and then move forward.
Thanks for your concerns!!

OP posts:
Zonder · 17/06/2024 20:47

Content is more important than the name on MN. What matters is what people say. It doesn't matter if they have said things on other subjects with a different name.

Of course sometimes you can tell who is posting even before you read the name anyway from their writing style, as you must know by the number of people who say they knew it was you posting even before spotting your name @DistinguishedSocialCommentator

BirthdayRainbow · 17/06/2024 20:47

Im sure im not the only poster who barely notice the names and it could be only when a proper conversation starts happening, or you come across someone batshit, that you notice who it is.

TheShellBeach · 17/06/2024 20:46

Coughsweet · 17/06/2024 20:43

It’s better to adopt a policy of never trusting randoms behind a screen. If you have reached a point you feel you can do this I think that’s unwise.

Well quite.

TheShellBeach · 17/06/2024 20:45

TBH, I disagree with that stance as it's open to abuse

MNHQ do not seem to concur though, @DistinguishedSocialCommentator

Their stance is clearly not open to abuse, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

Coughsweet · 17/06/2024 20:43

It’s better to adopt a policy of never trusting randoms behind a screen. If you have reached a point you feel you can do this I think that’s unwise.

Original poster
DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 17/06/2024 20:43

LilyMumsnet · 17/06/2024 20:38

Hi OP,

Thanks for the suggestion.

A Mnetter may post a cake recipe, complain about a noisy neighbour, share a personal employment dispute - and then head over to relationships to post about domestic violence. This is something that happens quite a lot on Mumsnet. Our users need to name change to be able to post about something that could otherwise compromise their privacy.

We encourage users to make use of the name change facility as much as they need and have no plans to limit this. This ensures that our users are able to share, without fear, and receive support that some so desperately need.

We won't be considering limiting the name change facility - we want all users (old and new) to have access to a tool that makes receiving anonymous support easy and accessible.

Edited

Hi LilyMumsnet

Fair enough!! TBH, I disagree with that stance as its open to abused IMHo
However, you guys run the site and you are the professionals and put like that - thank for explaining it well
😄

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 17/06/2024 20:42

Thank you, @LilyMumsnet for your rapid response.

OriginalUsername2 · 17/06/2024 20:41

I could only tell you one persons’ username off the top of my head because I've happened to see it a few times. I can’t remember their specific views.

It’s not really like that here for me, I don’t know if others have the capacity to do that but I imagine there are far too many people?

TheShellBeach · 17/06/2024 20:40

It will be easier to follow those you like and those you want to ignore

I assure you that I already know who I want to ignore, OP.

Original poster
DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 17/06/2024 20:40

Pianofingers1 · 17/06/2024 20:37

This isn't twitter - you don't need to 'follow' anyone.

'I find it had to follow names and get to know posters and their views/stance etc' Good!!!

Please stop twisiting what i have posted - its to build trust.
Another site I rarely post on but read and post questions - there are several people there that I can trust as far as the net goes - it helps IMO

However, you are entitled to feel like just like I am!!

OP posts:
IDontFeelItAnymore · 17/06/2024 20:39

I name change very often because I talk about a specifically personal issue on here which I don't want to ever be traced back. That wouldn't work for me.

(Off to NC again)

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 17/06/2024 20:38

Hi OP,

Thanks for the suggestion.

A Mnetter may post a cake recipe, complain about a noisy neighbour, share a personal employment dispute - and then head over to relationships to post about domestic violence. This is something that happens quite a lot on Mumsnet. Our users need to name change to be able to post about something that could otherwise compromise their privacy.

We encourage users to make use of the name change facility as much as they need and have no plans to limit this. This ensures that our users are able to share, without fear, and receive support that some so desperately need.

We won't be considering limiting the name change facility - we want all users (old and new) to have access to a tool that makes receiving anonymous support easy and accessible.

Coughsweet · 17/06/2024 20:38

No, I don’t adopt a blanket policy of ignoring people who have posted things I don’t agree with. They might lead me to rethink my views, I might agree with them over other things. I don’t need to keep track of people.

SoupDragon · 17/06/2024 20:38

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 17/06/2024 20:37

Many thanks. Valid posting but the two names, keep the second name top secret only you and MNHQ is aware of that.

Honestly, mush easier to like, ignore, trust,etc posters IMO

However, MNHQ site, their choice I'm only suggesting an idea that may improve user experiences here!!

Show quote history

It won't improve "user" experience, it's fine just as it is. It's a shame you can't keep up with it.

Pianofingers1 · 17/06/2024 20:37

This isn't twitter - you don't need to 'follow' anyone.

'I find it had to follow names and get to know posters and their views/stance etc' Good!!!

Original poster
DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 17/06/2024 20:37

BoxingFoamDollies · 17/06/2024 20:34

Some people have kept their names for years, others, like me, name change on a regular basis. Some posters will back search for other posts by the same poster to use their previous things against them.

I understand that for a newbie it may seem hard to follow some users opinions but there are so many people posting these days it would be hard to keep up anyway. I have been on here 18 years.

Sometimes people are outed in real life, some posters follow and hound certain posters, as lovely as MN can be it can also be fucking horrific.

Many thanks. Valid posting but the two names, keep the second name top secret only you and MNHQ is aware of that.

Honestly, mush easier to like, ignore, trust,etc posters IMO

However, MNHQ site, their choice I'm only suggesting an idea that may improve user experiences here!!

OP posts:
Savoydone · 17/06/2024 20:37

No.

Hazelville · 17/06/2024 20:36

Pixiedust1234 · 17/06/2024 20:32

No. I have different names for different but sensitive forums. I don't want my posts from Relationships to be linked to AIBU or Women's Health to Divorce etc.

Edited

This.

SoupDragon · 17/06/2024 20:36

Alternatively, they could just leave it all as it is now because it works just fine.

If you don't like the site (and it certainly seems that way from your threads) then make your own.