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Original poster

Feature suggestion - Date user registered/user age against username.

34 replies

SerendipityJane · 26/02/2025 15:07

Just a suggestion that when displaying the username in the comment header, the length of time that name has been active on MN is also shown. E.g

SerendipityJane(4 yrs) · Today 14:36 ...

SerendipityJane(less than 4 weeks) · Today 14:36

NamechangedSerendipityJane(new user) · Today 14:36
and if reused ...
NamechangedSerendipityJane(3 months ago) · Today 14:36

The aim would be to allow the entire site to spot freshly minted user(name)s and draw their own conclusions. As new user & question about brands of beans is a completely different proposition to new user and a contentious post that attracts frothing.

OP posts:
Whatisthisbs · 26/02/2025 17:53

SerendipityJane · 26/02/2025 17:36

That's not what I was suggesting.

Show quote history

I was referring to what it says in the title of your thread

EasternStandard · 26/02/2025 17:53

I've been here for ages but still no thanks

B1indEye · 26/02/2025 17:52

I wouldn't like that, it might discourage new users from entering into debate with the long standing MN posters

Every one's posts shoild be equal

I use another forum where there is this kind of notation and it leads to fawning over longest members

CouldYouMindThatBaby · 26/02/2025 17:49

I think it is a good idea. I name change but have been here for a long time. I think something like 10 years plus or 5 years plus would possibly work. That way there is no specific 7 or 8 years.

Posting frequency would be pointless. You could get a new user who just posts lots and a user who has been here 20 years who doesn't post much.

Original poster
SerendipityJane · 26/02/2025 17:41

RightThenFred · 26/02/2025 17:21

This could hinder anonymity. Many of us like to name change regularly, as we discuss our private lives and opinions on a publicly searchable forum. Information about account "age" can help tie different usernames together.

If someone is posting something iffy or contentious, does it really matter if they are new or not?

If it does matter - does it matter if their username is new and not the account itself?

Personally I find it tiresome to read "NC for this but long time user, penis-beaker-cancel-the-cheque". It makes absolutely no difference to me. I'll take a post on its own merits.

I did ponder if it could compromise anonymity.

Maybe a less granular metric. Some forums I have worked with use things like "freshly joined", "casual fan", " regular poster", "seasoned poster" and "veteran".

The aim is to allow the more regular seasoned and veteran posters the chance to see if a post that looks like it was intended to stir up frothing ticks the additional "new poster" box that is the hallmark of these tiresome agendaist posts.

OP posts:
Original poster
SerendipityJane · 26/02/2025 17:36

Whatisthisbs · 26/02/2025 17:25

I don't want my age anywhere near my username thanks!

That's not what I was suggesting.

OP posts:
Whatisthisbs · 26/02/2025 17:25

I don't want my age anywhere near my username thanks!

RightThenFred · 26/02/2025 17:21

This could hinder anonymity. Many of us like to name change regularly, as we discuss our private lives and opinions on a publicly searchable forum. Information about account "age" can help tie different usernames together.

If someone is posting something iffy or contentious, does it really matter if they are new or not?

If it does matter - does it matter if their username is new and not the account itself?

Personally I find it tiresome to read "NC for this but long time user, penis-beaker-cancel-the-cheque". It makes absolutely no difference to me. I'll take a post on its own merits.

theboffinsarecoming · 26/02/2025 17:16

If I spot a potentially contentious, goady, shit-stirring, 'lob it in and run' or otherwise iffy thread, I usually do an advanced search on the username anyway. If it looks like a new user I report the thread so MNHQ can have a look.