Do you think the limitless name changing facility on Mumsnet is a good or bad thing?

[A580Hojas]

And do you know of any other chat forums that have the same feature?

It allows people to troll, post rubbish and come out the other side with a sparkly new name.

Perhaps posters should just be able to have a different ID on different boards?

good thing.

Good thing. I have two usernames I change between regularly (one for things that could out me like specific chat about where I live, personal circumstances or my job role, and one for things more vague).

I like the option for a 'throwaway' name for sensitive topics too.

Good

Mine stalked me on here too, thanks to the keystroke logger he installed on my laptop. It was a few years before I felt able to sign up to any SM and here again, despite getting rid of my laptop as soon as my brother had a good rummage and realised WTF was going on and changing all of my online stuff.

ExSIL also felt compelled to tell me that he’d been using her laptop to post on MN himself, on my threads, or any thread I posted on.

It was disturbing.

Good!!

@FiveShelties
That's nonsense, if they did any of those things they be banned by Mumsnet and won't be able to re-register under any username so what you've written is complete nonsense, surely.

Timely reminder to change my name!

I think I might go change my name now. Just for the craic

Good thing.

I frequently nc when I may have posted something a bit personal, I think one of my colleagues sussed something I’d posted one time so I’m ever wary of being identified.

What is bitchplopping?

I like it. But I do sometimes wonder if there's only like 10 of us with loads of name changes haha

Dash onto a thread, deposit single unwanted/rude pearl of wisdom. Then name change and do it all over again on another thread. Leave no trail.

If it is nonsense then why are there so many previously banned posters starting new troll threads?

I think posters who break TGs (or sail close) but namechange very regularly are less likely to be reported. Because their horrible comment just looks like a one off so they don't get 'known' for them.

I wouldn't use Mumsnet if I couldn't name change frequently. I know other people I know use it, and I don't really want to be identifiable on here. Especially now that the Daily Mail is always sniffing round here for clickbait.

Good thing.

Good thing

Given that most chats on MN stay there forever being able to name change is actually crucial. Can you imagine how much information about you someone could put together if you were with MN for a long time? I've been on for 15 years and the thought of anyone at all being able to piece it all together and work out who I was from my posts is bloody scary.

It all depends what you post doesn’t it. If you are going to share loads of personal stuff or slag your family off then a NC is probably wise.

If just chatting about random stuff, what’s on TV or how often you wash your towels etc then not so much.

Good thing

@Sparklingbrook - yeah but even with innocuous chatting you might mention baking a cake for a birthday, or visiting a local attraction, what prompted you to have a 3rd child, what breed of dog you have, what type of work you do, if you've been I'll, etc. You'd be surprised how easily someone can put together a profile of you with things that don't, at first glance, seem very important and personal.

It's great.
Years ago I used the same name and posted a bit too much detail.
Now I name change about every couple of months. Also have specific names for certain topics.

@Sparklingbrook - and if you're on the type of threads that attract trolls or malicious name changers, they are also more likely to be the type of threads personal information is shared.

I like being able to change names as and when i want. Helps us stop being identified outside of MN by other posters.