Name changing

[ThePinkOcelot]

I just don't get name changes at all. Surely, it's the situation and circumstances that are identifying rather than a user name. I just don't get it.

It's so if someone recognises the person from their post they can do an advanced search and see everything else they've ever written...

and sometimes you want 'anonymous' advice

I hate the lazy people who don't bother to change from "userxxxxxxxxxxxxx".

I don't seem to be able to do it! I keep trying to change it in that little box but it doesn't work. What do you do?
Yeah I guess it's the advanced search. The situation might be identifying but several people could have written it. But if you search through other posts you could identify from other stuff.
That said, surely it's a long shot!

Situation and circumstances can be identifying yes - but if you've given away that say you live in Glasgow in one post then another post under a different name with something that happened at school and another one where you are worried your DH is having an affair (all seem standard themes on here) then you are far more identifiable if you post under one name and someone you know who for example had recognised the school incident and also lives in Glasgow then sees your DH post and knows your business.

Whereas if you just post your DH post for support/advice with no other identifiable factors then it remains anonymous and you presumably feel safer and more secure revealing the gory details? (Just to clarify - I don't live in Glasgow, my kids are fine right now and whilst my DH can be a bit of a dick I think I can trust him!).

I've NC'd before to talk about something I'd rather not have linked to my name then go back to an old one which is more 'everyday' (I know other m'netters IRL)!

I ALWAYS wondered this when i joined MN!

It's defo to do with previous posts and people being able to piece together a picture of you and your life if they're all under the same user name.

You're right about the scenario being identifiable though despite the username

Needapaddle sums it up perfectly. I name change all the time. It's what makes mumsnet properly anon as your posting history can't all be linked together. Whilst I understand that some of the regulars prefer to be 'known' that does lead to details about their life being very easy to piece together. I am no online stalker but have noticed some geographically very identifying info recently (if you knew the area in question) which literally told you the school the OPs kids went to. Alongside the state of their relationship. Off to name change again now

Except if you're a regular then you're probably recogniseable anyway because of the details you put under your NC.

I've seen posts from regulars who have namechanged but they post so much detail anyway about their lives during the course of the thread that it's easy to realise who they are in their regular form. I wouldn't out them though obviously but if I recognise them then likely others do as well. In fact I've seen posts from people saying "have namechanged but am a regular, so if you recognise me please don't out me."

Personally I think that namechanging should be restricted then we would have far less trolls. Nobody needs unlimited names.

Also I think the user101010101010101 names should be restricted to five posts only and then they have to choose a proper username. I did actually suggest this on a thread and HQ were going to look into it.

If you can't change it via the app then do it via the website.

Hey ive tried to change my lazy username but it wont work!

I changed my Username to post on a Tattoo thread, but then I had to put a letter into it and I'm gutted. I've also changed when I started a couple of threads, because the circumstances would be revealing.

I post honestly on here and I know that my DD is on here, as well as other people that I know. So I don't want my use of this site spoiled by having to scale back what I post.

If someone thinks they recognise you from RL and wants to find more information to confirm their suspicions, then frequent name changes gives them less to work with. When they search, only a small proportion of your posts will pop up.
Similarly, you do get to know people by their names which can be nice especially on the support threads. So if someone wanted advice about their sex life or mysterious illness they may not want it associated with the name they are known by.

I have a couple of other names I use for stuff that I'm embarrassed about!

Partly it's because people get 'known' and don't want to be forever known as the poster who wet themselves in Tesco, or who cheated on their dh, every time they post.
Also because it's always possible for people to figure out who you are in real life (happened to me twice that I recognised people) and if you're posting about something really sensitive you don't want that to be connected to any other posts.

I've always wondered why people have to say at the start of their thread
"NC due to this issue but been a memeber for years"

I've never read a thread and checked how long the person has been on mumsnet and never will.
Are there people who check?!??

Yes there are loads of people who check! Especially when the op is a bit out there

Also, you might realise that you could be identified from the circumstances and don't mind that under your throwaway name.

But when your RL family/friends ping YourUserName, you didn't necessarily want each and every one of them to also find your posts about your DH's erectile issues, your contraception updates, a pic of a nice bit of sporn (on a body part you don't show), DC's unwise experiment with cider and how often you pull a sickie.

I have a different name I use when posting photos as that is VERY identifying. Its good to be able to swap back and forth with names, and create new ones.

No problem with name changing, but please, you don't have to tell everyone that you have just done that!

Why do people say this? Just post under your new name and get on with being newly anonymous. I don't care whether you have name changed or not, understood LOL.

I can't change my name ! I go to account, type a new name in, put my password in, click to save and nothing happens. Please help!

I change my name all the time. I keep revealing too many information, because it's hard to justify your point of view without explaining that you have been through the same thing.

I have posted about issues at work or at school, or at a children playgroup. If you had been there (in my office, in that school etc) it is immediately obvious who I am. Do a search and look when I mention my dogs/ car / holidays, then you know without a doubt. Sometimes, I also ask the same question on Facebook, so it's very obvious it's me again.

I do hate posters who feel the need to add a few words to show they have been on here before (Maui, Nicolas and Cuntaline, I can't think of anything right now)

User Nothing at the top of the page, such as name already taken? try from another browser? You can ask for advice on site stuff.

No it just doesn't react to me clicking save - ok will try site stuff thanks!

Ahh ok. I didn't think about previous history.

People mention old threads so that people don't think they are a troll. If you come up as your one and only post being about poo, then... An explanation about why people should believe you comes in handy!

They explain why they name changed so no one says 'Caroline, is that you?'.

People post that they've namechange so they don't get tedious “oh, welcome to mumsnet OP“ or "interesting first post..." wink wink type replies rather than anything actually useful or supportive.

Up until recently I was user1234 and couldn't change. I put a request on site stuff and they changed my account to enable me to change.

So those slagging the users off......it's not their fault!