Telling us you've name changed - why?

[LittleBoyBlue91]

Name changed for this so not to out myself
If you've name changed so as not to out yourself fair enough that's sensible. But why tell us ? Surely it defeats the point and you would be much less detectable if you did it on the sly.

I think it's so that people don't suspect a troll? Or alternatively so that anyone IRL who might recognise the facts has nothing else identifiable to go on if they do a name search!

Because otherwise sneery cunts come along and make "Interesting first post OP..." type comments meaning nobody takes you seriously because they've suggested you're a troll.
Can't win really.

Exactly what HillariousGuitar said. Because if the sneery cunts. Couldn't have put it better myself.

I say I've name changed if the post is related to something I could be traced back to. I've been around for yonks and in one way or another might be traceable as I'm open about where I live, how old I am, etc. This is mostly related to my job as I could be disciplined/sacked if I said anything that could be inferred as improper.

I think the Op knows why people name change, she wondered why the need to tell anyone they've name changed. In other words just do it quietly. Probably like someone said, so you don't get all the "interesting first post" type comments.

I've never name changed in over 5 years on Mumsnet.
Not really sure how to.
I'd like to lose the 2 after maras though.I only used it as I was just maras on the archers boards before they closed.
I may just start experimenting but won't put 'I've name changed as this may out me' though

I name change every 6 months or so as I get bored with my user name. That said it is getting difficult to find a new name as most of the cool names are gone.

So people don't think you are trolling. But a lot of the time it is a troll trying to sound like a regular.

I'm always suspicious of "name changed for this' posters.

What I can't stand is the "NC but penis beaker and naice ham" type intros to posts, as if a good troll wouldn't be able to find references to these old and classic threads for validation themselves.

I do hate the witch hunts tho when someone has clearly nc'd for privacy purposes and they get smeary comments about heir first post. Must be really offputting if it is actually their first post and they've just joined.

Don't understand it either, TBH. Though I am guessing it is a reaction to potentially being accused of all sorts.

The way I see it - it's the Internet. No-one is ever going to know anything for certain. Nor should they.

Just post what you need to post. You don't need to justify it. Potential responders should decide if they want to answer or not. No need for the judgement and troll-hunting.

Answer/don't answer. Meh. Who cares?

flora in principle I totally agree, you shouldn't have to justify yourself. However if you're after advice on a tricky situation and have nowhere else to go/want to be anonymous for whatever reason, it's really difficult to get genuine, helpful advice when someone has marked you as a troll. Because the thread will inevitably get derailed, with troll accusations, people defending op from said accusations, and discussions about "why did my post get deleted" (because you were troll hunting).

So if someone is new to the site (so has no back history)and wants to post about a serious/private topic they have to either pretend to be a regular under a name change (which they're unlikely to know to do), break themselves in slowly with thread comments here and there, or risk being called a troll? That is truly ridiculous!

eh?.....but you've just name changed and told us!

why did you bother telling us? surely not for the same reason that everyone else does

@botanicbaby it was my feeble attempt at humour, a friendly jibe at those who say that sort of thing.