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AIBU?

To ask users with a name like user123456788 to name change?

134 replies

MajesticWhine · 27/05/2017 11:34

Hate these usernames. I don't know why they started and they are not conducive to communicating with others online. You can't recognise the person easily if they post on different threads. You can't form an impression of the identity of the poster. It's just rubbish. Please can we stop it?

OP posts:

Report

HeyHoThereYouGo657 · 27/05/2017 14:33

It is not rocket science to change from User (shit load of numbers)

When I joined I was assigned User ....... thought screw this and went to change it . Job DONE

scottishdiem · 27/05/2017 14:38

but that only applies to OP, not the replies to the threads

So usernames are confusing cause they have numbers yet users who are posting on the same topic with two different names isnt after making an arse of their arbitrary name change? How does that work? Why is it confusing to see different people posting with a similar user name but not the same person posting with two usernames. Surely the latter is harder?

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 27/05/2017 14:38

I tend to ignore their posts.

usershitloadofnumbers · 27/05/2017 14:42

Surely the latter is harder? indeed!

It is however funny when there's a name change fail in the middle of a thread. Sometimes they are innocent, some posters change their name daily, but sometimes they are really trying to give weight to their opinion.

ArtemisiaGentilleschi · 27/05/2017 14:42

Heyho- as HQ themselves have said, some users can't name change. There is a problem in their tech system.

SandyDenny · 27/05/2017 14:49

I don't like it because it makes following the thread more difficult, can anyone register all the numbers in one glance and know how many differenr users are on the thread? I can't and dont have the time or inclination to keep scrolling back and forth.

It might not be right but it puts me off engaging too, all forums have their own personalities and unwritten rules. Quirky screennames are a big part of MN and the user ones grate on me.

Birdsgottaf1y · 27/05/2017 15:00

""Could you hold a sensible conversation with someone who name-changed between every single post, within the same thread? Because that's what conversing with a "user" is like, unless it's a very quiet thread or they do something explicitly within every post to remind you of the content of all their previous relevant posts in the thread.""

You just have to remember the last two numbers and bypass the rest,if you want to just read the OP's posts.

So "User" is the MN equivalent to the Burka, Obese people and general immigrants.

They just need to change to fit in, or try harder/be more self disciplined, but ultimately, they are not to be trusted and it's ok to ignore their plight, when they're are more posters "like us" that need help.

Fascinating.

nauticant · 27/05/2017 15:14

So "User" is the MN equivalent to the Burka, Obese people and general immigrants.

You've gotta love MN sometimes.

NavyandWhite · 27/05/2017 15:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Birdsgottaf1y · 27/05/2017 15:18

Well there's no real reason behind the hatred.

Just a load of posters who don't like the influx of new posters that are different.

So they want to take away their autonomy.

MissTakesOurMaid · 27/05/2017 15:21

I find it annoying considering there's loads of user123456789s around - it's hard to distinguish between posters. So I'm inclined to agree op though I suppose asking people to name change is a bit iffy.

I think it'd be a better approach if MN used a 'captcha' style thing to generate random phrases for usernames (e.g. WhiteApplepeel) and you would be allowed to choose from a list of randomly generated names rather than just being a number. That way it keeps the anonymity that PPs have said they like, while meaning it's easier to tell who is who on a thread.

Davros · 27/05/2017 15:27

Not everyone name changes all the time. I've had the same User Name since I joined MN 14 years ago.
YANBU

MajesticWhine · 27/05/2017 15:39

Why is it confusing to see different people posting with a similar user name but not the same person posting with two usernames. Surely the latter is harder?

Both of these scenarios cause confusion. It's not a case of either or.

OP posts:

MajesticWhine · 27/05/2017 15:40

Sorry that was meant to be a quote.

OP posts:

Ceto · 27/05/2017 15:40

What irritates me is that MN acknowledged that this was a problem around a year ago and said they were working on it, and intermittently come back when someone grumbles to repeat the same thing, but nothing changes. Is it really that complicated to sort out?

Yellowbird54321 · 27/05/2017 15:55

Not RTFT but I do seem to recall when I signed up, I had to create a username with letters and numbers. Once registered I fully intended to change it and ditch the numbers but I never got round to it and I've grown quite fond of the word / number mix now -no idea why I am explaining this, I do realise it's not specifically relevant or interesting

BertieBotts · 27/05/2017 16:01

Yes apparently a random name generator created names they didn't like I don't get it.

Really not sure what not liking user0o7987 names has to do with posters who repeatedly namechange though. Not knowing that CherryApple is the same person as ToneAleHub or whatever is much less of an issue than trying to detangle a conversation between user 34, user 67, and user 93 especially when the numbers are much longer.

JanetBrown2015 · 27/05/2017 16:05

If we are talking about name change I think MN recommends it particularly after the hacking problem.

gotthemoononastick · 27/05/2017 16:05

OFF WITH THEIR DRATTED HEADS!!!!
(the oldest queen from the ancien regime)

Highalert · 27/05/2017 16:10

I ignore them. Hard to engage when there's loads of them on the same thread. They all merge into one user for me.

GretchenFranklin · 27/05/2017 16:11

yabu probably but I agree, it's like talking to some robots

user1491401693 · 27/05/2017 16:40

But very few people on this thread are namechecking other posters, so you are just replying to the posts, regardless of who has posted.

And the site is so big now that there are not many recognisable posters any more, unless you are on a long running quiche thread.

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Orlantina · 27/05/2017 16:45

But very few people on this thread are namechecking other posters, so you are just replying to the posts, regardless of who has posted

There are posters who I recognise and who become regulars. It's more engaging TBH if you are engaging with people you 'know' through regular MN threads.

It's easy to remember names. It's harder to remember long numbers.

Orlantina · 27/05/2017 16:46

And if one user is being a dickhead, it's hard to recognise if someone else with a similar user number is the same one you've argued with before.

So I tend to ignore them.

TeddyIsaHe · 27/05/2017 16:50

I just see user as one person. And if there is a ridiculous troll thread started 9 times out of 10 it's by a user63738292937.

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