to think we should have a "date joined" shown against our user names

[ssd]

so that those posters who clearly have joined in order to promote their political views only, are shown for what they are?

no matter what party you vote for, when you try to discuss something here, there are posters who are determined to close you down or present facts when they aren't true

I think the older posters here and the newbies too I guess, would appreciate knowing how recently some of these posters joined....or not as the case may be.

I dont mind getting into a heated debate with genuine MN posters, we cant all be on the same side, that would be very boring, but when someone suddenly joins a few weeks before the general election and is all over political threads saying the same thing over and over, it dampens debate and is shit, frankly

The only way to do it would be to be in broad bands - which I've seen elsewhere.

eg if by date, give the day if in the last week, the month if in the last year, otherwise just the year.

BaByFace joined 3 June 2017
NiceAtThis joined November 2016
JadedButFeisty joined 2009

eg if by posts, give in bands

BaByFace has posted 1-100 times
NiceAtThis has posted 100-1000 times
JadedButFeisty has posted 5000-10000 times

There's a problem with post counts because we have self-limiting boards eg _Chat and 30 Days - does a post count if it was ever made, or only if the thread still exists?

Just click on the username and relevant data could be shown.

Why click - just hover ?

Some sites have grades of poster, based on number of posts, liked/disliked posts (if they support such a feature) ... so you can have a bronze, silver or gold poster ????

@Dandandandandandandan

Agreeing with Ravenblack here. It would make the namechanging feature less workable, as people could be identified much more easily. Even just giving a year would be a bit of a coincidence, regardless of how many thousands of people sign up in a year!

I think the trolls are less bothersome than the idea of being identified because it's my 2701th post or 10th anniversary!

This ^

Much of what is being proposed is too identifying ... It would put people off posting and getting help and support.

I don't think people could identify ONE poster by the knowing how long they've been on MN!

I've seen people outed by unusual misspellings before. I've personally been outed by my "voice" on screen. Don't underestimate how Sherlocky people can get when they're wound up.

Navy - overall, I agree it sounds like a small risk. But if you'd had a ding dong with someone on a thread, or said something that ended up in the Fail, or posted something that turned out to be v unpopular or rather identifying, and wanted to namechange, it would be very easy for someone to do as a PP pointed out above, and work out that it was the same poster. It takes away the anonymity.

Which some people value more than others, of course.

Another way to do it would be to allow self-editing or deleting posts, as GFs could still be identified but people worried about personal info could delete it more easily than having to ask HQ to delete loads of comments - but of course that would be a fundamental change to the way the site works!

Mmmmm. Sherlock.

/misses point.

You don't have to be much of a sleuth to recognise long term users who name change. Most us us do know their previous names it's just politie and respectful not the out them.

Outing them in real life, yes, but not saying "I could have sworn GoadyFuckerWankyTits used to post as MrsHathaway" ?

danandan is right. It's too easy to identify. I tried namechanging on a popular message board some years back (it's defunct now) and people were able to spot me within MINUTES.

On another site I changed and was 'outed' within a few days.

Some people are literally hell-bent on finding out who people are.

I do agree that it would be a good idea to have an edit button. Digital spy has one and you have 10 minutes to edit a post.

You should also be allowed to delete your own thread imo. Within an hour say, in case you regret putting it, or if people start being vile... Then even after that hour has passed, you should still be allowed to delete it after say a month... So it's not on the net forever.

MN sometimes refuse to delete a thread. If they don't think there is a reason to delete it, they won't delete it.

Hierarchical? Really? Like really?

Some people are waaaay too invested in this place...

But, I think it an excellent idea, as it would highlight those who do a swift NC in order to just bitch plop.

You can see join date if people have public profile switched on, I believe?

Navy I have been here for donkey's years, but have no idea who you are....

I really do wish that there was a button that allowed you to 'un-see' certain posters and their posts.

Oooh, that first line sounded a bit shirty, sorry Navy I didn't mean it to

Mn needs a "quote" button so its obvious who people are replying to

I meant previous user names Navy.

Not too helpful or representative imo.

I'm here over 10 years, but username says about 2 months because I read more than I post, lost a password and only got a new account recently.

Agree with the likelihood of identifying people based on join date.

Plus, I quite enjoy some trolls!

Two birds one stone:

1. New users no longer are called userXXXX, they are called newbieXXXX.
2. After a months, they are allowed to pick a proper name.

And we already see people say "Hey, hands off criticising X, they've been here for years and know what they're talking about". I personally dislike that. Their length of membership doesn't mean they should inhabit a loftier plane where they are like some breton-wearing Yoda and are regarded as basically Infallible in their advice.

There was a thread recently where everyone disagreed with the OP for about a page until they realised she was a well known poster who'd name changed and then everyone started brown nosing as per usual.

Despite what anyone says, there's already a hierarchy. I don't think it needs compounding any further.

the hierarchy works both ways here

I've been slaughtered before for posting something and been told "I didn't think you were like that ssd" as people remembered my name, it's not always about arse kissing and cliques

anyway, I'll wait to see what MNHQ decides, it's their ball.