to not get the point of NC

[MissionItsPossible]

I haven't ever done it so maybe I'm not getting it but I often see posts on here start along the lines of "I've NC for this one. Potentially Outing" and then launch into the longest of stories that goes into the most minute detail that anyone even vaguely involved would recognise it and think "Oh hang on, that's so and so". Especially if they know their friends/family/colleagues use the site and know there is the ability to namechange and knows the OP has when their opening sentence announces that they've done so. What's the point?

Because they can go back to their original username and be anonymous again.

So people who recognize them can't then search for all their other previous posts.

Because if your situation is recognised, once you go back to your normal name you can post about your bleeding piles safe in the knowledge that the rest of the playground mums won't know it's you.

I don't really see the point of saying that you've namechanged, no.

I think it's so if someone does recognise the circumstances than they don't know the Op,s usual user name but yeah I can't really see the point either.

It's so that if they recognise you, they can't then link al, your other posts and discover your sporner tendencies, DH's farting level, crush on your DD's teacher and how boring Bixing Day at PILs is.

Thanks all. Didn't realise you could go back to your old name, makes more sense now!

So that you can post stuff that is identifying without people being able to then search the username and find out all your weirdest thoughts. It's fairly obvious, isn't it?

I really don't think it's hard to see why people nc.

X post OP. Glad it makes sense now!

It's down to troll hunting. By saying you have name changed (as well as often listing key threads) you are saying I'm a regular not someone taking you all for a ride.

I think as well, if someone says they've NC, you know they're a regular poster and not a 'newbee' off the street

How can you go back permanently to an old name as default? If I change, I still have access to the old name but I can't switch back to it as a default

Which is why they mention the penguin bollards and penis beakers as well - so you know they've been around the block

I do it for the reasons @chickenowner and @titchy gave, particularly to avoid the search facility and over-invested MN(utt)ers.

NewDaddie is my username, I use it 99.9% of the time whether I'm being goady or good, but I might name change so I can post relevant personally identifiable information.

When I've posted on a contentious thread with a contentious opinion I have had MNers search my post history and try to use it to flame me & I have seen other posters threatened with being 'outed' irl. e.g. "I wonder what your employer will think of xyz". But If I'm discussing something boring or innocent like garden gnomes for example no one knows or cares who I am irl (or on MN) so if it's relevant to the thread I'll be less cagey and say personally identifiable things (with a name change)

What happens if while you've namechanged, someone else takes your old name? Could they then post on your old threads and pretend to be you? (Not sure why they would) Or can you post on your own threads as several different people if you just keep changing your name? Again, can't think why you would but just wondering!

What happens if while you've namechanged, someone else takes your old name?

They can't, once used a user name is not available to anyone else.

Or can you post on your own threads as several different people if you just keep changing your name?

Technically yes, but it's known as 'sock puppeting' and will get you banned.

There have been a few troll threads lately, that actually started 'N/C for this'.

There have been a few troll threads lately, that actually started 'N/C for this'

Yeah, it's pretty naive to think that saying you've NC-ed for a thread is proof that you're not a troll. Because trolls are absolutely not liars, they have a very strict moral code

Oh yes Very.

I suppose in a way they aren't wrong. They have started up another trolly account to post.

I always assume it's so they can sock puppet and support themselves if they don't like the answers they get from the rest of us.