to ask why MN users announce when they have changed their name?

[Herts6789]

just that really - surely by announcing it, anyone who recognises the situation will twig anyway? why not just keep it TOTALLY anonymous and not say anything at all about the name change?

Just curious

Me too!

I think it's so that people realise that they aren't new posters. People get a bit suspicious of those who post about certain topics, without a searchable history.

Because if you don't, about 5 or less posts in, you'll have 'Interesting first post OP'.

No idea I change mine all the time hence the username.

Some sad bastards seem to do an advanced search on every poster they disagree with in order to dig up dirt. It's pathetic really. Who could be fucking arsed? You'll often find that if a poster has not name changed, anything they've ever posted will be brought up by these people. They have little to be worrying about I think.

I’ve name changes for this because it’s outing, but-

I agree!

Then if you annoy the amateur sleuth, they'll then declare 'I was just diagnosed with cancer today'. Or they'll have you banned for being a troll. People with waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy too much time on their hands.

I can talk shite for hours. Will I look up some random MNer history? I will in my fucking hole! Lol

I find it really odd that people on here search for the persons user name to find previous posts. Who even has the time (or need) to do that? When I first joined Mumsnet years ago I made a couple of comments on threads but never posted. Then when I finally did post I made a few tweaks so not to be outing, kids were older/younger than they actually were, county I lived in. Small details but due to "outing" me, my post was really personally revealing. After that I came off Mumsnet for many years after I felt the site became a witch hunt and intrusive. I still am very wary of what I put and It shouldn't be like that.

People think that trolls can't say they have name changed.

Because some posters head straight for the advanced search option so they can be a smug fucker calling out a troll because they have 'no posting history' like they're so much cleverer than anyone else replying to a post.

Personally I NC all the time because whilst one reply or post of mine wouldn't necessarily identify me, anyone who knows me and would go to the effort of a search, I could be outed.

I agree and it's fairly new thing too

When I first came onto mn nc was for really outing stuff and particularly sensitive issues

Not for every thread and for trivial stuff at that

Gosh I didn't even know you could search for a poster's history...mumsnet amateur here clearly!

To give themselves credibility that they haven't just come on here. People used advanced search to check the posters history. I've also seen 'Hmm interesting first post' loads on here.

Personally I've been around here for about 9 years I think, but I name change pretty or less every thread I'm on. Just because I like my privacy and my bitch SIL is on here searching I'm sure. I never bother announcing it though, to me that a bit pointless, but then again I never post anything AS worthy.

Personally I NC all the time because whilst one reply or post of mine wouldn't necessarily identify me, anyone who knows me and would go to the effort of a search, I could be outed.

Totally this^

Yep - i totally get that, its just the announcing it bit i don't get. But from reading these replies I guess it's so you are not called a troll?

It's to prevent the oft trotted out :

"Interesting First Post OP"

And as stated, telling people they needn't bother Advance Searching

People do it if they have given too much personal info under another name

So posting as Slug they have said they are 32, live in Derbyshire, and have a DS 7 and a DD 4

As Snail they have posted that their best friend has done something massively CF, that could be instantly recognised

Post it alongside Slug's other posts and remove all doubt.

People search your posting history? What is wrong with them?

Interestingly, it's a good way of outing trolls.

Someone may be posting about their twins on one thread, whilst saying they have no DC on another.

In situations with marital difficulties, they may be posting on one thread he is a good man, but things are hard, whilst admitting DV in a previous post.

Many people lie though to protect their identity. For instance saying they have a DS instead of DD or changing ages or occupations.

Yeah totally, it tends to be more outlandish when it's trolling though

Interestingly, it's a good way of outing trolls.

Maybe back in the early days, but that ship has long since sailed.

@lilgreen too much time on their hands, and troll hunting.

I NC a lot! If anyway really got their knickers in a twist I'd refer them to MN who could confirm I'd been around years.

For the purposes of this thread I have NC, was footsheep, and now going to NC again.

I name change constantly since The Jeffrey incident

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit

In situations with marital difficulties, they may be posting on one thread he is a good man, but things are hard, whilst admitting DV in a previous post

You and people like you are the reason posters name change. 'admitting DV'. FFS. Like you can't comment if you've been/ARE a victim of DV?

What if you change your name to something that somebody else has changed their name from? Can that happen? Like for example someone could have had my username before I did and have been posting about their husband and three children, meanwhile I'm here with my first on her way and a fiancé??? Or can you not NC to an old name?

Because people are unkind and think you’re just making it up just because it’s your first post. I can’t believe people can be bothered to even search but they do.