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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

I wonder if it's time for a Name Amnesty?

98 replies

Pin0t · 18/07/2011 16:22

Pretty please?

I'd like to be able to lose the zero and be Pinot, but it's taken by someone who posted in 2002. Trés annoying.

After a recent thread in chat about how lots of MNers have crazy amounts of names (most forgotten about/unused), it occurred that as MN is now growing rapidly, a name amnesty would be a good idea to free up names gathering dust somewhere.

What say you?

OP posts:
Original poster
Pin0t · 19/07/2011 14:51

I've added a link to a thread in Chat to gather more traffic.

(I've also offered cake. What a minx)

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 19/07/2011 14:53

I'll repost it here then:

Yes, I want this too. I want BOF- no posts, and Boff- one crappy unanswered post. I will negotiate Boffy- no posts- with BoffinMum, who abbreviated herself thus, so I am not unreasonable Grin

LaWeasel · 19/07/2011 14:54

What type of cake, hey?

Also - seems like a good idea to me. I'm sure I have some that have only been used once or twice for sensitive namechanges, seems silly no one else can have them that might want them to use longterm.

GooseyLoosey · 19/07/2011 14:55

I wanted to register as FoxyLoxy but it was taken but I have never encountered such a person and there are no posts under that name.

MissTinaTeaspoon · 19/07/2011 14:58

Came over when cake promised!

I wanted just TinaTeaspoon but it was gone Sad. I just looked her up, she last posted in 2009 and knows a lot about camping.

katz · 19/07/2011 14:58

last time there was a names amnesty we raised money for charity as part of the mile for maude fund raising. If we do it again can we do that? I think there was bidding process for names. Some names went for a small donation and others which were deemed more exciting went higher.

I got katz after being katzg for ages!

iMemoo · 19/07/2011 14:59

I really think it's a fab idea. I flounced earlier this year and when I reregistered I couldn't have 'Memoo' any more, had to add the i.

MardyBra · 19/07/2011 14:59

If there was a name amnesty it would need to be publicised well in advance. Otherwise there would be cries of "I didn't know it was happening, some other bastard nicked my name..."

Original poster
Pin0t · 19/07/2011 15:02

Ooh how weird katz I was thinking about you today. Hope you're all good?

OP posts:
MardyBra · 19/07/2011 15:02

Mind you, the lack of names does force us to be creative. Otherwise it would be all GemmaC and CharlotteL, like in 'tother place.

SilveryMoon · 19/07/2011 15:04

MN can have any of my other names, but they are pretty shite, so no one will want them anyway.......Wink

RustyBear · 19/07/2011 15:09

MN had an auction in 2007, in aid of the Mile for Maude campaign to raise funds for cot-death research.
They trawled MN for names that hadn't been used for a while and offered them to the highest bidder.
I bought 'Rusty' at that auction (I had tried to get it when I first joined, but couldn't) and have hardly ever used it - but I bought it because I didn't want anyone else to use it as I'm often called Rusty on here. So I wouldn't want to lose it just because I don't actually post with it.

Another auction has been suggested several times, but has never happened - I suspect it would be quite a lot of work, so maybe they want to save it for something major.

MardyBra · 19/07/2011 15:11

I like the idea of auctioning for charity.

katz · 19/07/2011 15:12

Pin0t - i'm good,and you?

BelaLugosiinStripes · 19/07/2011 21:38

I'd like to be BelaLugosi but it's taken by someone who's never posted.

VivaLeBeaver · 19/07/2011 23:21

I remember the name auction for Maude. Was a really good idea. We could do similar again.

RedbinDazzler · 19/07/2011 23:24

Have to change mine at a boring frequency. Usually after cider induced comments.

SecretSquirrels · 20/07/2011 15:15

I 've lost count of the number of times I've thought up a great name only to find it gone, and last used once in 2007.
I'd be happy to donate to charity but suspect that would make it 100 times more work for MNHQ. Choosing an agreed charity would be a minefield , not to mention the admin.
Actually Im just trying on this new name after a long time of using my old one. There was a secretsquirrel but ,as far as I can tell ,she has never posted so I don't feel too guilty about using this one.

Fooffy · 20/07/2011 16:10

Same as Memoo. I would like my original FooffyShmoofer back please. Foolishly de-regged three times once or twice. Foolish.

octopusinabox · 20/07/2011 16:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EustaciaVye · 20/07/2011 16:32

I like all my old names and would be a bit gutted if MNHQ just took them off me as I havent used them for a while. I'd be happy to donate a couple of them I havent used though....

SeenButNotHeard · 20/07/2011 16:48

I have changed name pretty frequently - most recently when I had my own, not so private stalker.
Have used a couple of name changes for more delicate posts - if these names were auctioned off (not that they were that exciting, so sure noone would actually want them Grin) is there then a way to differentiate the old and new user iyswim?

I have my eye on a name that has been registered, but never used - how did the previous auction actually work?

allhailtheaubergine · 20/07/2011 16:55

I have a problem with this idea.

I used to be BroccoliSpears. I loved that name. I have since flounced and deleted my account so I can't get access to that name any more. I would hate it to be tossed back into the ring though - it's mine.

SarahStratton · 20/07/2011 16:56

I think it's a brilliant idea :)

ExitPursuedByAGryffin · 20/07/2011 16:56

Drums fingers and waits for cake.

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