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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:
HoneyDuke · 20/07/2011 17:04

I'm in

Fimbo · 20/07/2011 17:06

I bagsy Codswallop Grin

Then I could pretend to be the fish. Grin

Fimbo · 20/07/2011 17:07

Allhail, you could ask for first dibs on it though especially if is for charity.

iggagog · 20/07/2011 17:33

Oh yes, hope this happens.

ShowOfHands · 20/07/2011 17:38

I'm unsure. I'd give up some of my names but others I'd never part with. I think I'd have to be asked.

WowOoo · 20/07/2011 17:40

I only have one name, so pointless for me.
Have always thought I should change it for something far better, but can never be arsed.

VelveteenRabbit · 21/07/2011 11:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Pin0t · 12/08/2011 10:57

Bumpetty bump after my hols :)

OP posts:
SuePurblybilt · 12/08/2011 11:05

An Aye from me.
I don't have many though, a couple used for RL dilemmas that are too identifying, one Take That related joke name and some Christmas variations.
But I would buy some good ones for future use.

thesortinghat · 12/08/2011 11:07

Could be quite interesting actually. There was a thread a few months back where a MNer was searching posts by poster name and building up a profile of them to show how unanonymous we all are on here.

Could turn out that your new name makes you a mother of two, living in the Midlands, posts a lot on style and beauty with a fetish for bum sex and fruit shoots thus completely confusing any stalkers.

Portofino · 12/08/2011 11:22

I have 44 names in my history! I have "FordPrefect" for the HGTTH fans.
And WorkshyLardyGutbucket which I might have to keep.

MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 12/08/2011 16:58

Hello. We hear you, we hear you.

BUT we probably can't even think about doing this till after the summer hols. And even then, we're going to have to bribe the Tech team with untold riches - tis a veritable tech nightmare doing this

PinotsKittens · 12/08/2011 17:00

Okey Dokes Helen, we're very calm and waity people. Like Kate Middleton.

(Tis me, the OP btw - I just missed my kittens on my name)

Davida · 12/08/2011 17:34

Oh God. I think it's fine bUT if anyone tries to sell off flight or ingrid I'll have to win them. There are TONS of unused and not especially important ones youcan have but I am attached to those.

Maryz · 14/08/2011 16:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GloriaVanderbilt · 14/08/2011 16:47

The trouble is some people might not be able to access their old names if they've deregged at some point...I don't mind them selling off most of mine, but there are one or two from before I left that I'll want to bid for just so someone else doesn't have them

Or maybe they could only auction names that have not been used, for instance if someome changed briefly to post in chat, and the thread is long gone.

Maryz · 14/08/2011 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GloriaVanderbilt · 14/08/2011 17:00

I can't remember, I was new when it happened and it all sort of washed over me.

Yes good point about some, erm interesting names there Grin

PinotsKittens · 14/08/2011 17:51

I agree with all the above points - my thoughts started as I wanted to be able to post as Pinot (without the add-ons) but a poster had it for a week in 2002 and nothing since.

Any similiar-a-likes should be kept by the original poster.

I think it'd be good for newbies to have more names to choose from too.

musicposy · 15/08/2011 15:04

I agree. I originally wanted Posy years ago when I joined but it was in use. It's still in use. But Posy has never posted according to my search.

I'm kind of attached to musicposy now, though, but it would still be nice to have the possibility.

Maryz · 15/08/2011 15:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChippingIn · 15/08/2011 15:48

OMG - I feel a headache coming on just at the thought of it.

I can understand all of the reasons why people might want a name but I think there is farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr to much potential for chaos - far too much.

How long is too long not to have used a name? A year? 2? 5?... I am chippingin - I'd hate to come back and find someone else using 'my' name, but on the other hand, there are some good names out there that are not being used by people who will never return to MN...??

If I were in charge of this I think I would:

Set up a system where people can request a specific name (limit of 5 per poster - it was going to be one, but in case they can't have that, I think 5 is reasonable).

MNHQ then contact the person who has the name.

No reply equals NO - it can only be 'sold' if they get permission.

50% to MN tech's bonus/50% to charity

All history attached to the name would be deleted and if there were any known problems (such as if someone choose a known troublemakers name) they would be informed as much as possible, but essentially have a 'don't come crying to us' policy.

Then - have a list of 'Names about to be auctioned' and allow everyone 2 months to object with their reason why. So if someone wanted ChippingInn or ChippinIn - I could object because it's too similar, but MNHQ would have the final say.

Right - pick that apart Grin

*Maybe one solution going forward would be to limit how many names we are allowed to hold onto to say 10. Anymore than that and it's one in, one out. That would free up names on a regular basis.

PinotsKittens · 15/08/2011 15:51

Aha but I post as PinotsKittens, PinotsEvilTwin, PinotGrigioBlush and want Pinot, which was taken for a week in 2002.

So there'll be some like Maryz says, but not all. And enough to warrant an amnesty.

PinotsKittens · 15/08/2011 15:52

x posted with Chippin'.

I need more coffee before I can answer that one!!

ChippingIn · 15/08/2011 15:52

Pinot - I see your point, but how would you feel if then someone started posting under PinotKittens - even though you are no longer using it? Do you think that you should have sole right to Pinot and be able to add and remove 'bits' at will? and if you left MN for a bit - how long would you expect that 'right' to last?