Can we have a topic where name changing is not allowed?

[WorraLiberty]

Lots of people feel the 'atmosphere' has been somewhat lost, due to MN becoming so big and so many people name changing for dubious reasons.

So how about a new topic where name changing is not allowed?

So to post in that section, you choose a different name (much like in Mumsnet local). But you have to stick to that name only.

That way, in that section at least, there would be less arses/goady fuckers/Billy bullshitters and drama llamas, hiding behind name changes.

People will become 'regulars' again (in that section at least) and when you go there to chat, you'll at least 'recognise' other people.

OK I'm sure there are 1 million reasons why this is a stupid idea/impossible to set up, but can anyone think of them?

People use MN for different things. I don't use it to moan about the rellies or overshare details of personal relationships etc. So namechanging isn't really a consideration.

Most of the time I just gawp in disbelief

Well, let's think about a limit to ncs.

Let's imagine a poster with two children, a cat, and a health issue.

She chats "anonymously" as JaneAusten, and variously as the year goes along as JaneAustensEasterBunny, JaneAustensCorpse and JaneAustenKissingSanta.

She asks in secondary education about admissions as JaneSmith because her DC1's circumstances are slightly identifiable.

She posts in primary education as JaneJones because her DC2's difficulties are identifiable.

She posts as HyperthyroidJane on the health boards while she is considering a private referral.

The site suffers a data breach and she cautiously abandons a couple of nicknames in favour of new ones.

That's ten, completely harmlessly and legitimately, from an uncomplicated poster. Which would you have poor old Jane do without?

I think Jane needs to not post so much if I'm honest.

I'm just trying to think - have HQ ever made a big change like this at the request of their users?

I'm thinking not, but stand to be corrected. I suppose they did finally allow a Sex Topic.

But they won't do anything about AIBU (despite numerous threads where they say they are listening), they won't do anything about those fucking irritating drop down pictures, they won't allow people to select "no pages" in Customise.

Do they listen, do they care?

Jane is a bit too overenthusiastic with joining in with seasonal NC competitions. Calm down, Jane. The prizes have gotten loads smaller.

They sort of listen. But nothing ever happens really. They brought in 'Trending' and the emojis and nobody even asked for them. Lots of objections to both, but no consultation prior.

M48 It's a business, innit? I think that's where primary motivation layeth.

I think Jane should stop the seasonal NC, use the same NC for both DC's education (they won't be inflammatory or linked to non-school stuff so does it matter if anybody recognises her under that name?) and the one for health issues. Sorted.

I'd be more than happy for nc to go all together. If there is a serious breach of your privacy, you could always contact HQ and re-reg. Maybe relationships and the hideous sex board could have hidden usernames if requested or something.

I name changed once because I used the same name on Twitter and was getting grief off some bloke and didn't want him coming on here. I think that was my own stupid fault for not being more careful.

They should do another amnesty where they can reset the names so all the people who were forced to change cos of little Jeff can have their names back.

I have DannyDyer for some unknown reason if anyone wants it

There are posters who name change regularly because of real life "stalkers".

I have no problem with the ability to name change whatsoever.

But don't stalkers stalk cos they're trying to find out who you are by piecing together the personal information one has perhaps overshared? I don't really have a problem with the NC thing btw, I just don't get why it's unlimited. That way trollery/goadery lays.

I just think NC should be allowed but restricted as part of trying to do something about the trolls and GFs.

Same, usual. I really wish they'd consider this idea...I think it has the makings of the best of both worlds, really.

Poor Jane. It's ok to post a lot all on one board but not over several?

Anyway I apologise for the tangent. I'm not opposed to keeping some areas of the site nc-free, and I've described in depth my thoughts about preventing nc-ing within a single thread, but the unlimited nc feature is so much a part of MN that I can't see it ever going.

I mean, I don't know if I have a reputation/am a recognisable poster unlikely, given frequent fence-sitting but I believe it's possible both to maintain a consistent main nn and run discreet non-sock non-GF topic-specific nns of any number.

You're dealing wiv Moi, now usual

And I am the same as you, I like to know who I am posting to.

If something you are posting is that identifiable then maybe you should take a step back & wonder if you should be posting.

use the same NC for both DC's education (they won't be inflammatory or linked to non-school stuff so does it matter if anybody recognises her under that name?)

If there were identifying things about the children or schools (disability, special needs, a specific bullying incident, a distinctive selection procedure, a specialism etc etc) then I'd use two names too. Or not use MN for advice.

If you say your child has won a place by showing aptitude for music in an entrance assessment, to an otherwise comprehensive school, you detail a pattern of bullying including a punch to the face that narrows things down to people who know you. One or two questions from other posters about alternative possible schools nearby, the local authority, how the bullying was not seen by staff and it's getting really identifiable.

Then later you might want to come back for really frank advice about how to pursue a complaint or legal action. Or you might want to ask about specialist education for one of your other DC who has Downs and x level of attainment in y region of the country. But you wouldn't dare because it's getting much much too obvious who you are then.

There's already been one long legal debacle where MNers were named as co-defendants in a threatened civil action because of comments made in posts.

Education along with Health, Relationships, Conception, (Sex - grr) etc are the boards where NCs need to be unlimited or generous, IMO.

A civil legal action threatened by a litigious school, I should have said.

If something you are posting is that identifiable then maybe you should take a step back & wonder if you should be posting.

But the people who give most away are the people with long term NNs. Or people in distress. Helping people in distress is one of the things MN does best. We should be proud of it and not scare people away by applying 'no NC across the site.

Make Chat the 'No NC' zone if you have to.

Jeff caused half of the current weirdness. I don't see why he should win TBH.