Multiple Name Changes

[Chippednailvarnishing]

I've been on a thread tonight where someone has posted a goady OP and has then been unkind to another poster. It then becomes apparent that they are posting under multiple names on different threads, apparently because they are also posting on a local area thread.

Isn't it time to show how many name changes a poster has visible by their name? If you are posting nasty GF ops and you have 155 different names, it's clear to everyone what sort of thread they are on?

I'm a name changer. I sometimes post identifiable stuff if someone hates me enough to trawl through and piece my stuff together. For peace of mind I have a few names I use.

Anyone who's been here long enough knows damn well MN isn't totally anonymous - there's been several cases of people being outed. And the most damaging trolls are not the name changers but the ones who play the long game.

Stopping name changing on this site, which offers so much support to women in very vulnerable situations, is only workable if all threads are deleted after 3 - 6 months and anything in Classics has usernames removed.

Why can't you change your name? I name change a couple of times a year so hadn't realised there were restrictions in place.

I'd absolutely love to stick to just the one name but I share quite a bit about a previous abusive relationship on relevant threads where the OP might find it useful. That info combined with things I've done since is quite identifying and it sticks around in most topics. I'm debating going back to my favourite NN and having a spare for things I want to post that might piss off people who've recognised me.

Interesting that you mentioned AF earlier. What's your take on the user who's taken the NN AnyFuckers? I've seen a few comments on another thread that suggest some people expect very well known regulars to effectively own similar names without having to claim them. All a bit territorial!

it errors out when i try - havent been able to for ages

(using chrome / ie - pc & android)

re users like AF-S - i think its a bit off as its an obvious rip off like if you had a mobile phone network calls Vodafona (for example - not being linked to vodafone in anyway), or Niike

however if you had User123456, and someone picked User234567 thats a bit different

(makes sense in my head)

It does make sense but it also implies that some users should have a bit of extra site privilege because they've become well known and liked. There are plenty of names that are a variation on a theme. I nabbed a decent GoT name and a couple of similar (but not as 'pure' ) variations have popped up since. The motives are obviously very different but in order to tackle the GF who's done it, some form of name relinquish must be possible. That or banning the user.

Massive derail, but it all comes down to site rules about names.

ThatsMyStapler
it errors out when i try - havent been able to for ages
When you type in your new name, check that your postcode is correct. I was having a problem name-changing because it had autofilled the wrong information in my postcode.

thanks - i have now finally been able to change it, i tried again with Firefox (i tried every so often in all the different browsers etc)

but i will def check my postcode

I've name changed now, so stapler will be retiring!

I think even changing on the same thread can have its place. A poster might answer in a fairly generic manner and then realise she could add something more helpful, but it might be outing. So she changes nn. It's socking, but with good intentions.

Yes paxillin I have names which are obviously me to anyone who cares to look. So on a thread about an medical issue I might offer some very generic advice, but then as it becomes clear that someone else on the thread has a specific intimate problem and lives in XXX like me, I could switch to a more anonymous nn and recommend Clinic Y who helped me with the same problem. It's rare but not unknown.