Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Can we see other posters name changes?

56 replies

MrsMigginsMate · 13/12/2020 12:33

On Mumsnet premium can we see a list of people's previous usernames, or is that only something admins can see? (Don't have premium and wondering if it's included)

OP posts:
PinGwyn · 13/12/2020 13:52

@AndIquote the "member since" details used to be displayed on the public profile but it seemed to disappear after the recurring hacks - not sure why as it was useful as you describe but I suppose it's just more information to share.

Original poster
MrsMigginsMate · 13/12/2020 13:53

@Vivarium

I namechange all the time and would be horrified if my previous usernames were visible. I sometimes post about personal stuff, including stuff about my kids which - without anonymity - they would be mortified by people knowing. If all my usernames were added up then it would be pretty easy to identify me if you knew me IRL. And therefore also possible to identify my kids.

Luckily I'm sure MNHQ would never add the feature which you're suggesting. And have never even hinted that they might. Not sure why you would think this was a possibility.

Because its an active feature on other forums I'm on so I'm curious. Premium members can do more stuff, like see a user's entire post history not just the posts within their thread. So it didn't seem an unreasonable question to see if it's part of premium too. I'm not about to pay for something if don't know what is or isn't included. Nobody has given a definitive answer yet either, just their opinions about whether it should be, which is fair enough but I was just asking a simple question!
OP posts:
Original poster
MrsMigginsMate · 13/12/2020 13:57

@TheMaven It’s against MN rules to have more than one account at a time so I’d imagine what you’re looking for isn’t an available feature.

Sorry perhaps I wasn't clear, I'm not looking to have multiple accounts. We are currently allowed to have multiple usernames so I'm asking if we can see people's previous usernames that they've used within the same account.

OP posts:
Diddlysquatty · 13/12/2020 13:59

I’d hate that! I also had a friend message me and ask me if I was on Mumsnet

Vivarium · 13/12/2020 14:00

Really? There are forums where you can see users' namechange history?! Which forums are these? I'm finding it hard to believe, because it seems to negate the whole point of namechanging, but there you go.

If you want to ask MNHQ the question (though it seems a bit pointless) then you should probably @ them, like this:

@MNHQ

and then ask them the question.

WorraLiberty · 13/12/2020 14:01

Sorry perhaps I wasn't clear, I'm not looking to have multiple accounts. We are currently allowed to have multiple usernames so I'm asking if we can see people's previous usernames that they've used within the same account.

The answer is quite definitely no.

Otherwise Mumsnet would've gone into meltdown long ago.

SoupDragon · 13/12/2020 14:02

I have 158 alternative usernames 😂

I very much doubt that seeing a poster's name changes is ever going to be a feature MN offer, premium or otherwise.

SoupDragon · 13/12/2020 14:03

If you want to ask MNHQ the question (though it seems a bit pointless) then you should probably @ them, like this:

@MNHQ

I don't think "MNHQ" is a username so that isn't going to work (although I'm tempted to try and register it). Reporting the first post is the best way.

PoulePouletteEternellement · 13/12/2020 14:04

Good grief.

Way to give me palpitations before lunch!

Please, find something else to disrupt, OP.

Original poster
MrsMigginsMate · 13/12/2020 14:06

@Vivarium it's a bit outing to post the names of the forums as linked to personal subjects and one to a place of education but they are out there yes. It was done to reduce sock puppeting but still allowed people to change their usernames along with in-jokes that are specific to the forums. I'm not necessarily advocating for this change to happen, I just wanted to know that's all. Thanks for the MN username, wasn't sure of the etiquette around 'summoning' them as I know they are busy.

@MNHQ could you please answer this for me? Just a quick question, can premium members see people's past usernames or not? Thanks

OP posts:
TheSilentStars · 13/12/2020 14:08

Can you imagine the length of the "previous names" Grin
I've been here since 2002 and can't remember half of mine till I look on the drop-down and think "oh, I wonder when I was that".
Ridiculous idea. Doesn't happen. Won't happen.

Original poster
MrsMigginsMate · 13/12/2020 14:09

@PoulePouletteEternellement

Good grief.

Way to give me palpitations before lunch!

Please, find something else to disrupt, OP.

Eh, what are you on about? It shows that you didn't actually read the thread. I literally asked a simple question, how is that disrupting? Just needed to know of something is a premium feature or not for god's sake. Hmm
OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 13/12/2020 14:10

I always said when Jeffrey hacked Mumsnet, he would've done a lot more damage if he'd exposed member's user names, rather than their passwords Wink

WorraLiberty · 13/12/2020 14:11

Eh, what are you on about? It shows that you didn't actually read the thread. I literally asked a simple question, how is that disrupting? Just needed to know of something is a premium feature or not for god's sake.

You've been told that it's not though.

You can also look at the Premium link and find out what it offers.

Original poster
MrsMigginsMate · 13/12/2020 14:13

Thanks @SoupDragon, I've tried your method now. Great username btw, bit jealous it's taken! Grin

OP posts:
Anon12345678910 · 13/12/2020 14:14

@MrsMigginsMate who you trying to dig the dirt on?Hmm

Original poster
MrsMigginsMate · 13/12/2020 14:16

@WorraLiberty

Eh, what are you on about? It shows that you didn't actually read the thread. I literally asked a simple question, how is that disrupting? Just needed to know of something is a premium feature or not for god's sake.

You've been told that it's not though.

You can also look at the Premium link and find out what it offers.

I already looked at that before posting, things can change so I wanted clarification. People have answered their preferences but nobody has said they are a premium member and checked their options for me. Unless I'm missing a way to tell they're premium? If there is a shiny badge then I've missed it.

Would you prefer that I submit all posts to you for pre-approval before interacting on any board? I'm so sorry to have inconvenienced you with a simple question that you needn't have clicked on. Smile

OP posts:
TheSilentStars · 13/12/2020 14:16

@WorraLiberty

I always said when Jeffrey hacked Mumsnet, he would've done a lot more damage if he'd exposed member's user names, rather than their passwords Wink
Wouldn't he just. Grin
Anon12345678910 · 13/12/2020 14:17

@itisasecret 😂

Original poster
MrsMigginsMate · 13/12/2020 14:17

[quote Anon12345678910]@MrsMigginsMate who you trying to dig the dirt on?Hmm[/quote]
I'm asking a simple question....?

OP posts:
TheQueensGambit · 13/12/2020 14:20

I name change all the time because I don't want to lose anonymity. I don't think MN would allow us to see each other's name changes, as they know that anonymity is one of MN's selling points.

As for leaving and rejoining all the time; that is a PITA, as you lose your posting history and all your usernames.

WorraLiberty · 13/12/2020 14:21

Would you prefer that I submit all posts to you for pre-approval before interacting on any board?

Yes, of course?

Anon12345678910 · 13/12/2020 14:21

BrewBiscuit

Original poster
MrsMigginsMate · 13/12/2020 14:23

[quote Anon12345678910]@MrsMigginsMate who you trying to dig the dirt on?Hmm[/quote]
As an aside from other people's horror stories and your behaviour I would think the question you should be asking is 'who are you trying to get away from'. Starting to see distinct advantages in name changing now...

OP posts:
EurosprogBauble · 13/12/2020 14:25

@MrsMigginsMate

For clarity:

No, it isn't a feature of Premium membership.
Yes, it is something that only the admins can see.