Update from MNHQ - Name changes

[AmeliaPMumsnet]

Hi all,

We recently received some helpful feedback from Mumsnetters about name changes. Some users have mentioned finding it frustrating having to remember to change their username to match the one that they’ve already posted under on a thread. We understand why that’s annoying, and why it might cause some confusion if yourself or other users have switched usernames mid-way through a thread accidentally.

We’ve just released some changes to the site (not in the mobile apps) to help combat this. From now on, if you start or reply to a thread, we’ll automatically set your username to the one you used first on that thread. This means that you won’t need to remember to change your username or go looking to find out which one you posted under before.

Here’s is an example of how it’ll work:

1. I start a thread with my current username, which is “username1”
2. I then decide to change my username in my settings to “username2"
3. I revisit the thread I started under “username1”. My username will be set to “username1" by default in the reply box (I can still edit this username if I’d like to)
4. If I go to a thread that I haven’t started or posted on yet, my default username will be my current username, “username2”

We hope you find this helpful and we’d love to hear your feedback!

@EasterlyDirection if you name change halfway through a thread, it could be seen as sockpuppetting (even though I'm sure many of us have done this innocently).

If you're determined to post under different names in the same thread you can still edit your username straight into the username box. It's just the "default " that will change depending on whether you've previously posted in that thread and since changed name in your main settings. So it's completely in your control.

(It’s working perfectly on the mobile site on my phone. I never use the app. And almost never use MN on my laptop.)

Yes I'm on the mobile site and it's working. Appreciate this change!

I am perfectly aware its because of sockpuppeting thank you but it seems that because some sockpuppet we al have to be penalised. I am also aware that I can change my name manually each time but this will make it much more effort to maintain a single username and hence privacy which I normally keep by changing my name regularly (within parameters which mean people I know still recognise me).

The latter option is also much harder since MN removed the ability to show all posts in a thread by toggling a few months ago, I won't always have posted in the last 50 posts - this is because most of what I post is on fairly slow moving long running threads, not fast ones.

@Ceryneianhind what is sock puppeting?

Sorry easterly didn't mean to sound patronising, I just wasn't understanding what situation this change would make harder IYSWIM.

I think you can go into settings and change to 'view 100 posts per page' - this is what I do.

I still can't quite grasp what you are trying to do - keep one username or change regularly? You can still set your default in 'settings' and this will only change if you have previously posted on a thread under a different name. (not badgering just trying to help! I was on here for years before I realised you could overwrite the 'username' box when posting). I am used to changing my name frequently in the 'username' box as well as in settings but I guess if you're not used to doing this it might seem like a hassle.

I expect it's not just because of sockpuppetting but OPs having namechange fails, which I see all the time - it then becomes much harder to view OP's posts in a thread because some aren't labelled as OP's.

@LuxLucet sockpuppeting is when the same poster posts under different names in one discussion to have a fake argument/conversation/back up themselves "Oh yes I agree" etc.

Great news. I'd also like to know if it's ever planned for the app or not at all?

May IOS users use the app.
The Android app is less than useless so I think most of us use the mobile site instead.

I've just been onto the iOS browser for the first time in a long time (instead of the app) and I can't think of any reason anyone would use the browser. It's awful by comparison. I'll stick to the name change fails

This sounds like a great update, just testing with an old name to see if it works 🤞🏼

Oh yay, it actually does, thanks MN

Working for me, thanks MNHQ.

Excellent - working for me on mobile site

Working for me, and it’s a fantastic upgrade - thank you MNHQ!

Excellent update, thanks mumsnet.

It's OK, my reply may have sounded a bit snippy. I've been aware of the ability to change name in the username box for years but have virtually never done so. I change my username at least once a month so people can't advance search me easily. However most of the threads I'm on trundle on for months and weeks or months so if they revert back to my old username every time it defeats the object of changing it regularly - it is these sorts of long running threads where cumulative identifying information tends to happen which is exactly why I like being able to change whenever I want. I change it such that people on these regular threads will still know who I am if it changes halfway through a thread, I'm not sockpuppeting, I'm talking about eg gardening threads, nowhere contentious. I really don't want to have to scroll back, see what I was using and change it manually all the time.

ok, got you!

Oh this is brilliant thank you.

Usually whenever there's an update I grumble about it because I hate change. Then I get used to it and forget thats it's not how it always was.

But I love this.

I think you can go into settings and change to 'view 100 posts per page' - this is what I do.
Oh, have they fixed the bug that made it Impossible to load when viewing 100 or all? I have to drop it down to 25 but still have multiple errors daily

I doubt they know how to!!

I wondered why my name had changed on a couple of threads 😆

Good change, MN, thanks :)

Oh, this is a useful one. Thanks Mumsnet!

I think this is great, thank you. It definitely helps the legitimately confused who use several usernames. Deliberate sock puppeters can still do so, though, as in you can overwrite the username with one of your other ones still.

Thank you, MN. It doesn't affect me but I appreciate your help with this.

Fab !