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!

This is such a big change in functionality and would be so useful especially for those who have specific FWR names as knobheads try to out/doxx us in RL so have to be really careful.

BUT again, not on the app so it's fucking useless! It's so frustrating especially for premium members who pay a monthly fee but don't get the new benefits that are implemented as we use the app. I really dont understand why MNHQ can't be arsed to do this, and I will be cancelling my premium membership and I imagine lots more will too.

This is brilliant - I have only just noticed it (and was very confused as I wondered whether I had been posting under the wrong username accidentally!)

Love this, thank you!!

i only ever use the mobile site not the app as I’d be too embarrassed to have that on my Home Screen if someone else picked up my phone!

Brilliant. I've accidentally used the wrong name before and it's a bit embarrassing.
Thanks for this.

I love it. One of your best innovations. Thank you.

that is a brilliant improvement, thank you!

on long-running threads (usually lighthearted ones where it doesn't matter much) I may already be on there with 2 names - will it pick the most recent or the first used?

Mumsnet when are you going to approve the app? It's so backwards it's genuinely embarrassing for such a huge site. I probably use the desktop app once every month or two whereas the app I use frequently.

@FeinCuroxiVooz from my experience it picks the first one you used. I used lots of names on a long running thread and was surprised when I next went to add a post that it was a very old name.
Not sock puppeting!! It's a Would you rather thread that's been running for 7 months.

A nice improvement, thank you MN.

Those of you complaining about features missing from the app - i only use mumsnet on my phone, using browser. It's perfectly easy to use. I've not felt the need to download the app.

Plus an ad blocker means you never have to see another advert again!

Problem is there's one long-running thread I originally posted on with a Christmas name, and it's somewhat incongruous now.

You can overtype the default Xmas name if you want (just tested it).

I know, but I don't always notice which name has popped up in the username box.