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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

The "thanks" facility and name changes

80 replies

endofthelinefinally · 17/04/2024 18:21

I have noticed that when I get an email telling me that I have been thanked on a thread, the email includes a list of names that does not necessarily match the names shown when I click on the icon on the thread.
It seems to me that MN is therefore outing MNers who have name changed for a particular thread.
IMO this is not acceptable.
Sometimes posters name change for personal/appropriate reasons, therefore, the fact that their other username will be revealed to the poster they thank should be made clear, so that they can choose not to use the facility.

OP posts:
JaneJeffer · 17/04/2024 18:26

Could be someone who is just reading the thread without posting on it

GrandHighPoohbah · 17/04/2024 18:28

I have been wondering this. Does it not give the thanks from the username you're using on the thread, if indeed you have commented on it? And otherwise your most recent one?

Geebray · 17/04/2024 18:31

JaneJeffer · 17/04/2024 18:26

Could be someone who is just reading the thread without posting on it

Read it again! The OP gets an email with a list of names that have thanked her for a post. She goes to the post and clicks on the icon to see the names that have thanked her - and some are different from the names in the email.

chocmatcha · 17/04/2024 18:32

Oh no! I'm going to stop thanking people

ginasevern · 17/04/2024 18:32

What JaneJeffer said I presume.

On another note, I don't know if I'm being thick but when you get an email thanking you it would be nice to open the thread from that email. Is this doable?

OrangeMugIsBest · 17/04/2024 18:33

Good spot, op. That’s a real issue so I hope MN see this. Perhaps we can have anonymous thanks.

Lougle · 17/04/2024 18:35

It's been raised before.

AutumnCrow · 17/04/2024 18:38

Yeah, it was reported from Day 1.

JaneJeffer · 17/04/2024 18:42

I cancelled the emails so I don't click anything or go into it that deep!

JaneJeffer · 17/04/2024 18:43

Read it again!
I don't get it then 🤷🏻‍♀️

endofthelinefinally · 17/04/2024 19:01

Lougle · 17/04/2024 18:35

It's been raised before.

Was there any response?

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 17/04/2024 19:01

I have stopped thanking people for this reason. I rarely name change, but sometimes it is necessary.

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 17/04/2024 19:02

ginasevern · 17/04/2024 18:32

What JaneJeffer said I presume.

On another note, I don't know if I'm being thick but when you get an email thanking you it would be nice to open the thread from that email. Is this doable?

Yes, there is a link in the email.

OP posts:
Lochroy · 17/04/2024 19:04

Flipping heck, that's terrible.

endofthelinefinally · 17/04/2024 19:08

Lochroy · 17/04/2024 19:04

Flipping heck, that's terrible.

Quite. I would never out anyone or take advantage of this issue. (In my job confidentiality was top priority). But you have only got to spend a few minutes on MN to realise that this is not acceptable if posters are not informed clearly that this situation exists.

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 17/04/2024 19:13

I asked about this before. I've stopped thanking people too as I name change a lot depending on which board I'm on (due to sensitive information).

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/5021685-which-name-will-show-up-on-thanks-notification?reply=133533382

LilyMumsnet · 17/04/2024 19:19

Hi OP

We've looked into it and that there isn't anything outing here - we'll post a more thorough explanation tomorrow.

Just a note - the name you use when thanking a post is the name that will show on the notification.

AromanticSpices · 17/04/2024 19:26

I know there was a thread that clarified that the name you were logged in as was the name that would appear as the "thanker".
I'm now unclear as to whether a different name is used for either the email notification of the thanks, or the list when the "thanked" person clicks the icon.

It would be odd for two different names to be recorded, for each channel, so looking forward to clarification.

I don't sign up for email notifications so I can't check any differences myself without faffing about with it.

It could well be that OP is seeing different lists of names because some are "un-thanking" or new people adding thanks since OP saw the email notification?

AromanticSpices · 17/04/2024 19:35

Actually it turns out I do have email notifications on, so had a look.
What happens is I get (on the email) e.g. "You've been thanked by MichaelJackson, LindaLusardi, and 3 more on "I just found my DH's secret hobby".

When you click the link, it takes you to the thread but not necessarily the post you've been thanked on. If you have several posts in one thread that attract thanks, OP you might be looking at a different post in the thread which has been thanked by others.

Past emails list past thanks. So perhaps if you go through all the 'thanks' listed for a thread on all your notification emails, then go through all of them listed on the actual posts (multiple posts if necessary) then you will end up with the same list of names. I did that with one thread and ended up with a matching list of names.

endofthelinefinally · 17/04/2024 19:39

Ah. My email link always takes me to the post I have been thanked on. I will take a closer look though.

OP posts:
MattTech · 18/04/2024 09:14

@AromanticSpices You're absolutely correct.

When you receive the email notification the list of usernames can include usernames from multiple posts on the thread where you've been thanked.

So, if you do only check a single post on site, the usernames in the email might not match. But if you check all posts where you've received thanks they will.

Hope that helps to clarify!

Thanks

JaneJeffer · 18/04/2024 09:27

@MattTech can you receive thanks from someone who hasn't posted on a thread?

LenaLamont · 18/04/2024 09:29

JaneJeffer · 18/04/2024 09:27

@MattTech can you receive thanks from someone who hasn't posted on a thread?

Yes, as long as they are logged in to an account

RoseAndRose · 18/04/2024 09:31

LilyMumsnet · 17/04/2024 19:19

Hi OP

We've looked into it and that there isn't anything outing here - we'll post a more thorough explanation tomorrow.

Just a note - the name you use when thanking a post is the name that will show on the notification.

Is the name "you use" in this context the one in which you are posting on the thread or the one which you are logged in under?

And what happens if you thank on a post on a thread you have not yet posted on - and then NC in order to post on the thread further down?

MattTech · 18/04/2024 09:48

RoseAndRose · 18/04/2024 09:31

Is the name "you use" in this context the one in which you are posting on the thread or the one which you are logged in under?

And what happens if you thank on a post on a thread you have not yet posted on - and then NC in order to post on the thread further down?

@RoseAndRose The name that is used is the one that is currently active for your account. You can see that here: https://www.mumsnet.com/settings/account

When you give thanks, that username is recorded with the thanks. If you change your name after that the name attached to the thanks that has already been given does not change.

Hope that helps to clarify.

Thanks