Usernames

[invisiblecat]

I see what you've done there. I wonder whether anyone else has noticed yet.

<woof?>

I like the App much better on the phone than on the phone desktop version. It's easy to use, no adverts and not as "fussy" on screen.

Disadvantages are you can't vote on AIBU, you can't quote a quote and sometimes you can't see links.

Edit - and you can’t edit on the App, although if I want to edit I just jump onto the desktop version. Like I have just done. You also can’t see other posts edits although you can see it’s been edited - if that makes sense.

Search is shockingly shit but think it is on the main site too. I just google mumsnet and username to find threads/trolls.

Well, if you want to use multiple names in the same thread then it does still work, I think?
Seriously what it works for if you're getting shortsighted is it's less cluttered, more readable on an iPad. I use it most of the time for reading and posting, just swap to the browser if I need any of the extra functionality.

I thought MNHQ had changed this ages ago (on desktop) - when I started seeing whatever username I'd used on the thread prefilled on replies even on old resurrected or still-running threads after I'd changed my "current" username. I guess it is a testament to the power of Big MumsNet that I apparently never even tried to override it! 😀

Yes, it would auto populate the box with whichever username you had already used on the thread, but you could type over it and use a different one if you wanted to. Either your current one, or another one you'd namechanged from. You can't do that now.

I panicked then because I used this username to post again on a thread I’d already commented on today, as the anecdote I wanted to share would have been terribly outing if linked to my usual name. Had to go back and check, and thankfully it doesn’t appear to be retrospective.

Sorry, I think I probably panicked you! When I said it was retrospective I meant it reverted to your original UN on the old threads. Not that it changed your UN2 on those threads - I think I'm confusing myself now 🫣

Nope - can't see a think on the app.

Thing not think.

Yep, exactly, you could overwrite your username (to any registered to you... if you wanted a brand-new one you still had to do that in settings). But the default would be your current username OR whatever you'd been posting on a thread with already.

Now you can't overwrite mid-thread. I'm wondering if you can do it in settings.

No, it looks like even if you NC in settings, if you've already posted in a thread it reverts to your old username.

Hm interesting!

Yes I use different names and it always defaults to the one I first used on the thread if I post another comment.
I had no idea you could actually use your different user names on the same thread.
It certainly explains the weird turns some threads have taken. Seems sort of dishonest to me.

I'm pleased if MN has put a stop to it.

As well as froth-trolling, I'd seen a few dubious threads recently along the lines of:

OP: Can you recommend me a present to buy for my 4-year-old nephew
(2 mins later) SupposedlyOther user: Have you tried www.Website ... stocks everything you could ever want for a 4 year old, delivers to you via a personalised flying unicorn, they're totally brilliant etc.

& repeat with recommendations for holiday cottages, books, clothes ...

I thought this had been in place already for ages.

People can still change names in a thread on the app though can't they so it doesn't really stop the 🧦 🧦. People can also have multiple accounts if they're determined.

This is a disappointing change.

I have some names I use for serious discussion and others for the opposite. Also some for specific topics.

Sometimes these have ended up in the same thread. Alas, no longer. Oh well, was useful while it lasted!

Yes, I've seen ones like that too. They stick out like a sore thumb, don't they? 😂

You can still have multiple names and use them in different topics or threads. What you can no longer do is use more than one username on a single thread.

Report them, MNHQ can see if it's a pair of socks.

I'm so confused. Are you talking about when you change names. Make a thread or comment on one that you can't change name within that same thread?

Hiya basically what you can no longer do is use more than one username on a single thread.

Oh I quite like that

Well I'm really disappointed. Yet again the few ruin things and everyone gets punished.

NC mid thread, especially in long running threads.

Some of the funniest threads I've read have very clever name changes.

@LilyMumsnet you asked for feedback, I know one voice is worth little, but it takes away a quirk of MN and I for one think it is a shame.

@LilyMumsnet I'm joining @AndNobbyDancing in the sadness that the fun clever name namechangey threads will be no more.
Although I get why you're doing it. But it's like, well, no-one can make that kind of joke because some people use the joke to hide behind and be troublesome. Sad reflection on why society has to have laws altogether really, because some people are just bloody well out to hurt other people so we all have to toe lines.
Mild and useless rant over. Obviously you must do what you must do.

This has been about for a while now though. For my own selfish reasons I like it. In the past when I name changed I would get mixed up and forget I name chased end up outing myself

No it hasn't - As explained, until a day or so ago you could overwrite the default username in the box, or change it in settings, mid-thread.

I thought that was a good solution to the issue you (and I) had!