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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Could we have a default username?

10 replies

AllHisCaterpillarFriends · 28/01/2025 22:59

I don't like the fact that we can't change name mid thread, but i seem to be a minority.

But - please can we have a default name, so when we start a new thread or reply it come up with the default name?

Even better it we can change our default name in settings.

It just gets boring when I've nc for something more personal to then have it in the chat box.

Or even better, default names for different boards!

OP posts:
Yourfootisinmysirachamayo · 29/01/2025 03:14

I think name changing mid-thread isn't allowed so people can't sock puppet.

NotAnotherBirthday · 29/01/2025 03:25

I like how it is.

You have a default (your current username) but when you first post it start a thread you can manually type in another username. From that point on, that becomes the only name you can use on that thread and this appears to happen automatically.

I think it works well.

AllHisCaterpillarFriends · 29/01/2025 07:39

I want the default to stay default. So if I nc for one thread it then goes back to be default name on the next thread, it could just be me that wants that.

I understand about the sockpuppeting, and it was obviously an issue but lots of MNetters used it for non nefarious reasons.

OP posts:
MassiveSalad22 · 29/01/2025 07:44

I NCd for something personal and every thread now I have to write in the username I want because it defaults to my personal one. PURELY because I’m too lazy to go into settings and change it back to what I want to be my default. So I kind of get you OP. I could have gone and done it instead of typing this but it feels like so many steps and as I said, lazy.

pineapplebobbing · 29/01/2025 07:49

You can change your name back to one you’ve had previously. So change it back to the one you want to be the ‘default’, and type in other ones when you want to NC.

AllHisCaterpillarFriends · 29/01/2025 07:50

@MassiveSalad22 exactly 😂

OP posts:
AccordionedWhileMallBurned · 29/01/2025 07:55

pineapplebobbing · 29/01/2025 07:49

You can change your name back to one you’ve had previously. So change it back to the one you want to be the ‘default’, and type in other ones when you want to NC.

This. I definitely wouldn't want a default name that kept reappearing by itself.

pineapplebobbing · 29/01/2025 07:57

AllHisCaterpillarFriends · 29/01/2025 07:50

@MassiveSalad22 exactly 😂

The option is literally there to do exactly what you’ve asked!

HebeMumsnet · 29/01/2025 09:16

Hi @AllHisCaterpillarFriends. Thanks for your feedback.

It's a tricky one because there are so many options with something like this and no option that will suit everyone. We did it this way so that there was the least chance of someone outing themselves accidentally. (BTW, if that does happen, just drop us a line and we can usually do a quick namechange on the thread fairly quickly for you).

As things stand, your name always defaults to the name you have previously used on that thread so that stops people sockying too easily but mainly it's so that if you've been away and posted elsewhere under another name, you don't out yourself when you return. If it's your first post on a thread, it will default to your current user name, so yes, that's where you have to remember to change name first. Also - just checking you're aware - you don't have to do that in settings, you can literally just change the name manually in the box when you go to post as a previous poster has pointed out.

We felt this was probably the most useful way to do it all round, with the least opportunity for name change mishaps. But we're always open to ideas so we'll keep reading the posts here to get a feel for people's thoughts on it all.

AllHisCaterpillarFriends · 29/01/2025 21:07

Thanks @HebeMumsnet looks like @MassiveSalad22 is right and I'm just too darn lazy.

Why making a whole thread and taking the time to reply is a less of a faff than changing my name in settings I will never know. still havent changed it

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