all those who would like MN [or part] to become register only sign here

[ruty]

I for one feel there is a lesson to be learned from the Moldies debacle. I have been posting much less as have become increasingly concerned about info on here about my dcs, in particular, and so post less. There are those who say well you should be careful what you post, etc. But i think the quality of advice i can give is diminished because i always have to think twice about how much to reveal - the same goes for asking for advice. Yes, you can namechange, but then you lose your posting identity and it is harder to build up posting relationships. I really feel that as it is not that hard to register, and as so m any here have had problems with trolls, that at least part of the site should become register only. MNHQ could you consider please?

BTW i understand some trolls post crap or stalk people, or like someone said, if a mother has lost a baby then they have lost two, ect, but surely, and i have said this on another thread, if they pose as someone with a problem, and everyone on here, most of whom i have found straighforward, kind, sensible or caring, have put a lot of effort into supporting this 'mum/parent/person with a general problem, which is something we do in life in general anyway, they are obviously going to be annoyed at putting so much effort into someone who was just stringing them along (sounds like real life lol) BUT on the bright side, someone may be reading the thread, or see it in the future, that finds it, and the advice contained within, useful.
The feeling of having invested time and effort into someone who has lied isn't nice but it happens to most of us at some point.
Just have to look on the bright side, sigh and hope everyone isn't the same.

I personally think that the best way is to not post anything on here you wouldn't want people in rl to read.

I am quite identifyable on here and if people wanted to find me then they could. But my life isn't that interesting that my identity becoming known to someone in rl would put me at any risk.

But I do think that people become far too complacent when posting on the internet because they think that having a username makes them anonomous.

I have recognized people on here from other sites and from artacles I've read about them in the media. I would never out them but that's not to say there are others on here who wouldn't.

The one thing I would change about mn is the ability to have unlimited namechanges. yes sometimes people need to name change to post about sensitive issues, but the ability to be able to change your name on an unlimited basis really is unnecessary imo. If someone has that many problems that they need to change their name that frequently then tbh they should be seaking more professional help than is available on the internet.

Personally I would limit name changes to once in 30 days, with the ability to switch back obviously. But anything more just leaves it open to abuse.

Fio...what I mean is, that there had been, in the past, some regulars that would namechange to post outragous stuff....they would often out themselves and admit to it being a bit of fun...so weren't really trolls in the true sense of course....but, at times it was still annoying...
I am not saying that all those that did it are now moldies...I wouldn't be able to, as I really haven't got a clue who is and who isn't anyway....but it would not surprise me, if some of those were on there now...

It takes 2 minutes to set up a new hotmail account, it would take another 2 minutes to register on a mumsnet if it was register only. This would deter no-one who wanted to troll/cause trouble/stalk someone.

libra; mnhq can identify you from your ip.

I have found Mn after googleing something and have been adicted ever since, it would be sad not to have this option for new people to come in.

I think namechange to allow yourself to be rude or outragious to someone is stupid. People who do it usually get bad comments or get reported. That is how it should stay IMO. It would be sad to have to restrict access to good posters because of a few irresponsable ones.

I agree with wannaBe about namchanging for sensitive issues.

I have at least once recognised one of my friends on a thread. We have talked about it and were actually quite happy to find that common link, but I can undrestand that for other people it can be quite traumatic to be recognised in RL.

BlueSaphire77 I had never seen things so positively, but I think you are right actually, even a troll's thread could be of use to someone.

not all troll posts are bad.

some of the threads in mumsnet classics have been jokey troll threads that have had everyone killing themselves laughing for ages.

I have a laptop at home, I have a PC at work. I live near internet cafes. You could use a dynamic IP address. If you want to stalk/troll/cause trouble you can.

of cause there are some funny troll posts....bt at times it had become a bit, erm, tidious {sp?)

dp but mn hq can only recognize you from your IP address while your registration remains active. Once you delete your registration your details disappear with it.

So it's easy for pegulars to create duplicate registrations to troll, to then delete those registrations and no connection can be made.

wannabe; oh right...i didn't know that.

tbh...i haven't seen that many serious trolls on here....most of them are joke threads.

I guess it depends on what one considers to be a troll.

Obviously there are the funny trolls, and the serious ones who hit people up for money and emotional support etc. But apart from that I would put money on there being posters whose apparent lives are nothing like they are portrayed on here, purely because it's easy to be something online that you're not in rl. If you make up a life are you any less of a troll just because you're not using people for money?

Can I just Hijack for a bit? does any of you know anyone who's been reported? It is just to know what does actually happen? are you made aware that you have been reported or does NMHQ block your access to the site after being reported a few times? Is it possible to have been reported and not be aware of it?

Sorry, It is just that I am becomming a bit paranoid reading this thread, I never really think about trolls and tend to give people the benefit of the doubt but I seem to be in a minority, are troll really overtaking MN or have they always been there?

I think sometimes people might be accused of being troll because they come with unusual situations but do really need help I a not sure ther is a way to be fair with everyone.

MN is fine as it is. Better, actually, now that a big chunk of Moldies are gone

mildmannered....I think it depends...I mean, sometimes you just start asking yourself why you are wasting your time on replying....of course you don't have to read....but in general I read a post, until I know better, as if there is a real person behind it with a real question/problem...and sometimes it does get annoying when it all goes into a...oh, was only a joke....

obviously some are seriously funny and those are what makes mn such a fun place to be (well, a lot of the time )

I too found MN through googling 'early rising'.

Agree it the onus is on the individual posters to not reveal too much.

Mn is what it is because it is for many different reasons. The open-ness is one, as is the reputation (which is that it is fast, funny, witty, often acerbic and has a demographic that is a high ratio of wohms and higher-educated women...and that's not my opinion, it's the facts and the reputation as stated in the press, which leads to big new membership). The style, too.

I just think everyone needs to be aware about personal information, and to know that there are times when all sorts of people will want / need to reserve some conversations for more protected means of communication - whether that be e mail, MSN or a friends using an off-the-peg clunky pro-board (after all anyone can do it), or a yahoo or FB group.

There are things about me that could be v easily recognisable - I can't post about things that involve other people in my life and would compromise their privacy - so I don't!

oh, I know what you mean...and I have vague memories of that multicoloured food one...now that was funny well, if we are thinking of the same one...it was the one where only food of a certain colour was being eaten?
I am not completely bypassed by troll humour....there are very different levels of trollings....and yes, some people just seem to lurve the drama and get so personally involved, well...that is, imo, a bit over the top...
I think it's those that could possibly be true and you really want to help and than it's all been for a larf...that is when they are not funny....

must search pirate sex noises and kitchen implements

I found MN by googling Piedro boots - and found Fio discussing how to repair scuffs in purple ones! But I thought the whole idea of chatting away on the internet was bizarre and a bit sad....look at me now.

Bizarre and v sad!

blu...aren't we all....bizarre and v. sad I mena

mean even...