nickname changes : thoughts?

[JJmumsnet]

Hi All,

We've been discussing the name changing thing internally recently as it happens, both because of the ability to use it to cause trouble and just as importantly because of the possibility that any new poster may be a name changer or the same person posting under multiple names, which inevitably leads to an atmosphere of suspicion.

As Marina has elsewhere rightly pointed out, the number of users, threads and name changes makes it hard to keep up with who's just having fun (by far the majority) and who's trying to cause trouble.

We've raised before the notion of restricting names to two per registration, with the idea that you have one name for everyday use and a further one for sensitive stuff. We believe this is the way to go now.

Of course it won't stop the ability to troll if you are determined, but it will make it more difficult to cause trouble and to confuse. We know some people enjoy having some perfectly innocent fun with name changing and we're sorry to be party poopers in that respect but on balance we think limiting name changes is the sensible thing to do. Were anyone to desperately want/need another name for a pressing reason, we'd happily facilitate on an ad hoc basis and I'm sure Tech could do a special Christmas namechange facility too.

As mumsnet grows (as we hope it might ) it's going to become even more of an issue to keep track of things, so we hope you agree the limit is the right way to go. Tech's away this week (again you cry!) but we'll get onto it soon. Naturally if you have objections/ reasons why you think this is a bad idea - do post them here or write to us directly and we'll give it further thought.

Thanks,
Team mumsnet

[Aero]

I'm with WWB and www here too - I think it's a shame to 'punish' the rest of us for something we haven't done - rather feels like the whole class staying in at lunchtime because the culprit who wrote something nasty on the chalkboard won't own up! Occasionally, when I have changed my name and have forgotton to change it back before posting on another thread, I have inadvertantly blown my cover so have had to then change to another nickname for whatever reason (never to cause trouble!). Also, I wouldn't want people to become familiar with the nickname I'd choose for sensitive topics anyway - I may choose a name that is related to what I'm posting about IYSWIM, so I am definitely not in favour of such a limited amount of choice. I don't often speak out on these matters, but I really don't feel this is the way forward. Naming and shaming for people who persistantly post just to cause trouble would be preferable!

[Pruni]

Message withdrawn

[MarsLady]

if you think we're upset.... who's gonna tell hunkermunker the name changer of name changers?

[Aero]

...........but I can also see Blu's point too regarding that.
Still don't think our choice should be so limited though!

[RTKangaMummy]

I don't know what quickchange or getreal or shinyone have said

BUT if they are actually 3 different people I don't see the point of the limit

[Pruni]

Message withdrawn

[milge]

How about keeping the ability to change names, and having this facility withdrawn completely if your name changes cause friction? sort of MNTowers discipline, on advice of mods?

[hunkermunker]

I like putting things in between my hunker and munker

I have NEVER and would never misuse the namechanging facility.

As usual, the few spoil it for the many

Only read the first post, so if this has changed over the course of the thread, I'll post again (maybe using another name, while I still can )

[lemonice]

limiting the changes would probably stop the just changed my name to say something even I know is wrong, nasty and so indefensible that i don't want my friends to know I'm like that psotings.

I think a warning that changing your name could risk limiting your membership of mn to one name only with no ability to change if it contravenes Mumsnet philosophy.

[Davros]

I'm sure this is a stupid question, bear in mind I don't use any other websites like MN so I assume the open forum is the usual way. Why can't Talk be restricted to "members"? i.e. people who have PAID to support MN? I suspect its because of advertising revenue and the restriction it would place on the number of people using MN but maybe someone could just tell me. It would certainly get rid of Trolls and quick/troublesome name changers.
Ol' Ma Davros's famous Old Cow thread first brought this up for me. At the time I didn't understand why members only was suggested but it then became clear that people were visiting from another site, registering on MN and posting as one-offs, taking the pee somewhat and "getting involved" (stirring). On SN this caused a lot of upset and I'm sure it would and does on some other sensitive sections on MN. After that I found out that someone on SN had been CATed after someone found her MN posts by Googling!!! ANother was CATed by someone who did use MN but never visited SN, never posted their concerns there and just CATed this regular SN poster for quick and easy info (not at all upset/needy). The regular MNer in question was tempted to ignore but, because of the sensitive nature blah blah sent back a nice reply and..... heard nothing, not even a thank you! Since then I have changed my settings to no CATs and I believe a few others have too
OK, I'm off on one now! I expect a reply telling me I'm talking rubbish, don't hold back but please don't change your names

[WideWebWitch]

I think it depends on what the objective is really and whether limiting name changes will achieve that objective. If limiting name changes is supposed to deter trolls, well, I doubt it will tbh: anyone determined enough will manage to troll (before we find them out and run them to the edge of town with pitchforks that is) by using a legit but fake email address. I agree with those who say the majority shouldn't be penalised for the actions of a spiteful minority. But I haven't been here much recently so I may have missed something nasty, have I?

[LionTamer]

you're right, and so i think thats the way to go. The threat will probably be enough.

[LionTamer]

Davros because the spiteful one off-ers might just as easily be paying members!
It would deter trolls probably though.

[LionTamer]

Am giraffeski by the way, just CBA changing my name back.

[Davros]

Doh! Never thought of that.....

[lemonice]

I think in some ways (I'm probably wrong) spiteful changers are more hurtful than trolls who tend to ne clocked and policed by regular posters anyway

[Enid]

very good point RTKanga (what does your name mean anyway??) go to the top of the class

[IveHad16ChangesNotCountingThis]

As far as I can see.

And I've just been through them and not one has been used for anything other than fine comedy moments

[Enid]

I've had 12. a few for embarrassing problems that I don't want my friends and family to know about and the rest for a laugh. Apart from that one where I harrassed that mumsnetter until we were both crying, oh whooops

[RTKangaMummy]

RT = Radio Times {because other mumsnetters suggested it cos of my Telly Addict Alerts}

Kanga = Kanga cuddles in NNU and also Aussie Connection and cos I like Winnie the Pooh

Mummy cos I am one

[crumpet]

Would one idea be to have a 24 hour (for example)period between registering a name and being able to use it? This would stop the heat-of-the-moment name changes which do seem to cause trouble at times (and would also stop the funny name changes I suppose...).

I'm not a frequent poster, but even I've changed my name before now if there has been a personal issue - and to be honest I'd struggle to remember what I've used, it's been so infrequent, so having a short selection of names would probably confuse me as I'd forget them and no be able to re-register!

[Twiglett]

crumpet just go to your member profile, delete your name and click in the box and it'll bring up all those you've registered / tried to register

[hunkermunker]

I'm IveHad16ChangesNotCountingThis btw - in case anyone was wondering!!

[hunkermunker]

Yes, Twiglett that's what I did - Crumpet, I'm not crazy enough to have remembered them all!

Although thinking about it, there were some on another thread where everyone was changing their names (it was a smutty one - real highlight on MN, I think ).

I must've deleted the autocomplete entries at some point - I've probably had rather more than 16