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

never knew that, thanks - tbh its been about a year since I did change my name, so I've not been back to member profiles for ages.

Sorry I've been down this i'm very slow bit on nicknames before but Which box do you click on to find iout names you've used? I just ried and failed I hasten toadd that I think I've only had a few and not to be nasty

i'm with you lemonice i'm not sure how to even do a name change let alone check them.

Someone explain please

yeah right

yeah right??????

I'll join you in the slow department lemonice - didn't work for me either, so I still don't know what I've used before

ahhhh I'm just joshing with you

I think its pointless limiting name changes as there will always be a way round them. I think that there needs to be strict rules concerning trolls and people who change there names to hurt others and mn are able to ban them from the site - although they could just re-register so there are ways round that too.

havent got a clue really - good luck trying to sort this one out mn towers

still don't know how to change my name

Message withdrawn

I am on the horns of a dilemma, I have seen the upset that these nasty spineless people have caused, on the other hand there has been more fun garnered from happy innocent name changes.

How about a box that you tick that says if you are deemed to have changed names for nasty malicious purposes, and cause upset that you are happy to be named and shamed either directly on here by MN towers or by MN catting the aggrieved party and allowing them to name and shame.

If you are happy to stand by your post then it won't matter.

like the idea of naming and shaming LGJ

LGJ, I like the name and shame option via CAT to the offended party!

I loathe the idea of restricting name changes.

I'd love to hear more on what MN Towers are thinking?

Message withdrawn

I think it's worth remembering that Mumsnet has grown enormously, recently - which is great news for Justine, Carrie, Rachel and co... but it does mean more work for everyone. Remember, we don't pay for this site so there are limits to what we can expect. With this in mind, whatever the final decision is I think we should try to make it a simple one so that it doesn't cause more unnecessary work for teammumsnet. (Let's face it, when they started this website do you really think that J/C and R dreamt of the day when they would have to spend hours working out how many nicknames members are allowed?)

If I wanted to be malicious with namechanges, I'd use any of my umpteen email addresses to do it and make up the rest of my details.

I have access to various PCs, so even IP address tracking wouldn't work.

BUT I NEVER would - like I said, I only use my name changes for fine comedy moments (OK, perhaps only IMO ).

MN have banned people in the past - think JudgeFlounce (who changed his name several times). Not sure how they ban permanently, because of the methods I've highlighted above (I sound like hub2dee ).

Chane my name, Cod?

I'm appalled you think I'd do something like that!!

pmsl at enid and crying comment

ace, I think this thread holds the record for people saying "I agree with Senora". I think I'll frame it.

But back to the point, I think limiting name changes will have no effect. People could easily just use their "anonymous" name for bitching.

The answer, if you don't like my name and shame approach is increased moderation. Recruit more mods - say 2 per category and let them delete offensive posts. Another forum I post on (which has no name changes) has one "admin" per category and 2 or 3 mods. It works quite well i think. with more mods, and specifically with 2 levels of mods, you could have more checks and balances in place to ensure no-one is outed unneccesarily (if you go down that route) or just ensure that posts are deleted more quickly.

But SP if they used their anonymous name only for bitching then that persona would be a bitch and soon be moderated upon..

I agree with Senora, whatever I said earlier And now I'm going to go and get myself another 18 names so I can agree with her some more.

maybe, lemonice.

It's quite hard to judge. What we need is a reformed naame changing bitch to tell us what would have stopped her...

tamum

I agree with senora