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

[shinyone]

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[Davros]

I'd still like the TeamMN thoughts on "members only" on Talk. Other people can still access recommended products, how to, tips etc. It would stop trolls and tourists.

[shinyone]

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[WideWebWitch]

Oh ok, I guessed wrong!

[hunkersnafumunker]

I'll email you the magic numbers if you like, www

[LGJ]

Or the tick box


Says she shamelessly pushing that option

[snafu]

I've had n-n-n-n-nineteen. Some of them brought back very embarrassing memories

[shinyone]

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[LionTamer]

can you email them to me too please? Or msn? carolines9824 at yahoo dot co dot uk

[LionTamer]

i like your idea lgj

[hunkersnafumunker]

What was the tickbox again, LGJ? (I read it but can't remember now.)

[hunkersnafumunker]

I will, liongiraffe.

But then you will know who hunkersnafumunker is and I will have to kill you. mwaaahahahaha.

[LGJ]

Here.........


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.

[shinyone]

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[Willow2]

LionTamer - yep, but you don't have to. And, by the looks of the list of those that have paid, most members haven't.

[hatsoff]

i quite strongly feel this is not the way to go. This is an internet forum, not real life. We, by virtue of want mn is, have - or can choose to have - a certain anonymity here. It is POSTS that are offensive, it doesn't matter who wrote them or what name they used, it is the content that is offensive. And steps should quite rightly be taken to stop offensive posting - and to define what constitutes offensive. I don't see that two names will be particularly helpful to someone who needs advice on a sensitive issue and wants to use a name under which they can't be "recognised" (I mean it's not as if I'm going to be recognised as Jane Smith of 123 Main Street, Sutton Coldfield is it? only as "Hatsoff" and let's face it - who the hell is Hatsoff). I agree that once a name has been registered it would be useful to find a way of preventing others registering a very similar name so people can't pretend to be each other but I don't think names should be limited. In any case is it do-able? I'm not remotely technical but I assume MN can't trace me to my actual computer (can they? scarey) I would have thought that all I would need to do is open a new hotmail account. Before anyone thinks I protesteth too much I can assure you I have only changed my name once to a Christmas name and then to a new version of my old name (used to be hatter - hatsoff was a hint that I was fed up and contemplating leaving...never managed it but that's another story...)

[SenoraPostrophe]

actually shinyone, your post was not overly offensive, i didn't think. It was the sort of thing I could have posted under my normal name if i was in the right mood.

[lemonice]

LGJ thought it was















Goundhog Day for a moment there!!

[flashingnose]

Why not give the mods more power i.e. to delete offensive posts immediately or to identify malicious name changers and email them?

[JustThinking]

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[shinyone]

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[huggybear]

Tip:

think before you post!!!

[LionTamer]

willow- i haven't because for some reason every time i try to the server won't accept my card. So... i keep meaning to post a cheque but never got round to it. I will though, when i can.

[LGJ]

Lemon Ice

Now it is

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.

[MRSflamesparrow]

The horns of dilemma sound very painful....