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

What bat?

Hear hear, WWB. I'd be off MN like a shot if it turned into some squeaky-clean fluffy-bunny Stepford Wives club. I like the fact that things can get a bit edgy now and again.

BUT I also absolutely hate random nastiness and I would be all in favour of naming-and-shaming those regular posters who change their names specifically to flame or insult others. Live by the sword, die by the sword, I say!

A combination of things would probably work best. A "changeling" sign to show it's an alias combined with the "I agree to be named and shamed should I misuse this" tick box would cover most things.

One warning with the name changing priviledge removed for a first offence, named and shamed for a second (would have had to request an alias from MN Towers in order to commit an second offence anyway).

I keep offering some of my rhino hide for the easily offended but have had no offers.

I've just realised that although Justine said "Were anyone to desperately want/need another name for a pressing reason, we'd happily facilitate on an ad hoc basis" I would not, personally, wish to draw attention to the fact that I had something personal I wished to post. I know they can see who's changed their names but, at the moment, I can pretend they don't actually know. I would actually have to go through re-registering under another email address.

I agree SD and presumably unless a problem arises they don't look...I still think a warning about consequnces if you abuse the system is the best, not naming and shaming just withdrawing the option of that poster anme changing which tbh is really the status quo at the moment as the mn poicliy is quite clear...

I've been posting under a variety of names for about 3 years. The reason I change my name is because I feel that I have revealed too many personal details about myself and no longer feel anonymous.

For example over time I have discussed where I live, how old I am, ages/sexes/eye colour/interests of my children, what car I drive, my career and so on.

I would be mortified if soemone I know identified me and read stuff that I wouldn't discuss openly in real life. I would also feel inhibited from sharing friends stories in case they were offended that I was talking about them.

So if name changes are restricted, I won't be posting anything that I wouldn't want known in real life - and if others think like this too it will be a real loss to the honesty and genuine nature of this discussion board.

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I haven't read most of the thread but here's what I think anyway:

1. I find name changing in general annoying, just because I prefer to know where I am - I've never posted under a different name.
2. serious mischief makers will easily circumvent a no name change rule
3. I think it would be more effective if abuse of the name changing facility were exposed, as www suggests, although clearly much more work.
4. It would be difficult for people who have legitimate reasons to name change - if they have invited friends on for example, or just feel they've given away too much under one 'persona'.

A while ago I was talking to another MNetter who lives near me but tends to only lurk. She had a problem in her life and I said I'd try posting on MN about it -- see what feedback she had. She was glad to let me (I ran the original post by her), because she found it all hard to talk about.

Thing is, I posted it under a name change, I told her I would, because I know some people on MN really don't like me & I didn't want their dislike to bias what they said about this person's situation.

But I couldn't do that for someone else, if we only had 2 names, I'd want to keep my "sensitive info" name to myself... unless I started registering under many different email addys... some boards don't let you have more than one "identity" on their chat fora, is that where MN would go with this?

Such a pity prattish behavior by a few has led to all this.

Hear hear, dinosaur, lima and WWB.

Just to add - the point dinosaur makes in her post is exactly the reason I change names occasionally.

When you want to post something you feel strongly about, but which goes against the majority view on the thread, it's very hard to use your normal name.

Maybe at the same time you remove the name changing ability, you could also take out some of the viciousness some posters manage to exhibit, especially if you're the lone voice against many.

Is name changing really the problem? Isn't it really that some people just get nasty and rather than leave a point alone they just get nastier and nastier and really need to be stopped.

Could we instead have a "contact mumsnet here" option so we can inform mumsnet that a particular thread is getting nasty at a click of a button. Lots of notifications would alert mumsnet to a problem quite quickly.Going off to my email program, waiting for it to deal with all the spam, finding the correct address to email.... I don't tell mumsnet I think there is something nasty because I don't have the time and rather think that others will do it.

Now I'm used to the name changing I find it quite fun, when its meant to be, to work out who the person is. Sometimes people also need a bit af anonimity, they could do with people just chatting to them without thinking about all the baggage they have revealed under their usual name. I think its a shame that this freedom goes because some people like causing trouble/are having a "bad" day.

Just mt thoughts

.... Another nail in the coffin of Mumsnet... IMHO

Agree, Weatherwax. It's the people who are abusing the facility who need to be stopped, not everyone else.

And I also agree with you, legacy ... another nail in the coffin.

I like the sunglasses idea. It should put most postings by name-changers into context.

Weatherwax could be a link at the top with all the options etc

Good idea

Thanks for these thoughts (and those on the other thread about this).

We have a mumsnet meeting next week and will be debating this very issue - you've certainly given us plenty to debate!

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Not a Barry fan, maybe