name changes on GN

I would get very about who I was and what I had said.

I would probably end up arguing with myself, but no-one else would realise

You could in theory have several different accounts! On several different sites! It would certainly fill someone's lonely/sad days...

Ana that would have to be someone for whom GN was a really important part of their life. So sad.

I'm sure it's possible, I think it's been discussed on here before. You'd have to have two different email addresses and two separate computer thingy addresses. For example, you could use a friend or relative's computer.

I don't know why anyone would want to have two usernames on the go at the same time, unless they wanted to argue with themself, as someone has suggested!

Well I never know when someone has changed their name! Perhaps I don't study the posts enough? I am pretty sure of one who has changed their name but no idea who they were previously and don't actually care. It's only an Internet forum!

May I suggest a scenario? If a person has been a member for a while and posted a lot then finds out that someone they don't get on with has been stalking them and been nasty about their posts it would seem perfectly reasonable to change names and be wary.

I don't understand how someone could have 2 names, please tell.

Ah, see what you mean

I know and have met somebody who has 2 names- how can that happen?

Both posting at the same time Charleygirl?

Just so long as people don't start using Terry Wogan 'Old Gals and Geezers' names.... Ugh
jings I am going to look them up now; perhaps they could be the names of people's grandparents and they might use them as a GN name

Sometimes, of course, members leave in a huff (or for some other reason) and actually deregister with Gransnet, so that when they want to come back, they have to start again with a new username.

Doris or Smithers

Oh no, I've been outed! I thought only Alea knew my real name

Yours sincerely,
Doris Smithers

But I won't be able to remember who they are.

Names Changes

Provided Gransnet HQ agree to name changes for valid reasons, what on earth is the problem?

QED

Just so long as people don't start using Terry Wogan 'Old Gals and Geezers' names.... Ugh!!!

Oh My God !!! I wanna know more Lona!

I changed my name recently after discovering a family member was reading everything I posted because they recognised my user name.

I signed out for about six weeks, I was very busy over the summer and away a lot anyway and then rejoined with a new name. I've been a member of Gransnet almost from inception so do not make a habit of changing my name. Hopefully my new name, which has no personal connections of any kind, and will not be used anywhere else, will protect my anonimity.

I've had three names through no fault of my making. First one, someone else joined and picked an identical name but with a capital letter. Then I was hounded by a journalist and the police, regarding a very very high profile criminal case , so I changed again.
Don't just assume that people change names for sheer devilment.

It never entered my head to leave and then rejoin, but thinking about it, they must have two separate email accounts.

Just think - they could have an argument against themselves and we would never know!

I know and have met somebody who has 2 names- how can that happen?

I changed mine recently because I was discovered by two separate people on the same day. I had never thought that anyone would notice or care if I disappeared, I did tell a few because they had asked for replies on threads so thought I had better let them know it was me replying.

I had stupidly been using my real name, never dreaming that anyone would bother to try to google me. I felt quite sick at the time, so was so relieved when GN agreed to change my name for me.

Hopefully that will be the only change though.

Yes that is a good point Alea - there are usernames on here that are amusing and this seems to suggest that the person behind the name has a good sense of humour. I wonder if that makes us automatically more kindly disposed to them?

One does wonder about them sometimes.....

Oh I do love the way GNHQ are inclined to send us to the brain numbing restorative effects of the booze bottle when these things arise.

Never understood why the question arose, I assume there will have been various reasons for needing/wanting a change, anonymity being one of them.
Or perhaps like dyeing one's hair, a new image felt like a good idea.

I often wonder though, what persona is suggested by the choice of name? What does a username say about "who" we are?

Excuse my ignorance, but I completely fail to understand the what, where, why and how concerning changing your user name.
Most of all, why? What is the point of it?

As a comparative newbie I've caught myself smiling when I recognise a name and have a sneaky hunch how that person might respond. So far I've only read good natured ribbing. Long may that continue.

Any other newbies feel the same or differently?

I didn't know about rules on name changes: Surely, if a family member recognises events or family anecdotes, I assume a name change is inevitable.

What is bad about that?

Thanks - nearly wine o-clock- just off to geth changed to go out for dinner with friends- so cheers, or as we say here 'santé'