Poll: Would you like the facility to change your own username?

It depends whose viewpoint you see it from, I suppose. The one with split identities having a go from several angles, or the one having to name change to avoid the attack, whether they wanted to or not.

But name change would stop them ganging up - the opinion would be what counted and not who made it.

It’s not about opinions as such though, Leticia, it’s about increasing the number of posters “ganging up” on another.

I think people are worried that they might end up agreeing with someone they don't like!
Anything that makes the knee jerk reaction to certain posters has to be good- having known someone driven off.
I really can't see why we need to know who is behind a post or why. It makes it sound as if there is some sort of GN 'royalty' whose opinion is to be more respected than someone unknown making their very first post.
Take the list on their own merits- who makes them is irrelevant.

You mean it would make knee jerk reactions to certain posters a bit harder? And at the moment we know the who and why of posts? I really would like some specific examples of the damage that could be caused by allowing this facility?

If it goes abead then so be it, but it will make it harder to spot who is actually behind a post and why.

I agree with what Eloethan and POGS have said on here.
Changing your name temporarily because you want to post on a thread asking for advice/ support is one thing, but on any thread and maybe several times, NO!

What do you mean Dahlia ? Your posts are being used on social media

What in the present system prevents the nefarious use of GN by political or commercial organisations? Nothing if people want to put that effort in. How will name changing increase the likelihood of that? I genuinely don’t understand. All these straw dog arguments really seem to me to be infantilising us as if we couldn’t spot someone trying to flog us a good or a service - we do now and how would someone changing their name allow them to promote a commercial service and us be taken in? If gillybob suddenly changed her names on the Parafise papers thread and started defending the queen,what on earth difference would that mean? Some of us would just think oh another royalist prat. Sorry for using you as an example. Equally someone from a very royalist group,or ER herself, could join GN now and start posting on that thread .

That seems a good reason to me Lilyflower . GN can be a bit like the school playground!

Surely GN would be able to look at all the name changes because it would be from the same email address.
I think it would be very rare for someone to change their names mid thread- it would have to be a very argumentative thread to make it necessary- the sort of thread where someone stands out as being a problem causing GN to take a closer look. I can't see any threads like that at the moment.
I don't think that most people would change- the sort who are regulars in Soop's kitchen are not going to change- they are very comfortable. I wouldn't change because I have been very careful from the start to protect my identity.
It ought to be easy for anyone who thinks they have a reason to change- GN could keep track and contact if they have cause for concerns over the reasons or if they are doing it too often. I think it would be good to allow it for one thread if they have something very personal they don't want associated with their normal name. Very often on MN a poster will say 'I have done a name change for this one'.
I am more concerned with the way anything of interest is just lifted onto other social media sites. Since GN have not commented and are still doing it I assume they are not going to stop. That alone is a good reason for allowing name changes in my opinion.
Either keep everything on GN and don't allow name changes or link it as it is at the moment and ensure it is more private with the name change. e.g if I were to respond to the tantrum thread with personal experience I am fairly sure I would keep my anonymity on GN but not so sure if someone read it on FB therefore I am not going to comment.
I still can't see why the name matters on opinions - it is just as valid if it comes from a new poster or someone who has been here for years. Either you agree or you don't- who made it isn't really relevant. There are still thread like Soop's Kitchen where who posts is important and GN are never going to lift that onto SM - it is easy to predict which ones will be used. Personally I would cut out GN and ask Twitter direct if I thought that is what they would do with my thread!

I have been persecuted by others who didn’t like my opinions and when tried to resign Gransnet kindly allowed me to change my username so that I have been able to stay with the site.

Just to clarify, I would not like to see people paid by political parties or commercial organisations to push a particular view or raise awareness of, or interest in, particular products. I think there is probably a small element of this already but allowing people to change their own names would make it much easier.

I agree with POGS that the question is unclear. People on Gransnet can change their names, but they have to do it through Gransnet and Gransnet will be aware of their previous name/names.

I voted No because I think it will be too easy for people to abuse others or assume different identities in order to push certain commercial or political agendas. So far, though, the Yes votes are way ahead.

GNHQ have organised a poll so you are having your say are you not? You just don’t like the way the vote is turning out do you? And I still think the idea that members will be spending all their time name changing mid thread is frankly risible.

Maryeliza

' keep coming up with totally fallacious arguments to support their case.'

Blimey , 'Fallacious' hmm.

Sorry you consider my right to question as arguing in a trumped up, untrue, deceptive manner .

I do hope GNHQ is more receptive to allowing posters to have a view , an opinion when they ask " we'd like to know your thoughts."

It’s a straw dog saying people will want to keep changing name mid thread. And even if they did, so what? There’s a very large majority wanting to have the option and the minority who don’t keep coming up with totally fallacious arguments to support their case.

Ramblingrose

Out of interest may I ask have you contacted GNHQ to ask for a name change?

You just click on the link in the OP and get 2 choices.

Yes - i'd like the facility to change my username but can't see where to cast my Yes vote.

I think that everyone needs to be aware that they are posting in 3 places and need to look for replies in 3 places.

I popped across to FB and sure enough the soup one went on an hour ago- I said it would at 22:39 last night!

I predicted the soup one would go on Twitter and it did!
That one is not quite so bad but Victoria08 asked for advice on how to deal with her grandson's tantrums- that is now in Twitter. What use is advice going to be for her on there, unless she is on Twitter? I don't understand the need to put it there.

I changed my name very soon after registering. I realised it was too close to my full name and GNHQ allowed it very quickly.

I have voted "Yes" by the way.

I have noted on this thread alone there are posters who don't seem to understand that they can change their username by simply contacting GNHQ. They are giving the impression that having chosen their username initially when joining GN they are stuck with it.
Actually, I thought you were stuck with it unless there is a very specific reason for changing and that GNHQ needs to agree that you can do so.

Which is what Lucy has said in the OP

I don't think people should be allowed to keep changing - especially mid-thread, how confusing!