- Do Mumsnet members form new links with people outside their core social network?:

yes, definitely, though only virtually in my case; as Oblomov says, it's a spectrum of people you wouldn't normally meet

- Do Mumsnet members find that other members provide support that they would struggle to get within their core network of family and friends?

very much so for me, having two children with a rare form of Special Needs

- To what extent does communicating online replace or complement face to face communication for Mumsnet members?

I can talk about problems, particularly regarding SN, in a way I couldn't without alienating RL friends; also, as children grow older, RL circle of friends is changing- Mumsnet stays

- What do online communities like Mumsnet need from government or the private sector to provide better services?

nothing that I know of

1)new links - yes that is the best thing about MN. The spectrum of people you wouldn't normally meet.
2 & 3))Support - huge. Even close friends don't have time for the minutest details of my life. Aquaintances aren't interested. I tell everything on MN. MN makes up for the lack of time we have for eachother in real life. Saviour !
4)I can not see what support could be offered to MN, how MN could be helped further.

- Do Mumsnet members form new links with people outside their core social network?

Not hugely. I have met a couple of MNers, and talk to others elsewhere, but that's about it.

- Do Mumsnet members find that other members provide support that they would struggle to get within their core network of family and friends?

Absolutely. there are things you don't want to discuss with f&f, or you know that you'll get a more informed opinion here.

- To what extent does communicating online replace or complement face to face communication for Mumsnet members?

Complements. Sometimes you want to talk to a friend, sometimes it's easier on here. You can also come back to a conversation or question much more easily than in RL.

- What do online communities like Mumsnet need from government or the private sector to provide better services?

Nothing, leave it alone. If online communities start issuing "official messages" it will blur the lines between chat and Nanny State. So come on, chat, share ideas, contribute your own t'pennorth, but don't start trying to change conversation.

Have a look at this thread - a perfect example of how mumsnet members support other mn'rs

- Do Mumsnet members form new links with people outside their core social network?

Yes - either virtually or in real life

- Do Mumsnet members find that other members provide support that they would struggle to get within their core network of family and friends?

Yes - you can amek contacts with people, even when you are in an unususal situation. It also helps to get support from people who are totally removed from you, and who have no emotional interest in their advice.

- To what extent does communicating online replace or complement face to face communication for Mumsnet members?

It complements it. I'm a homebased worker who frequently travels, so am socially isolated. MN gives me 'water cooler' interactions to gossip, and someone to speak to whenever I want to

- What do online communities like Mumsnet need from government or the private sector to provide better services?

I don't think there is anything. But I really enjoy the webchats with policians as I feel that they can get a very honest dialogue, which doesn't happen in other situations

-Do Mumsnet members form new links with people outside their core social network? Yes, but if relationships are to blossom offline, then people who have met online must have some common ground in real life.

- Do Mumsnet members find that other members provide support that they would struggle to get within their core network of family and friends?

You get more insight into the issues of life on MN than you would from your own core network, by virtue of there being so many people and of a far wider variety of life experiences than one can encounter in real life.

- To what extent does communicating online replace or complement face to face communication for Mumsnet members? It is too easy to let on line communication dominate life, IMO. It is better for it not to become the dominant form of communication.

- What do online communities like Mumsnet need from government or the private sector to provide better services? Nothing. Leave them alone.

1. Yes
2. Definately. Mumsnet is my repalcement for workplace banter and social interaction. As a SAHM I miss having other people around and the close-knit community banter that comes with working in a team. Mumsnet is my equivalent. It lessens my isloation and brings me into contact with others who have different perspectives on a shared situation - that of being a parent.
3. It doesn't replace face to face - just a different dimension. You use it when you need it.
4. Would need to think about that one a bit longer. Will get back to you, kids allowing.

1. Yes. MN members do become close and some meet up and have get togethers.

2. Yes - often friends and family don't give their honest opinions or their support is biased. Mumsnet offers somewhere to get support from people who you know are in similar situations to you.

3. You keep your anonimity (sp?)and so don't feel any pressure. You either embrace the support or you don't.

4. Perhaps some discounted journal offers (relating to parenting).
Access/links to published papers that might provide health/parenting information. So for example, you could have topic of the week and a scientific paper about chronic eczema in babies or a government paper about working parents for example. Or there could be continual access to a certain amount of papers about lots of issues/topics.