A 'like' option

[bluecardi]

Just reading through mumsnet campaigns & I'd like to click on 'like' (as in style of facebook) to some of the posts on the threads. I'd just be saying similiar & you'd also get info on numbers who agree.

[lollipopshoes]

how about a "this has been done a thousand times before and I'm fed up of saying NO!" button?

[NetworkGuy]

Well yes, it has been mentioned (not long ago in fact) but some people are very anti and I have yet to see any views from MNHQ as to whether it is possible or not.

Personally, I think it would be more useful than buttons for Twitter and Facebook, but that's just another view.

Some think there is no need to have 'like' or 'dislike' buttons because discussion is what they want, but I can see advantages in also getting some 'votes' on a view, either way.

MNHQ - please indicate whether this is being considered, has been dismissed, or might be considered again in future, so more threads with deeply divided views can be postponed for a while.

[NetworkGuy]

Maybe I (and some of those who don't want any such button) don't fit into the FaceBook mindset, for some aspects, but this instant "yes I agree" or "no I don't" show of hands is becoming more widely used, so like it or not, it may be something we will see in future (after all, no-one is forced to use those buttons).

[lollipopshoes]

but what's wrong with just typing out "I agree with networkguy" or "networkguy's talking tosh" If you feel strongly enough to agree or disagree with a poster, you can type a post out saying that. You don't have to have anything new to add to the discussion, tis perfectly acceptable to just type "I agree" if that's what you feel.

I really, really think it's a bad idea - you wouldn't get the sort of discussion that you get at the moment - you can imagine the AIBU threads... no words, just tons of "like"s or "dislike"s

[GrimmaTheNome]

It could be useful for threads which are explicitly a poll, I suppose.

[NetworkGuy]

no words, just tons of "like"s or "dislike"s

which does not happen where there are such buttons, and it means a thread may not go to 1000 posts if some of the "I agree with lollipopshoes" posts are no longer posted, as a button click would mean the same.

It won't diminish proper discussion but will lose some of the "noise" posts where a simple "agree" (or not) would do.

You are surely not telling me that those who have a point to add won't write it in full, are you ?

From the years I have been using the web and bulletin boards, I can suggest that if there are different views they are likely to be made known... most people are far from being "shrinking violtes" and people on MN are among some of the most vociferous, IME, though generally without too much personal attack.

[Bumperlicious]

I think it is pretty pointless. far more engaging and polite to express agreement verbally on a discussion forum. what is the point in a button saying 'like'? what does it add to the site?

[NetworkGuy]

Someone could argue that 20 or 50 "I agree" comments would also be pointless.

I don't think it would ever remove discussion, and would complement it.

When you see some post you agree with, but (for whatever reason, time, nothing 'really' extra to add) are there no times when you don't post but would like your agreement 'noted' in some way ?

[Bumperlicious]

No, but then I like the sound of my own (virtual) voice, so either would just say so or say nothing if I had nothing constructive to add

It just seems so much more impersonal to click a box that says 'like' rather than engage with a poster. If I wanted just to click buttons and join pointless groups to click other buttons I would join facebook. As it is I like to 'converse' with people that's why I come on a chat forum.

[NetworkGuy]

While I can see your viewpoint, there are other opinions (else the OP would not have posted) and while you (and I) might think it a FaceBook phenomenon, it's been used on both commercial newspaper sites and the BBC for their 'user views' on whatever topic of the day is under the spotlight.

In a way, it 'includes' those who are following the thread but have yet to put their views into a more wordy response, and as indicated earlier, doesn't prevent or prohibit any of the interaction (those who are so vehemently against the suggestion).

So, apart from not seeing the point, is there something actually destructive in adding such a facility ?