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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Can you work some magic so that mentioning a MNer's name lets her know she is being called to that thread?

57 replies

CoteDAzur · 31/01/2016 23:03

... like on Facebook?

When a MNer's full name is written in a thread in a specific way, an automatic message can go to their MN Inbox or directly to their email when a MNer's full name is written in a thread in a specific way.

It would be very useful if someone sees a Relationship issue that AnyFucker would give great advice for, or a breastfeeding thread in Chat where tiktok was needed, for example. I would like to call Remus's attention to a thread where someone is talking about a non-fiction book about mountain climbing.

What do you think?

OP posts:
MrsJayy · 01/02/2016 10:30

Oh OK the husband used to be A plumber heating engineer so I'm sortedGrin look these posters who hang out on specific boards should be free to post as and when AF isn't working for relate she can post if she wants or not

Sparklingbrook · 01/02/2016 10:29

How will everyone know who the 'experts' are?

HelpfulChap · 01/02/2016 10:26

On other forums I frequent if someone types your name in like @HelpfulChap you get an alert when you log in.

Up to you whether you want to read it or respond. Quite useful.

FredaMayor · 01/02/2016 10:25

The idea seems a bit like stalking to me and has the potential for misuse. Last time I looked participation on threads was optional, so shouldn't we leave people be?

Samcro · 01/02/2016 10:22

there are no experts on mn, just people with strong opinions

Sparklingbrook · 01/02/2016 10:20

DIY stuff Mrsjayy, boilers etc

Original poster
CoteDAzur · 01/02/2016 10:19

Yes, I think we have established that everyone is aware of the PM function on MN.

There is a messaging function on Facebook as well, and yet linking the name of a person (and thereby alerting them that they have been mentioned) is also widely used.

Next time I come across a thread where non-fiction climbing books are mentioned, it would be useful to be able to name magimedi & Remus and draw their attention to that thread. Imho it is time-consuming and perhaps slightly odd in the long term to write PMs to people in such circumstances a la "Hi, I hope you are well. I just thought you might be interested in this thread because it is talking about blah blah blah..."

It is just an idea for MNHQ to consider.

OP posts:
MrsJayy · 01/02/2016 10:16

Why is piglet John being summoned?

MrsJayy · 01/02/2016 10:14

What I meant by expert is they should not be working on mumsnet

Sparklingbrook · 01/02/2016 10:13

PigletJohn is not an emergency service, nor is any other poster on MN. A PM would mean they would get to the thread a bit sooner maybe. The fact the people presumably didn't PM him meant they could wait a bit for an answer?

MrsJayy · 01/02/2016 10:13

Mumsnet is a chat site nobody is an expert on anything and they should not be tagged or called to a thread it would feel that they were obligated a pm or a name in thread title is fine

Original poster
CoteDAzur · 01/02/2016 10:10

But MN is a public forum where people talk in groups. Are you saying we should all just PM each other? Confused

I guess all these people could just PM pigletjohn rather than starting threads, but they clearly didn't want to. Is that a problem?

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 01/02/2016 10:07

I would agree with that Soup.

SoupDragon · 01/02/2016 10:06

Personally I think that if something is so important that a particular person needs to see it, you should PM them. If you can't be arsed to PM them, it clearly isn't important.

SoupDragon · 01/02/2016 10:02

Ravelry has this.

It's bloody annoying.

You can guarantee it would be overused with self important people thinking they've said something the "ear burnt" person absolutely must read.

Original poster
CoteDAzur · 01/02/2016 10:02

I don't think we can assume that people have internet access all the time and expect them to show up. They might be working hard, on a holiday etc. It doesn't mean they are mean-spirited.

This is just to let people know that their name is mentioned on a thread.

OP posts:
OttiliaVonBCup · 01/02/2016 10:00

That's true too.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 01/02/2016 09:57

I'm not sure its a good idea either.

I would suspect that people who have some form of expertise would like to choose when they offer their help, rather than being "summoned".

If they are " summoned " then they become obliged to help, or look mean-spirited, as they can't have just not seen the thread.

OttiliaVonBCup · 01/02/2016 09:55

The MN equivalent of burning ears?

I think it's useful.

magimedi · 01/02/2016 09:51

Cote - I started on the 50 book challenge at the start of Jan - but I've been away & it moves so berluddy fast, I can't keep up!!

Not a criticism of it - it's great for recommendations.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 01/02/2016 09:51

Just wondering how that might play out in some situations. If someone starts a troll thread in say relationships and someone credulous tags AnyFucker but AF and others think it's dubious then AF's actions (posting or not posting) would be taken as a decision (not troll or troll) which seems to put the tagged poster in a tricky position. Particularly if they are about and posting.

Sparklingbrook · 01/02/2016 09:39

We have asked for lots of things. Didn't get them.

Original poster
CoteDAzur · 01/02/2016 09:36

"Tech would say it would be v complicated and costly"

Don't ask, don't get Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
CoteDAzur · 01/02/2016 09:35

I'll keep that in mind, magi. Meanwhile, come over to the 50-Book Challenge threads where quite a few of us read & share non-fiction books about mountain climbing, exploration, etc.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 01/02/2016 09:33

I wouldn't like it but I am no expert either. If it was opt in or out I guess it's not a problem, if you got sick of it you could opt out.

I would imagine Tech would say it would be v complicated and costly.