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Original poster

Reply doesn't do anything

35 replies

DappledThings · 22/09/2022 20:24

The Reply option in posts doesn't actually create a reply. It just takes you to the text box so you can a post to the thread.

A lot of posters understandable think if they use Reply they will be actually replying to that post so it will automatically @ the PP or quote them or something but it doesn't. So we now have loads of threads full of people replying to something but there's no indication which post they are replying to so it's hard to follow.

Can you disable that button so it stops confusing people? Or develop it so it actually creates a reply to that specific post rather than a new blank one?

OP posts:
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location · 05/02/2024 22:38

Pointless button which doesn’t do what it says on the tin! I thought I was doing something wrong.

QueenOfHiraeth · 31/01/2024 17:50

I agree this needs sorting. Long threads are becoming nonsensical due to this

RestingCatsArseFace · 31/01/2024 17:46

After several more threads of people thinking they have replied to a post and have simply added a remark that means absolutely nothing to the context of the thread....

Is anything actually being done about this please?

SheilaFentiman · 23/01/2024 00:22

Hallelujah!

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 22/01/2024 21:00

Hi all

Just to let you know, we're currently working on the changes with the reply button. These will be released in the near future - we'll keep you updated. Flowers

TheShellBeach · 16/01/2024 00:32

There's another long thread about this on here

TheShellBeach · 16/01/2024 00:30

WilloTheWispy · 16/01/2024 00:28

@LilyMumsnet @DawnMumsnet Why can’t you just swap reply and quote?
Quote is much more useful.

There have been countless threads suggesting this and MNHQ always says they're making plans to change it...........

Pinkpinkplonk · 16/01/2024 00:29

Zanthe · 16/01/2024 00:22

Ha! Exactly! And there’s no Like option either. Do people use Thanks like Like, do you know?

Show quote history

Yes I think they do!

WilloTheWispy · 16/01/2024 00:28

@LilyMumsnet @DawnMumsnet Why can’t you just swap reply and quote?
Quote is much more useful.

SheilaFentiman · 16/01/2024 00:28

Zanthe · 16/01/2024 00:22

Ha! Exactly! And there’s no Like option either. Do people use Thanks like Like, do you know?

Show quote history

Not having a like is a deliberate choice so that MN isn’t a popularity contest like Twitter etc

SheilaFentiman · 16/01/2024 00:27

100% agree with the OP. Reply should start with an automatic @ of the poster up whom one is replying.

Or it should disappear.

Yes, @LittleBearPad i know it was ever thus, and all that, but it’s very confusing (been here more than 10 years on and off)

Zanthe · 16/01/2024 00:22

Pinkpinkplonk · 16/01/2024 00:20

Me too, I used to hit reply thinking I was replying to a specific post. Then a few other responses come in inbetween( cos most people can type faster than me!), and the thread makes no sense

Ha! Exactly! And there’s no Like option either. Do people use Thanks like Like, do you know?

Pinkpinkplonk · 16/01/2024 00:20

Me too, I used to hit reply thinking I was replying to a specific post. Then a few other responses come in inbetween( cos most people can type faster than me!), and the thread makes no sense

Zanthe · 16/01/2024 00:18

TheShellBeach · 16/01/2024 00:15

@LilyMumsnet @DawnMumsnet

16 months after this thread was created, and nothing has changed.

So annoying. I feel like I went in like a bull in a china shop and made a right mess on the thread I joined, replying to different people and not tagging anyone!

Zanthe · 16/01/2024 00:15

TheShellBeach · 16/01/2024 00:13

Click on the three dots in the right hand corner.

Select Quote.

Quote used to be where Reply is.

It's maddening.

Show quote history

Thank you! I think I’m getting the hang of this now!

TheShellBeach · 16/01/2024 00:15

@LilyMumsnet @DawnMumsnet

16 months after this thread was created, and nothing has changed.

TheShellBeach · 16/01/2024 00:13

Zanthe · 16/01/2024 00:08

I have found this thread after googling because I have done doing exactly that! Clicking reply under each post on a thread to reply to individuals who’d @‘d me and then found all my posts at the bottom of the thread. And then I had to repost and tag everyone! Where’s the quote thing everyone keeps mentioning? I can’t find it!

Click on the three dots in the right hand corner.

Select Quote.

Quote used to be where Reply is.

It's maddening.

Zanthe · 16/01/2024 00:13

Thro · 16/01/2024 00:11

Click the three dots on the top right of the post, then click “Quote”

Show quote history

Ok, I’ve done that. Hope this works!

Thro · 16/01/2024 00:11

Zanthe · 16/01/2024 00:08

I have found this thread after googling because I have done doing exactly that! Clicking reply under each post on a thread to reply to individuals who’d @‘d me and then found all my posts at the bottom of the thread. And then I had to repost and tag everyone! Where’s the quote thing everyone keeps mentioning? I can’t find it!

Click the three dots on the top right of the post, then click “Quote”

Zanthe · 16/01/2024 00:08

I have found this thread after googling because I have done doing exactly that! Clicking reply under each post on a thread to reply to individuals who’d @‘d me and then found all my posts at the bottom of the thread. And then I had to repost and tag everyone! Where’s the quote thing everyone keeps mentioning? I can’t find it!

Original poster
DappledThings · 23/02/2023 08:32

LittleBearPad · 23/02/2023 08:28

Rubbish. Quoting is relatively new yet posters managed fine without it.

Show quote history

I agree. But the Reply button is confusing as it doesn't do what it says. So it should be relabelled as "create new post" or just removed.

Otherwise we have threads like the one I linked today where the OP keeps saying things like "I agree" and "that's a good point" but there's no indication of who they agree with so the conversation doesn't work

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 23/02/2023 08:28

DappledThings · 23/02/2023 08:12

I know that! But that's why the Reply button is pointless and makes confusing threads when people think it does something that it doesn't.

Show quote history

Rubbish. Quoting is relatively new yet posters managed fine without it.

Onecattwocats · 23/02/2023 08:26

I hear you Dappledthings! The reply button serves no purpose - I think it should either be removed if it can’t link to the post being replied to, or the name changed from “reply” to “new post” to avoid confusion :)

Original poster
DappledThings · 23/02/2023 08:12

LittleBearPad · 23/02/2023 08:07

Seriously this is never how MN has worked. If you want to add text use quote.

I know that! But that's why the Reply button is pointless and makes confusing threads when people think it does something that it doesn't.

OP posts:
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