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Original poster

I would like a reply to the "Reply" issue

309 replies

DappledThings · 03/11/2023 09:07

Just thought I'd start another thread to get more attention on this again as there has been no answer as to whether it is even being looked at.

A few comments on MNHQ's recent thread about the new feature pointing out nobody asked for that but a lot of us have asked you to fix this.

To summarise: The button marked Reply does not do what it says. It adds a post, it does not do a reply. MN has no reply feature but, bizarrely, chooses to have a button that pretends it does. This leads to threads full of "replies" that have no context and are impossible to follow. Plus posts saying "sorry, not sure why my reply didn't work, I clicked reply"

OP posts:
Thread gallery
32
Original poster
DappledThings · 08/12/2023 09:47

Personally I don’t rate the reply function (when working) anyway, as you have to scroll back up to find the post that the person is replying to
That's the point. The Reply button has always "worked" in that it replies to the thread but it has never replied to a post which is what everyone assumes it does.

OP posts:
DaftyInTheMiddle · 08/12/2023 09:38

we want to analyse and understand the uses of all of the navigation buttons.
Surely you should understand the uses of the buttons you implement before implementing though?

Personally I don’t rate the reply function (when working) anyway, as you have to scroll back up to find the post that the person is replying to, and if that Pp has posted multiple times it’s not always clear what post it could be referring too. Unless there is a navigation to jump to said post, that would be useful. Or just be done with it and put the quote function there.

YourNameGoesHere · 08/12/2023 09:31

Whinge · 08/12/2023 09:19

It's a complex issue because it affects a lot of users and not everyone agrees with how it should work, even on this thread.

I disagree. It's clear that the vast majority of posters are using the reply button as they expect it to reply to a specific post / message. The users who know it doesn't work like that don't bother using the reply button.

Well exactly. It's not a huge mammoth task at all. People use reply because they think it responds to that specific post. Either make it do just that or better yet just replace it with the bloody quote button. There's no need for consultations or tests or development work.

Sorry MNHQ but you're making a mountain out a very small mole hill here.

Original poster
DappledThings · 08/12/2023 09:28

Whinge · 08/12/2023 09:19

It's a complex issue because it affects a lot of users and not everyone agrees with how it should work, even on this thread.

I disagree. It's clear that the vast majority of posters are using the reply button as they expect it to reply to a specific post / message. The users who know it doesn't work like that don't bother using the reply button.

Exactly. Surely it can't be complex to disable it while you figure out the rest of your redesign. If that leaves a bit of a messy gap where it used to be that would still be far better than the mess there is now where you have a button that lies about what it does.

Still not even any acknowledgement that it is really unhelpful to have a button that doesn't do what it says it does.

OP posts:
Whinge · 08/12/2023 09:19

It's a complex issue because it affects a lot of users and not everyone agrees with how it should work, even on this thread.

I disagree. It's clear that the vast majority of posters are using the reply button as they expect it to reply to a specific post / message. The users who know it doesn't work like that don't bother using the reply button.

MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 08/12/2023 09:08

Thanks for you feedback, everyone. We do understand that it's frustrating waiting for what may look like a simple change, but the reason it's taking a bit longer is that it isn't as straightforward as it might seem.

This is part of a bigger project that we are currently working on where we want to analyse and understand the uses of all of the navigation buttons. It's a complex issue because it affects a lot of users and not everyone agrees with how it should work, even on this thread. We are in the process of running tests to understand what the best workable solution will be for the majority of users. Once this has happened, we can start development work to implement the change, but the whole process will take some time.

We do appreciate your patience and we'll update as soon as there is any news.

SalviaDivinorum · 07/12/2023 15:59

HorryHornblower · 03/11/2023 16:11

You bookmark a post so next time you open or refresh the thread it takes you to your bookmark. That one is an incredibly useful feature

Although of course on most forums, bookmark is automatic and when you re-open a thread you go straight to the last post you read. I am always forgetting that it has to be done manually here.

NoWordForFluffy · 07/12/2023 08:17

YourNameGoesHere · 07/12/2023 08:08

Another bump in the hope that this issue is given any attention by MNHQ...

I'm not holding my breath though, I'd be blue long before a response of any kind was issued.

The only way we'll get a response! Xmas Angry

Excited Season 3 GIF by The Office
YourNameGoesHere · 07/12/2023 08:08

Another bump in the hope that this issue is given any attention by MNHQ...

I'm not holding my breath though, I'd be blue long before a response of any kind was issued.

Original poster
DappledThings · 06/12/2023 13:42

Here is the issue perfectly encapsulated. OP had "replied" multiple times. Another poster explained they weren't actually replying and, understandably, the OP didn't understand why.

I still haven't seen any response from anyone at HQ that they even understand why it is a problem despite the many examples. @LilyMumsnet @HebeMumsnet any update?

I would like a reply to the "Reply" issue
OP posts:
NoWordForFluffy · 06/12/2023 08:15

LittleBearPad · 06/12/2023 08:10

Standard response.

At least they’ve stopped blaming ‘Tech’ as if all they can afford is a part time harassed software developer working in a shed.

Show quote history

Maybe that's the problem. They can afford more, but have decided that the harassed shed-dweller is the best bet?! 🤔🤷‍♀️

LittleBearPad · 06/12/2023 08:10

NoWordForFluffy · 06/12/2023 07:19

MNHQ:

Standard response.

At least they’ve stopped blaming ‘Tech’ as if all they can afford is a part time harassed software developer working in a shed.

shearwater2 · 06/12/2023 07:50

What's the point of "Save"?

If it were me I'd have

  1. Like/other reactions (as on Facebook/Whatsapp/LinkedIn) - saves a dozen messages saying you agree
  1. Quote
  1. Reply
  1. Bookmark

I don't see the need for Save, a Reply button that doesn't work and sending someone thanks privately. If they make a good point, everyone should know. It might also prevent 154 posters then saying the same thing afterwards, if they can see a well-liked post.

Report could be put in the dots as you would hope that is used less frequently.

Flintwhistle · 06/12/2023 07:42

NoWordForFluffy · 06/12/2023 07:25

I don't get why it's not just a simple fix though?! Why wouldn't you want the site to actually function properly? Makes no sense to me.

As a very quick temporary fix, could just removed the reply function so posters can go looking for alternative options.
I don't use fb which has the reply function, which is probably why I didn't expect reply to apply (!) to anything other than the original post.

Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 06/12/2023 07:38

@MNHQ is this really such a complicated issue? I'm a programming dunce but I've picked up enough about coding from DH to believe that this wouldn't be particularly tricky to achieve. Is there a reason you won't consider it?

NoWordForFluffy · 06/12/2023 07:25

I don't get why it's not just a simple fix though?! Why wouldn't you want the site to actually function properly? Makes no sense to me.

Whinge · 06/12/2023 07:20

Flintwhistle · 06/12/2023 07:15

Yes i commented upthread but will backtrack as I'm seeing how often this happens when it didn't before.

Once you notice, you start to see it everywhere. It really is incredibly irritating, and makes it difficult to follow the thread.

Unfortunately I suspect MNHQ are going to keep pushing the issue down the road in the hopes that people start to give up asking for solutions. Xmas Sad

NoWordForFluffy · 06/12/2023 07:19

MNHQ:

tumbleweed GIF
Flintwhistle · 06/12/2023 07:15

Yes i commented upthread but will backtrack as I'm seeing how often this happens when it didn't before.

AMuser · 05/12/2023 21:47

HebeMumsnet · 20/11/2023 11:26

Morning, everyone. Still no definitive news on this yet but we are planning to run some tests over the coming weeks and will update on Site Stuff as soon as there's news.

See - I can use the quote function but I’m in a minority. What’s the update as that was a while ago. Presumably you read the threads and can see that it’s a continuing and pervasive issue. And that it didn’t use to be?

AMuser · 05/12/2023 21:42

Came on to report this. Come on @mumsnet sort it out. EVERY single thread is full of non sequiturs as the OP and others fail to realise that they need to click on the dots to find the “quote” option. It’s beyond irritating and clearly lots of intelligent people can’t work it out.

HauntedGusset · 05/12/2023 21:03

Peridot1 · 05/12/2023 16:59

So many threads where a poster thinks they are replying to particular posts and obviously everyone ends up confused. It’s madness.

Yes and then they realise and say a variation of "oh sorry I clicked reply but it didn't quote the post" 🙄

Peridot1 · 05/12/2023 16:59

So many threads where a poster thinks they are replying to particular posts and obviously everyone ends up confused. It’s madness.

HauntedGusset · 05/12/2023 16:57

EmpressaurusOfCats · 05/12/2023 16:40

Can we have an update on this?

It’s completely reasonable for posters to think ‘Reply’ means reply to a specific post. But then their answers often make no sense out of context. This is not good UX.

How big a job would it be to simply move Quote into the list of visible options and hide Reply in the three dot menu (if you even need to keep Reply)?

Show quote history

Especially seeing as "quote" was on the visible menu until a few weeks ago and got moved for no apparent reason with zero consultation with the actual users!!