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Original poster

To wish Mumsnet would improve the way threads work

140 replies

Guis23 · 09/03/2023 19:04

So often threads end up repeating themselves or others complain at posters who have not read page upon page of comments that they haven't done so.
It sometimes really stifles contributions and help for the OP.
I don't know what might make it better but a 'like' option might reduce the amount of comments a bit and show those which are most popular. What do people think ? What would you suggest could improve threads ?

OP posts:
MrsJBaptiste · 10/03/2023 10:28

Thanks @CrkdLttrCrkdLttr but I hate the mobile site!

Looks like I need to stick with the format I want but without the specifics I'd like...

EspeciallyDedicated · 10/03/2023 10:41

Another vote for no changes. I don’t like all the side threads you get in Reddit and I certainly don’t want comments ranked in order of liked, that works for eg comments on a newspaper page but not in the mumsnet conversational style. I like the technique of bolding and quoting the part of someone’s post that you wish to reply to, the person invariably spots it and responds back again.

I use the mobile site (I have rejected all cookies so no ads). The app is awful, tried it for about a week and couldn’t get on with it at all.

But losing the ability to toggle between 50 (my default) and 1000 posts is a pain in the arse. I am about and about using data a lot and it takes too long to load longer threads, plus wasting the data. But I cannot now use the browser search button to quickly find what I said or someone else said back upthread, it’s really annoying especially if like me you are on a number of long running threads that do go up to 1000 before stopping. However I have complained several times in the past and MN have categorically said it’s not coming back.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 10/03/2023 11:13

a like button would result in lots of threads along the lines of 'AIBU to think that the reason my post doesn't get many likes is because...'

Dull.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 10/03/2023 11:14

I find Reddit threads a pain in the posterior

Original poster
Guis23 · 10/03/2023 11:15

If not a liked would the ability to reply to posts but have that reply stacked underneath work better ? At the moment it is just a separate post. Unless you do the 'quote ' thing which is archaic.

OP posts:
ladykale · 10/03/2023 11:26

Purplepinkfairy · 09/03/2023 19:07

I think if you could have a option just to read the organial posters reply only.

This feature exists though?

CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 10/03/2023 11:58

terrible interface, and so many ads taking up the page.

Just get an ad blocker! Seriously, the adverts used to drive me almost to tears, and everyone here said “Get an ad blocker.” And I ignored them because I didn’t understand what they meant. Then I googled - and downloaded one from the App Store. I have no idea how it works - but now I’ve almost forgotten that other people still suffer the intrusion of adverts on this site.

GoodChat · 10/03/2023 12:00

Guis23 · 10/03/2023 11:15

If not a liked would the ability to reply to posts but have that reply stacked underneath work better ? At the moment it is just a separate post. Unless you do the 'quote ' thing which is archaic.

You just end up with massive replies and you can't read anything else on the thread when that happens

WinterMusings · 10/03/2023 12:00

Teeheeeheee · 10/03/2023 00:34

a 'like' option might reduce the amount of comments a bit and show those which are most popular.

Ah! a hierarchy of posts where only the Kings and Queens of the thread are more important and deserve to be heard. Others can hide in the corner somewhere with their tuppence worth of unpopular opinions. Perfect!

If a thread is too long for you to read, you're not that interested in it. You can read others.

@Teeheeeheee

why would we want to reduce the amount of 'comments'?

they're not comments, they're posts.

this isn't Facebook, it's Mumsnet.

it's a DISCUSSION forum, not a likes/dislikes comments - plenty of other places for that, if that's what you want.

CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 10/03/2023 12:01

This is how my phone screen looks. I have no complaints.

To wish Mumsnet would improve the way threads work
JaneJeffer · 10/03/2023 12:02

PurpleParrotfish · 10/03/2023 08:54

Tangent here, but why do people even use the app if it’s so inferior, e.g. not being able to view OP’s posts only? Which not only lets you check for updates but also you can see at a glance when it’s a 200 post thread where the OP never came back, as there’s no ‘See Next’ link.

Why not just access the website through your phone browser and get the fully functioning version of MN?

I use the iOS app which I find much easier to read on my phone. It does allow you to filter the OP's posts.

WinterMusings · 10/03/2023 12:04

Guis23 · 10/03/2023 10:25

Perhaps something that shows a number of how many people agree with a post, an ability to reply to a post and have that reply lodged under the post not as a separate one in itself. Something .

Mumsnet earns enough money to pay for a few changes. They surely will have in-house analysts and programmers.

NO everytime they make a change, it takes months to get it sorted out 😫 because there are so many options to interact with MN & so many add ins over the years.

ehenever it's voted on, the majority are basically happy with how it works.

if people want Facebook/Reddit/Twitter style... they already exist ➡️

AliceTheeCamel · 10/03/2023 12:05

The Android app (if it even still exists) is desperately awful so if you don't have an iPhone then the mobile site with an adblocker is the best option.

WinterMusings · 10/03/2023 12:10

MrsTerryPratchett · 10/03/2023 00:42

If it is an improvement. It's only an improvement if it makes things better. Making everything the same isn't an improvement.

👏🏻 👏🏻

☕️ 💐
@MrsTerryPratchett

WinterMusings · 10/03/2023 12:16

Guis23 · 10/03/2023 10:25

Perhaps something that shows a number of how many people agree with a post, an ability to reply to a post and have that reply lodged under the post not as a separate one in itself. Something .

Mumsnet earns enough money to pay for a few changes. They surely will have in-house analysts and programmers.

No because then you can't read all the posts in a thread without checking every little sub thread all the time.

perhaphs they have analysed it (to death) and found out the majority of posters don't want the same thing as you want.🤷🏻‍♀️

it's like going to a vegan restaurant & continually trying to get them to cook steak, just go to the steak restaurant next door!

gamerchick · 10/03/2023 12:44

Yanno, Reddit is massive. It's horrible to navigate and I frankly don't want to get used to the way that shits laid out. Mumsnet is fine on its own.

If people want it to be like Reddit so much.... Go to Reddit. It's simples.

MrsTerryPratchett · 10/03/2023 14:49

OP I'v e just seen you on another thread and realised you being a bit of a contrarian there. Do you want a Like button partly to do that thing people do with AIBU voting, "SEE the silent majority thinks I'm RIGHT"?

Contrarians always prefer Likes and voting. Because no one has to argue their point. They can just vote and not be challenged. But of course contrary views are fewer and therefore accumulate all the contrary Likes. Whereas if there are a lot of comments agreeing, they will only get a few each. It's sneaky.

Teeheeeheee · 10/03/2023 15:22

WinterMusings · 10/03/2023 12:00

@Teeheeeheee

why would we want to reduce the amount of 'comments'?

they're not comments, they're posts.

this isn't Facebook, it's Mumsnet.

it's a DISCUSSION forum, not a likes/dislikes comments - plenty of other places for that, if that's what you want.

Show quote history

@WinterMusings

Are you new to mumsnet or did you not properly read the post you've responded to?

WinterMusings · 10/03/2023 15:42

Teeheeeheee · 10/03/2023 15:22

@WinterMusings

Are you new to mumsnet or did you not properly read the post you've responded to?

Show quote history

@Teeheeeheee

sorry. I'm not sure what went wrong with that post!

I was actually agreeing with your post, but it's come out all mangled 🤦🏻‍♀️

definitely not new, been on MN since almost the beginning. Between posters who want Facebook/Reddit/Twitter style or who are just GF's & my bloody phone I'm about ready to Chuck it in though!

sorry again 💐

Teeheeeheee · 10/03/2023 16:05

@WinterMusings Ah okay no harm done. I hear you. 💐

Reddit and the likes are ➡️
Mumsnet is unique and should stay so.

WinterMusings · 10/03/2023 17:18

Teeheeeheee · 10/03/2023 16:05

@WinterMusings Ah okay no harm done. I hear you. 💐

Reddit and the likes are ➡️
Mumsnet is unique and should stay so.

@Teeheeeheee

thanks 💐

definitely. It's a discussion forum. If people don't want to discuss things there are plenty of places to just 'comment' or 'like' already!

Original poster
Guis23 · 10/03/2023 17:49

MrsTerryPratchett · 10/03/2023 14:49

OP I'v e just seen you on another thread and realised you being a bit of a contrarian there. Do you want a Like button partly to do that thing people do with AIBU voting, "SEE the silent majority thinks I'm RIGHT"?

Contrarians always prefer Likes and voting. Because no one has to argue their point. They can just vote and not be challenged. But of course contrary views are fewer and therefore accumulate all the contrary Likes. Whereas if there are a lot of comments agreeing, they will only get a few each. It's sneaky.

No. I have no set ideas.
All I find as per my original post is the thing is a bit of a mess. People get moaned at as they haven't scrawled through all the posts ( understandably in some situations given the length). Conversations go off at tangents and so often end up with a couple of people having some sort of online bun fight.
But no I don't have any set ideas. I suggested a like button by way of a suggestion, but am not proactively going on about it . If not perhaps something else. I don't pretend to have all the answers.

I got told this sort of thing has been discussed to death. I had no idea. But clearly if it has then many people keep raising it should tell Mumsnet something.
So what would improve it ? I have made some suggestions. As have others.
I hope Mumsnet takes some note. At the moment it is a bit of a dinosaur and doesn't really work.

OP posts:
CrkdLttrCrkdLttr · 10/03/2023 17:56

I find MN works perfectly well for me. As do hundreds of thousands of other people who read and post here often.

MNHQ has discussed your suggestion countless times. Users Do Not Want this forum to mimic some other forum. We Like Discussion. We want other posters to Read The Full Thread Before Posting.

category12 · 10/03/2023 18:01

Guis23 · 10/03/2023 17:49

No. I have no set ideas.
All I find as per my original post is the thing is a bit of a mess. People get moaned at as they haven't scrawled through all the posts ( understandably in some situations given the length). Conversations go off at tangents and so often end up with a couple of people having some sort of online bun fight.
But no I don't have any set ideas. I suggested a like button by way of a suggestion, but am not proactively going on about it . If not perhaps something else. I don't pretend to have all the answers.

I got told this sort of thing has been discussed to death. I had no idea. But clearly if it has then many people keep raising it should tell Mumsnet something.
So what would improve it ? I have made some suggestions. As have others.
I hope Mumsnet takes some note. At the moment it is a bit of a dinosaur and doesn't really work.

Show quote history

Maybe I'm a bit of a dinosaur too.

PuppyMonkey · 10/03/2023 18:04

… it doesn’t work for you OP. A lot of us are perfectly able to navigate the complex network of interweaving conversations and super long threads that go on for several days that you’re so clearly struggling with.

(the random bunfights are often the best thing). Grin