Is Mumsnet the last living breathing message forum?

[GreensAreGoodForYou]

Just that really - I just realised I’ve been reading the hilarious and shocking posts here for nearly 20 years, but it’s also the ONLY message forum that I still use/read. Are there even any others still going?! Used to be a message forum on every website, it seemed. Now… just mumsnet and gransnet?! Or are there fitness forums, knitting, gardening etc elsewhere? (FB groups don’t count, I mean the classic message board like this one.)

Also, I’d love to know if anyone has been on here longer?! Anyway, ❤️ mumsnet.

Does Reddit count? I was thinking more along the lines of web forums, I suppose, which I see Mumsnet as. Reddit is more like Twitter or FB somehow. But maybe I'm just not classifying them correctly!

Reddit is broken down into topics and sub topics with people posing questions or topic areas and other users commenting on them. It's not like twitter at all.

Yeah, the FB groups aren't the same. Somehow doesn't have the same feeling – maybe because you can view people's profiles/get details on them in a way you can't (usually) on a web forum like this?

Going to check out some of the other forums mentioned now!

Yeah, I suppose it's a feeling thing for me! It feels different to me, more informative, and less humorous/chatty/shocking/socially interesting? Or maybe I've just looked at the wrong parts of Reddit.

Okay, now that looks interesting!

It tends to be common on most Reddit forums. I find Reddit on general very hostile towards even mild gender critical views and many of the subs espouse the kind of views common on the US left. I also find it quite anti-natalist. I still spend time there though.

I think the mock tutle is still going. A spin off from handbag (?) which is long gone. Memories a bit hazy.

Could never get on with Reddit. The format drives me batshit.

Me too @gamerchick I just can't be doing with it. You get say, 5 responses to a thread (question or subject,) and then when you go back, you see '21 responses' but you can only see 9 responses. Then you realise that 3 of the first 5 responses have 'sub responses.' And they're hidden until you click on the (eg) '5 more replies' button.... And it ends up being all over the place!

I also hate the voting. (And especially the ability to downvote.) Causes cliques, and favouritism, and discord, and insecurity, and bullying. And it gives people a sense of self importance when they get say, 11 'likes,' and the person they're arguing with has only got 1.

I found mumsnet via the ebay forum about 20 years ago. I was a regular reader in the nags head and fhg.
Ive stopped with tattle since I can no longer access the tiktok threads 🙄 even though im registered there.
I also don't understand reddit 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Exactly. Very strange place.
I'm old, I like to read things in a simple straight line. There's no need to fork off into the wilderness.

I actually prefer the Reddit format. I like that you can reply directly to a comment.

lso hate the voting. (And especially the ability to downvote.) Causes cliques, and favouritism, and discord, and insecurity, and bullying. And it gives people a sense of self importance when they get say, 11 'likes,' and the person they're arguing with has only got 1

It’s not that deep surely?

I used to go on minimins which was about weight loss. Last time I looked (a few years ago) it was very quiet there. I still go on the cruise critic boards - they are also quieter than they used to be but not too bad. The roll calls are all on Facebook now.

i think it is the anonymity of these boards that makes a big difference. Maybe now that Facebook allows anonymous replies in groups the takeover will accelerate.

The flat earth society forums are still going albeit much more quiet than they used to be, joined them about 20 years ago now.

There's a massive US based messageboard called city data which is going strong still, with lots of general discussion forums. Very American though.

@ShoesSnooze diy not is a great diy forum

www.diynot.com

WIWIKAU is always trying to push people from Facebook to its forums.

I tried Quora and Next Door for a while. The latter had been heavily colonised by local councillors, candidates and ‘neighbourhood campaigners’, banging on about whose fault the fly-tipping was and arguing about immigration.

Quora is a bit of fun for stuff like history and royal family trivia.

Just don’t have the time though.

Digital Spy, I like it because it is mainly TV and Films but there is other stuff on there

Babycentre is similar to Mumsnet.

this is a bit weird but hear me out - FabSwingers. I've had a load of fun on their forums but I've been banned for a while now - I told a twat he was a twat and that's not allowed. Obvs there's all the sex related stuff but also politics and other topics. It's very random, very busy and I like the mix of opinions. GC opinions are allowed, but there is a vocal TRA element. Each post can have 170 replies only. You can simply turn off messages and have no photos and just do it for the forums (but do need a photo of your face to register). I miss Fab forums.

Well, I take it all back! Had no idea there were so many others still going and also admit that I didn’t consider Reddit as a message forum although that’s exactly what it is. I think one of the aspects I enjoy about these types of forums compared to social media like FB/Twitter/BlueSky/IG is the lack of visual input. No idea what someone looks like or who they follow etc. People seem more upfront and honest (sometimes too honest?!) but also more caring/willing to jump in with advice. But maybe it’s just what I’m used to so I love it.

Lots of cruising forums are very busy.

As much as there may be millions of users here. I think the one thing with MN is it has a lot of older posters who have been here a very long time. I’m 59 and have been on this site for over 20 years. The language used is so obviously that of older folk. I don’t really watch my grammar perfectly as it’s a msg board but some people lose the plot about grammar on here. It has quite a Maiden Aunt feel about it. The fact I used that phrase gives me away for a start. I actually use reddit a lot for gaming stuff. I was a big user of MSE when it first came about but it feels so clunky and crowded these days. I had access to the internet in the very early 1990’s at work, simpler times.

@ViciousCurrentBun I think that’s why I find it quite staid.