to think people should stop whining about the FB Like button, especially those who don't understand it.

[NeuromanticisedVisionsofXmas]

It changes nothing.
MN has been linking to FB for a long time. People have been posting threads to FB for a long time. If anyone likes the thread it appears on their wall but it does not identify you in anyway.

And the main point...everything you write here is already on the internet for the entire universe to read.

There is an FB like button on everything now. Everywhere you look online. If you don't like it, don't click it and your life will go on exactly the same as before.

The foot stamping and moaning about a minor insignificant change is really getting tedious.

Sad pissed Fiona certainly won't understand, will she?

I've just read a thread where someone though that if you liked a thread it would appear on everyones wall who had posted on that thread. The misunderstanding of the Like button (which is on thousands of websites) is astounding!

Barbara unfortunately there is only one way to remain anonymous and that is to not post any personal details/information on the internet.

And I've just read MNHQ having to admit that they put the 'FB like' button on the wrong and sensitive boards.

yes - 'liking' a thread on mumsnet is technically no different to 'liking' a youtube video or a set of photos on a photo sharing site. You don't have to have posted up the video or photos to 'like' them - and even if you had put them up under a pseudonym no-one would know it was you.

of course if you have put identifying information in a message somewhere in the thread, and then you 'like' it then friends might spot you - but that really would be your own fault! and it does 'out' you for being on MN

But the whole point of many MN boards is to share anonymised personal information and offer support.

My point is that to blame women who come to MN already in some way vulnerable is not the spirit of ethos of MN.

I'm too 'pointy' today. Sorry. Will take a chill pill.

Well said OP

I don't get the toys out of the pram thing on this subject

Google almost anything and a thread from MN is most likely to pop up, so it's not like it isn't all 'out there' for everyone to read.

Sorry but I just had to laugh at 'LurkyMcLurker'

Well said, Babs.

susie to answer your question, I don't think the button is visible on the mobile website I have only been able to see it on my pc and I also mumsnet on my phone.

trills are you wearing your judgey pants too tightly today?

heidikat thank you

No, it won't. It won't link your real name to your FB name. I've explained this on eleventy hundred threads today. It will link a thread to your RL name. Your nn will be one of how ever many people have posted on that thread, if indeed you did post. This already happens on FB all the time.

You are no more and no less anonymous after this button than you were before.

That's what worries me, the accidental click.

People are nosy by nature even if there's no malicious intent. If a mumsnet thread appears on my wall, it's obvious I use this site and wouldn't take a rocket scientist to assume I post here too. If I accidentally click a like, there's a good chance i'm posting on that thread. It wouldn't be hard for the people I know to recognise me just through my saying something as random as the colour scheme of my lounge! Once they know my posting name they could then search my previous posts.

I never post anything that I consider could out me, or anything very personal but I come here sometimes to vent, and post opinions I wouldn't necessarily share with Facebook. I like mn because its anonymous.

It doesn't help that mn have admitted the feature isnt/wasn't working properly with the "cancel" option.

Opening line of the OP

"It changes nothing"

Good. That means it is indeed useless, can be removed with penalty and everyone would be happy. No need for storm at all. Just the quick, logical,indeed obvious, fix.

So while you may be technically correct, neuro, I think that TheFrogs rather eloquently sets out the potential consequences (that could be disastrous for some vulnerable posters), and also indicates the bumawful technical fuckups that have happened today - and btw the FB button is also on the wrong, senstive boards.

Some people need to be a bit more internet savvy imo

I agree with everything OP has said

I am correct, technically and otherwise. But if that is your worry, just set your FB not to accept any posts from Mumsnet on your wall. Then you can flail around your keyboard/touchscreen all you like without the paranoia worry that you will be winkled out.

I think its a bit much to request the site not do things that improve their business because you are afraid of accidentally touching buttons you don't mean to.

MN is just another business?

Some people are vulnerable and it is a genuine worry to them. Posters who suffer from anxiety for example, dont just post in mental health so removing the button from there makes sod all difference.

"Then you can flail around your keyboard/touchscreen all you like without the paranoia worry that you will be winkled out."

For some reason this has sent me into gales of laughter and i inhaled a bit of biscuit and had a coughing fit. So thanks for that.

So your argument is that the whole on MN should be run in mind of what some posters possibly suffering from anxiety might feasibly maybe be worried about?

That really isn't going to work.