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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What is the point of pages on MN? Why would you not just read a thread as one single thread?

27 replies

BelfastBloke · 15/12/2017 08:18

Is there any reason? Surely a single thread is easier, whether you're on a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.

I can't think of any scenario where pages are better; but I'm willing to learn.

OP posts:
NewPapaGuinea · 15/12/2017 08:20

Page speed and advert impressions

InDubiousBattle · 15/12/2017 08:21

Because some threads go on for 20 plus pages? If you wanted to read it all but not in one go it's easier to go to page 6 where you left it than comment 196 or whatever.

NewPapaGuinea · 15/12/2017 08:21

If you switch to desktop view you can view 100 posts a page. Turns a 40 page monster into a slightly more manageable 10 pager.

Original poster
BelfastBloke · 15/12/2017 08:21

What does advert impressions mean?

OP posts:
Penguin27 · 15/12/2017 08:23

I use the mobile app and wish it had pages! So frustrating when it randomly jumps to the top/bottom, or accidentally go back a screen (eg to the the 'active' list) and you completely lose your place!

MadForlt · 15/12/2017 08:27

I just click on the little arrow at the top and choose 'show all messages'. Problem solved.

MadForlt · 15/12/2017 08:28

But, BelfastBloke, pages are useful in a fast running thread when you have to go away and want to read from where your stopped (I'm thinking the cf with the Spanish granny and the listed building here). Easier to find your place that way.

NewPapaGuinea · 15/12/2017 08:29

Multiple pages means more adverts can be shown as each page will serve up different adverts. It's why you get click bait sites splitting up content across multiple pages. The one image per page are the worst ones.

PringlesSmoothie · 15/12/2017 08:34

You can use bookmarking to find place too

LunasSpectreSpecs · 15/12/2017 08:35

You can change settings though - I have it set to 100 replies per page rather than 25. Makes for less clicking.

Original poster
BelfastBloke · 15/12/2017 08:36

So NewPapaGuinea, you’re agreeing with me? Readers should select the ‘single page’ option?

OP posts:
NewPapaGuinea · 15/12/2017 08:44

Personally I much prefer a long page or at least more posts per page. I'm usually searching for OP updates which on multiple pages is a chore. One page, CTRL+F, OP name, done.

Original poster
BelfastBloke · 15/12/2017 09:11

MadForIt, I can see your point - but surely that depends on you remembering what page you’ve got to?
I no longer trust my memory for anything.

OP posts:
Original poster
BelfastBloke · 15/12/2017 21:47

So bookmarking within one long thread is the way to go, right?

OP posts:
WhitePhantom · 15/12/2017 22:44

Bookmarking, regardless of the number of pages, is the way to go. Why would anyone need to try and remember what page they're on??

MissionItsPossible · 16/12/2017 09:06

BelfastBloke bookmark your place (on a multiple page thread or 100 pages per thread it doesn't matter) and then click Watch thread. Then, you can go to your list of watched threads, click on it, and it will return you to your bookmark. That way you won't forget what threads you're watching and the bookmarks will save your place for you so you won't have to remember the page or comment you got to.

WorraLiberty · 16/12/2017 09:10

I prefer a single thread because it's so frustrating when you click to go to the next page, and find out the thread's been deleted.

What with the constant deletions for such silly reasons, it was getting right on my tits.

Trills · 16/12/2017 09:14

I find it easier to find my place by posting something then searching for my name. That of course ONLY works if it's all on one page.

I don't post a dot though, or "place marking", I write something minimally meaningful.

Trills · 16/12/2017 09:15

NewPapa yes and searching for OP as well.

WhyDidIEatThat · 16/12/2017 09:18

Pages are quite new, threads always used to have newer posts at the top but then things didn’t move quite so fast around here back in the day

differentnameforthis · 16/12/2017 09:18

I like reading it as all one thread, you don't need to change pages and risk the thread having being deleted Grin

Trills · 16/12/2017 09:28

I don't like new posts at the top.

If you have more than two posts to read, or if the posts are more than one line long, you have to scroll about a lot.

Spangles1963 · 16/12/2017 18:58

You do have the option of having the thread as continuous rather than as pages.

MadForlt · 16/12/2017 19:41

If, by bookmarking, you mean post something irrelevant in a thread, I'd rather not add to an already fast moving thread. I can remember one number easily enough! There's rarely more than one long fast thread that I want to keep track of.

Trills · 17/12/2017 14:36

If, by bookmarking, you mean post something irrelevant in a thread

No, there is an actual bookmarking function in the site.

I don't use bookmarking. I post. But my posts are always insightful and fascinating, or at the very least amusingly witty, so I am adding to the thread not cluttering it up Wink

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