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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To think this site is really basic?

201 replies

FortunesFave · 05/02/2019 05:54

As in...I can't just go to the search box and put in a subject and find it in past discussions?

It takes you to a google search! I know I could probably do an advanced search but it's a bit old-fashioned isn't it? The way this place works is so ...2000!

On Reddit, if you put something in the search box it immediately asks you if you want to search the subreddit you're on or the whole site...we should have that here. I know I could post this in site stuff but wanted some more answers than I'll get there.

OP posts:
ReaganSomerset · 05/02/2019 21:10

Yes, nested comments and a like button.

Sparklingbrook · 05/02/2019 21:17

I'd love a like button

MNHQ have always said no on account of this being 'Mumsnet Talk' where posters have conversations and debate.

It may as well be the Daily Mail comments section with a Like button, and just for balance maybe a 'Dislike' button too. Grin

halfwitpicker · 05/02/2019 21:28

Who gives a shit

WannabeMathematician · 05/02/2019 21:42

Thank you! I didn't think that the option would only be on the desktop site but not on the mobile. Didn't even occur to me. I've changed my settings now and it wonderful! No more text searching for me.

ChesterGreySideboard · 05/02/2019 21:45

Ah it seems the ‘click on the username’ in search results thing might be desktop only.

ReaganSomerset · 05/02/2019 21:49

The Guardian also have like buttons. It doesn't seem to stifle the debate any.

Sparklingbrook · 05/02/2019 22:03

This is a reply from MNHQ when this subject was raised before

Thank you for the suggestion OP - we have been through this a few times now, and it always quite strongly leans towards no. We do like discussion over here on MN and items like a "like" button do tend to discourage discussion in the place of a quick "like".

ReaganSomerset · 05/02/2019 22:11

That's a shame. Sad After all, 'I agree with X' isn't much of a discussion.

BarbaraofSevillle · 06/02/2019 06:11

Neither is dozens of people posting the same comment, eg all telling the OP LTB, go to A&E, cancel the cheque etc etc. What do they think they are adding to the debate, to post again after half a dozen people have already posted the same blindingly obvious comment?

ReaganSomerset · 06/02/2019 06:46

I imagine they do it to show the op the strength of the consensus. Of course, they wouldn't need to if they had a like button for that.

Frainbreeze · 06/02/2019 06:52

Not necessarily rewriting history, but more correcting a typo.

I built a community focused site rather a while ago (over a decade), where "no edits" were a feature request. It was settled to allow edits for an hour after posting. Would solve this issue, difference being it was a pain to code a decade ago, would take an hour now.

Although the biggest issue on MN technologically is piling new shite and updates onto a framework that is slow, buggy, and outdated. MN would be best-served by building from the ground up. Sooner or later there will be issues with the current methodology. Nothing to do with site design either.

bruffin · 06/02/2019 06:55

Slight side note but I would love it if on the mobile site the OP's posts in a thread we're highlighted some how so you don't miss their replies!
The mobile site does highlight the OPs posts.Mine are in mint green.

I like the simple layout on MN. I find other sites confusing. I like the fact all new post are at the top/bottom and you dojt hsvecto trawl through the whole thread to find posts

whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 06/02/2019 07:04

bibbitybobbityyhat you got a little humphry face because all you need to do is use the browser search in page function, sometimes called find in page. So, click see all 1000 posts, then use the find feature to search for your keyword, then skip to the relevant post. Takes no time and achieves just what you want!

To think this site is really basic?
whatwouldyoubelikeat28 · 06/02/2019 07:04

I dont mind the lack of features but wish they would update it so it loads faster in general

bibbitybobbityyhat · 06/02/2019 07:31

I know how to find a word in a page. But it's just having to search again when I've already searched once and, as others have confirmed on this thread, AS used to work as I described but no longer does for me. Still don't think that deserves a humphy face.

marymarkle · 06/02/2019 09:52

To those saying this is about user error. Yes you have a point, you can do things, but they are clunky and not in the main intuitive. The person who said this site was like a 2000 site is right. In general sites these days are far more intuitive and designed to be very easy to find different functions. Mumsnet is not. Blame users for that if you want, but most other sites don't and have improved functionality immensely

Faultymain5 · 06/02/2019 10:12

And to add to @marymarkle As a wife and mother of two children, with a full time(overtime) job, and two separate businesses, the hour or 2 I can get here in a week (in total), requires, things to be more intuitive. So searching for Outlander took a while, as it wasn't at the top of the telly addicts page and search really doesn't work intuitively even if it does work as some of you say.

And I agree with a previous poster who said it would be better to bookmark and watch a thread at the same time, something simple like one button to click instead of two. Think about it, why on earth would you bookmark something you were not going to come back to?

Original poster
FortunesFave · 06/02/2019 10:32

Mary that was me! I said that...it's funny how MN have remained the same but could it be part of their philosophy somehow?

OP posts:
Frainbreeze · 06/02/2019 10:42

So I just spent a few hours checking a few things on the site, I've checked 10 forum pages, search function, home page and have come across issues in many areas.

I found every page has errors, with worrying problems in areas of accessibility, site performance and others. I was going to list things out but no point really!

MNHQ
JanineMumsnet · 06/02/2019 12:55

Ahem, just popping in because our ears were burning here in MNHQ! Thanks for the candid feedback, we're reading it all.

While we're on the subject of improving the site, by coincidence (we promise) we are looking to improve some site features across this year, and we'd love your feedback. If you could complete the survey linked on this thread, that would be a huge help.

Thanks

MNHQ

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 06/02/2019 13:08

"The fact that so many people have such vastly differing experiences of the site show that it's a mess."

Or it shows you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time, @FortunesFave.

No website/social media platform is ever going to be perfect. I have been a member of other forums, which used different platforms and therefore had different functions available, so I have seen and used things that are not available on MN but are available elsewhere, and I can understand what you are saying.

For me, though, I stay on MN because I like the people here - the intelligence of the members and their posts, the fascinating debates, the humour, the support, the information and advice. And I think the size of the site, the size of the membership and the sheer volume of posts shows that most of us like MN enough to deal with any perceived problems with the platform - if that makes sense.

Faultymain5 · 07/02/2019 09:22

Any reason why, if you don't want to use an "agree" button (aka "like"), that you just don't use it. But give others the opportunity to use it if they want it. Options are good. I really Don't see the point in "I agree with Faulty" taking up restricted posting space.

So I posted the same on the "improvement suggestions thread". Couldn't edit it when it didn't say what I wanted it to. Now it reads better to me.

Faultymain5 · 07/02/2019 09:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Frainbreeze · 07/02/2019 15:24

Fab post @SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius I totally agree with everything you wrote.