Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

UKParents.co.uk

129 replies

bea · 05/01/2003 09:32

not wanting to sound like a traitor to mumsnet or anything!!! but does anyone else go to this website... and if so are you having problems logging on!? as i am!

ta!

OP posts:
lindaUK · 05/01/2003 10:12

yes I go into it but have not been able to sign in for two days now

MandyD · 05/01/2003 10:29

Yep, me too! The server keeps timing out as its loading so slowly! Maybe they've been hacked again as happened a while ago?

helenmc · 05/01/2003 10:30

Everything has been really slow ove the last couple of days. I had problems with Tesco on friday. Seems better today thou...yipee!

Alibubbles · 05/01/2003 10:52

Still can't get in!

PamT · 05/01/2003 11:24

The site has been down since yesterday morning. Just before christmas they had a hacker who managed to get into the system and screw everything up, but this was sorted out without any compromise to members' security. I suspect it has happened again. Their web team only work office hours so it is unlikely to be back on until tomorrow morning.

By the way, are members allowed to mention other sites similar to Mumsnet on here? If a member advertised Mumsnet on UKP it would mean an immediate ban - they are very protective of their membership. I have to say that I use both, they are both parenting sites but with very different things to offer.

Chinchilla · 05/01/2003 11:34

I mentionned Mumsnet on RaisingKids website, and got blasted for it! I can't see the problem if people used more than one site and want to talk about it. If the site is good enough then it can handle competition! This one is...

PamT · 05/01/2003 12:20

My view too. They both function in such different ways and operate on different levels too.

Alibubbles · 05/01/2003 12:24

I use both and rely on people on each to tell me if the other isn't working or if it's just me.

The two sites are very different, I see Mumsnet as chat and sharing views etc, UKP just for selling etc as I find the members scarily young, ( no offence, to either group. but mums netters seem to be more mature, ie. mums over at least 30. I could be wrong, I'm sure you'll all let me know!!)

breeze · 05/01/2003 12:52

i'm 28

PamT · 05/01/2003 13:20

I'm 36 so more qualified for Mumsnet maybe

Mumsnet has a permanent record of conversations which is easily accessed. The other site has a quick through flow and most threads seem to be over and done with within 24 hours. For this reason UKP has a more chatty, less formal atmosphere whilst Mumsnet postings often seem more intellectual and educated. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that UKP members are any less educated than Mumsnet's members but there seems to be a higher proportion of professionals here - discussions about Nannies for example are rare on UKP though there are some members who are doctors, lawyers etc.

I very much value both sites and I'd like to think that I have cyber friends on both. I don't think either site has too much to worry about in terms of competition.

Hilary · 05/01/2003 13:20

I turned 26 at Christmas

Alibubbles · 05/01/2003 13:26

PamT. I know what you are trying to say and I agree. I think I must be one of the oldest on here - have we had an age discussion before?

mieow · 05/01/2003 14:40

I'm 23!!!! Sorry if I am not mature enough!!!! Hehe!!!

breeze · 05/01/2003 14:52

alibubbles, i think you have started something now,

Jimjams · 05/01/2003 14:55

I turned 32 on xmas day. I noticed that in UKParents it depends which forum you're in. If you venture into the weird world of things like the home ed forum, and the special needs forum the average age seems to jump about a decade.
I didn't know they were so touchy about mentioning other parenting sites.

PamT · 05/01/2003 15:00

Its one of the rules that any postings about sites in direct competition with UKP will lead to an instant ban for that member. Advertising is not allowed in any way and people who promote their get rich schemes will get an ear bashing from other members, a warning if not ban from the team and their message will be removed. Kleeneze type threads are simply not up for discussion.

I wonder if this thread will disappear on Monday and we will all get a warning?

WideWebWitch · 05/01/2003 15:16

Why ever would mumsnet delete this thread? I think it's a bit much if ukparents say you're not allowed to mention other sites. Like you all say, mumsnet and ukparents are different types of sites, so what's the problem? I don't like the idea that we wouldn't be allowed to talk about other parenting sites here and feel sure mumsnet won't censor this conversation.

ks · 05/01/2003 15:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bayleaf · 05/01/2003 17:40

I very much agree with you Alibubbles/PamT with regard to the differences ( apparent) in type of conversations here/other sites - whether it's an age thing I have no idea - but I suspect that may well be one factor ( I'm 38 so certainly no spring chicken) I've also been TOLD OFF/warned on Babycentre for mentioning mumsnet - but I rarely go elsewhere these days.

breeze · 05/01/2003 17:44

well after reading all your comments i don't think i will bother trying any other parents web-sites they don't sound half as good as mumsnet.

easy · 05/01/2003 17:50

Okay you youngsters, Its my first day on mumsnet, I'm 42!!! the mum of a 3 yearold DS, often asked if I'm his granny !!!!!!

I read a message on raising kids that mentioned mumsnet. the thread I was reading had given one mother some very harsh treatment concerning her problem, completely undermining her. A mumsnet member said so, and that such treatment wouldn't happen here. Then they set about her for just mentioning Mumsnet.
I like what I've seen so far on Mumsnet.
in a few days I might just ask for some advice on my current problem
Glad to find such nice, sensible, mature people.

SueW · 05/01/2003 17:50

I think it's pathetic when a site can't cope with a mention of other sites. The perceived lack of freedom of speech is one of the reasons I stopped going to UKP a long time ago.

Also it seemed to be very disorganised - they'd send mass emailings out wrongly or do something completely dippy on the site and instead of just fixing it they'd email everyone and tell them.

And I don't like the set up of the forums and the way the threads run. Same with babyworld which I also gave up on about the same time.

This site and the NCT-coffee list on yahoogroups are the only ones that get the regular benefit of my opinion these days. Which is probably enough TBH.

Chinchilla · 05/01/2003 18:35

It was not UK Parents who told me off, it was Raising Kids. I don't want to put anyone off UKParents unfairly.

Easy - That was me you are referring to! I hope that I am not compromising my identity (I used my name on Raising Kids). I'm glad that you felt I was in the right, as I got really cross about the responses to that poor woman. I got a bit defensive on her behalf, and they all ganged up on me! Never mind, will go back occasionally to see what's going on, but my heart belongs to Mumsnet! Welcome.

Original poster
bea · 05/01/2003 18:46

my goodness! what a response!... I had no idea that ukp were so cagey about mentioning other sites!!!!... hope i don't get banned from mumsnet!!! it's incredibley petty and trivial .... not allowed to mention other sites!!! tut! tut! it's like when you were in the playground and you were only allowed one best friend... god forbid of you had a couple of best friends!!!

oh well thanks for the responses anyway... at least i know it's not just me!!!

(i go on there for the buy and sell forums! by the way!)

OP posts:
Aniles · 05/01/2003 19:17

Hi everyone

I've just stumbled across this site while trying to find something to ocupy my time other than UKP, and I like what I see.

I'm a bit fed up of UKP being so darn slow or not being able to get on at all, so you'll probaly see more of me here in the future. I'm 26 by the way (well, next month), hope that doesn't make me too immature for mumsnet ;o)

Aniles xxx