Can we have a [star] emoticon, pretty please?

[KnottyLocks]

MNHQ have asked me to start a thread here in Site to see how much support there is for a .

The original request is here.

Hundreds of Mumsnetters have worked together since the beginning of the year to produce woolly blankets for Rinders, Blondes and a blanket and quilt for Edgar. Our current project is here: 3 blankets for the children of Magic8
Since beginning these projects, we have used [stars] to thank all contributers and supporters. We would really like to be able to give a proper to those wonderful people who have given their time, donated, or created in order to provide what comfort we could to those families who have lost their loved ones.

If you would like to support us, please post below.

Many thanks.

It does, LeBJOF - the star seems to be evolving to denote an extra special thank you iyswim?

Oh, and it is evolving (if that's the term to use) rather than just one or two Mner's deciding there should be one - there are many folk (yes, pretty much all on blanket threads atm) using to thank people.

Kind of like a bunch of flowers for the music teacher at the end of term concert??

I do see that, purplep- but what's tricky is that it won't stay special if it is democratised as a general smiley, and it will smack of weird elitism if it isn't. So it's a toughie.

But I do understand the sentiment.

It really comes down to how much Mners can be trusted. And I'm quite proud to be part of a community that can be trusted to act as adults nearly all the time - we don't need to be moderated for swearing because we use it in the appropriate context, for example.

I'm sorry - but I'm with the 'No' group on this one. They will end up being overused and MN will start to look like netmums.

IF there was a way to keep it for very occasional use then I'd be fine with it, but there isn't (without it being devisive).

All of the people knitting squares and donating wool and especially those who are co-ordinating it & sewing them up deserve A Very Big Thank You and I'd love to give them all a star - but without adding it to the list of emoticons.

Sorry Knotty :(

ChippingIn, not to worry , I really do appreciate what you have done already. That's what this thread is about: to find out what people think about it. We did ask

I suppose the thing is that the bear came from a well known and funny thread....this star has come from a specific group of Mnrs who chose to take part in a lovely project...it's not relevant or special to anyone else...and so becoms meaningles to all but the blankety ones.

meaningless not meaningles

I should add that I am not in any way saying that the lovely crafts you all made are not special or mean nothing to others...they do....I would have loved to take part but I can't knit and have arthritic wrists anyway!

MRD, i think the hope is that the meaning will spread across to other people who are also doing lovely things for their internet friends.

I have seen the blankets used as an example of the brilliant things about mn on several other threads in various parts of the forum and by people who i would have otherwise had no idea knew about them. Posters who lurked but didn't post on blanket-specific threads.

From where I'm standing, it looks about the same. I wasn't involved in the Pombear thread yet know what a bear emoticon "means". Another person may not have been involved in making a blanket - which has had many threads including Part II's - but would (hopefully) appreciate a emoticon and the intention behind it...

Oh, and the thought of wanting to get involved is enough for me to give you a

I am pro-star.

That is all.

So in essence it's kind of like daffodils for dementia or poppy's for veterans?

Oh you know what MN's like. It'll be used with sarcasm on a boasting threads by the end of the first day 'Here have a gold '. maybe followed up with a hmm.

That's what I think Sandalwood

in fact...have a and a and a too.

Erm no, just virtual bunch of flowers for the neighbour who gave you a cup of sugar

Anyway Purple...so what ARE the intentions behind gving a star? As you say, the meaning would spread across the boards...and people would know when to use them. So when would that be? When someone has done something really nice for another internet user?

I always thought the great thing about the MN Christmas appeal for example was the quiet way in which it is done. People on here have given tonnes of gifts and some cases cash to those Mnrs who have had bad luck in various ways....and they do it anon. I always liked that...it struck me as partiularly British or something...

I wasn't being funny when I said about them being like Poppys or something. I was asking genuinely!

It was the talk of "The meaning spreading across to others who are doing lovely things for internet friends" I thought you meant them to become a sort of emblem for kindness on the net!

In fact MN there you go....have stars....that we can all buy in AID of various good causes. The MN Star appeal

You might be onto something purple - maybe a bunch of flowers would be better than an award.

We'd all be recognisable as MNrs though then! But that might be funny....nod nod wink wink....And you wouldnt have to wear your star if you didn't want to be recognised as a user.

I'm not big-headed enough to think they'd get that important

It's just something that has developed over several threads and a few months. This is the thread to find out if anyone agrees with us

I guess not

But it wouldn't be your accolade Purple or anyones...jut an extension of an idea.....

People could either send off to MN for them and pay a little postage or get them from participating stores..such as Boden...who would then add them to peoples online orders for a small fee.

The fee would go to the charitys.