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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Reply to Justine

776 replies

TheOriginalFAB · 18/12/2011 18:46

The first objection I'm afraid I can't really buy - Most of the UK population uses Facebook. Most Mumsnetters use facebook. It's a bit mad to object to facebook on principle - it's like objecting to people.

This is just daft and is irrelevant whether you buy it or not. Just because "most of ths population" use FB doesn't mean everyone on MN is going to like it. It is like saying you don't buy that some people won't eat meat as the majority of the population are not vegetarian/vegan. And it is nothing like objecting to people Hmm

The second objection I just think is misguided, as I've explained. Users' privacy is no more compromised by this button than it ever was.

It might not be "no more compromised" than before but the point is it is much more visable now and before people might not have been aware of the link button but now they are and they don't like it.

So should we change something because some people on this thread dislike it even if we think they are mistaken to dislike it? Even though what they are objecting to is already in place?

You may think we are mistaken not to like it but we are part of MN and without posters you just have a website with adverts no one sees. And the fact that it is already in place is not the issue. Before lots of posters weren't aware of it so couldn't object.

I've been doing this long enough to know that new things are never well-received - but it doesn't always mean they are bad.

That comes across as patronising and lots of posters are telling you this is a "bad" idea and lots of people don't like it.

For me this is a huge loss as I feel unable to discuss something I would have appreciated help with and that makes me feel sad. And namechanging doesn't work for me as someone always guesses who I am and outs me.

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 19/12/2011 10:09

plus, if people are concerned about accidentally posting stuff on facebook (having accidentally clicked like and then accidentally clicking "post to facebook) you can always delete it from facebook!

it gives you option of deleting the post or deleting and unliking, which removes the like from the MN thread too

CheeseandGherkins · 19/12/2011 10:10

Ah I see, wee, that's something else! Managed not to do it myself yet but we'll see Xmas Smile

scottishmummy · 19/12/2011 10:14

what a disproportionate fuss FAB,don't like it?
well no one compels you to post, histrionic handwringing about what you individually dislike is not representative of mn posters.it is your opinion, fine and dandy.but you don't speak for others

don't share your sentiments,all smacks of not like ole days and mumsnet gorn to dogs. it's a free to use site,a business and a brand which justine et al can do what they chose. with.they don't need or seek your approbation

CalatalieSisters · 19/12/2011 10:18

There seems to be an error on the like-counter next to the button. It goes up when you make the first click, even if you don't then send your likeage to Facebook.

It is amazing how pervasive and profitable the Facebook like button has become. At least two ads on TV at the moment make puns on it, and presumably many many more TV ads result in an online invitation to like a product.

I think it is a new functionality, btw: it isn't the same as the longstanding MN button that lets you "share" to Facebook. "Liking", not sharing, is the most commercially significant activity I think?

The sad, but I guess unavoidable thing, is that all large public spaces on the internet eventually get structured in ways that are optimal for commerce, rather than being freely structured by the aggregation of human exchanges. That matters becauise we rely on online spaces more and more. Imagine if physical meeting places were similarly commercialised. Outside the school gates, for example, the school getting money in return for harvesting all the commercial implications of our chatter.

thisisyesterday · 19/12/2011 10:21

yes, because clicking it means ytou "like" it. you then also have the option of posting to facebook as well.

so, the box comes up and you "like" the thread.

if you did it in error you can click "unlike" and the box will go away

if you want to "like" the thread but don't wish to post that on FB you can click "cancel" and you will still "like" it but it won't post it on facebook

if you want to "like" the thread AND post the link then you just click "post to facebook"

thisisyesterday · 19/12/2011 10:22

"if you did it in error you can click "unlike" and the box will go away and the like counter will go down again" that should have said

CalatalieSisters · 19/12/2011 10:26

Oh I get it, thanks. I haven't got much experience of liking stuff.

The last thing I "liked" was the online definition of "like" in the Merriam Webster dictionary, that invites you to "like" every single one of its definitions. Then I think on Facebook my friends coold "like" my "liking" of the word "like." All very affable.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 19/12/2011 10:27

scottishmummy Where exactly have I said I speak for anyone but ME? It is just my opinion. I am entitled to post that as is everyone else. I decided I wanted to reply to Justine's post that is all.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 19/12/2011 10:30

reign your ego and ire in
mn is a brand and business,not a therapeutic community
you are behaving like a wilful toddler,all me me me

QuintessentiallyFestive · 19/12/2011 10:33

IF YOU GET A BOX AT ALL!

(which I did not)

My second post below explained better. I was possibly logged on facebook, but it was closed.

Snorbs · 19/12/2011 10:35

Anonymousbosch, the "Like" button doesn't appear at all on my phone using the mobile version of mumsnet. So, rather than being way too easy to accidentally press on such a device, it looks absolutely impossible at present.

perfumedlife · 19/12/2011 10:39

I may have missed something, and I have not read the whole thread, but were posters not asking for a like button for ages on here and now they have it they don't want it? Did they just want a mn like button?

I think people need to remember this is not a private forum anyway and keep some perspective.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 19/12/2011 10:41

I have no ego Scottishmummy and where exactly have I said this is about me?

I know nothing will happen if I leave. I am not stupid.

I posted my thoughts. Big deal.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 19/12/2011 10:42

Oh and tell the 100's of people who other mumsnetters have helped that this isn't a "therapuetic community."

OP posts:
TheSecondComing · 19/12/2011 10:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 19/12/2011 10:53

I haven't posted anything that will endanger my children. I am not an idiot. That isn't the point. The point is people finding me that means they will know where my children are.

Anyway, I posted my thoughts. That is all I wanted to do and I have decided it is a good time to take a long, extended break from MN for many reasons. Not just this. This has just given me the push I needed.

Thanks to all who has helped me many many times over the years I have posted.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 19/12/2011 10:53

it's a brand,profit making business which can reproduce and sell posts for profit...mn books lifted posts

different people use mn many ways if you want to sit cross legged opining it's community and now its gorn to dogs...well that's your call. for me it's a visible and online forum and implicit in that is expansion and visibility of mb,achieved through adverts and business collaboration

mn goes through this periodically,hand wringing about the business model. and an assumption that mnhq need seek the approbation of a vociferous minority.

when the adverts appeared,the sponsorship,and schleb web chats,plenty opined it was beginning of end.except it wasn't

DutchOma · 19/12/2011 10:56

Do you think MNHQ have found this thread yet? 166 posts without a reply?
Not a therapeutic community? Really? Tell that to all abused women/alcoholics/all other people who post on this thread.
What worries me the most is that anybody can press that like button to make trouble behind people's back.
So, for commercial gain you are going to prevent people to have that therapeutic community?

MmeLindor. · 19/12/2011 11:08

pffft

Am getting bored of this.

MNHQ should not put the FB buttons on the site before the weekend, when they KNOW that MNetters always react badly to change, and would have all freaking weekend to moan and grumble about this.

MNHQ should have tested this thoroughly to ensure it wasn't possible to post accidentally. When I tried it, it brought up a box for me to click again.

MNHQ are in this to make money. It is a business. If we want to continue to use this TOTALLY FREE website, then we have to accept that they need to pay their lovely staff, their rent, and maybe have some money left over to actually, you know, live. They do this by selling advertising, and content.

If you are worried about your privacy, log out of FB. Or set up a separate User account. Or name change regularly.

As to the MN history - the old threads. How often does a thread get bumped? Not very often. So in theory, someone would have to bump an old thread, you would have to accidentally press the like button TWICE and be logged into FB for this to compromise your privacy.

scottishmummy · 19/12/2011 11:09

misguided to conceptualiser mn as anything other than visible online forum and business

no it's not therapeutic community,it's an eclectic varied vibrant collection of online strangers. who can offer a range of advice from sound and therapeutic to downright daft and strident.the rub here as mnhq habitually emphasise is it's online highly visible

of course it can be supportive,but that's not it's raison d'être.was never set up as sole purpose to be therapeutic within tight parameters that must not change. mn has changed as it grows,imo that's inevitable

MmeLindor. · 19/12/2011 11:10

DutchOma
but it is not a therapeutic community.

Yes, there are lots of threads where women are helped and given great advice.

But it is first and foremost a business. And MNHQ have to grow this business.

BobbinRobin · 19/12/2011 11:11

For those saying that the Like button has been there for years, I had noticed it but honestly never thought it had anything to do with specific threads.

I just thought it was a general 'Like Mumsnet' thing.

The linking of it to individual threads is a BIG difference, and those who can't see how linking individual threads to your RL identity could potentially be dodgy are frankly lacking in imagination.

MmeLindor. · 19/12/2011 11:13

Bobbin
I am not lacking in imagination, thank you.

The simple fact is that what you post online is open to whoever might stumble upon it. Whether that is a link on FB or a neighbour happening to recognise you from your postings, or perhaps you have the app on your iPhone and a friend recognises it.

If you want your MN membership to remain a secret from families and friends, then you have to ensure that you guard your privacy by not posting recognisable details and logging out of FB and MN when not using it.

And not pressing on the button.

Noodlemacdoodle · 19/12/2011 11:18

I do not like it. I will not be pressing it - I'm not comfortable with people knowing who I am in RL.

Think that sums it up, really for most people with issues on here.

Also I will be looking and using MN less as it's all getting a bit dull anyway...

scottishmummy · 19/12/2011 11:22

mn is business with overheads, needs to maintain profit and Market share
point of a business is profit and growth
we get all this free,nada
just don't login fb,be circumspect about rl