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Original poster

Mumsnet local eh?

15 replies

HerrenaHarridan · 20/01/2014 18:22

What on earth?

I just tried to use mn local and I don't understand it.

Why is there ten thousand separate topics for each location?

Why are these not even displayed in consecutive order ie one Edinburgh topic is at top the other 9999 are miles down the list.

Also on the iPhone app I can't read all of the title so I've no idea what the various subsections are supposed to be.

Wouldn't it make more sense (and be more navigable) if each location had only one heading and any further subsections (for the ocd pigeonholing types ) were within this one local heading.

OP posts:

mrscumberbatch · 20/01/2014 19:00

I agree. There's just too much. It would be easier just having a chat board and a notice board for events.

Saxie · 20/01/2014 19:04

On an iPhone it is impossible to pick separate topics to search. It's been driving me mad. I'm trying to search DIY and end up scrolling through lots and lots of local sites. Try it out yourselves at MNHQ.

Kveta · 20/01/2014 19:06

Also agree, I find it bewildering, far too many topics and nobody knows what to use them for, so nobody uses them.

ColdTeaAgain · 20/01/2014 21:24

Yes it definitely needs simplifying. The section for my area has hardly been used which is a shame really.

Agree with mrscumberbatch, just a chat board and notice board would be perfect.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 20/01/2014 22:34

And for can someone please remove them all from the A-Z topics list on the main boards. Or at least just have 1 entry on the list for MN local.

Original poster

HerrenaHarridan · 21/01/2014 14:06

Hello? Hello? Hq?

OP posts:

MNHQ

RebeccaMumsnet · 21/01/2014 14:35

Hello, hello,

Yes, we do agree and it is in The Plan to look at this and simplify it. It's not imminent but hopefully soon.

LEDundeeAngusFife · 21/01/2014 15:48

Hi, I am a Local Editor and while I agree with a lot of your points (and there is a rejig coming soon), I do think that we need different topics if folk want to find things once it is a bit busier there.

We are already finding that somethings are missing, and have asked MNHQ to add them.

It is much better on the desktop site. Are you using the iphone app? Try switching to the mobile site - it is easier to use, I find.

If you have any other suggestions, do let us know. We are all working very hard to get this up and running, but without you lot using it, it is quite difficult.

mrscumberbatch · 21/01/2014 18:16

It would be easier to drastically simplify and add bits as required rather than try and pre-empt what people's posting choices will be.

Original poster

HerrenaHarridan · 21/01/2014 22:21

I get that these things are a headache to organise.

Thing is folk won't start using it unless its convenient.

I get why all the OCD boxes but even if each area had only one link and then all the subsections were in there it would be a lot less insane to find what you were looking for

Agree with the pp about jumping the gun

OP posts:

LEDundeeAngusFife · 22/01/2014 09:49

MrsC
I think that boat has sailed already. I have no experience of building websites from scratch, just blog management but what you suggest would a) remove hours and hours of work and b) create lots of new work.

It would be like removing the bottom layer of cans in a supermarket, I would imagine.

We are filling the site with information as fast as we can, but there are only so many hours in the day that we can work on Local.

SamInSouthWales · 22/01/2014 09:56

I am also a Local Editor and it's really useful to hear what's putting people off so that it can be put right.

We Editors do work hard and we really want you to use local sites so thanks for raising this instead of just abandoning!

Here are my sites in case anyone reading this is in South Wales:

local.mumsnet.com/blaenau-gwent-torfaen
local.mumsnet.com/monmouthshire-newport

EauRouge · 22/01/2014 10:08

I thought this was going to be a request for a Canadian local page

I admit that I do find local a little over complicated. I think all that's really needed are details on activities, toddler groups, places to visit etc. All the shops stuff seems a bit much. And there are 4 or 5 different local forums when only one seems to get used.

SamInSouthWales · 22/01/2014 11:09

Ha Ha! I've just got that, eh?

Indith · 22/01/2014 11:19

Ours doesn't get used at all. We have a thriving FB parenting community with a bunch of sister groups for all the local areas, files with events and regular groups, selling pages for child related items and a business group. The main group is not far off 4000 members now I think. Attracting that sort of membership over from a well established group just isn't going to happen. Think us lot will stick to our regular meet up thread!

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