Official Mumsnet mobile thread numéro deux

[RebeccaMumsnet]

Hi all,

As you know we have launched the new mobile site, we know it's a big change and we are still very keen to get it right with your help. This is very much a version that will evolve with your help as part of the testing process.

There have been a few glitches that have/are being ironed out and the HUGE thread has nearly maxed out, so we thought it best to start a shiny new one.

We know change is tricky but, as with most things MN, we are all ears and happy to look at any feedback you have on ways we can improve the new site.

Thanks all

[RebeccaMumsnet]

We've had five minutes to catch-up with everyone involved and we wanted to fill you all in on a bit of background.

We've been working on this latest version of the new mobile talk prototype for 6m+.

We've tried to replicate the commonly needed functions from desktop talk and address the current issues people had.

Part of our motivation is to be accessible and appealing to new and unfamiliar users while still be engaging and as usable as possible to existing users.

We tracked and looked at how users were currently using talk mobile and saw which features were well used and which weren't. We used that in part to inform which features to put front and centre and which could bear to be a click or two away.

We also considered those facts in light of different user groups (lurkers, new users, regular posters for example).

We have over the last six months tested with various types of users at several different stages. We watch users using various prototypes and listened to unfamiliar users, regs and lurkers feedback and we still are.

We tested every iteration both internally and with users. Over the last four rounds of testing around 80 mumsnetters and non-mumsnetters have participated. HUGE thank you to them, their feedback was and is invaluable.

Hands up we did not specifically set out to recruit users with accessibility challenges and that's something we will absolutely rectify in future. We did refer to many guidelines out there to inform us of best practice but nothing beats asking real people so we'll definitely make sure we do better on that front in future.

We're still iterating and ALWAYS need more people who don't mind testing. It's particularly hard to get a good range of people who don't necessarily post much.

Please do keep all comments and feedback coming.

[MrsVamos]

Needsasilverlining



You know what ?

Can we nominate whoevers crappy idea this was for the ALS challenge ?

The ice bucket could even have a smidgen of gin in it for taste, if necessary ?

[Phalarope]

Germgirl, thank you! And er I have just noticed the OP post colour thingy is working again.
No further complaints...

[RebeccaMumsnet]

@Needasilverlining

CAN WE HAVE THE OLD SITE BACK PLEASE?

Sorry all, it really isn't feasible to run two versions of the mobile site.

This is a beta version, so please carry on testing this and give us your feedback.

[regularbutpanickingabit]

Has anyone mentioned the fact we are STILL getting kicked off on a regular basis, even if we tick the 'stay logged in' box? Not seeing the bookmark option is probably down to that problem as you only get the option if you are logged in.

Seriously, since the mass password reset problem I have been kicked out every single day and it drives me INSANE. Especially when there is shoddy wifi/4g and I have loaded a page specifically to read only for the whole window to shut down or for the page to revert to not logged in.

PLEASE CAN YOU LOOK AT THIS??

Iphone 5 btw

[Sherborne]

RebeccaMumsnet: we wanted to fill you all in on a bit of background

Great stuff - it's good to hear that this is going on

[NoisyOyster]

Have clicked on op's post highlighting but they're still coming out as a pale grey rather than my previous green

Any ideas anyone?

[MrsVamos]

RebeccaMN

But surely the best people to test on would be regular MNetters ? Those with and without 'challenges'.

So getting past all the gumpf, it really is all just commercial and advertising. Posters have been saying for ages, but specifically since PB that the site has gone downhill but you are actively looking for ways to attract new users.

The best way to attract new users ? Word of mouth and recommendation.

OK, so not everyone admits to being a user of the site but it's easy to slip into conversation that MNet seems a good place for advice and a giggle.

I suppose eventually the place will be sold off and we wont have the forum. Because it will get too big, with too many users, for HQ to 'control'.

You know, if it weren't for the posters, I wouldn't even be here anymore.

[steggystegasaurus]

MNHQ I am going on holiday tomorrow with the PIL and MNing in the evening was going to be my saviour.

I won't be able to now. This new version is appalling . Virtually unusable. Hard to read. Next to impossible to post to. Far less convenient to browse.

Thanks a bunch

[steggystegasaurus]

All the stuff that previously took one click now take at least two! It's awful, just awful.

[springbabydays]

Well I'm glad I'm not in the middle of an important thread right now. This is still not fun for me, and I don't have epilepsy, dyslexia or sensory difficulties. I am prone to migraines though and so I'm limiting my time on here (just reading this thread actually to see what changes, if anything). The new mobile site makes me squint so I'm switching to the full site every so often.

You keep asking for our comments and most are asking for the old version back. Clearly a lot of money has been spent on this so we're not going to get it regardless of what we think.

I believe the content is what draws new users in, rather than the accessibility - I only joined this year and I've loved it. Till now.

My usage has already changed and I expect I'll be here a lot less often in future. I'm just one person but if lots of us feel this way, your advertisers aren't going to get as much exposure anyway.

Sorry for whingeing but I feel quite sad about this. Thought my MN journey was only just beginning.

[Tinkerball]

You've had plenty of comments Rebecca, the site is virtually unusable for a large majority if people, it's more than a few glitches.

[ScarlettDarling]

Why can't I post?!

[springbabydays]

Well I'm glad I'm not in the middle of an important thread right now. This is still not fun for me, and I don't have epilepsy, dyslexia or sensory difficulties. I am prone to migraines though and so I'm limiting my time on here (just reading this thread actually to see what changes, if anything). The new mobile site makes me squint so I'm switching to the full site every so often.

You keep asking for our comments and most are asking for the old version back. Clearly a lot of money has been spent on this so we're not going to get it regardless of what we think.

I believe the content is what draws new users in, rather than the accessibility - I only joined this year and I've loved it. Till now.

My usage has already changed and I expect I'll be here a lot less often in future. I'm just one person but if lots of us feel this way, your advertisers aren't going to get as much exposure anyway.

Sorry for whingeing but I feel quite sad about this. Thought my MN journey was only just beginning.

[MrsVamos]

Let me guess, what's next ?

Update the desktop version, with a 'like' button ?

ROAR.

[ScarlettDarling]

Why can't I post?!

[MultipleMama]

Well, this Beta version sucks. I'd like to say I'll end up liking it but I won't so far it's caused more grief than it's worth. And it's very disappointing to here that we can't have the old version back.

I know, how about an old fashioned poll; where it stays or goes. Pr maybe I'll go and just be a causal poster when I have laptop free time...

No-one from MN has yet to reply to my earlier question; you said the hide thread button was back and it is but it does not work! Why?

[chockbic]

Its just not as easy and user friendly as before (vague)

Puts me off posting. Or reading tbh.

[Needasilverlining]

My feedback is that 1. No site as 'beta' as this had any business being released.

1. If you can't run two at once, switch this new shit one off. You can fix the glitches but it's still fundamentally worse than what you already had.

[MrsVamos]

springbabydays post says it all.

No point attracting new users when no decent posters will be here.

[FoxSticks]

I'm definitely logged in but with no option to bookmark

[SwedishEdith]

We tracked and looked at how users were currently using talk mobile and saw which features were well used and which weren't. We used that in part to inform which features to put front and centre and which could bear to be a click or two away.

I don't understand this paragraph at all. Everyone is complaining about the same things so how could you have missed so much that would "inform" you?

[Germgirl]

I logged off & on again. Still no bookmark.
But I'm patient. I'm sure it'll appear at some point.
Is it really so bad that you can't use it people? I understand about the migraine thing & obviously that's not a choice but apart from that, MNHQ are working on it and you will get used to it.
I have an iPhone and every time apple change the iOS I bitch & moan & say I hate it, but a week later I've forgotten what the old one was like and I'm getting on & using the new one.
It's really not that awful. In my opinion.

[springbabydays]

Sorry for double posting - it doesn't actually acknowledge I've hit the post button any more!

And if anyone's comment falls in the first one or two of the page - I'll miss some of what you're saying due to the floating blue toolbar which covers it and stays there.

[ScarlettDarling]

Oh guess I can post!

I have lost the three little dots at the bottom of the post.
And I've never had the 'down arrow' in the circle to customise, just 3 empty circles.
Can anyone help?!