Official Mumsnet mobile thread part 3

[DawnMumsnet]

Morning all,

And welcome to the new thread!

As SarahMumsnet said at the end of the last thread, we have Tech on call for fixes this weekend, and various MNHQers will be here to talk and help wherever we can.

We'll be adding to the rolling list of bugs, glitches and dislikes (see below), so please keep the feedback coming. Do remember to list which device you're using, which operating system, and which browser, so we can identify the specific issues.

Right then, who's first?

@LovingSummer

MN towers - iPhone 4s user - very blocky when typing or scrolling to read a page.

The font seems much bigger than in the iPhone app, so too much scrolling needed to read efficiently which makes it harder to stay with it and concentrate.

Can we have an optional background screen colour as the white is very bright, although hard to tell if this would improve if the font were to be heavier and smaller.

Hi there, the font is a bit bigger you're quite right. This was a deliberate design choice after much testing and iteration specifically around ease of reading. We have increased the weight of the font which has helped many people and we're continuing to test variations to try to get it right for everyone.

@PinkAndBlueBedtimeBears

I phone 5c safari new iOS

We need 'I'm watching' to be more functional, with at least a delete button for threads we've watched and then got fed up with and a bump button to take some threads back to the top of the list.. :(

Hello PinkAndBlueBedtimeBears, we have completed some work on hide, watch, bump and reset but we're keen not release late in the week and then be as available to troubleshoot. We'll be testing again first thing next week and will put in your hands asap.

@40SomethingFabulouslyClueless

The darker buttons are much better, thank you MN

Wonderful! Glad it's sorted for you and you're welcome

@LegoCaltrops

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 OS Android Jelly Bean 4.1 Browser Chrome

I've realised over the last day or so, since I put Chrome on my tablet (and reading some of the posts here) it's not that it's taking lots of taps as such, to open a thread - its just that Chrome is extremely slow to respond on this site. My default browser on my tablet still doesn't work properly though, so for now I'll stick with Chrome.

The site is massively better than it was a week ago. for all the work you've obviously put in so far! And I love the smilies menu!

Now when will will these much vaunted bookmarks be available to us Samsung users?

One thing that is a definite improvement, please don't take it away, is that when I preview a post now, the rest of the thread is still visible above it. This is extremely helpful as I've a memory like a sieve a small child who likes to climb up & help, so I have to stop halfway through!

Hello,

Yes Chrome is being a tricky little browser we're continuing to optimise speed as much as possible so hopefully you'll continue to see improvements.

Bookmarks should be available on Samsung devices, can you check you've got them switched on? At present you'll need to go to customise on the desktop site to turn them on but that's something we'll be bringing on mobile asap.

Really pleased you like the smileys menu and the preview - that's very heartening to read!

@40SomethingFabulouslyClueless

When I try to post a message, I get an access denied message (a Windows Phone pop up), but then it posts anyway. Actually this isn't a new bug, but it went away for a few weeks? but is back today. Strangely happens on the S&B board, but not this one.

Lumia, Windows 8.1, IE

We worked on and released some major improvements to Lumia this week, it could be you caught us a moment of release Everything should be fine and dandy on Lumias now so if it keeps happening for you can you let us know and we'll try to replicate so we can fix.

@Pipbin

Hi. Couple of tiny requests.

• number of posts in a thread please.
• when looking at DMs the tool bar changes and getting back to TIO is a pain.

Thank you.

That's interesting feedback thank you. Getting the bottom buttons to display the most useful actions has been the subject of much debate and testing. It's a thorny one and one we're still doing our best to get right so your thoughts are much appreciated.

@maxmissie

HTC one Android - it's just had an update so latest version Firefox

Have changed browser to Firefox as has been suggested; this has addressed problems with bookmarking which now works. However the downward arrow/chevron at the top of pages has moved to the left hand side of the screen underneath the topic section that I'm in and doesn't work at all, it seems to have become part of the topic title.

I have again also checked the option to hide the shortcut bar at the bottom, which has been reappearing every 24 hours or so, so I have to re-hide it every day. Will see if Firefox sorts this issue out.

Am however pretty annoyed that for one website only, ie mumsnet, I have had to take time to change browser and then work out how to link the browser change to Last Pass (which I use to access all websites with passwords).

Also if the site was not redesigned in relation to the ads, then why do they appear at the top of every page and stay there when scrolling, which they didn't do on the old mobile site?

Also have had an ad appear for what is presumably an abortion clinic, which is a fairly sensitive subject for many people. And if the ads, or at least some of them, are tailored to my search history, then it must be looking at someone else's history as I keep getting ads for things relating to giving birth.

All our testing on HTC 1 hasn't thrown up the issue you describe but we'll take another look at Firefox in particular. We don't want you to have to change browsers if you don't want to especially if it's a pain for you.

I've attached a screenshot of what the Android browser in HTC 1 looks like for us. Is that different to your view?

maxmissie We didn't redesign the mobile site in relation to advertising but the behaviour and placement of ads are something we changed and have been testing. We'll be testing a new approach next week so let us know if you prefer it.

If you spot an inappropriate ad please would you mind starting a new thread about it in site stuff so the right people can be alerted. We do try to block ads on a case by case basis if they are upsetting or inappropriate. Would you also mind trying to note the company and take a screenshot as that really helps track the offending ad down.

Slowness is something we continue to work on, alas very long threads are always going to take some time to load fully but we'll keep trying to get as fast as possible.

I'm having the same issue as someone else up thread. Samsung s3/android and am being driven mad by having to click on threads lots of times (up to 20) before they load. Sometimes when they finally load it isn't even the right bloody thread, it is the one below or above in the list. About ready to give up if this isn't fixed soon, it's infuriating!

@PinkAndBlueBedtimeBears

Hiya, sorry for not coming back sooner bloody children distracting me ;) I can't make it do it again, but I promise you it wasn't a finger slip, I did it 6 or 7 times in a row before I posted!!!

Okay don't worry perhaps it was temporary glitch. Just let us know if it happens again. Thanks

@ancientbuchanan

Haven't customized anything. Nada. Pure vanilla. And just checked again.

Hello, could you please try setting the reading direction via customise and saving? (Screenshot attached)

@nickelbabe

jessica the other day we were asked to post specific adverts that moved so that you could work on a fix or a rule or something, to the advertisers.

Yes and thank you to those that did. However we've spoken to those that know best and unfortunately we can't create a 'no movement' rule to prevent adverts like that appearing. We have only been testing this approach to advert placement though and will be trying out something else next week. It'd be great to hear your thoughts on that when we change.

@Needasilverlining

I'm looking at the desktop site on my tablet (Asus Slider) and interestingly the threads I tap actually open, so maybe the Samsung issue is the cause of lots of the problems I'm having on my phone (s3 mini). The ads are exactly the same size as they are on my phone, but miles less intrusive on a bigger screen.

I have to say, though, that there's still FAR too much white space, far too little to read on each screen and far too much scrolling. It's very uninviting, I don't feel that I want to spend too long on the site.

If you can sort the spacing so there isn't three pointless miles between paragraphs the mobile site would be OK on the tablet, but I don't see it ever being my preferred option on the phone. Ironically for a mobile site, I don't find it at all phone-friendly.

I asked about adding a widget to the site to make the text automatically fit to the screen but I don't know if the MNHQ person who replied realised I meant the desktop - can I check?

Hi Needasilverlining, thank you your thoughts. We've been doing lots of testing on Samsung and have made various changes which hopefully will improve it for you. We're also considering carefully the best font size and spacing and will continue to test and adjust.

I replied to your post about text automatically fitting the screen earlier and you're right I didn't realise you meant desktop. I'm not sure I completely follow still (sorry) . Do you have a site in mind where that happens? That might help my boggled brain.

I am being bad and have not read all the thread. But these are my issues.

You can't click on someone's name to see if they have a profile.

Advanced search doesn't include yesterday and today and it doesn't link to a calendar when you click on the date box like it used to.

I'm using safari on an iPhone 5c running ios 7 of some type.

@annoyedofnorwich

I'm having the same issue as someone else up thread. Samsung s3/android and am being driven mad by having to click on threads lots of times (up to 20) before they load. Sometimes when they finally load it isn't even the right bloody thread, it is the one below or above in the list. About ready to give up if this isn't fixed soon, it's infuriating!

Hello, we've been doing lots of testing on Samsung and made various changes. Can you let me know if this is still happening and confirm that you're definitely waiting until the page is fully loaded before tapping? Some pages with lots of content do take a while to fully load. We're continuing to work on optimising speed as much as possible.

@MirandaWest

I am being bad and have not read all the thread. But these are my issues.

You can't click on someone's name to see if they have a profile.

Advanced search doesn't include yesterday and today and it doesn't link to a calendar when you click on the date box like it used to.

I'm using safari on an iPhone 5c running ios 7 of some type.

Hello MirandaWest, we'll have a think about those requests when we have a catch up next week.

Sinister, same phone, and i feel the same. I'm switching in and out of the mobile site to see if it gets better - glare has gone which is good, but I'm struggling to see any advantages to it (oh the smileys are easier, that's it). It feels like an app. I don't use the actual app as I don't like it. Now mobile feels like an app The ads are horribly intrusive, I don't use any other websites that make me feel as advertised to. Despite my 20-a-day mumsnet habit, I will be cutting back.

JessicaMN, I suspected we'd misunderstood each other. I can't think of a site where this happens that is available publicly because TBH, on most sites the mobile one's fine so I don't want the desktop.

But the intranet site I just finished working on had a dynamic design so that if you were viewing on mobile, the text would automatically squeeze in to fit the screen you were looking at (font size the same, just lines shorter IYSWIM). There weren't two separate sites as such, just different bits pulling through depending on device. A much easier approach IMO.

Could the customise buttons be like Kindle and include text resizing/spacing options? Grasping at straws here but I cannot use the mobile site as it is, the desktop's too big for my phone really and the change means my usual MN time (train to work) is basically impossible.

I do appreciate all the work you're doing and I sympathise with how crushing it must be to have all these problems, but ATM after weeks of huge effort you still don't have a site which works as well as the old one!

I have now resorted to making notes. What have you done to me, MN?
Just found a new problem - I was trying to edit this post to give PinkandBlueBedtimeBears her full title and was using the magnifying glass to put the cursor in the right place and my finger was dragging the text all over the place instead of moving the magnifying glass. (iPhone 3GS, safari, iOS 6)
LegoCaltrops mentioned how good it is that when you're previewing a post, the rest of the thread is still visible above. That's such a help. Is it ok to then go back a page or pages? On old site (RIP) your fledgling post used to disappear.
PinkandBlue says on I'm Watching we really need the delete button and the bump and reset.
In fact, just ask PinkandBlue what I think - every time she posts I nod and think 'must remember that'!

@Iggi999

Sinister, same phone, and i feel the same. I'm switching in and out of the mobile site to see if it gets better - glare has gone which is good, but I'm struggling to see any advantages to it (oh the smileys are easier, that's it). It feels like an app. I don't use the actual app as I don't like it. Now mobile feels like an app The ads are horribly intrusive, I don't use any other websites that make me feel as advertised to. Despite my 20-a-day mumsnet habit, I will be cutting back.

Hello, good to hear the glare is better for you. We'll be testing something new with the ads next week so do let us know what you think when that change happens.

Jessicamumsnet - thank you. I really do get that ads are part of the internet - I've bought shed loads of stuff I've seen advertised on here but I shouldn't feel my attention being pulled away to them in such a jarring way.

@TeenyfTroon

I have now resorted to making notes. What have you done to me, MN? Just found a new problem - I was trying to edit this post to give PinkandBlueBedtimeBears her full title and was using the magnifying glass to put the cursor in the right place and my finger was dragging the text all over the place instead of moving the magnifying glass. (iPhone 3GS, safari, iOS 6) LegoCaltrops mentioned how good it is that when you're previewing a post, the rest of the thread is still visible above. That's such a help. Is it ok to then go back a page or pages? On old site (RIP) your fledgling post used to disappear. PinkandBlue says on I'm Watching we really need the delete button and the bump and reset. In fact, just ask PinkandBlue what I think - every time she posts I nod and think 'must remember that'!

Notes you say, how very diligent of you!

The highlighting, dragging text thing you describe sounds like a iPhone function to me rather than anything we can control. I believe it's down to the way you tap...

Very pleased you also like the preview improvement and yy more hide, watch functions are coming to a thread near you early next week!

@Needasilverlining

JessicaMN, I suspected we'd misunderstood each other. I can't think of a site where this happens that is available publicly because TBH, on most sites the mobile one's fine so I don't want the desktop.

But the intranet site I just finished working on had a dynamic design so that if you were viewing on mobile, the text would automatically squeeze in to fit the screen you were looking at (font size the same, just lines shorter IYSWIM). There weren't two separate sites as such, just different bits pulling through depending on device. A much easier approach IMO.

Could the customise buttons be like Kindle and include text resizing/spacing options? Grasping at straws here but I cannot use the mobile site as it is, the desktop's too big for my phone really and the change means my usual MN time (train to work) is basically impossible.

I do appreciate all the work you're doing and I sympathise with how crushing it must be to have all these problems, but ATM after weeks of huge effort you still don't have a site which works as well as the old one!

Ahhh now I understand! What you're referring to is a responsive design. It'd something we're interested in and have been trying out. If you visit our Exciting New Event Bumpfest you can see an example of how responsive design can work.

Thank you for your thoughts and for your sympathies. We're very keen on testing and trying things out and care very much about including our users in that process so don't worry we're happy to keep going with your help to ultimately end up with a slicker, better experience.

Ok lord knows if these issues have already been mentioned but I have the Mumsnet App on android jellybean and it's as up to date as I can get it.

Problems :-

Threads I'm on. Apparently I have no discussions. Yet I'm on plenty of threads

Active topics. Well it's nothing but product tests/book of the month/guest posts

When I go into topics and then chose a topic. Ie big/slim/whatever it's a completely blank screen. I press refresh and nothing.

So as it stands I can't even set up a new topic anywhere. Mobile app so far is pretty pointless doe me ATM