Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk

Back to thread
MNHQ

Official Mumsnet mobile thread part 3

248 replies

DawnMumsnet · 23/08/2014 09:48

Morning all,

And welcome to the new thread!
Grin

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?

Go to post
MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:13

Hello wiltingfast, Thanks for the update on your Blackberry, we have a relatively small proportion of users accessing Mumsnet that way (0.17%) so it's especially useful to hear about your experience.
We've been focusing on the more frequently used devices but are now concentrating on others. We'll take a look at Blackberry too.
Unfortunately t is difficult to avoid sub-menus when trying to include as many functions as wanted.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:15

@TeenyfTroon

Things are definitely improving - thank you!

Thanks for the feedback about lines between posts, we're keen to keep space for text but we'll have a think about breaking up posts clearly.

Still bothered by this. Just don't add any more space!

Please could you try reducing the line spacing. My biggest complaint is still the small amount of text which can fit on one one screen.
Though I will put up with a lot I don't personally like if it helps prevent people suffering from migraine having attacks, and helps readability for dyslexics.
Also disclaimers such as appear at the head of boards such as Relationships could definitely have closer line spacing and smaller, denser font. We don't need to read them every time.

Thank you TeenyfTroon, we have no intention to add more space and are looking at ways to make the disclaimers more concise. We do need to have them there and present but we'll try and be less verbose!

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:18

@Lweji

And gave up again (back on laptop).

Apparently, every fucking website works on my pre-historic iPod except MN. (well, for posting)

Frustrated, moi?

Hi Lweji, can you let us know what model you mean by pre-historic so we can take a look? We've needed to focus on the more frequently used devices but even older devices should be able to post.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:20

@TeenyfTroon

After reading Lweji's post I've just got out my iPod which I often use to MN and am testing to see if I can post. If you can see this post, ignore it!

Oh thank you TennyfTroon, would you mind letting us know what version your iPod is? It helps us speed up testing if we don't have to test on every model released.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:28

@stilllearnin

Hi I'm using I think a 4th gen iPod. It works in safari but not the google app I always used before. It is hard to read tho- there just isn't enough text per page so you scroll and scroll. I'm thinking the point of this is to put adverts on (although we had started getting those on the mobile site). That is understandable but the readability is awful and I think it looks cheap. Has anyone answered the question of why you went for this and why there can't be a way to opt for the old site (like a shell thingy)

Hello stilllearnin, thanks for that detail it's very helpful. Our motivation wasn't advertising, we wanted very much to create a mobile experience that replicated as many of the functions of the desktop site as feasible and that was easy for newcomers to use. We tested lots of designs and are still iterating so your feedback is always welcome.

Readability is one of our key aims and it's a tricky balance between fitting text in but not being too crowded. Unfortunately there really isn't a way of creating a shell as you describe so we'll keep trying to get it right for you.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:31

@Needasilverlining

Agree with whoever said the line spacing is still far too wide. You say it's accessibility, but that wasn't a problem before.

I still think the main cause of the motion sickness type problems for many is the absurd amount of scrolling you have to do to read even a short thread.

I estimate my mn use has reduced by at least half since the mobile site launched.

Could you consider adding some sort of dynamic widget to the desktop site so the text fits into your screen? Because I really don't see this site getting to the point where I don't find it actively annoying to use any time soon.

Hello, the developers here work hard to get the text to fit various mobile screens dynamically but with the myriad of devices out there it's not an easy job. They'll keep on it though!

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:33

@stilllearnin

Oh yes there is an annoying scrolling holiday ad. There is an 'x' button so when I click this with hope in my heart it makes me give 'feedback'. Where is the feedback going please?

stilllearnin That sounds like part of the advert to me, we don't control putting a 'X' on those ads AFAIK. If it's bothering you could you perhaps grab a screenshot and post to a new thread in site stuff so the right people can take a look?

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:35

@enriquetheringbearinglizard

I've just downloaded FF for Android on my Samsung tablet, so now I have 3 browsers on it Confused FF is much better for MN. On Chrome I was still being directed to randon unselected threads and it was much slower, much slower.

That's really informative thank you for letting us know. We're continuing to optimise speed as much as possible, it's interesting Google Chrome is less good on Android for that.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:38

@SunshineOutdoors

I've really tried to like the new mobile site but I've resorted to now using desktop mode on my iPhone. I actually prefer this to using the mobile site, even though it is obviously also unsuitable. What 's the app like now? Might need to try that out again.

Hi, we'll be continuing to iterate and make changes and the mobile site should ultimately be the preferable choice to desktop on a iPhone. Can you let us know which aspects aren't workign for you? Is it function or design?

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:39

@Lweji

It is working now. See post at 8:09. :)

It's an iPod version 4.2.1.

Previous frustrated posts (and not saying which version) were because I reported the problem in posting earlier and was told to upgrade. Hmm

Seems ok now, but I reduced the size of the pages to 50.

On the old mobile site I used to get 1000 posts fine and still be able to post!

And pretty much every other site seems to work better too, including the FB site (not app).

Ah thanks for the update Lewji long threads are always going to be slower to load than short ones but we're continue to optimise everything so speed increases.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:44

@Lweji

And since we are on it, apparently I can't customise. It may be hidden behind the floating shortcut bar.

Customise is on the chevron menu at the top (downward arrow). Can you see that?

Official Mumsnet mobile thread part 3
MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 09:47

@MorrisZapp

This is a tiny gripe for further down the list but I blooming detest the pale grey blobs indicating how many posts are on a thread. On my phone they look like dirt. The numbers aren't sharp enough to stand out, it's all just so fadey and meh.

I don't want my MN experience to feel like a cloudy day.

Hi MorrisZapp, thank you we'll consider how best to display those numbers and add your thoughts to discussions. It may take us a little while though because we're prioritising readability on posts first design-wise.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 10:48

@Lweji

The shortcut bar covers it, at it gets stuck in that position. It's not stuck to the bottom of the screen as I scroll down, iyswim. In fact it covers the bottom two rows.

I have tried to get rid of it, but it doesn't seem to work from the desktop site. And I can't seem to be able to from the mobile site.

Okay thank you Lewji, can you tell us what browser you use on your iPod 4?

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 10:49

@ItsAllGoingToBeFine

Picture uploading working for me again...

Ace thanks for the update!

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 10:55

@enriquetheringbearinglizard

Jessica reply above to my post >That's really informative thank you for letting us know. We're continuing to optimise speed as much as possible, it's interesting Google Chrome is less good on Android for that<

I use both my tablet and phone connected to the landline wi-fi.
The Sony xperia phone has been much better than the Samsung tablet when both were on Chrome.

On the Samsung with Chrome many items of functionality such as the drop down menus were not working at all and I would often be directed to a thread I hadn't chosen.
To combat this I would position the thread I wanted at the top of my screen, however, when going back to see where the thread I ended up on was located it would 2-4 threads above the one I'd selected and not visible at the time of selection.
Hope you can follow that? Am trying to give clues as to what's happening on my device.

Anyway I didn't particularly want to take up space downloading a third browser, but for now that seems to be my fix and the speed is definitely better with FF for Android on my Samsung.
HTH

While I'm here how do I remove a bookmark please? clicking on it again isn't removing it.

Ooh thank you lots of great detail. We're looking at Samsung very carefully, especially on Chrome so that's very helpful stuff.

You can't remove bookmarks on either the mobile or desktop site. You can replace them with a different bookmark by bookmarking a different place though. If there's a big call for removal of bookmarks feature we'll have a think about it. Though that would be further down the line.

Thanks
MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 12:37

@MrsHathaway

Something I've just noticed, and which I don't recall having read about on this or earlier threads...

On special threads (eg guest blogs, media requests, job adverts) the OP is not visible. I recall having a similar problem on old mobile site, where the most recent post was always invisible. In fairness since I noticed this I've not spotted any with more than one post, so it could be the same error.

HTC, Android 4.0.3, built-in browser (webkit 5 IIRC).

Thank you MrsHataway we'll check that one too. If you get a mo could you please post a screenshot?

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 12:46

@LadyIsabellaWrotham

I have experimented. Results as follows.

iPhone 4
iOS 7 and a bit

Safari
Works pretty well, thread loading slower than I'd like but useable, TIO now as I like it. All great up until the moment that I press "Post" on my carefully composed comment, at which point it circles and circles forever. Have tried several times, with decent broadband wifi and it just Will Not Sodding Post.

Chrome
I have tested and confirmed that I can post from Chrome. However getting to this point required fifteen minutes of swearing because in all other respects MN is completely unusable on Chrome. Scrolling is random, and typing takes 2 seconds to process each keystroke. I managed to do an experimental post by typing a sentence blindly and then watching the screen for a couple of minutes while a poltergeist then brought up the keystrokes one at a time. Entertaining as a one off but not a productive way to proceed, and heaven help you if you made an error. And once it's actually finished typing, getting back to the point on the thread where the button lurks to send your post takes another five minutes - this is not an exaggeration - I timed it. For the record I do regularly post comments on another site using Chrome on this phone, and don't have this problem.

App (which I have reinstalled specially).
Works, fast, reliable, processes keystrokes in real time!
But the reason I deleted the app is that TIO doesn't work the way I want it to. Without the ability to preview recent posts and jump straight to them, it's just not as quick and easy to use.

So please
A) fix posting on safari
Or
B) fix the way it works on Chrome because something is disastrously wrong
Or
C) make TIO on the app work like on desktop/mobile site

Thanks, I'll post again once you've done one of those (will probably carry on browsing in safari)

Hi, thanks LOADS for such thorough exploration! We've noticed Chrome is less speedy and are trying to fathom why and also generally optimise so that it's all generally faster.

Safari is working for most and I've just added a test post from a iPhone 4 using Safari so looks like we might need to dig a little deeper as to why that isn't working for you.

Would you mind trying again from Safari and letting us know how you get on?

Thank you

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 12:46

@Lweji

Okay thank you Lewji, can you tell us what browser you use on your iPod 4? Safari (default)

Thank you!

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 12:53

@bearfrills

I've spotted the same thing as MrsHathaway, jobs etc the OP is blank so it looks like a blank thread.

I'm on a Samsung S5, latest operating system, etc (whatever the latest one is).

Also, not sure if it's been mentioned, but where's the button for unanswered threads?

We're looking a lot at Samsung in particular so will check that too.

There isn't a link to unanswered threads currently but we can look to add it in if needed.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 12:58

@Germgirl

iPhone 5c iOS 7.1.2 safari. I've just noticed the font change & swanky pictures on the blue bar. Very nice. I have to say that I'm really pleased with the new site. I know others are t as lucky but it's working really well for me, and you've sorted out the picture problems (pics v small & falling off the edge of the screen). Thank you. As far as I can see, I have no problems at all now.

Thank you Germgirl for coming back to give positive feedback it is very much appreciated and cheers everyone up on a Friday! Have some lunchtime Cake Thanks

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 14:10

Hi PinkAndBlueBedtimeBears,
We struggling to replicate that happening for us using iPhone 5 using Safari. Can you try again to check it wasn't a finger tap slip?

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 15:56

@Germgirl

I may have spoken a tiny bit soon Smile I appear to have circles and squares where before I had buttons and ellipses. Also, the 'attach' button is a loudspeaker (?!) that doesn't make sense! And the one next it it is just a square. None of this is stopping me using the site though.

Hello, please can you try refreshing your page? We've been releasing various fixes as we've gone along and you may have caught us in an awkward moment Blush

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 16:01

@Romeyroo

Hi there,

I'm on my laptop now. I miss the old mobile site

Seriously, I had a look at the new MN mobile site on my DD's ipod touch, safari browser (which is a year old, can't tell you what version) and it looks quite different, so I do see why you are having issues making it work for everyone.

So, on the ipod touch, the screen is still very, very glary and white compared to what I am seeing on my Nokia Lumia now; but the font is bigger and more legible (and MN font on the i-touch is more like what I am seeing on the Guardian website on my Nokia Lumia).

So, I just looked at the Guardian website on my DD's i-touch and it is really glary on there too; in fact, I don't think I could read that either for long.

So, I have just turned down the brightness on the i-touch to about half what it was (DD will love me), so I can actually look at it. (Clearly my issue, that one)

Going back to the MN website, I now have (on the i-touch) a dimmer screen and legible font; but I am still struggling with it. I noticed somewhere on the thread that you suggest that you are looking at breaking up the text. I think that is a good idea, but the other point on the Guardian site (sorry, not comparing, just that you mentioned it earlier that I read it), is that the fonts are different sizes to highlight different things - so the headlines are different from the synopsis of the story which is different from the story itself. And the same on the BTL posts, you have blue bold for the poster name, then underneath small grey writing and then kind of in-betweeny black writing. On the right hand side, you have got the recommend button and on the left the poster's picture.

On MN, the poster name and comment text look to be the same size and there are bigger spaces between the posts and paragraphs of each post. Thus, my scientific analysis of the situation shows that MN has 12 lines of text on each page and the Guardian has 17. The MN site is giving me the motion sickness feeling that someone mentioned and a headache.

Of course, the situation is probably quite different on my Nokia Lumia where the font is teensy-tiny, but I need to go and do the school run now (I'm late....ooops).

Thank you Romeyroo for doing all that, very thorough! It's iOS devices are generally brighter and in fact when Apple released iOS 7 they encountered lots of issues with glare. We may not be able to solve that completely and still keep it with enough contrast on 'dimmer' phones. We'll continue to try to improve though.

You make very good points about different font size and spacing and we're going to continue refining the design to get that as good a balance for everyone.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 16:39

@elQuintoConyo

LG5 Android 4.0

This thread took 20mins to load.

Cursor in tjis box hopping about all over the place.

This is my 3rd attempt to pist on this thread.

All the circle short cuts and the ellipses are Chinese/Japanese characters (i'm a bit hazy.on the difference, tbh!)
When i tap them, nothing happens.

I coukdn't go directly tp the end of the thread to post as the chevron won't click.open.

I still have only 4 posts on active convos that i can see at any one time - not posts, i mean threads.

I don't like the colours of op/my posts, they are really easy to.miss when i'm scrolling - and scrolling and scrolling and scrolling.

I have turned off the blue buttons at the bottom of the screen because they restricted view of posts and they 'bled' when i scrolled, but now i have to click chevron/click active, etc, wjen.i want to navigate anywhere and it is incredibly slow.

I cant edit post/spng etc as my cursor has popped some pills and is raving across the message box!

Anyone else ecperiencing the chinese/japanese thing?

Hello, sorry you're having troubles with your LG5, we'll take a look into it generally next week. We're working on speeding up load though long threads such as this one are always going to be slower I'm afraid. When a thread takes a while to load the buttons may not respond instantly either so that's worth bearing in mind when you're trying to open a menu. Again hopefully we'll be able to optimise so speed doesn't interfere with your mumsnetting.

As far as colours go, next week we're going to be thinking about various design feedback and increasing the contrast of highlighting is one aspect we'll be discussing so thank you for letting us know your thoughts.

MNHQ

JessicaMumsnet · 29/08/2014 16:40

@GermyJamie

On windows phone 8.1, Nokia Lumia 1020.

Much better! Thank you! The shortcut bar is now a much better colour. The whole thing looks better. Thanks!

Wonderful! Tech have been working very hard on Nokia Lumia today, good to see their efforts have paid off! Grin

Watch this thread for updates

Tap "Watch" to get all the latest updates