Would it be nice to have a way to give MNHQ positive feedback about posters too?

[OnAPedalStool]

They get the negative feedback from reporting but I just think it would be nice for them to be able to see positive things about posters as well. That way if they are getting reports about someone they can get an idea of whether they're always a goady fucker or if they're mainly helpful and kind. What do other people think?

Interesting.

Secret Santa is a way to give positive feedback on users - I've certainly used it in that way for people who are particularly helpful.

You could report a helpful post and give a long comment about how lovely it was. I think MNHQ genuinely read them and it might make someone's day.

Or PM the poster directly. I'm sure that would be kind too.

Can't you just say so on the thread? Must admit, I've got feedback fatigue. Everything you seem to do now requires giving feedback.

Well yes, you can give it on the thread but then MNHQ may not see it and it will be forgotten. I was thinking of a way it could be used for their benefit too so they can get more of an idea of what people are like. It doesn't have to be required though so you don't have to if you don't want to. I know what you mean about feedback fatigue!

I suppose you could give a positive Report. I just thought it would be nice if there was a specific button and people might then be more inclined to use it if they found a post particularly helpful or supportive. Maybe a 'thanks' button that you can add a reason too and the person who gets it gets a notification by PM and MNHQ get a notification too?

add a reason to not too

Getting dangerously close to a 'Like' button there and you know how well that goes down on mn

Actually, I like the up arrow button on the Guardian - but that's effectively a 'Like' button as well, so...

Yes, TeaPleaseLouise - just a more convenient way of giving someone an acknowledgement for a particularly helpful post and giving MNHQ a heads up about it as well. People probably won't 'thank' someone for every post whereas they might do if it was a 'like' button which would make it a bit meaningless.

Crikey! I'm not sure what us hardened reports-answerers would do with a flurry of positive reports! What a nice idea though! Yes, probably anything too much like a like button is not possible, but we love to get nice feedback on threads. A few people do do it and it's always lovely to see. If a thread in general is really useful it's good for us to know so we can share it or make it a discussion of the day, too.
And, yes as a PP says, Secret Santa is always a good way of showing gratitude to helpful posters. Keep a list ready for nominations time and we'll send it on to the Big Guy himself.

Thanks for replying Iona! So should we just use the report button for now or would a 'thanks' button maybe be a future possibility with the added bonus that it would notify the poster that you've 'thanked' them and why. I'm thinking some nice warm fuzzies wouldn't go amiss on MN right now!

Hi OnAPedalStool. We'll give it some thought, as always, if there's enough call for something. What does everyone else reckon?

It would be interesting if you could concertina a thread to see only posts by the OP and posts with thanks/recommendations.

But what would be the point in it ? Surely if someone is being brilliant on a thread you tell them that on the thread, I've done it. I've thanked posters for a bit of info, advice, extra support. You can pm them if you want to say a bit more or if you don't want to say stuff on the thread.

I would assume that in the case of MNHQ looking at a dubious or delete worthy post whether or not the poster in question had lots of thumbs up/liked/good egg type feedback shouldn't make any difference. Each post reported should be judged on its own merit or demerit. Imo there should be no clouding of what someone had typed with the a caveat of "but they are usually really nice". I think MNHQ are aware of the great support MN can provide, there's usually a few threads knocking about that mention how MN has been a positive influence on someone life. I don't think there needs to be a separate way of thanking posters bar the who's your favourite MNetter threads, mentioning on a thread where the poster is providing support, private messaging or nominating for Secret Santa.

I thought it would be quicker than PMing and would draw less public attention than a 'like' button or saying it on the thread which people may be reluctant to do if the opinion is unpopular. People are only really brought to MNHQ's attention for negative reasons so I thought it would be nice if people could be brought to their attention for positive reasons too. Maybe it could be used to help decide whether or not a post is deleted if lots of people expressed 'thanks' for it but a few were reporting it negatively ( I don't know how MN decides this currently and I know I know TSSDNCOP :) ) but I also thought it might give them an idea of whether someone is persistently troublemaking (Reports) or if they are generally helpful (Thanks).

I agree with wigglesrock, the PM system works fine, I'd hate to see a 'like' button here and it would be open to abuse just as much as any other. I don't know that the Secret Santa thing highlights good/helpful posters because there may be some who don't need/want a thing and would feel oddly about receiving something when they weren't in need of it/an accolade.

Posting on the thread is a good idea, it should carry on that way - and it also might prevent a bandwagon jumper or two from pitching into battle when they're unnecessary - they can be hoist by a kind petard from a poster instead!

Think it's PRETTY unlikely that we will have a like button of any kind
But rest assured; the report button isn't just there for things that you think are dodgy/trolls/breaking guidelines.
It's for ANYTHING you think we at MNHQ ought to see

• Funny threads that should be discussion of the day
• Threads that may need moving and a bump 'cos they're in the wrong place
• Mention of Rob Lowe/The West Wing
• Typos made by MNHQ (obvs I nveer do this )
• Mentions of how OliviaMumsnet is the best
• Threads that have Mumsnet Classics potential

Usual MNHQ disclaimers apply, obvs.
Thanks y'all.

Mentions of Rob Lowe ?

Do you mean in a bleurgh way or an ooooooooooooooh way ?

I never ever thought of contacting HQ to say 'x poster has really helped me/is lovely'. I tend to either do it on thread or pm.

I think the Rob Lowe button is just for SparklingBrook.

Personally, I don't see the point in it.

Swedish

I did wonder. I expect Sparks will be along shortly with a pic.

HQ will be on red alert. Well, Olivia anyway.

.

That Rob, when he and I were young.

Happy slobber infested memory lane moment.

On Netflix right now