Introducing AIBU voting

[TomMumsnet]

Hi all,

We're testing out a new feature on AIBU. From today, a few randomly selected Mumsnet users will be able to access a voting function on AIBU posts.

We're testing the vote function because in user feedback lots of you asked for a quick way to answer an AIBU post (essentially; YABU or YANBU).
The general thinking was that this would encourage more interaction - so we're trying it out from today, let's see how it goes.

It won't show on all AIBU posts but you should see it on a few - and importantly, the OP will be able to turn on (or off) the voting function themselves.

Hopefully you'll find it useful - and as ever, we'd love to hear your feedback - so please give it a try, and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Oh, and if you really aren't a fan then no problem, just head over to your Talk preferences and you'll be able to switch off (and back on) the voting feature.

Thanks
MNHQ

As long as you can choose not to add it to your own posts if you don't want a simple yes/no answer then I think it's a great idea.

I'd find it very useful for those posts which end up being dominated by two quite strong 'sides' or those where just 1-2 posters make comment after comment and it derails the group dynamic.

But I love the idea of a 3rd button as described above

TINAAIBU (this is not an AIBU)

The best thing those of us who don't think it's a good idea can do, is not use it.

💖 it!

It sounds like the exact opposite of interaction.

It does sound like a way of maximising quick views for MN though. Or the appearance of engagement/traffic for purposes of attracting advertising.

MN have you considered doing the same in Relationships?
A LTB button and a SUPU button (Shut up & put up).

It's a crap idea.
I swear there are a bunch of interns at MNHQ charged with coming up with ideas to dumb down this site. Like contestants on The Apprentice with Justine as Donald Trump.

Why not have a poll topic like we have AMA?

Just did it. I think it's great and really like the counter that tells you how the voting's going. Please keep it.

Just did it. I think it's great and really like the counter that tells you how the voting's going. Please keep it.

MNHQ Dumbing Down Interns - your work here is done.

We need a vote about the vote function. I vote no.

Will we be able to vote for getting rid of AIBU?

Will we be able to vote for getting rid of AIBU?

When someone with voting rights asks that question with the poll on.

Any volunteers?

While I agree it's a great idea. If it is only being rolled out for certain users and not everyone on that particular thread, surely this does not give an accurate % of views of the people on the thread. Just of the people you chose on the thread @TomMumsnet

That screen shot earlier says it all, how crass and ridiculous do those big buttons look

Poor show

Although that screen shot absolutely looks bad I don’t think much in that thread covers Mumsnet in glory. Some of the comments are totally clueless and unsympathetic to what is a terrible situation for everyone. There are so many topics / posts that end up in AIBU that are totally inappropriate for it. You then get a load of comments from people with no specialist knowledge or experience commenting with either dangerous or downright cruel advice. I used to report them but now I can’t see the point as threads never seem to get pulled even when the wrong advice is given consistently to posters or things have become downright cruel.

I’d much rather you focused on taking down some of the frankly horrendous, bullying threads on here rather than set up a poll. But if you are going to set it up then I like it.

I think it's a bad idea. It will decrease interaction, rather than increase it, and am perplexed that MN thought AIBU was in need of more interaction. It's surely the topic with the most interaction anyway, no? Perhaps with the exception of Chat.

“There are so many topics / posts that end up in AIBU that are totally inappropriate for it. You then get a load of comments from people with no specialist knowledge or experience commenting with either dangerous or downright cruel advice. “

Yup!

AIBU is the bilge water of MN.

You should add ‘ESH’ - everybody sucks here - like reddit

I just want to add that I found the voting really helpful when I posted the other day. A lot of the people who take time to comment are the ones who want to tell you YABU, and often the YANBU majority stay silent. I know I often do as it seems silly just to say YANBU and there are other posters who have articulated why YANBU effectively already etc.

I also think it's difficult to gauge from reading threads whether it's 50/50, 60/40, 70/30. When it's 90/10 it's really easy to see that it's very one sided, but otherwise it can genuinely be quite hard to tell where the exact balance is.

So thanks MNHQ.

I think you can definitely tell the balance just by reading the thread. But does it matter? Just post your opinion. In actual words.
I still don't see how it helps to have exact figures.
Does it mean that new posters to the thread can join the 'winning' side so to speak?

Against this for all the reasons already stated. Also it’s REALLY irritating to just see it when scrolling through. Please reconsider

I also think it's difficult to gauge from reading threads whether it's 50/50, 60/40, 70/30. When it's 90/10 it's really easy to see that it's very one sided, but otherwise it can genuinely be quite hard to tell where the exact balance is.

And it's still not possible to tell because some people will use words rather than clicking an inane button so you still have no idea what the true balance it.

People who hate it, remember that you can switch it off in your talk preferences. That way it's as if it was never there.

That rather misses the point of not introducing tools that can further damage people's mental health and lower the bar even lower than it is in terms of constructive discussion.

It appears to be clear though that MN aren't actually interested in our thoughts on this. Have they assessed the potential impact or is money everything?

I like it.

If you don’t like it go to preferences and turn it off or yabu.