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MNHQ

Introducing AIBU voting

411 replies

TomMumsnet · 17/06/2019 13:25

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

OP posts:
IceRebel · 19/06/2019 07:54

It appears to be clear though that MN aren't actually interested in our thoughts on this.

Indeed OYBBK The silence from them is deafening.

EggysMom · 19/06/2019 07:58

Once again for emphasis:

(1) The OP of a thread in AIBU has to actively select the option to have voting buttons. They will not appear by default on all AIBU threads.

(2) If you don't like seeing the voting buttons and result being visible, you can switch this off in your Talk Preferences.

LimeKiwi · 19/06/2019 07:58

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

Same Smile

TheoriginalLEM · 19/06/2019 08:42

"It appears to be clear though that MN aren't actually interested in our thoughts on this."

Maybe they should put a vote button on this thread?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 19/06/2019 09:02

No, please don't put a vote on this thread. Putting concerns about the impact of an action on mental health to a vote is crass.

To those saying that we simply don't have to use the option if we don't like it. It's not a case of 'not liking it' it's a case of us being concerned about the impact on both vulnerable individuals and the wider site.

SilverySurfer · 19/06/2019 09:09

Once again for emphasis:

(1) The Tech Team should fix what's broken before working on new toys.

(2) The vote buttons will decrease not increase interaction.

LimeKiwi · 19/06/2019 09:13

See, I don't think it will necessarily decrease interaction.
I mean, the people who like to comment still will, and people who want to interact but don't feel up to any oncoming onslaught their comment might or might not attract still can by pressing the Yay or Nay button.
Win win?

buckeejit · 19/06/2019 09:29

I like it! Will have to look for threads to vote!

U2HasTheEdge · 19/06/2019 11:21

It looks ugly. It's way too big.

I don't see the point of it at all. You will end up with even more people posting threads that don't belong in AIBU.

Just clicked on a thread asking about a sick child with terminal cancer and what is right under the OP - the big clicky AIBU, yes or no? Could that be any more crass?

The OP would have enabled the voting for that thread. I agree with you that it looks crass though.

MNHQ you could have made the search function more useable, trialed a timed edit button and a quote button. Or fixed the many faults MN has.

There has been no great request for this feature has there?

Waspnest · 19/06/2019 12:55

Oh I wondered what that vote symbol thing was on threads (thought it was a new emoji actually).

I don't mind the idea of this in principle (since the OP has the choice of whether or not to enable it) - loads of times I've seen AIBU threads where I've thought arseholes people were being unfairly harsh to the OP and thought I can't really be arsed interacting with these posters but then if someone were metaphorically weighing up the YABUs and the YANBU I would at least be adding my support to the OPs side.

Maybe MNHQ think it will increase interaction on other boards which I think would be brilliant. I think it's sad that so many people are posting in AIBU 'for traffic' because we all know that they will attract the nutters/trolls/well-meaning people with no actual specialist knowledge, maybe this will encourage people to use other boards.

Maybe MNHQ are actually trying to address the fact that AIBU is often a nasty, unsupportive place that reflects really badly on the whole site (given the chance to vote about AIBU I'd vote get rid).

Crunchymum · 19/06/2019 13:11

So what's happened? Cannot see a thread with a vote button on the first page?

Waspnest · 19/06/2019 13:16

I think it's only being trialled with a random 20% of MN members (hopefully ones who are more observant then me!) and it relies on OPs choosing to use it so it's quite possible you won't notice anything.

RomanyQueen · 19/06/2019 13:27

I've done them all that are there now.
It's surprising how many people have read and voted v those that have commented.

MarshaBradyo · 19/06/2019 13:29

Is it loads more voting?

SoupDragon · 19/06/2019 13:34

It's surprising how many people have read and voted v those that have commented.

Well, you don't know that they've read it.

DontCallMeShitley · 19/06/2019 13:42

I don't think it is something I will be using very often. I tried it out, but currently find it a bit 'meh' and have discovered that clicking on it to get rid of it doesn't remove it completely. The thing takes up a lot of space and the button is much too big also. In short it is irritating, and added to the endless stream of rubbish ads and flashing crap it is just another annoyance.

I won't hide it just yet, in case there are modifications but agree that there are other issues that need attention before adding silly buttons to the site.

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 19/06/2019 15:54

Seems to me that when it is selective (some people have it, some don't) it isn't a fair test of anything much.

It also seems to me that any vote is certain to be skewed if some people are able to turn off their ability to vote and therefore never do.

I voted on four threads yesterday, out of curiosity. When I looked at the same threads just now, after signing out and then back in, I seemed to be able to vote again; or at least, I couldn't see how I had voted last time, nor see how many had voted each way, until I had clicked to cast a vote.

cabingirl · 19/06/2019 18:50

I don't mind the idea of this in principle (since the OP has the choice of whether or not to enable it) - loads of times I've seen AIBU threads where I've thought arseholes people were being unfairly harsh to the OP and thought I can't really be arsed interacting with these posters but then if someone were metaphorically weighing up the YABUs and the YANBU I would at least be adding my support to the OPs side.

This is why I like it. Sometimes there are a vocal minority of posters who flood the thread with their view and it doesn't give a good picture of how people feel overall.

You don't have to use it or even see it if you don't like it though so I'm not sure why everyone is moaning about it.

LiliesAndChocolate · 19/06/2019 19:28

I saw it in a discussion.
It is huge and I ignored it thinking it was an ad. IT looks awful. I wouldn't use it.
Maybe I am old prefer interactions that are longer than 2 seconds.

Where is the fun? What makes AIBU great are the delirious answers and suggestions.

So a NO from me.

Introducing AIBU voting
RomanyQueen · 19/06/2019 19:47

ooh, I didn't try logging out and in again to see if you can vote twice. I don't think I'd remember my password, so not going to.

hazell42 · 19/06/2019 19:52

Hate it

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 19/06/2019 20:06

I log out at the end of every session, RomanyQueen, and shut everything down. It may or may not be more secure, but it leaves the desktop empty before I shut down the computer and feels tidier, and goodness knows I need some tidiness in my life! So I have to know my password.

MrsFogi · 19/06/2019 20:14

So far the issue is posters' inability to word the AIBU in a way that is clear enough to vote on Hmm. It does dumb down MN as other posters have said, on the other hand it avoids the AIBU threads becoming bogged down with responses stating simply YABU/YANBU.

I would like to see a third option (none of the above/spoilt vote) to deal with AIBUs that are badly worded/not AIBUs.

jessicawessica · 19/06/2019 23:05

I can't help feeling that MN is turning into a version of Ebay.
Starts out as a site for the people. ends up as a site against the people.

SoupDragon · 19/06/2019 23:06

You don't have to use it or even see it if you don't like it though so I'm not sure why everyone is moaning about it.

Maybe because they want to voice their opinion that it's a shit addition?