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

Well, it appears I'm one of the randomly selected few who have the option to use this new feature.

It's wasted on me because I don't want it & won't use it.

@NewCrossBoy

This Site needs big changes and it’s the ‘old gaurd’ stopping them. They moan about everything

'Guard' for a start

What big changes do you want?

What big changes do you want?

I'm guessing an edit button.

If you vote on a thread then it would be useful if it appeared in 'threads I'm on' but it doesn't seem to.

This Site needs big changes and it’s the ‘old gaurd’ stopping them. They moan about everything

Not as much as the "newbies" moan about the Big Changes they think the site needs...

Well having tried it I love it (always wanted it though never asked). Can’t bear people not reading threads and posting the same opinions as the last god knows how many - if you don’t have something unique to add...
I also love the fact that it’s a way for shy lurkers to join in as well as being useful on those occasions when people are too busy to post.
I do think everyone ought to be able to try it out as part of the trial though.
Finally it’s the people who have trialled a voting thread whose opinion should be listen to the most - if it’s mostly helpful for, and appreciated by, those asking the AIBU question then it should stay as an option.

"What big changes do you want"

Advanced Search could work properly for a start.

Who are the 'old gaurd' ?

What big changes do you want

Advanced Search could work properly for a start.

That not a "big change" that's just wanting something that's broken fixed when MNHQ can't be arsed to fix it.

Re Advanced Search, this is a link to the thread that is on Site Stuff: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/3155720-Advanced-Search-Question

It was first started eighteen months ago and we have had many many promises of it being fixed during that time. It has all been very polite, in spite of the Tech Team's apparent inability or unwillingness to fix it or give it any sort of priority. So I think I can be forgiven for being a tad pissed off that they have found the time for this ridiculous voting system when there are other things that need to be fixed. Just taking a look at the threads on page one of Site Stuff show there are many other problems too.

I have to say that in its current incarnation, I'm not loving it or finding the vote button useful.
When you are first perusing threads, you can click on the Vote button, be brought to the original AIBU from the OP, and then vote. I see so many threads where the true nature of the request only comes out from discussion and responses to the OP and answers to the OP. At surface value, how valuable is the vote, really?
It seems gimmicky and as many have mentioned, probably will inhibit discussion. I don't need any more buttons to click!

I have this as an option. I'm not keen as often the answer is not clear cut.

Yes or No choices only is too black and white and simplistically polarising and in this day and age we don't need any more of that.

I'd only use the function if there is also a vote to say 'its more complex than that'. I know that it what comments are for, but I think it'll make AIBU more dumbed down.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3617867-Log-book-thief?msgid=87973656#87973656

Here is an example of a thread where a situation is a lot more complex than the silly YABU/YANBU buttons at the top of it.

On what basis is the decision made to add the voting button? Is it on a case by case basis, assessed by HQ or purely random?

I absolutely agree, @mathanxiety the thread you've linked to is shocking, the OP is in an abusive relationship and the voting button turns it into a fun game for a bit of entertainment. It trivialises the OPs situation imo

Well looking at the threads I've seen voting buttons on....it just doesn't make sense

On one half the people have voted YANBU, but the wording of the op made it difficult to tell whether it's her that is NBU or her dh.

It trivialises complex and sometimes worrying situations

It makes threads more combative

It distracts from discussion

I agree with pp who are querying the fact some important fixes are outstanding that need to be resolved. Where are the priorities set?

Here is an example of a thread where a situation is a lot more complex than the silly YABU/YANBU buttons at the top of it.

To be fair, that's because it isn't an AIBU at all.

On what basis is the decision made to add the voting button? Is it on a case by case basis, assessed by HQ or purely random?

The OP chooses if they want to enable voting or not when they start a thread.

I wonder what the reason is for only being allowed to see the results of the voting if you vote yourself. To make sure that people aren't influenced by the existing results?
Seems a bit silly if so - it's hardly a Mori poll or a scientific trial.
It feels much more like

images.app.goo.gl/Ac3oXQGqrCBUgRYF9

Polls on sites like twitter change after a dew days - they show the results only after you've voted for the first couple of days, then just show it after that.

And I'm sure I've seen ones where current result doesn't show by default, but you can click a button to look.

Both this emotions seem rather more useful if you want a 'whole community' sort of approach

Oh this is so cringe, MN.
Now I feel like I'm just being manipulated like some tool.
How gimmicky and awful.

Loving it! Hope it becomes a regular feature!

@TheVanguardSix how exactly are you being manipulated... for being given an option to vote on something in poll form as well as comment form?

Not sure how it manipulates people either, I mean you actively choose to add a poll or not, you don't have to.
As for the example math linked to, that's not really an AIBU - sounds like it's the relationship support board that should have been posted on instead.

I have given it a try, and it is OK, I still stand by what I said about the huge button and voting thingy being irritating and intrusive. It was interesting to be able to vote.

However, I have had enough of it now and have disabled it. The pages are full of enough crap as it is, and apart from an amusement I see no real use for it, no enhancement to the site really.

Maybe if the layout could be improved, but for now, it is a no from me.