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

It's ridiculous. Makes AIBU into a spectacle - something for entertainment.

Real life isn't bloody X-Factor.

I don't like it visually. That vote button is intrusive and ugly in the threads list.

Seems a pretty pointless addition IMHO.

My bet is that anyone who sees the vote button is likely to look for threads which have it, and read them first. They do stick out rather.

It's ridiculous. Makes AIBU into a spectacle - something for entertainment.

Real life isn't bloody X-Factor.

Absolutely.

It's being used for tedious non-questions, and questions that don't have straightforward answers.

Even when it's used correctly, I feel like having the vote button before the discussion means I give a gut reaction rather than thinking it through.

Better things to invest in than a button!

Boring as fuck. Thanks for dumbing down the conversation.

I'm making a point of not reading the threads with a button on them - except one I looked at just now, because I thought from the title it might be a vote for or against the voting button, but it wasn't.

The AIBU threads are ridiculous enough already without making them more so. They are one sided.

Now, do I
[poll]

• like
• hate

[/poll]

That is the question‽

LoL, oops, that didn't work.

I have the button and I love it! It hasn’t stopped interaction on the posts and it’s a great way for the OP to get a clear message alongside the explanatory comments. I really hope you keep it!

It's quite interesting but not as interesting as the discussion itself. I quite like seeing what "most" people think though.
I do agree that some questions can't be answered quite so simply, but lots can.

I do keep expecting some sort of "winner" announcement or something to "happen" with all the voting though. Like "the most reasonable/ unreasonable member of the day" award Maybe they could win a prize, that might make it worthwhile!

It’s about the most boring thing you could think of.
Did you do an ideas raffle and the 15 year old work experience win ?

God, there's some moaners, if you don't like, don't enable the feature for yourself, you don't have to, it's not the law. Or scroll by the ones that say vote.

I have seen about 2 with voting on. Where are they all?

They asked opinions. They could have just done it and not asked opinions! And I would have done exactly what you say @LimeKiwi

Has anyone else found AIBU pages really slow to load since this was introduced? To the point my browser (Chrome) gives a pop-up asking if I want to continue waiting for the page or kill it?

I like the new feature, but not at this cost!

@Sparklingbrook

here's mine At last count 1473 had voted, 91% said I was BU. Obviously only 9% voted correctly

I have just casted my vote Hampton, YABVU.

Now we need a like button too. I long for a like button.

I long for a properly functioning Advanced Search.

^I have just casted my voteHampton, YABVU

It was an interesting exercise though because 1543 (or thereabouts) voted but only 258 commented. Do you think that ticks the box for increasing participation (or whatever it is MNHQ is trying to achieve?) And throughout the evening the 91% to 9% has remained the same.

Did people vote on the title or the OP or RTFT?

It also didn't prevent the repetitive nature of the thread though - same comments again and again.

And you can vote more than once on different devices.

Agreed soupdragon,advanced search desperately needs fixing,I wonder if not many use it since the site has grown ,so it's not a top priority?
It's one thing that's been asked for repeatedly.

I long for a properly functioning Advanced Search.
Me too!

Just came across it for the first time. Don't like it.