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

I would prefer the ability to like individual posts on a thread

AIBU to start a vote for an Edit function?

I think it's likely to attract ridiculous troll posts competing for the most YANBUs.

I'm pretty sure that exact line is in MN's annual report under 'targets'.

isn't that just a "like" system though?

Great idea

I think it's likely to attract ridiculous troll posts competing for the most YANBUs.

I absolutely agree. I’m already getting so bored of attention seekers exaggerating or just plain making up ‘woe is me’ stories for a sense of vindication. No need to encourage them with ‘like farming’, this isn’t Facebook.

why would you introduce an arbitrary voting system on one board over an edit post system that has been requested for many years?

surely we can have a trial of post editing? And you can lock it down so users can only edit posts once they've been a member for a certain amount of time?

also, could you not use this thread as an example of what it will look like/how it will work?

Otherwise I might never find something to vote on...

and is it a vote on each post? or just the OP?

What about all the people who never bother to RTFT? You know, the Cancel The Cheque types.... surely they'll just downvote?

Hi @mabelsgarden,

Glad you are excited to use it.

It currently enabled to about 20% of members (randomly selected).

If you have the feature available then you'll see 'Enable Aibu voting?' as an option when creating the post.

Hope you manage to use it and please let us know if you have any problems.

MNHQ

Interesting. I always thought it would discourage interaction tbh. People will vote rather than engage and discuss.

I think people who like a debate and to post will continue to do so. Lurkers might actually start to interact though so an OP might get a more well rounded opinion rather than just the "mumsnet world" opinion. Many people feel too intimidated to post.

I'm not sure if that would work well in situations where the OP posts a vague situation or misses out significant pieces of information or does a massive drip feed later if the thread (or with the poll, results) aren't going there way.
There is no way of saying what is the consensus given the changing information available.

It also seems like journo-fodder for headlines like '347 mumsnetters think that a man not folding socks correctly is emotionally abusive'.

Great idea. I’d love a like button as well tbh This site needs changes

Is it too late to vote against this?

Lovely to see how MNHQ have decided to praise a poster who likes the idea, and ignore all those who don't.

This is a 'like' function by another name.

MNHQ have actually polled users before, and it has been roundly rejected every time.

Has there actually been that large-scale consultation this time round? And if not, why not? Given the history of the issue.

LOVING IT!!

I agree about editing. Why not have a short window before it's locked down - say, 60 seconds and/or a message added to any edited posts to say they have been edited? Enough to let you get rid of that embarrassing typo or auto-correct, but not long enough to go back and completely change what you say or add a vital drip-feed after 739 Mnetters have said you're being U?

Gutted I don't have this! I want to try it. Whoever said about Digital Spy, it wasn't just the voting system that put people off. The white background made the whole forum
unreadable! That's when I came here and I loved DS.

Voting? On AIBU? Criminy.

I think it's a really good idea, sometimes I cba to comment on a thread or would just be repeating what someone else has already said.
Also a vote/poll type thing that an op can create themselves for baby names, outfits and such could be useful ?

Ooooh, I've got it. Now all I need is an AIBU to post ...

Had anyone used this yet? Is there a thread running where we can see this?

There must be one given another poster has claimed they are loving it.

I've not seen any - I'm hoping it's another thing limited to "MN new" and not visible on Classic.

Good point soup! What thread you loving Frangipani?

Okay, I'll go make a thread ....