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

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

Isn't it just, ironically not too dissimilar to those who post on AIBU and only reply to the minority who agree with them.

I saw no consultation regarding the new voting option and have only periodically heard people suggest it as an idea over the year I've been lurking/posting on this forum. An edit post function would have made much more sense and people have been asking for that for years.

It looks like an advert. I initially scrolled past for this reason as i automatically do with adverts, then when I scrolled back I still wasn’t sure it wasn’t one and didn’t want to click incase it took me to some other website.

Oooh I like it.

I'm not sure it will encourage interaction though, it'll just give some idea of how many people are lurking on the thread, surely?

Oh no, that's an awful idea, those who can't be bothered or aren't able to construct a post can lay into someone and kick them when they might be down.

There are very, very few AIBU questions that can be properly answered by a simple yes or now, way to dumb down

Dumbing down! That's the phrase that sums up what I think of it.

The test thread started by a PP is a prime example of what it will do to the boards - over 300 votes but only 50-something comments.

It's Mumsnet Am I being unreasonable. A bit of entertainment on the internet. I don't really get the talk of 'dumbing down', it it's never been the place for intellectual discussion which is why I like it.

The general thinking was that this would encourage more interaction

How can something that discourages discussion encourage more interaction??

Why not add the vote button to this thread?

The test thread started by a PP is a prime example of what it will do to the boards - over 300 votes but only 50-something comments.

Yep anyone who expected it to increase discussion on the boards was clearly not engaging any braincells in their thought process.

It was blatantly obvious to everyone that this would happen.

Ooh exciting

MN will lose the comedy value of 999 people saying 'cancel the cheque'

MN will lose the comedy value of 999 people saying 'cancel the cheque'

Instead we'll have 999 people repeating "Can the people down voting voting YABU please explain why!"

Doesn't work on the app, using an iPhone

paxillin
Why not add the vote button to this thread?

According to the OP: From today, a few randomly selected Mumsnet users will be able to access a voting function on AIBU posts I assume MNHQ weren't randomly selected

What is the point of this? What is there to like? I'm genuinely as to what enjoyment anyone will out of reading a thread and seeing that 402 people have ticked one box and 358 have ticked another.

Jesus so many posters here don't bother to read the OPs posts half the time and post pointless knee jerk reactions which are no longer valid already. Now they can do it by clicking a button. How exciting ...

Can't see it on iPhone app.

Just voted on a thread. All I needed to say really, so great idea. Thumbs up from me.

I'm just happy to have discovered I can turn it off.

Just voted on a thread.

Oh I feel terribly jealous now!

Brilliant, love it.

The test thread started by a PP is a prime example of what it will do to the boards - over 300 votes but only 50-something comments.

Hmmm I think it's too soon to say. Users forget that there are potentially millions of lurkers on the boards. You have no way of knowing whether the 300 people who voted would have ever left a comment. They might be the lurkers we forget about!

To be honest I tend to go on and on and share my opinion even if it's not wanted. So I'll likely vote and explain why I voted.

I think there will always be those who complain.

Annoying that it doesn't work on the iPhone app. Either make it work on all major platforms or not at all.

I love it!!

Shame they're not ditching AIBU altogether instead of 'enhancing' it.