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Original poster

Has Mumsnet ever considered a re-vamp?

82 replies

MsAmerica · 19/04/2021 01:46

Have the powers-that-be ever considered a major overhaul of the site? It has so much potential, but it has one of the most problematic set-ups of any chat forum I've ever encountered - in the table of contents, in the forums that exists (or don't), in the way messages are posted, etc.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 19/04/2021 19:08

@AlfonsoTheTerrible

I would like the option to quote part of a post, not just the whole post.
I just copy and paste the part and bold it.
DramaAlpaca · 19/04/2021 19:12

There's no need for an edit button - you can preview before you post.

A big, fat No to a Like button. It's a Chat forum - the whole purpose is to, you know, chat.

I like the simplicity of MN.

The only thing I would like changed is for zombie threads to be locked after a certain time.

WorraLiberty · 19/04/2021 19:12

Edit means people who talk bollocks can change it when they get pasted. Nope. I like that people who write nonsense can't change it.

No, with most edit functions you can click and see what was originally written.

Twenty2 · 19/04/2021 19:15

I exclusively use the iOS app, I find the website too chaotic. What would be really useful would be a preview on the app. I only ever notice typos when my post is loading to post 🙄

BertieBotts · 19/04/2021 19:16

They have revamped it at least twice since I've been here.

It works fine. I like the way it's not like other forums.

Quarantino · 19/04/2021 19:17

If you could edit to add a limited bit of text and not change what's there already, that would work. Stops 100 people asking "how old is your dc" etc if they've later answered it.

AlfonsoTheTerrible · 19/04/2021 19:21

I just copy and paste the part and bold it.

I do that, too, but it's a work-round whereas being able to quote part of a post would be preferable.

AuntieEmm · 19/04/2021 19:27

I'd love to be able to search by date, rather than see posts from 2015 and random order.
Also, please improve the android app so that you can zoom in on photos and links always work.

Sparklingbrook · 19/04/2021 19:27

I agree about the Zombie threads, either lock them or keep the warning up for a few more posts once it's been reactivated, especially if the poster reactivating was a troll/spammer and got deleted.

ShowOfHands · 19/04/2021 19:31

I've been here 17yrs and it has changed over time but remains simple. I like it how it is. No editing, no liking thank you very much.

I would like to be able to search and the results be in time order. Or an option for it.

Dollhousedoor · 19/04/2021 19:33

No edit button please, as others have highlighted people will go back and change their posts when they realise they are incorrect or not with the majority and other peoples replies added after will then be read out of context

lazylinguist · 19/04/2021 19:43

I agree with other posters - it's simple, clear and it works. Definitely nope to an edit button, and double nope to a like button.

CityCommuter · 19/04/2021 19:45

Mumsnet should change their forum name for a start as the name itself makes it sound old fashioned, frumpy and only just for Mums! If the name was more generic and inclusive then more people would join the forum and feel welcome...

I once recommended MN to a (male) friend who was having relationship issues and he said it sounds like it's just for women and Mums... who could blame him really?

In 2021 Mumsnet doesn't give out the inclusivity vibe despite having a great range of discussion topics to choose from. I think they let themselves down from the get-go when they really don't need to...

romdowa · 19/04/2021 19:47

I cant see all from op on the app , so that would be a great thing to add.

CityCommuter · 19/04/2021 19:48

Also, whoever designed the App and then deliberately left out the vote button needs to go back to the drawing board! Does anyone know what reason for this was? The whole point of the App is for quickness and ease of use... Who seriously wants to keep logging into the website on their phone?

CovidCorvid · 19/04/2021 19:49

I like the fact it’s female focused...what’s wrong with that? There’s other more sex inclusive forums, reddit, piston heads, singletrack, etc.

Plus the fact when a man does join if we realise they’re male they’re still welcome. There’s regular male members that I’m aware of and I’m sure in the anonymity of usernames there are other users who are also male.

I like the forum layout, it’s simple to use, simple to follow the threads.

MarshaBradyo · 19/04/2021 19:50

I like the format over other forums

LookItsMeAgain · 19/04/2021 19:52

You are clearly unaware of the backstory to Mumsnet Premium and the discussions that went on about that.
I believe that if there are enough willing participants MN will provide an upgraded site but you'll have to pay to access it, so this is what we have.
You want an edit function - you've got 6 seconds to edit your post after you click on "Post Message" and I think you have to pay for that functionality too.

Please correct me if I misinterpreted all of the hooha in the run up to MN Premium being rolled out.

Twenty2 · 19/04/2021 19:52

@romdowa

I cant see all from op on the app , so that would be a great thing to add.

Android or iOS? If iOS, there's a little symbol like a funnel in the top right corner; if you tap on it, it gives the option to see all OP's posts.

ChekhovsWorkshoppedShooter · 19/04/2021 19:54

I think an Edited to Add feature would be good. You can’t rewrite history but you can add, perhaps in a different colour with a time stamp
“When I said I was sharing a bed with my 25 year old DS I mean my sister not my son by the way”
“ “Not” was a typo for “Now””
“I’m in Scotland by the way”

I’d also like the option to sort search results by either date or subject or both.

And something to stop zombie thread revivification- maybe stop newbies from doing it?

There are lots of tiny incremental improvements which would be good, but no major overhauls I beg of you.

AlohaMolly · 19/04/2021 19:54

I don’t use the app, only the website and exclusively on my phone. I don’t have a problem with the format and would probably drop out of using it if it was messed about with too much. I can’t get to grips with Reddit, for example, and have no desire to as a result Grin I’ve been here since 2010 though.

LizzieMacQueen · 19/04/2021 19:59

I think the website could be reduced to just the Talk Forums. I mean do many people look at the other parts of the site?

Only criticism from me would be in the search. I always get results from ages ago.

saxamaphone · 19/04/2021 20:06

They just need to improve the search function IMO. It's completely useless!

Chosennone · 19/04/2021 20:14

Didn't we have a like button for a while? We definitely had a share button as Inouted myself by sharing something on fb 😬
I like how it adapted, slightly, over the years.

BertieBotts · 19/04/2021 22:40

Search does need fixing, it works OK but not great. I don't want them to break what does work, but what would be good for search IMO:

Quick link to search only the current section without having to scroll through the entire check box list on Advanced.

Sort search results by date rather than only having them sorted by section. (Note, you can specify a date field in the advanced search page, which I tend to do if I'm looking for recent threads)

Allow use of parameters such as AND OR NOT and quotes or automate this using different boxes.