Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

Original poster

Question for Mumsnet

11 replies

Lonelymum · 24/11/2004 10:32

Is there any way of knowing who else is logged on to Mumsnet at the same time as you? At the moment, I feel like I am walking into a room blind when I log on. It might be nice just to know how many people are logged on if we couldn't know their names.
Sorry, I am a bit of a computer novice so maybe I just have to get used to the blind feeling.

OP posts:
zephyrcat · 24/11/2004 10:36

I agree with you lonleymum - another site i use has a bit at the bottom that shows everyone who is currently looged on - makes a huge difference! Can we have one?

Twiglett · 24/11/2004 10:39

We talked about this before (I kind of like the idea if you can choose whether not to be seen) but the consensus of opinion seemed to be NO cos it was a bit creepy

spacemonkey · 24/11/2004 10:40

As twig says, this was suggested a while back and most people were against the idea. One of the joys of mumsnet is the ability to lurk.

zephyrcat · 24/11/2004 10:47

oh yeah - agreed that you have to be able to choose whether you are invisible or not - but at the same time on the other site I've seen it on you dont approach 'lurkers' or people unless you know them so to speak

coppertop · 24/11/2004 10:51

There are so many mumsnetters using the Talk section that I don't know how practical it would be to try to list everyone's names at the bottom when they were logged on. I think someone said there are 20,000 people registered with Mumsnet now. Even if only a quarter of them use Talk that's still a lot of people.

Original poster
Lonelymum · 24/11/2004 12:03

Fair enough. I only asked because sometimes it would be nice to know how many people are "there" so you know whether to expect an instant response or not. It is a bit disconcerting to bear your soul and then have no-one reply for ages and you feel no-one cares about what you have posted. Then, a few hours later, loads of replies come in and you realize people do care, they just weren't around to begin with.

I suppose you can tell how active Mumsnet is at any given time by checking to see how recent the responses are on Active Conversations, and how quickly that changes. Do other people do that?

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 24/11/2004 12:08

"We talked about this before (I kind of like the idea if you can choose whether not to be seen) but the consensus of opinion seemed to be NO cos it was a bit creepy"

I think Lurking is a bit creepy tbh!

nasa · 24/11/2004 12:18

in answer to your last question LM, Yes, checking active conversations is the easiest way to tell how busy site is

nightowl · 25/11/2004 03:37

i like the thought of seeing how many members are here but not the names...i for one do like to lurk for a while before i post. then again...im always on at stupid times of night so its easier for me anyway, i dont expect a quick response!!

WideWebWitch · 25/11/2004 08:02

Another vote for no, it's creepy. Why does anyone need to know fgs?

tigermoth · 25/11/2004 08:16

I like to feel amonymous. When I am pushed for time, I read, and don't write messages till later.

And what about messages that don't get a quick response? Say I had poured my heart out in a message and felt really down and in need of feedback, I'd feel even worse if I knew there were dozens of peopoe reading mumsnet but not one who wanted to respond to me.

Aslo, when threads get heated, knowing the people concerned were hovering around the boards could fan the flames even more.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page