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MNHQ

UPDATE FROM MNHQ - New OP view

211 replies

LilyMumsnet · 02/11/2023 10:34

Hi all,

We're currently testing a new topic page layout called ‘OP view’. You may have noticed it already if you've been on the Gardening topic page in the last month. The aim is to make it easier for users to understand what a thread is about.

Today, we're making ’OP view’ available on Property/DIY, Telly Addicts, The Doghouse, Food/Recipes, Housekeeping and Home decoration. This change will only be on mobile and desktop, OP view is currently not available in the apps.

From initial feedback, you told us that you'd like to be able to switch between OP and classic view. You'll still be able to do this by using the icon on the page, but now you can also choose a default view in your Talk settings.

We appreciate your feedback so feel free to add it to this thread.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 02/11/2023 20:15

It's very reminiscent of using my Windows XP PC, firing up Freeserve and going on AOL. Just without the speed, ease of use or being able to scan quickly through the posts to see one I might be interested in reading.

MardiBras · 02/11/2023 22:34

Dreadful
I came straight to Site Stuff from Telly Addicts assuming there was a fault. I was trying to quickly scroll through to find a specific thread. I gave up. I hope it’s not a permanent feature.

ilovesushi · 02/11/2023 23:25

Not a fan. If people write a title with enough info in it, you have all you need. This requires more scrolling and more reading before you find something you want to read/ engage with.

EarringsandLipstick · 02/11/2023 23:37

LilyMumsnet · 02/11/2023 13:00

We've set the threads to open in a new tab because we know that users like to have control over the threads displayed on a topic homepage. That is, we know users like to click on a thread, read the thread and then press back on their browser to find an unchanged list of threads on the topic homepage - ie the list will not have updated with the most recently updated threads, until the user refreshes the page.

Whilst we're able to keep the topic homepage static on the classic view when the user presses "back" on their browser, it's A LOT more complex to do this on the new "OP view" because of the way the page is built. Therefore, we decided to make threads open in a new tab to get round this issue. We know it's not ideal for everyone - but it does mean that the original topic homepage list of threads stays static until the user is ready to refresh it.

We are looking into other solutions to solve this problem though. The feedback is very helpful, thank you.

It's baffling to continually read how MN walk themselves into problems which they then have to cumbersomely fix.

I don't know if posters have an issue with the thread list refreshing - it's not something I've seen raised - but imagine creating a superficial feature like 'OP view' and then deciding new tabs were needed as a workaround to the display issue. It's crackers.

Does no-one ever do a proper project plan in MNHQ? And the endless blaming on the problematic platform ...

Floralnomad · 03/11/2023 01:26

I’ve just come across this on The Doghouse and it’s awful , I also cannot see the point , it takes a matter of seconds to click on a thread and read the OP . I would be happy to see this removed very quickly .

HappiestSleeping · 03/11/2023 05:53

Flev · 02/11/2023 10:41

Sorry, but that's horrible on a mobile, it's overwhelming and I can't easily scroll down to find threads I like.

This 👆

BettyPhuckzer · 03/11/2023 06:00

EarringsandLipstick · 02/11/2023 23:37

It's baffling to continually read how MN walk themselves into problems which they then have to cumbersomely fix.

I don't know if posters have an issue with the thread list refreshing - it's not something I've seen raised - but imagine creating a superficial feature like 'OP view' and then deciding new tabs were needed as a workaround to the display issue. It's crackers.

Does no-one ever do a proper project plan in MNHQ? And the endless blaming on the problematic platform ...

Show quote history

And nothing , absolutely nothing , works on the android app anyway

😱😱

Whinge · 03/11/2023 06:56

It's baffling to continually read how MN walk themselves into problems which they then have to cumbersomely fix.

I agree it's baffling. They introduce new features that no-one wants and which never seem to have any testing prior to being implemened. Then they spend months / years tweaking them until they eventually give up and move onto another feature users have never asked for.

MN users are very clear about what they like about the site. The majority dislike change, and would like exisiting features to actually work before pointless new additions are added.

Clawdy · 03/11/2023 07:59

I really don't like it. Takes much longer to scroll through the lists.

TeenDivided · 03/11/2023 08:09

It's baffling to continually read how MN walk themselves into problems which they then have to cumbersomely fix.

I'd love to know what % still have 'similar threads' shown, and what proportion of those actually realise you can turn them off.

Software developers sometimes like to do things for the challenge / because they are interesting to code. The art of management is to only let them do the things that will be useful / wanted by the customer.

Ifailed · 03/11/2023 08:17

Software developers sometimes like to do things for the challenge / because they are interesting to code. The art of management is to only let them do the things that will be useful / wanted by the customer.

No, the Art is tell them to stop fiddling with something which is working.

Twiglets1 · 03/11/2023 08:18

I’ve worked out how to turn it back to normal view but annoying ever time I leave Mumsnet & come back to it, the view has reverted to this new one.

TeenDivided · 03/11/2023 08:21

Twiglets1 · 03/11/2023 08:18

I’ve worked out how to turn it back to normal view but annoying ever time I leave Mumsnet & come back to it, the view has reverted to this new one.

If you go to your talk settings you should be able to change it permanently.

Twiglets1 · 03/11/2023 08:30

TeenDivided · 03/11/2023 08:21

If you go to your talk settings you should be able to change it permanently.

Show quote history

Thank you - I’ll try that

HauntedGusset · 03/11/2023 08:32

Any news on the "reply" button @LilyMumsnet ? Because I would say that's really important, unlike this ridiculous cluttered view thing! Posters use "reply" thinking that it posts a direct reply to a specific post, but it doesn't, and it makes threads a bit hard to follow. It needs to be replaced with the "quote" button for it to work the way posters are trying to use it.

HappiestSleeping · 03/11/2023 08:49

Ifailed · 03/11/2023 08:17

Software developers sometimes like to do things for the challenge / because they are interesting to code. The art of management is to only let them do the things that will be useful / wanted by the customer.

No, the Art is tell them to stop fiddling with something which is working.

This 👆

Although to be fair, this is what happens when there is no product manager in place. If there was, there would probably be better consultation prior to changes being implemented.

@Whinge this is testing of a sort, although there are much better ways of undertaking it than to make a change without making it obvious that it is a test and showing the alternative options.

DappledThings · 03/11/2023 08:53

HauntedGusset · 03/11/2023 08:32

Any news on the "reply" button @LilyMumsnet ? Because I would say that's really important, unlike this ridiculous cluttered view thing! Posters use "reply" thinking that it posts a direct reply to a specific post, but it doesn't, and it makes threads a bit hard to follow. It needs to be replaced with the "quote" button for it to work the way posters are trying to use it.

Yep. I've been on at least 3 separate threads specifically about this and there's no response.

YourNameGoesHere · 03/11/2023 08:58

HauntedGusset · 03/11/2023 08:32

Any news on the "reply" button @LilyMumsnet ? Because I would say that's really important, unlike this ridiculous cluttered view thing! Posters use "reply" thinking that it posts a direct reply to a specific post, but it doesn't, and it makes threads a bit hard to follow. It needs to be replaced with the "quote" button for it to work the way posters are trying to use it.

Just adding my voice to yet another thread asking about this issue. I must be on double digits now on how many thread's this had been raised.

Honestly this new feature is absolute crap and totally bloody pointless. The reply button issue however is a very major flaw that they have been supposedly looking into for months now (although we all know we will discuss this is code for we hope you all stop asking).

DappledThings · 03/11/2023 09:08

I've just started another thread in Site Stuff to raise the "Reply" issue yet again

Dumbocracy · 03/11/2023 09:21

I agree it's baffling. They introduce new features that no-one wants and which never seem to have any testing prior to being implemened. Then they spend months / years tweaking them until they eventually give up and move onto another feature users have never asked for.

Perhaps all the PITA advertising that is being forced upon us is to pay for the people doing this important unnecessary work.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 03/11/2023 09:51

I just don't get it. The quote feature is useful. It is much used. So MN have now moved it to a place* where a great many users can't see it any more so assume it's not possible or it's been removed. Meanwhile, they have a totally useless button (Reply/Add Message) in a very prominent position. Clicking on this simply takes you to the Add your message here box, but because it's got that label on it some users think it will work like the quote feature, or otherwise show a link to the specific post they're replying to - it won't. This causes confusion. Dozens of users have pointed this out to MN. Response: zilch.

*look at the top right of the post and click on the three little dots, if anyone was wondering

YourNameGoesHere · 03/11/2023 09:55

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 03/11/2023 09:51

I just don't get it. The quote feature is useful. It is much used. So MN have now moved it to a place* where a great many users can't see it any more so assume it's not possible or it's been removed. Meanwhile, they have a totally useless button (Reply/Add Message) in a very prominent position. Clicking on this simply takes you to the Add your message here box, but because it's got that label on it some users think it will work like the quote feature, or otherwise show a link to the specific post they're replying to - it won't. This causes confusion. Dozens of users have pointed this out to MN. Response: zilch.

*look at the top right of the post and click on the three little dots, if anyone was wondering

There doesn't seem to be much logic behind what MN implement. This new feature is proof of that. It seems sometimes that they are almost deliberately making the site less user friendly with each update or change.

HyggeTygge · 03/11/2023 13:32

Another one here who gets pissed off daily by the Reply issue and people (understandably) thinking it's "quote". Ffs!

Legomania · 03/11/2023 13:44

My assumption is that MN are trying to increase page dwell time with the op view change, which is an important metric for user engagement and hence ad revenue.

I would guess that the quote thing is something similar

BertieBotts · 03/11/2023 15:08

Legomania · 03/11/2023 13:44

My assumption is that MN are trying to increase page dwell time with the op view change, which is an important metric for user engagement and hence ad revenue.

I would guess that the quote thing is something similar

That makes sense for the OP view, much as I dislike it.

I don't follow how the quote/reply would make a difference here? Can you explain?