I would like a reply to the "Reply" issue

[DappledThings]

Just thought I'd start another thread to get more attention on this again as there has been no answer as to whether it is even being looked at.

A few comments on MNHQ's recent thread about the new feature pointing out nobody asked for that but a lot of us have asked you to fix this.

To summarise: The button marked Reply does not do what it says. It adds a post, it does not do a reply. MN has no reply feature but, bizarrely, chooses to have a button that pretends it does. This leads to threads full of "replies" that have no context and are impossible to follow. Plus posts saying "sorry, not sure why my reply didn't work, I clicked reply"

Because the far more useful quote function is hidden under … and the useless reply/add message function is front and centre.

Why should users have to learn that there is a button called Reply that does nothing of the sort? Would it not be a slightly better experience if that wasn't completely inaccurately labelled?

I tend to think reply refers to reply to the original thread, but i guess you're right. It's just such a small thing to get worked up about is all I was saying really

It is indeed a small issue in the grand scheme of things but it becomes a more frustrating and much larger issue when the person who started the thread naturally thinks reply means to this specific post and you get thread upon thread that makes zero sense because the replies are incoherent.

It's also an issue which is so bloody easy to fix by MNHQ if they wanted to which makes it all the more frustrating.

But lots of people understandably think it means reply to the post, given that it is a button attached to the post rather than the thread.

So you get loads of threads (examples linked on this one) which are impossible to follow. So yes, that is frustrating.

Nobody is annoyed about because of any pointless etiquette issue but because it makes threads incomprehensible. It is actively causing difficulties.

It does cause a lot of comprehension problems, that's for sure.

Yes there's a lot of that on the forum. Not reading the OP properly or failing to read updates.
It has to be made easier I suppose.

The most annoying thing is the OP answering people's posts seemingly out of synchronisation.

They clearly think they're replying to particular people but their posts make the thread incomprehensible

Can we have an update on this?

It’s completely reasonable for posters to think ‘Reply’ means reply to a specific post. But then their answers often make no sense out of context. This is not good UX.

How big a job would it be to simply move Quote into the list of visible options and hide Reply in the three dot menu (if you even need to keep Reply)?

Especially seeing as "quote" was on the visible menu until a few weeks ago and got moved for no apparent reason with zero consultation with the actual users!!

So many threads where a poster thinks they are replying to particular posts and obviously everyone ends up confused. It’s madness.

Yes and then they realise and say a variation of "oh sorry I clicked reply but it didn't quote the post" 🙄

Came on to report this. Come on @mumsnet sort it out. EVERY single thread is full of non sequiturs as the OP and others fail to realise that they need to click on the dots to find the “quote” option. It’s beyond irritating and clearly lots of intelligent people can’t work it out.

See - I can use the quote function but I’m in a minority. What’s the update as that was a while ago. Presumably you read the threads and can see that it’s a continuing and pervasive issue. And that it didn’t use to be?

Yes i commented upthread but will backtrack as I'm seeing how often this happens when it didn't before.

MNHQ:

Once you notice, you start to see it everywhere. It really is incredibly irritating, and makes it difficult to follow the thread.

Unfortunately I suspect MNHQ are going to keep pushing the issue down the road in the hopes that people start to give up asking for solutions.

I don't get why it's not just a simple fix though?! Why wouldn't you want the site to actually function properly? Makes no sense to me.

@MNHQ is this really such a complicated issue? I'm a programming dunce but I've picked up enough about coding from DH to believe that this wouldn't be particularly tricky to achieve. Is there a reason you won't consider it?

As a very quick temporary fix, could just removed the reply function so posters can go looking for alternative options.
I don't use fb which has the reply function, which is probably why I didn't expect reply to apply (!) to anything other than the original post.

What's the point of "Save"?

If it were me I'd have

1. Like/other reactions (as on Facebook/Whatsapp/LinkedIn) - saves a dozen messages saying you agree

1. Quote

1. Reply

1. Bookmark

I don't see the need for Save, a Reply button that doesn't work and sending someone thanks privately. If they make a good point, everyone should know. It might also prevent 154 posters then saying the same thing afterwards, if they can see a well-liked post.

Report could be put in the dots as you would hope that is used less frequently.

Standard response.

At least they’ve stopped blaming ‘Tech’ as if all they can afford is a part time harassed software developer working in a shed.

Maybe that's the problem. They can afford more, but have decided that the harassed shed-dweller is the best bet?! 🤔🤷‍♀️

This thread is a good example.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4957531-a-friends-request

No idea who the OP is replying to.

Here is the issue perfectly encapsulated. OP had "replied" multiple times. Another poster explained they weren't actually replying and, understandably, the OP didn't understand why.

I still haven't seen any response from anyone at HQ that they even understand why it is a problem despite the many examples. @LilyMumsnet @HebeMumsnet any update?