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New user? Old user? Lurker? We'd love your views.

(449 Posts)
LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 10-Jan-20 16:27:00

We're really happy to read threads like this and know that the site is hitting the mark with you. But we also know that for all of you who are regular posters, there are many more who, for whatever reason, haven't yet joined in on the discussions and we wondered what could be done to make the site more welcoming to newbies? If you are new (or can remember back to when you were) what barriers do you think users may come across that stop them from joining in the chat? And if you are a lurker (although we prefer to think of you as reader) if you're happy to post just this once to let us know what stops you usually, we'd really appreciate it. Any insight you can give us be most welcome and rewarded with a virtual bottle of wine grin
Thanks
GNHQ

Marydoll Sat 18-Jan-20 07:37:39

Visionsof, why don't you try introducing yourself on one of the gentler threads, like Good Morning, or SoopsKitchen ?, kindly people on there.

Harris27 Sat 18-Jan-20 08:48:53

I have re read some of these comments and find them useful will lurk and post if I feel I have something to say. Love gransnet though makes me feel less lonely.

TerryM Sat 18-Jan-20 10:48:39

As someone who also feels a tad invisible when posting perhaps making it obvious which of the sections are 'nice and welcoming' would help for new people .
I use my phone and I have no idea which forums are pleasant and less bickering
I do try to engage but I must be on the wrong forums smile
I have no idea which is the welcoming groups.
It would be nice to know when your nick is mentioned , therefore not invisible and of some value to this site

Bridgeit Sat 18-Jan-20 11:10:34

Paddyann is referring me, I apologise to her for any upset I caused her.none of us know what goes on in another’s life, ...I believed that at that time I had made a valid point, but without knowing someone well we cannot know the affect a comment may have. That goes for rich poor, famous etc.etc.
I cannot say more than that , I hope the olive branch is long enough & wish Paddyann happy posting with the many friends she has on Gransnet . best wishes .

Yiayia4 Sat 18-Jan-20 11:14:51

I really like Gransnet but don't think I will be posting very much anymore.
I have been posting on GM for a while as I thought it was a gentle and supportive thread,I have tried to add a kind word here and there for people in need.However I have been through hell this week and apart from a lovely pm have not had one kind word on this thread.Maybe I just don't fit in for some reason,anyway will stay on Gransnet but mostly as a reader.

Bridgeit Sat 18-Jan-20 11:23:24

Sending a virtual hug Yiayia4.
I think the virtual cafe thread is quite supportive, best wishes

Yiayia4 Sat 18-Jan-20 11:38:52

Thank you Bridgeit

Maggiemaybe Sat 18-Jan-20 11:49:21

Sorry, Yiayia4 but I can't see any earlier posts from you on this thread? Perhaps it's another thread where you've been overlooked?

In any case, I'm sorry to hear that you feel ignored, and that you've had a really bad week. I hope things are looking up for you now. flowers

Bridgeit Sat 18-Jan-20 11:50:14

?

lavenderzen Sat 18-Jan-20 11:50:16

Yiayia4 I am sorry to hear you are struggling flowers

Marydoll Sat 18-Jan-20 11:51:26

Yiayia4, I see you on the Good Morning thread most days and wasn't aware that you were experiencing sad times or struggling.
I must have missed that and for that I apologise.
I'm sure people aren't deliberately ignoring you, posters are usually quick to respond when someone needs support.
Please stick with it. flowers

Yiayia4 Sat 18-Jan-20 12:23:05

Thank you all ,I was feeling very stressed and worried.My DS was told he may have oral cancer.Thank god it turned out to be a cyst so so thankful.
I did post most of this on gm, I guess I’m feeling a bit sensitive after all the worry.

seacliff Sat 18-Jan-20 13:02:03

I am a very long term member with one change of name, due to possible embarrassment to one of my family.

I don't post much. Sometimes I try, and have had some good advice. But I feel ignored a lot of the time by many regulars. I will add a comment to a thread and they all carry on as though I hadn't said anything. I just accept it but not sure what I do wrong.

I know there are a lot of lurkers (for want of a better word). Once I posted about a personal problem and had loads of pms from people offering help or who understood. Not the regular names, just people like me. I think a lot are put off posting by the abrasive replies you are likely to get.

So I "lurk" most days. If I can help answer a question, I will, unless it's been answered fully already by loads of people. I keep off the political threads. I treat Gransnet as a good magazine to dip into. Extremely varied in subject. Some threads have me laughing out loud. I enjoy my daily read and would miss it if no longer here.

oldgimmer1 Sat 18-Jan-20 13:21:20

seacliff I get what you mean about feeling ignored.

I think it's a feature of online forums though, and nothing personal.

Some people have very large egos. wink

lemongrove Sat 18-Jan-20 15:32:19

I must admit that I don’t understand the ‘feeling ignored thing’ at all.How can your comment be ignored, thousands of people are reading it after all.
None of us, new or old posters can expect comments to us on every thread about what we post.However our comments are read, digested, and either (often) silently agreed with or silently disagreed with.
Nobody should leave the forum because other posters haven’t
Publicly acknowledged their comments.?

Greenfinch Sat 18-Jan-20 16:06:19

I agree with lemongrove. I do not expect a response. Sometimes I get one and sometimes I don't. No problem.

Maggiemaybe Sat 18-Jan-20 16:13:13

True enough, lemongrove. I don't often get a reaction to something I post, but I daresay somebody has read it. And I'm great at closing down threads (ie, nobody posts on the thread at all after my words of wisdom). So much so I think it's my super power. grin

I'm a bit of a stranger to pms as well. When people say they've had loads I always wonder why, as I get them once in a blue moon. Which I'm happy with, I hasten to add - if ever I see a notification that I've got one, I immediately wonder who I've upset!

sodapop Sat 18-Jan-20 16:18:34

Exactly the same for me Maggiemaybe I have the same super power and rarely get a p.m..
Perhaps we should start our own little club.smile

sodapop Sat 18-Jan-20 16:19:55

P.S. we have probably managed to close down this thread between us now grin

MerylStreep Sat 18-Jan-20 16:21:56

The only time I get an acknowledgement of a post is usually from 'one of my friends' ? on the political threads ?

Maggiemaybe Sat 18-Jan-20 16:22:00

I could be having the very last word right now... grin

Greeneyedgirl Sat 18-Jan-20 16:24:42

Oh no you haven't. grin

Gaunt47 Sat 18-Jan-20 16:42:09

I thought it was just me! Then I realised that because I had posted a message which was fair and honest and intelligent, there was no more to be said on the subject grin

sodapop Sat 18-Jan-20 16:57:58

Hadn't looked at it like that Gaunt47 of course you are right. grin

Yiayia4 Sat 18-Jan-20 17:21:42

Thats your opinion Lemongrove and that's fine.