Impersonal

Cabbie21, I was just about to post the same as you did at 17:39:32.

Some threads can become very long, so that you don’t always have the time to read through the whole thread. Therefore if the OP’s further comments could be highlighted in either green (as in their original post, or, say, pink for example), it would be easy to scroll through and read all their updates, so reducing the risk of repetitive advice/comments from subsequent posters. They do this on Mumsnet, so fail to understand why they can’t (or won’t) do it on Gransnet.

Edit, agree and like buttons would also be helpful, as you say.

We’ve been asked by GNHQ or more than one occasion, for suggestions, and these same suggestions keep being raised, but nothing ever comes of it - so frustrating. Why bother asking for our opinions in the first place if there is never going to be any intention of listening to them and acting on them (where possible)?

Commonground

Cabbie21

It would help if an OP’s subsequent comments could appear in a different colour, easier to spot if they have come back to a thread with an update, and might prevent further advice being given.
I also get frustrated if some one writes “ I agree with( name) “ . I don’t always have time to go searching back through pages of a fast-moving thread to see what point they are agreeing with.
Edit and Agree or Like buttons, please!

I always access Gransnet on my phone, and all responses from the original poster are highlighted in green. It makes it much easier to follow. I, too, never respond without reading the thread.

Whether I read on my phone, tablet or PC, the OP's responses are NOT highlighted.

On my phone my own comments are always in pink, and the original poster in green

Sort of off topic, but not sure where to post, but I’m amazed at those who appear to trawl through old threads, then add to them, often up to 4 years later.
I’m wondering if there’s any way GNHQ could withdraw old threads after an agreed length of time?
In addition, without wishing to report a post, it’s a shame those ‘hoax’ problems, usually from the USA are kept running. A current one has multiple posts (me included, but early on) suggesting the thread is fake.

Yes Sara1954 my comments are pink and the OP’s green. The colours continue throughout the thread if and when the OP (or indeed I) adds to it.

Gransnet has changed enormously over the last few years and some posts are so long you can’t read them. Do think more people are reporting things they don’t agree with, so i just read on some subjects and don't comment. I have made friendships but never met in person..

I'm reading, eddiecat78

I can quite understand that few of us want to read each and every post. However, I do think it would be enormously helpful to have the same set up as Mumsnet. There you can read all of the OP's updates in one go without trawling through the whole thread. You also have the ability to "tag" another poster which very often encourages conversation or debate. Otherwise Gransnet just seems to be a place where posters say their piece regardless of other comments or updates from the OP which is a shame.

So, in essence, Gransnet HQ please can we have the same facilities as Mumsnet!

I read your post!!

A lot of the comments seem to be much more confrontational lately, but I think you can say that about a lot of forums. There have been several people I have become friendly with, while never actually meeting them, but they have sadly died. A small group of us meet up several times a year though and have become friends.

I'm reading, eddiecat! 👋
I'm like Sara1954, accessing GN on my phone, Samsung galaxy, OP posts in green, mine in pink. It does help.

On Tiley's topic, I would say, persevere! Find threads that suits you. Take your time, read a lot and don't feel you have to post. I read a lot but mainly post on Soop's Kitchen and some games threads. For example, I read News and Politics but rarely post there, not sure I'm robust enough for the fallout!

I found GN at the start of lockdown. It was a great distraction and eventually became part of my daily routine. Four years ago, I would not have believed that I would actually meet up with some lovely GN ladies, and keep in touch through regular local meet ups. Yes, I have met Grandmabatty and Marydoll IRL, they are wonderful ladies and great company, as are the many other interesting ladies who join our regular meet ups. I'm looking forward to seeing them all again, and some new members, in September.

So, tiley, don't give up yet!

It just takes one person to start a Meet Up thread and a bit of nagging persistence to organise.
The Glesca Grans like others who meet up, have a WhatsApp group, where we keep up to date. It is open to any Gransnetter, who wishes to join us.
My DH calls them, my Gransnet friends, which is what they are.

I’ve e

I’ve been a member for quite a few years and I have noticed that some people seem to be particularly popular.
I just enjoy reading the various threads and sometimes make a comment.
I used to post regularly on the Good Morning thread but when I stopped a few months ago nobody seemed to miss me. It didn’t bother me , that’s just the way it goes.

Oh ginny I missed you posting on the Good Morning thread. There have been other posters who have stopped posting too, who I also miss. Like Grannmarie, it has become part of my daily routine now.

I think the GM thread's dynamics have changed from when I first started posting many years ago.
There are quite a few posters, who are missing. I always enjoyed their posts.

Thanks Grandmabatty.
I still read the thread. Maybe I’ll post again sometime.

I learn a lot from GN, and enjoy the chat. Some posters I warm to, some I don't ( and I'm sure that they say the same about me!)
I'm not expecting to meet up and make friends but it might be a bonus.

I don’t know when I first joined, at least five years ago, maybe more.
I think the first time I posted, I had a couple of very harsh responses, but I slowly persevered, and quite enjoyed it.
Then after a while I noticed some real nastiness from some people, I decided I wouldn’t mix with people like that in the real world, so I left.
I rejoined about a year later, but I’m very selective about posting. Mainly I just enjoy TerriBulls book challenge.

Unfortunately, few nasty posters colour people's experience, where the majority are kind and friendly.

I have been surprised to receive PMS form kind posters, I don't know, when I been low.
The have lifted my spirits.

As I’m still working and otherwise live a busy life I limit my time on any forum to 10 mins initially and only return to a topic if it’s an interesting one.What I’ve gathered from this forum is that a lot of posters spend a considerable time on here and get very involved in threads, personalities, and perceived slights. Probably as it’s a forum designed for older people, a lot of whom are retired and may be feeling a lack of friends or family? A lot will have busy lives of course as the age on here seems to be 55-95 from what posters have said.
I would say don’t worry about if posters are reading your input or commenting on it, just write what you think on any given subject.

Chestnut

JaneJudge

It's difficult if you start a thread asking for advice, take on board that advice, post thanking for advice and clarifying your position and people still keep posting telling you how awful you are and a whole matter of fictitious scenarios

So true. And those threads can go on and on for pages with people making things up and repeating the same advice. That's why I think the OP should be able to end the discussion when they feel their thread has run its course and the question has been answered.

I didn’t actually join Gransnet to make friends, but to connect with people and exchange views, offer suggestions/advice/support sometimes to those going through difficult times, similar to my own past experiences. I find most gransnetters kind and caring, with the odd few quite insensitive.

Ziplok We’ve been asked by GNHQ or more than one occasion, for suggestions, and these same suggestions keep being raised, but nothing ever comes of it - so frustrating. Why bother asking for our opinions in the first place if there is never going to be any intention of listening to them and acting on them (where possible)?

I think the problem is a democratic one. Half the people want a few bells and whistles and the other half don't. So for example, every time a 'like' button is mentioned there are some who get really annoyed at the thought! Personally I think an 'agree' button would be more acceptable to all if a 'like' button causes so much anger.

I think the only way it can be resolved is to have a voting system so GN can count the boxes ticked for each thing.

I would also like the country of each poster to appear near their name. It would be really helpful towards understanding their post, and avoid confusion (which has happened).

Marydoll

I think the GM thread's dynamics have changed from when I first started posting many years ago.
There are quite a few posters, who are missing. I always enjoyed their posts.

The GM thread has changed immeasurably from the time Michael joined GN and suggested he start one.

In the early days it was very factual - good morning, a weather report from the poster's location and a brief over view of their upcoming day.

My memory can't cope with all the info now and I would hate to miss anyone out so I stick to the original format.

From that you may assume I have been here for ages and don't like change!

As this thread is about not getting replies and threads not being conversations, I'm surprised that people are using it to ask for 'like' and 'agree' buttons. Surely they would make things worse on that score?

If people have nothing new to add, instead of repeating what others have said they could just click 'like' and there would be no conversation at all . I know someone doesn't like it, but at least posting 'this' or 'I agree' shows that posts have been read, and people usually add at least a sentence or two to that.