What do you think of Gransnet?

I wasn’t intending to be ageist, Maizie. It was just an observation. It’s clear a lot of people have been members for a long time, maybe from the start in 2013. That in itself can be problematic as the forum feels (to me anyway) more like a small social club rather than an open discussion forum. Not cliquey as anybody can take part in any discussion but there are bits that seem more like regular and established friendship circles. Does the same happen on MN?

We all know what people’s interests and political leanings are (or think we do). With so few active members, in any discussion about N&P, or anything else for that matter, one can pretty much put a stopwatch on how soon it will be before “regulars” start sniping at one another.

And the fact is that if the forum is meant to attract people from the age of 50 but if the average age is 75-85 then that’s a whole generation apart. Each generation is inclined to think differently from their parents, have different opinions and concerns. Without a breadth of age and contributors, the topics under discussion become somewhat limited to the concerns and opinions of the older generation.

If there was a poll I wonder just how many members would be age 50-60? If not many then it begs the question why not? Is it because the site looks old and tired? If it had more traffic, it would attract more revenue which could be spent on updating the site. As it is, I suspect the membership is diminishing not growing, which is bad for any business. One losing over half a million a year, which is what the accounts show, isn’t going to spend any money on a new look or making it work better.

Which is weird in a way as aren’t we supposed to be the generation(s) with all the wealth? Why aren’t businesses queuing up to encourage us to spend it? It can only be 1. because there isn’t enough footfall or 2. the sales people aren’t promoting the site to businesses or 3. they are but businesses don’t like what they see.

That was supposed to read "competitions,book club, etc". And I previewed and edited twice before posting!

I have no idea about what makes a website look outdated. It's just words on a page. I don't get any adverts but often a huge white space between posts with "Advertisement" written over the top. It's all fine for me.

As to the content - well, that's up to us, isn't it.

I think the bods in GNHQ should spend less time on the articles on the front page which nobody reads and more time getting involved in the conversations as the only way to wake them up to what we actually think about something is to report a post. Even in the "Site Stuff" forum, all comments are ignored unless someone reports a post or writes an e-mail. They could even draw our attention to those articles by posting links to them in the conversations. I expect most of us have forgotten they even exist or never realised they were there in the first place.

Sponsors have disappeared over the years as have the compete book club etc. All things that made the place more attractive in the "old" days.

Yes, topics do keep reoccurring, but that is the way of the world. New members join and start asking the same questions, but if they dig up an old thread on the subject that isn't seen positively either.

More transparency should be given to banning and suspending contributors. It is often the most controversial and thus, by definition, the most interesting Grans who get banned for treading on someone's toes which is making the conversations blander and ironing out the edgy bits which are the spice of life.(Apologies for mixed metaphor!)

CountessFosco

Used to contribute on a regular basis, but now no longer. There have been some eye-wateringly nasty and almost abusive answers to posts including "well, you obviously don't think like the rest of us, so why do you bother"? As well as "you loaned a piece of computer equipment to someone - what kind of a gullible idiot are you anyway"? So although I lurk, very seldom contribute as I personally find some of the threads superficial and what I contribute obviously no-one is interested enough to respond. Apparently I don't think like the rest of you because we have lived all over the world and therefore have a wider perspective on life.

Keep going Countess.

CountessFosco

Used to contribute on a regular basis, but now no longer. There have been some eye-wateringly nasty and almost abusive answers to posts including "well, you obviously don't think like the rest of us, so why do you bother"? As well as "you loaned a piece of computer equipment to someone - what kind of a gullible idiot are you anyway"? So although I lurk, very seldom contribute as I personally find some of the threads superficial and what I contribute obviously no-one is interested enough to respond. Apparently I don't think like the rest of you because we have lived all over the world and therefore have a wider perspective on life.

How many remarks like that did you get?

A couple?
Or many more?

I for one welcome wider perspectives.

I for one,have given up on receiving abusive posts.
Did you see the wealth one I started recently!

Even the subject heading was totally ignored.
I gave up writing half way through.
I was going to repeat myself[already had done a part one]. I hate repeating myself!
I then realised I would have to respond to so many wrong, or wrongly interpreted, or so many wrong guesses to count! that I gave up completely.
I was outright laughing at some of the posts. They were so very wide of the mark.

In short! Carry on posting I say.
Makes us stronger.
{as long as it doesnt break people, which it could do].

I suspect the average age of forum participants is 75-85

I actually think that is correct.

There are not enough younger gnetters coming on here. In my opinion.
Partly because I presume the age of a first time granny is becoming older?
It certainly is amongst my friends.

Tizliz

Even previewing doesn't prevent spelling errors!

Why not?
Genuine question.

I have never understood why posters dont make better use of Preview Message

Mumsnet is a hassle to read I feel - as one has to "refresh" it at pretty regular intervals these days (even if prepared to put up with all those ads it has).

One can tell it basically has a noticeably younger "audience" - both the feel to the posts and the high proportion of very short posts (presumably done on a smartphone whilst out and about doing all sorts). It also feels more "condemnatory" of posters pretty often (one of the ways one can tell it's a younger audience imo. Lots of name-calling on there and replies that someone has made after not giving any thought much at all to something.

Used to contribute on a regular basis, but now no longer. There have been some eye-wateringly nasty and almost abusive answers to posts including "well, you obviously don't think like the rest of us, so why do you bother"? As well as "you loaned a piece of computer equipment to someone - what kind of a gullible idiot are you anyway"? So although I lurk, very seldom contribute as I personally find some of the threads superficial and what I contribute obviously no-one is interested enough to respond. Apparently I don't think like the rest of you because we have lived all over the world and therefore have a wider perspective on life.

Typos don't bother me at all - they're actually quite funny sometimes (like the 1025 instead of 1925 for someone's birthday on a thread recently - may not be correct dates but you know what I mean).

There have been one or two posts that simply didn't make sense recently as there were few recognizable words but I just scroll past. I just assume someone is either sleepy, over-medicated, blind, can't speak English or drunk. Or all of the above.

I usually preview my posts but not always so I do typos too. I don't bother to correct it unless it changes what I am trying to say.

I don’t like mumsnet and I ‘retired’ from it. The people here on gransnet seem much nicer ,kinder and more intelligent.

It actually hadn't clicked with me until it was stated on here that there are no ads and I've never seen photos either other than those posters choose to put on. I'm sick of trying to do something simple online and being bombarded with ads so, for me, this format suits. I also would prefer to see a 'like' option but then would that stop those comments coming which can be informative, funny etc even if they do go off on a tangent?

And some of us have fat fingers and deliberately annoying spell check.

Would also love an edit button and yes I should use preview.
GN is better than the much more aggressive Facebook.
Not bothered about the images, because I just don't notice them.
Like Gransnet because of the long, usually lively Threads, and the Posters who generously post informative links.

Tizliz

Even previewing doesn't prevent spelling errors!

That just tells me that people need to improve their proof reading... But we're continually asked to be sensitive about people's spelling errors because not everyone is a perfect speller and what they are saying is more important than how they spell it.
I don't mind people correcting in a further post (because I do it when I forget to proof read )

Like MOnica, I don't think there's much wrong with the present format of Gnet, but I only read the forums and have an ad blocker on my laptop and Ipad, so don't see ads.

I do like the Mumsnet feature of being able to see all the OP's posts, but it doesn't really stop people suggesting solutions for a problem that has already been solved...

A 'like' button would be problematic; posters have other ways to express approval.

I suspect the average age of forum participants is 75-85.

I ,might be 75 now, but I was 65 when I started posting. A bit less ageism, please, PG 😆

It really reminds me of a now defunct site called Midsummerseve that I belonged to. It's demise is what caused me to come here (after a couple of barren years). I like the layout as it is very familiar and easy to navigate. I can't abide the Facebook style of site.

The value of this site depends on the quality of posts in the Forums. Here it seems pretty high, not too many trolls and some interesting and informative discussions. I read more than I contribute to, usually because someone has already come up with a point I would have raised. How would a flashy site with extra bling improve on what we have here?

The posts might seem repetetive to long-standing members but don't forget, they are new to the more recent readers. Don't forget that some posters have been criticised for contributing to an old "dead" post because it is still relevant to them and they might have an interesting new viewpoint or a new question to ask.

Someone suggested it should be absorbed into Mumsnet. Who would be happy with that? The young Mothers would resent us and we would perhaps not be comfortable giving our "old-fashioned" (but usually brilliant of course) opinions.

I wouldn’t want to see Gransnet absorbed into Mumsnet PaynesGrey, it has a different feel to it, it’s less in your face, which I prefer. On Gransnet it’s possible to have conversations, Mumsnet is much more quickfire, you give your opinion and move on, rather than discussion taking place.

Tizliz

*The same names and same arguments come up over and over. Other content is tired and stale*

My initial reaction is you have the power to change it. Post different content. But I think most of us like it how it is or we go to Munsnet

Can you edit on mumsnet?

CariadAgain

I think one thing we'd all agree on is the need to be able to edit our posts - yep...lots of us have got typing errors up on our posts because there is no way of correcting them. Other than putting up a post straight afterwards saying "I didnt mean this - I meant that".

I think we're so used to being able to correct our typing errors afterwards on everything else on the Net that we forget we have to proofread carefully before posting here.

I agree. I’d love an edit button as my posts are always full of typos

Even previewing doesn't prevent spelling errors!

The same names and same arguments come up over and over. Other content is tired and stale

My initial reaction is you have the power to change it. Post different content. But I think most of us like it how it is or we go to Munsnet

You are right, Elless.

There are lots of stock pictures on GN, things to do with grandparenting, health and beauty, food etc. The woman with the small dog was there for a long time now replaced with this one.

Mollygo

What pictures?
Since the only pictures put on GN are posted by GN members, that’s rather rude of you LS.

When you initially open the site (on laptop) the was a picture of a lady with a dog, that picture was on for over a year. Now it has changed to another lady (admittedly younger and more attractive) taking her medication. No need to be so aggressive, I was only asking for opinions.

It does need tweaking. I would like the opportunity to click 'like' and similar responses.

PaynesGrey

Elless

I enjoy reading Gransnet and it has been really helpful and informative over the years but the interface is very old fashioned. It doesn't seem to reflect today's Grans - the pictures that are used are boring and the whole layout is dull. I know some will say if it ain't broke don't fix it but the systems need updating too.

It’s incredibly dated. In theory, it should have a similar look to Mumsnet but the fact is, GN has never made a profit and relies on substantial funding from MN to keep it going.

Last accounting, year end to 31 December 2024, it had just £27,000 in the bank. creditors of almost £300,000 (mostly owed to the parent company). It employs only one person.

tinyurl.com/2yf5pnvz. if anyone is interested.

Compare MN with pre tax profits of £3.1million and £3 million in the bank.

Membership numbers are not known but there seem to be very few active forum members. The same names and same arguments come up over and over. Other content is tired and stale.

It’s suposed to be aimed at people 50 and over but I suspect the average age of forum participants is 75-85.

I don't understood why it isn’t absorbed into Mumsnet.

I did not know these facts.
Could you please do a point by point comparison between Mumsnet and Gransnet/