Changes on the Website?

When I have a BIG question I seriously do not mind if I have 35 responses. I kind of like it that so many people would take the time to suggest an option or just be supportive. Having more people chime in helps me = )
I do agree that it would be nice when people update/post what happens that it notified us in some way, but I also would not change the flowers, it is nice to know if someone agreed or thought we were helpful and what with being able to send private messages I REALLY do not think we need anything to "send" when someone doesn't agree or Doesn't think it was helpful advice.

I agree that the flowers get annoying to clear. But that just means people like our answers!

call me an optimist..:0)

I disagree that there should be a "disagree button". If you dont have anything nice to say dont say anything at all....is kind of what being able to send flowers, but not disagree kind of tells me.
Plus if someone says something completely awful, it gets pulled and if someone says something snippy or incorrect, it is handled in the same thread by another mom if not more than 1.

I would hate to see the popularity of the mothers here (and there are a few "cliques" ive noticed) turn into a Highschool game of "whos most unpopular". Im afraid that there would be some of that going on if people could tag a certain mothers advice negatively.

The only thing I think that needs to be changed or updated on here is the search engine. It is too cumbersome when you are looking for a certain topic and what pops up are so old or not extensive enough..

The other stuff, I do not care so much.

I think and know sometimes the multiple same responses happens when we are all answering at the same time and by the time I hit post, 4 other people in the mean time have posted and we all sound alike.. I always feel like an idiot that it took me so long to respond and the others whipped it out..

I think most people can figure out the flower thing eventually.. so I do not let it bother me.. I guess it shows the difference in how I keep my files and how others it would drive them round the bend to see those numbers at the top of the page..

you know, after reading your posting & the responses....several points jump out:

This is a "forum" for mothers....some fathers....& even gparents have used it. The purpose of a forum is to connect people in a way in which they can discuss issues. Mamapedia provides the means for this. I like it.

While your ideas have merit, to break the responses into "agree/disagree" seems a little cold, a little unfair.....& in a sense, pigeonholes our responses in a way that redefines our answers. Not all responses are "black/white", with many of us agreeing with some of the comments & disagreeing with the rest of the post. I think taking the time to read the full responses helps open our minds to other thoughts & concepts, which we don't have to embrace....but sometimes it can expand our knowledge base. To read only the category you fall into....can really limit yourself!

As for "flowers", I would like to be able to clear them out once I've checked them. The whole back/forth thing gets old....so I would appreciate a simpler format. But I do have to disagree with your comment that new users don't know what it means.....it's certainly used a lot! In fact, I just recently posted a response about this: the usage of flowers has more than doubled in the past 2 years. This comment is based on the # I've received since joining Mamapedia vs the past 2 years. When I look at the history of my acct - wow! Data-wise, flowers just exploded 2 years ago.

Some of the other responses had great thoughts, some I like.....some I don't. I think by adding a chat option ....we would change the dynamics of the site. Based on the vitriol in so many written responses, I think "chat" could get out of hand quite rapidly & frequently! Good?Bad?....don't know, but I think it could be very tiring.

I agree the JFFs are enjoyable! But phrasing them as questions is not hard, so for me....that's really not an issue.

The venting gets OLD...I know we're here to help each other - that's why I'm here.....but woohoo....sometimes......

Moving on....change can be good...as long as the basic integrity remains. Peace.

I would like personal messages to be separate from the flowers - as someone else pointed out - it's all bundled together...

but overall no - there isn't much I would change!! I do like Jo's idea about the thorns!! LOL!!! but I'm sure that would be considered mean and nasty...

I acknowledge your thinking but I really like the way Mamapedia is run. And I try to look at all the mom's letters, points, etc. because they took away from their busy lives to write, or send a flower or just help and I appreciate that.

my flowers are in my inbox. i was told that i had messages there, but you have to scroll past flowers. i would make flowers, private messages, and such optional. i would also add an ignore feature for those few mean girls who always want to get a jab in. i don't mean by disagreeing. i mean those who are just b((*#. I also think we should be able to define local by 10 miles, 50 miles, or over 50 miles. I would drive further for certain things.
And people who solicit would be banned by IP address.

I want to be able to chat back and forth with people who have insight to an issue or problem. Without having to go re-post to my original question. If we could address each response that would be awesome.

I wish there was a chat bar kinda like FB.....

I iwsh we could post any type blog,question...vent whatever....and not have it be in the form of a question.

I HATE the word Forum. When people bring that word up as the point to this website...I always think..''Yes, it is a question site...but so many of us regulars dont want to have to post something in the form of a question''...I love coming here and doing the JJF and some of the more non-serious posts....

This site is amazing...but constantly leaves me wanting more...If only they would listen to what we are typing.....

While I think some of the things you are wanting is nice - I really think the way the developers envisioned this site - was to allow parents to get as much feedback as possible from other parents...which is why we have flowers instead of "like" "agree" etc...

Your life experiences are different from mine...each of us bring something unique to the table...while there are some people we may not like or agree with at times...there will be ONE PERSON out there who needs to hear what their opinion or experience is...and it might just make the change they are needing!!!

As to the clearing??? No, it takes you back so you can see others input. Their input might make a change in you...it might make you edit your post or add to it...

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Being able to give a "Flower" for a posted question.
For the question itself.
Some questions on here are very good and enlightening.