Just a llittle question for everyone.

[houghchrst]

Hey all. TGIF lol. So I have a question. I am wondering how many people actually scan BT in it's entirety for newbies or new posts when they come on as opposed to getting on and going directly to 'their' forum.

I guess it is because I see a post every once in a while that hasn't gotten a response or a howdy-do and then the poster never comes back either because of no response or too long of a wait for a response. Also I have seen a couple of members refer to a particular forum as 'their' forum which I think may hinder a new person's exploration of BT in it's entirety or a new person who is not very computer saavy may not be able to navigate to find a particular forum. I am pretty sure most of us browse through BT either just to read or to get involved. Yes we hang at a particular one but most of us at least read a few others if not post in a couple others. Emotional support is my home forum but I try to go to others.

I think our own participation in other threads would boost posts and make us bigger and stronger which in itself can be it's own best advertisement. I mean I know we are more than welcome to post in other forums but we get comfortable and feel safe in our own regular places. For example how many people in the Chronic Pain or MS forum suffer from depression? I know I sure as heck do. Do I post in the Depression forum? Once in a while, mostly because I know it shows the forum is getting used but also because it is my depression exactly. I suffer from Chronic Pain but don't go there hardly ever. Just feels odd. I guess I feel like I am intruding. Which I know everyone there would say is ridiculous. I guess I am just saying that I think we need to spread ourselves out. Yes stay in our own forum but be active in others too. I don't have MS but I may pop in and say hey I'm here, I feel ya, so sorry or even congratulations. I am no longer a caregiver but I have been there so may have some words. Or even if you have a caregiver your view from the other side may be of some help. At least some acknowledgement that the poster is being heard even if you have nothing in common. Nobody likes to post somewhere and not at least get a nod.

Also I am noticing that the New Posts button is not an exact science. There are other ways to check for new posts and I am still figuring all the little bells and whistles so I wonder how many people are not seeing all of the new posts because they are barely able to navigate the forum to post. I know my mental faculties are definitely not up to par. So I keep my BT settings at the vB4 Default with Linear-Newest First set in my Thread Settings so that as soon as I come on I have a nice easy to read view of the newest posts. Also if I select remember me when I log in then I don't have to ever log in again and I don't get bumped for low activity.


Okay this may be too much for some to bother reading but if you do would you please leave a Nay or Yay just so I can get an idea of how many of us read in the other forums. And please if you can, comment so I know why you don't use any of the other forums.

Thank yous to all who read and answered. Love to all my BT peeps!

[Jo6]

Christina, I have been thinking along these lines lately and I totally agree with you.

The referance about "MY FORUM" is one that turns ME off and I can not imagine what it does to a stranger. Recently I posted a couple of times in another forum that I do not go to often. I read there because I have grandchildren that have issue's that could be of help to them if I could get their parents to go there. I'm sorry, not trying to start a fight, but I felt very unwelcome after I read the thread starter more or less named the type of person they intended to post on that thread. I didn't qualify. I was going to delete my post, but alas the delete note was already gone.

I posted a short note last night right before I went to bed about patient's that needed people to welcome and encourage them. After all, that is who we are aren't we? I have had so much help and caring over the years I feel like it is time I gave a lot of that back to those that need it. I still have neuro issues and I post pretty regular in several forums, but I don't call any of them "MY FORUM".

So, it would be good for all to look around us and see where we are needed. I think that more than anything else would boost our membership.

Good job Christina, Jo

[Buttons2]

many of us want back what we once had. that might not happen. I do go to the new threads & post in whatever one I have something to say. I'm grateful for everyone that is posting. I no longer make a point of replying to newbie's. am I just lazy these days? that's something I can correct of course. we do want everyone to feel welcome afterall.

after I run through the 10 latest threads I go to new posts. rarely do I scroll down to find a specific forum.

[Mal L]

Just to check in on this subject - What I look for is the latest threads (off the home page), and also the newest posts. Often I will be rechecking posts I have read in a previous visit, for replies. I don't have a special forum that I go to.

[Burr]

I read and post mainly in the cronic pain forum first. Then I check the new posts in the Braintalk main forums.

[joy]

I am guilty of saying my forum. I do invite people to a particular forum more than any other.

I thought my reasoning was solid - because I knew someone would be there to answer. I do start in with new posts.

[Ging]

I usually read new post and check into other fourms . I have just realized I could do this over the last few months...duh..I thought for years I was supposed to stay in my group,( not to sharp there ging) then Other health issues have set their sights on my family and I have received great support from the different fourms. This is a fantastic question and makes us think about the time we all were newbies, I will try to be more welcoming to all even to just say hello and welcome to brain talk . :)

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

Christina, I have been thinking along these lines lately and I totally agree with you.

The referance about "MY FORUM" is one that turns ME off and I can not imagine what it does to a stranger. Recently I posted a couple of times in another forum that I do not go to often. I read there because I have grandchildren that have issue's that could be of help to them if I could get their parents to go there. I'm sorry, not trying to start a fight, but I felt very unwelcome after I read the thread starter more or less named the type of person they intended to post on that thread. I didn't qualify. I was going to delete my post, but alas the delete note was already gone.

I posted a short note last night right before I went to bed about patient's that needed people to welcome and encourage them. After all, that is who we are aren't we? I have had so much help and caring over the years I feel like it is time I gave a lot of that back to those that need it. I still have neuro issues and I post pretty regular in several forums, but I don't call any of them "MY FORUM".

So, it would be good for all to look around us and see where we are needed. I think that more than anything else would boost our membership.

Good job Christina, Jo

((((((Jo6))))))

Are you referring to my post on the Child Neurology forum regarding Facebook?

If so, I apologize to you, if my response to the posts on that thread made you feel unwelcome. That was certainly not my intention at all.

I made many references in that post to BT in general, but I specifically spoke to former CN members, because CN has been my home forum for over 12 years, and those members supported me through the death of my youngest son and several serious illnesses of my oldest son. CN is my home forum, because that is where I most fit in and belong, because I am the mother of two children with special needs. And for many years, we were a very tight knit group. That is why I posted the thread on CN and not on Forum Feedback or Chit Chat, etc.

I thanked everyone for their responses, and I was quite surprised at the number of responses to my post, since I expected none. I didn't reply individually to any of the responders, since my son is quite ill currently, and I have a limited amount of time to post on BT. I also explained that in my reply.

If you knew my posting history on BT through the last 12 years, you would know that I have posted on many forums, including Forum Feedback, and that I am dedicated to the preservation of BT and committed to helping others here. If you visit the BT forum, Coping with the Loss of a Child, you will find two posts of mine there, the only posts on that forum. Not a single reply. But that's okay. If someone reads my posts and finds strength or comfort, that's all that matters. I would gladly join in any conversation with a grieving parent on that forum, but none have responded.

I visit our home page, and I often post to threads I see there. Generally, when I return to that thread, I see no follow up from the original poster. I can only hope that I offered some help to them.

You and all are welcome to post on CN at any time. We are a very loving, caring group, albeit a handful compared to the olden days, and we turn away no one. And any concern, which you have about your grandchildren, you can certainly post to us, and we will respond.

Again, I am so sorry if I made you feel unwelcome, and I hope that you understand that I appreciate your input on the topic and extend to you an olive branch and invitation to post on CN any time. I would love to get to know your grandchildren. And, if I can provide any information or benefit from my experiences with my children to help your grandchildren, I will gladly and readily do so.

Love & Light,

Rose

[houghchrst]

The 'my forum' thing is not what I meant for us who know each other. I am talking about the new people that we are trying to bring in and keep. It can be confusing. Like Ging said, she thought she was supposed to stay in one forum. Emotional Support is my forum. It is where I hang because it is where I feel most comfortable and I am the most welcome but when I am talking to new people I try to be careful and make sure they know that they are free to travel the entirety of BT. It is really more about us spreading ourselves around. You may post in say the MS forum for example about how depressed you are or if you are worried about a family member who suffers from alcoholism and when you do not post in the "appropriate" forums you are denying the non members who come here for help the ease of finding a bit of support and denying yourself the ability to possibly be the recipient of some great help from people who do not have MS but have experience with depression or alcoholism for example.

I know how much time it takes to get through BT on a busy day and try to keep track of who popped in, respond to posts, etc. It can be an all day thing lol. I have been there, where did the time go while I sat on BT. There are also many who can barely get on the puter long enough to post at all. I totally understand we each have our own level of abilities. My mind don't work so good these days and I am sure I have missed plenty of new posts. I am also pretty sure that there are those who will read this and just move on because they have no intention of posting anywhere but where they do and I am sure there are many who like it just this small with just these people because they have issues with new people coming into 'their' forum.

Rose yes I have seen you post here and there over the years and it is obvious you have your favorites as we all do but I think it is a shame that you had posts that got no response. I am sure I read them as new posts but I know you have your places you prefer and your friends there, as do I, so I didn't post because I figured one of your forum friends would and even though we have both been here for years we don't know each other and I am sure I was stumped as to how I could be of help. My not responding was wrong. I use to just leave a (((hug))) to say I hear ya and I'm here but I am guilty of getting out of the habit. I also have responded to posts and then the post just dies with mine being the last response. Then I feel like I got cooties and no one wanted to touch the thread with a ten foot pole lol so I finally quit. My issue I know.

I just think it would benefit us all and BT and it may make us more tight knit. Many of us have been here for years yet with the small amount of people we have left there are many of us that have never even 'met' each other except as a name in a thread and I am sure many of us do health research and/or get email newletters with health news yet I see very little posting of info. I think the sharing of that kind of info whether it benefits you or someone else is worth sharing. If something new about BiPolar Disorder catches your eye in your health emails and Fibromyalgia was your usual place then please, paste it in Bipolar. It can only help. If not us then hopefully someone who is lurking. Those are the people I worry about. I miss Prot and his regular news postings.

I guess it is because I think we all could do so much good, we are all the same in the way that we need to feel like we aren't alone and we want others to know the same. I guess I am thinking more of how we can be more useful to those out there looking for help and to our own community, ya'll are all awesome at what you do here and I think that you have much to offer and I am just trying to think of ways to be more ..... well, that's it: to be more.

Thank you to all of those who have actually read through my humiliatingly long posts over the years lol.

[joy]

I am going to say perhaps the main problem is that we all care too much. (an instance is now I should be in bed, not wondering about this at this tim of night, but brain does not shut down often regardless) That is not a shame at all, the shame is that if it is you that has the health problem it makes it hard to express perhaps. Same goes tho if it is a loved one which brought you to BT. Sometimes even more so than if it was yourself.

I know I agonise over loved ones troubles, health etc usually more than my own. I have days when something I said bothered me on into the night. Worry about how I was unable to express myself, especially as I get older and pain worsens. I want no one to get their feelings hurt and will admit tho seldom, I too have had feathers fluffed. But only for a short time. I know I am not alone in this because I doubt there is a person alive that can keep their composure when things are bad in body and mind and frequently they go hand in hand..

The worst days are when I lose a long reply that I took the time to think out and try very hard to be coherent. only to lose it and make a much shorter reply that sounds as abrupt and cold.

I doubt if anyone intends to be rude or judgemental. I just think, oh my, that person is doing their best today and I am glad they took time to be with us. For me it is as bad or worse to lose a member as it is to not keep a new one. For I know if they have been here even for a month, they have sought advice they needed. I am still just oh so very glad we have this place. And still like most sad that we lost so many.

Put me in the catagory of one of those that when I read post unanswered I still cringe even if it is a year old!, even on the other forum we are not to mention. My worst hurt was when a total forum left and it was very few and myself still here to try and help. I had no good answers for who apper even infrequently. HOW I WISH MORE HAD MADE A COMMITTMENT TO COME HERE STILL AND HELP.

Obviously I don't have the answers or my health problems would not be still progressing after 15 years. I'd be so pleased if anyone would return or join in from here if they would/could and had the time.

Yes it truly would be wonderful to have all forums covered by old and new members. It might not happen tho in this day and age of so many places to seek help are available no matter what any or all of us try. But we can try and I am willing.

I want to thank Christina for her loving heart and good ideals. sorry for the rambling but not a good night to sleep anyway. (((HUGS to ALL)))