The Forum's future - your thoughts please!

[David H]

I've never posted in the St Bedia thread because I feel an outsider butting in on somebody else's conversation...

I've never posted in that either (never could figure out what it was about, topic went all over the shop)

 

[Catwoman76]

I've never posted in that either (never could figure out what it was about, topic went all over the shop)

Nor have I David, because I don't understand whats going on or what it is really about 😱😱 Sheena

 

[martindt1606]

In the 18 months since becoming diabetic not one Diabetic Professional (Consultant, Nurse, Dafne) have mentioned this forum let alone recommended it. Perhaps these people should be targeted more. This could be via Diabetics UK or perhaps we could all take more responsibility and sell the forum when we have a consultation. Perhaps a PDF listing the benefits provided.

As someone who doesn't have the opportunity to visit the site daily it would be good to have the ability to list "areas of interest" so that when I visit the site rather than paging through days of posts I may not be interested in I am presented with a list of threads you may like to review.

 

[Robster65]

Sorry but there is an undertone of 'clique' amongst the forum I don't think it's an intentional thing though and it's harder to spot for the older members but newbies do pick up it with ease and make it difficult to join in for them... I've been here for almost 18 months, I've never posted in the St Bedia thread because I feel an outsider butting in on somebody else's conversation...

I think a chat room needs to incorporated as this helps to overcome the above, with instant access to members in a more natural way, it's not as problematic has some seem to think... So shouldn't be ignored any longer

I think DUK can be more active in promoting us, they carry a lot more clout when it comes to promoting a forum within a doctors surgery or hospital clinic as a lot of these will have a mistrust of the quality and safety of any forum, so if the DUK is telling them we're a kosher and safe forum to belong to then doctors and hospital are more likely to promote us..

There is one thing that we are all forgetting though, is the inclusion of the forum web address as part of your email signature... And all you then need to do is delete it if it's not appropriate for the email you'll sending..

I don't think I've ever posted in St Bediea for the same reasons. I'm certain that if I did post, I'd be included but I've never felt the right moment. I suspect a lot fo the inside/outside feelings are purely perception rather than a reality. But wherever you go, on the web or in real life, there is a feeling of being an outsider, until someone welcomes you in and you can join in. A lot of people have social phobias which prevent that first contact. I don't know how that would be overcome but I'm not convinced a chat room is the right way. I can't see it working any differently to the threads unless it's monitored permanently and any exclusive chats are moved across to the main board. We don't really have the resources to do that IMO.

Rob

 

[Northerner]

...Forum meets, just sitting there in a pub is just not for me, I can't think of anything worse than sitting there watching people drink after drink after drink. If someone would like to suggest a more active meet, then that would be great and much more interesting to me...

Some more good points Sheena, thank you 🙂 I would just like to dispel the myth that the meets are just an excuse to consume copious amounts alcohol. This may be true of one or two, but I have been on a lot of meets now and find that a very good proportion of attendees don't actually drink any alcohol, or for some maybe a little dutch courage 🙂 I personally find I have little time to get to the bar because I am absorbed in conversation with people! Really, the pubs are just convenient meeting places for people which can normally be easily found, people can have food and drink, and join and leave throughout the day. Cost might also be a consideration for alternative venues.

When I organised a couple of Southampton Meets early on I included a walk around the city's medieval walls, although I recall most people simply chatted without really taking things in. Active pursuits can exclude those members who would find it physically difficult, so once again it is difficult to know what can be most inclusive so no-one feels left out. I'm certainly open to suggestions! 🙂

 

[lucy123]

I've never posted in that either (never could figure out what it was about, topic went all over the shop)

The Island was set up as a virtual area after a virtual pub lost interest I believe. Its just a virtual place for ANYONE to pop in and have a virtual tonic or chat about absolutely anything - just a bit of silly madness so we can let off steam. I have popped in in the past (not recently but am busier now than I used to be). I think its a good idea and certainly works for some to be able to have a laugh and a banter without their posts being all over the forum. Its particularly good for those who want to say good morning to each other and good night etc.

I am sure if you all popped in and said hello, someone would buy you a drink (virtual that is!).🙂

 

[Northerner]

I've never posted in that either (never could figure out what it was about, topic went all over the shop)

Nor have I David, because I don't understand whats going on or what it is really about 😱😱 Sheena

Let me give you a bit of background to this. The Island was a follow-on to previous threads (The Banting and Best pub and the Glucophage and Glargine, and before that the 'one-liners' threads). Early on in the forum's 'life' it was noticed that some of the more prolific posters were posting one line responses to normal threads and things would swiftly go off topic, which can be very frustrating for people who have hoped for an appropriate response to their questions. It was requested that any such comments and conversations were moved into a single permanent thread which could be about all and sundry, hence the introduction of these threads. However, as the forum has matured things have changed and so current incarnation St Bedeiea is much less used.

I used to use dLife, an American forum and they had something similar called the Coffee Lounge, but that seemed eventually to go the same way, so maybe it's something to do with the way things naturally move on 🙂

Hope this explains a bit! 🙂

 

[lucy123]

Your explanation was better than mine.😛

 

[vince13]

I obviously put the cat amongst the pigeons when I used the "c" word - sorry, I should have chosen my words more carefully. 😱 I would also like to emphasise that no-one has ever been unpleasant to me personally or unwelcoming - it was just a perception that some new people might feel excluded from the general banter.

However, I would like to add that - from when I joined long ago in December 2008 - I notice the amount of quite nasty little spats between forum contributors which sometimes were apparant THEN don't seem to appear any more so we all must be doing something right towards each other (or perhaps the Moderators delete them !!).

I don't belong to any other Forum of any kind but I have gleaned a lot from the regular members' conversations and advice on here, which I hope is true for most of us, and I have attended 2 meet-ups which were nice too. 🙂

 

[Catwoman76]

Some more good points Sheena, thank you 🙂 I would just like to dispel the myth that the meets are just an excuse to consume copious amounts alcohol. This may be true of one or two, but I have been on a lot of meets now and find that a very good proportion of attendees don't actually drink any alcohol, or for some maybe a little dutch courage 🙂 I personally find I have little time to get to the bar because I am absorbed in conversation with people! Really, the pubs are just convenient meeting places for people which can normally be easily found, people can have food and drink, and join and leave throughout the day. Cost might also be a consideration for alternative venues.

When I organised a couple of Southampton Meets early on I included a walk around the city's medieval walls, although I recall most people simply chatted without really taking things in. Active pursuits can exclude those members who would find it physically difficult, so once again it is difficult to know what can be most inclusive so no-one feels left out. I'm certainly open to suggestions! 🙂

Oh dear,I am not suggesting that's it's an AA meet!!!!!! just sitting there ( and me not being a drinker) is not my cup of tea ( excuse the pun) as I mentioned, my comments are there because of how I view things, not to intentially antagonise or upset anyone.

When I organised a couple of Southampton Meets early on I included a walk around the city's medieval walls, although I recall most people simply chatted without really taking things in. Active pursuits can exclude those members who would find it physically difficult, so once again it is difficult to know what can be most inclusive so no-one feels left out. I'm certainly open to suggestions! 🙂[/QUOTE]

I fully understand some people may find it difficult to walk about, maybe a few of these could stay and chat at the 'pub' if this what they wanted to do ( or help those who would like to see a bit more of the outdoors) and others could have a more active day out, after all, it is this sort of activity that helps our diabetes control and weight and wellbeing Sheena

 

[Tina63]

I love this forum. I don't feel it is cliquey at all. I love the banter that goes on between people. I have found everyone so friendly and helpful from day one.

As a parent, I have found it brilliant being able to talk to other parents, T1s and T2s who all have different experiences and ideas to share. Parents will have one slant on it, young adult T1s another view, and older T1s another view. I may not always take that advice (my husband will agree wholeheartedly there too - I ask for his opinion then do the exact opposite!) but I find it brilliant for ideas and tips, and education re diabetes too. I would have been lost without you all this past year. You have all kept me sane. I don't always like hassling the DSN, I am not confident on the phone, so having at least tips and ideas on here is 100% invaluable to me.

We were given various leaflets and magazines in hospital when my son was diagnosed, only problem is I can't remember what they were. Will have to have a dig around for those. I know I read them cover to cover in the first couple of weeks so maybe an ad in there would be a good idea.

I did, as is usually suggested on here, go to the childrenwithdiabetes website but found that much more complicated to set up and use, so stick with this as it's so clearly laid out and if I can manage to find my way around, then anyone can! People answer so promptly when you have a worry, it's brilliant.

Long may it continue, and THANK YOU!

Tina

 

[Steff]

All the suggestions i had have been mentioned especially the one tropheywench mentions about sometimes when new people come on and they ask for advice alot of hello's get given but not many answers,yes im guilty of this as sometimes i have no way of helping the person but i have always been of the opinion that at a least a simple hello makes one feel welcome..

I have always been one of the main members to use the island thread and the old pub thread, its a means of letting of steam and generally just lots of jovolity goes on in there, ive always found it important on here to have a place like this as you can move away from the steresses and strains diabetes brings,as Alan says though lately the island has looked abit bare but I would certainly miss it if i was to be taken away and im pleased it has not...

It would be great if any of us could at least get one of our DSN's to join here so at least one of them can see what goes on in here, they dont even have to post but simply seeing how this wonderful forum works would mean somthing is better then nothing.

As for the cliqueness it has been mentioned a few times in here, and i can understand where that perception comes from i think it just depends on the person you are and how often you post in here...I have alot of very good friends on this forum and i do alot of my talking via PM to them so it elivates abit of the clique that way.

 

[Andy HB]

Let me give you a bit of background to this. The Island was a follow-on to previous threads (The Banting and Best pub and the Glucophage and Glargine, and before that the 'one-liners' threads). Early on in the forum's 'life' it was noticed that some of the more prolific posters were posting one line responses to normal threads and things would swiftly go off topic, which can be very frustrating for people who have hoped for an appropriate response to their questions. It was requested that any such comments and conversations were moved into a single permanent thread which could be about all and sundry, hence the introduction of these threads. However, as the forum has matured things have changed and so current incarnation St Bedeiea is much less used.

I used to use dLife, an American forum and they had something similar called the Coffee Lounge, but that seemed eventually to go the same way, so maybe it's something to do with the way things naturally move on

Hope this explains a bit!

It probably needs a fresh start every so often to let the new members feel included and feel more able to post. Otherwise, and this would seem to be true right now, only a few members seem able to post there (although I can't think why some are so wallflowerish! )

By the way, it's St. Bedeia, an anagram (which I'm sure you've all realised by now)! 😉

Andy 🙂

 

[mcdonagh47]

One current weakness is the Private Messaging system which facilitates cliques and alliances being formed behind the scenes. Let's have an open, transparent group with no secret messages out of sight of other members.

 

[lucy123]

I think you are right Andy -maybe a new place is required and El Presidente will be no more!

Seriously a new place may get more people in - it worked last time!🙂

 

[Steff]

I think you are right Andy -maybe a new place is required and El Presidente will be no more!

Seriously a new place may get more people in - it worked last time!🙂

It seems to work for the first few weeks, but like what happened with the last 2 people filter away, it just ends up being the same 5 or 6 left.I would love a new make over island though or something simlier

 

[Northerner]

One current weakness is the Private Messaging system which facilitates cliques and alliances being formed behind the scenes. Let's have an open, transparent group with no secret messages out of sight of other members.

I disagree, people need to have an opportunity to exchange information safely within the confines of the forum.

I removed your other remark because it was inflammatory and insulting, which I suspect is the reason you made it.

 

[Andy HB]

One current weakness is the Private Messaging system which facilitates cliques and alliances being formed behind the scenes. Let's have an open, transparent group with no secret messages out of sight of other members.

I think the word private would seem a good guide as to the purpose of this messaging facility. There are good reasons why a private messaging facility is a good thing. Some people need private support from good friends on the site and would rather not have it made generally known.

Andy 🙂

p.s. But one thing I think would improve the forum greatly ...... if Alan would delay his replies by a couple of minutes, I'd be eternally grateful!

 

[Northerner]

I think you are right Andy -maybe a new place is required and El Presidente will be no more!

Seriously a new place may get more people in - it worked last time!🙂

Yes, I do think there is still a place for such a thread and that a periodic revitalisation is necessary so that appears 'new' to everyone and they feel more encouraged to participate 🙂

 

[lucy123]

I disagree, people need to have an opportunity to exchange information safely within the confines of the forum.

I removed your other remark because it was inflammatory and insulting, which I suspect is the reason you made it.

I have met many friends on the forum a few of whom I pm fairly regularly. These pm's are private and allow things that people wouldn't want to be shared with the whole forum to be discussed.

This does not mean that I am part of a clique at all - it just means I have found friends who I don't mind sharing more private information with. I would still respond on the normal boards to these people in the same way I would everyone else.

It would be ridiculous to remove the pm facility in my opinion.