Why so many different diabetes forums?

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wallycorker

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Type 2
I'm new to the diabetes forums and I've been surprised how many different ones I'm coming across.

Is anyone willing to explain to me why there are so many?

I'd also be interested to learn what each one is trying to do - or are they all doing the same thing?
 
wallycorker said:
I'm new to the diabetes forums and I've been surprised how many different ones I'm coming across.

Is anyone willing to explain to me why there are so many?

I'd also be interested to learn what each one is trying to do - or are they all doing the same thing?
Click to expand...

Id love to say I know, but I dont. I only use this one as I find the format easier. I cant multi-task!
 
It's because anyone can set up a forum, so people who have an interest in Diabetes have set up forums.

I came across this one because it supported by Diabetes UK, and I visit their website occasionally.
 
I pop into 2 forums. Both are excellent and well moderated. I have learned such a lot and would be lost without them!!
 
I find this forum easy to use, there is a good community and the information is generally accurate and often from good personal experience on a wide range of topics.

I've looked at one or two others and didn't find them so comfortable to be around/on.
 
Theres 3 major UK diabetes forums, each with their own "style" or "atmosphere" so its basically down to which one you prefer. Theres a little bit of crossover and you do find members of one turning up on another. For example, I'm an admin on one of them, but post here occasionally. I read the third every now and again.

There's a number of international sites (mostly american) with a UK presence and the occasional specialist forum aimed at kids or another area.

Basically they all do the same thing - allow diabetics to get together and help each other out, exchange experience and knowledge. They all sprung up from individuals or small groups wanting to provide a way of doing this in a moderated and accessible way. Previously there were the NNTP newsgroups which are unmoderated (and still going) so that people can post any old nonsense, or email groups and similar stuff like yahoo groups which are less accessible.

All down to preference really.
 
I use three forums. This one is the busiest. On each of the forums I use the ethos is different, although this is the only one withthe backing of DIabetes UK.

I think it is a case of one size doesn't fit all. We are a large community with different experiences and a different expectation of our care and what should be happening, so it is good to have the choice.

Many forums are trying to be supportive, and it is nice to know they are there, but sometimes you have to read through and select the best advice or help as it is not all always as accurate as this forum or so well moderated.
 
I am a member of a few forums, 2 US ones which I used to visit alot but now read and post to occasionally. These are where I learnt a huge amount of what i know about diabetes. I like to visit the big US childrens site still, that was my first diabetes site I ever went to when diagnosed 9 years ago.

Then theres the biggest Uk one, which I posted to originally when it was smaller, I read occasioanlly but don't like the atmosphere there now. theres a couple of smaller UK ones which I have read but never registered to.

This is where I spend most of my time though.
 
I do read the other forums occasionally, but mainly this one. It was new when I was fairly new to diabetes myself, so I feel as though I've got to 'know' the people here and find it a very friendly place with lots of good humour as well as good advice (and very prompt responses too!). I think the longer established sites can take quite a lot of effort getting in to - becoming familiar with the topics and posters, and finding stuff. This one is very well laid out - the pages are clear and simple and uncluttered, which is helpful for an older computer user like me who is used to 'green screen' technology! I remember when DTP (Desktop Publishing) first came out, a lot of people felt they had to use as many fonts and clip art as they possibly could - and websites can often be guilty of the same thing. This one is well-designed, and follows the principle of 'Don't make me think!' - you shouldn't have to work too hard to achieve what you want!🙂
 
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