Arthritis Foundation Forum / RA Connect / Rheumatoid Arthritis - (RA Connect) / Reorganizing Forums / Latest Posts

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Daniel bless — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:34:33 GMT

i think the sub topics would be easy and convienent. even the newcomers can surf the site until they see what helps. we would probably need a general info topic for the ones that dont fit. i think there is a newcomer post already somwhere to let the new people get some basic info to get started.

alot of times change is good. there is many times something new comes my way and the 1st impression is i dont like it. after a few times of trying it i slowly become to like it better than the old way

good health and low pain for everyone :)

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Rev. Nancy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:12:34 GMT

[font=Arial][size=4]I think I'd get lost if there are too many sub-menus. I like it the way it is. Thanks for letting us have input into your decision! Blessings![/size][/font]

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Caitlin Not Specified — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:33:22 GMT

I am a newcomer to the site and find the forums to be very confusing. I am not sure where to post things or even find information. It would be good to have some organization.

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Deborah Whitfield — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:46:03 GMT

As a new member trying to discern the differences and idiosyncracies of trying to reply to a member's "Comment", and another section of the site where members can communicate via the "Forum", I'll admit the loss of multiple responses, a bit of confusion and frustration. I've had to work with computers way too long to feel like this much of a dummy!

Due to the very individualized issues and complexities people with JRA, OA, RA face, it kind of makes sense to segment those communication channels so folks can focus their time if they care to, while always being free to visit any communication area they want.

What has immediately struck me is the lack of 'word' options, like delete, undelete, cut and paste or spell check, let alone being able to retrieve all the typing you've done is something goes awry in the 'send' process! Or, when you minimize your in-the-process communication to recheck another area. Poof! Gone! The toolbar above this comment section is filled with extraneous options that just don't make sense. Strike through? +/- Indent? Bullets/numbers? Just don't see a lot of folks using these tool bar options so far.

Just my silly thoughts, but you asked for comments. Oh, if you get the chance, can you tell me how to post a comment to a member's comment? The comment box comes up, darkens the comment page so you can't access it, then there is only "X" (top right corner of comment box), "Cancel" and "Preview Comment" in lower section of the box. Where is the "SEND"??! Hitting preview just lost the whole thing. Stumped on that one. Would appreciate your enlightenment. Thank you, sir!

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Michele. — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:08:35 GMT

AF Dude -- any chance on adding an Ankylosing Spondylitis board? It'd be great to have a place to fit.

Thanks for the work you do.

Michele

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Teri-z — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:32:54 GMT

Of course I support the administrators of this board any way they want to set it up. But we have no idea how the "majority" want it to be. I have to log on to do a search or post, otherwise I don't log on just to browse. This poll only has 42 responses so far. I thought there were only about 400 actual members, but I could have imagined that since I don't remember where I saw that. But this is at least a National association with World-Wide use and the majority never join. I can see where the administrators would like this board to be useful to all of those people. When I browse I do enjoy especially the humor and cat-dog-bird, etc. jokes, but I guess I consider that "coping skills" or emotional support or something (I'm not meaning to single out that, it just is one of the things I do read and thank you!). I think it is just a personality trait how people phrase something since I could see separate questions on 1) a certain medication and side effects, 2) using pills vs shots or the best shot location, 3) how to pay for it, etc. I think this RA Connect forum is probably what it is since it does get the most use and I agree that it probably won't change, but my hope is that maybe there will begin to be more use of the other areas, too. I have found them useful even if they don't have recent posts. I think this poll is an example of the often used statement that, "If you want a response you need to use the RA Connect Forum" and apparently put it down in the regular discussion area, too! - Teri

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Grandpavan — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:42:51 GMT

Pam, the majority seem to prefer to have separate categories and I see no sense in this if we will not keep things in the designated category. I voted to keep the current system and I would not mind doing away with the Access to Health Care forum, but if the board is set up to segregate these posts then I think we should cooperate instead of trying to defeat the system. God bless.

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Pam3 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:18:02 GMT

I think it's wrong to prohibit posts about health care reform on the general RA Connect forum.

First, I can think of no more relevant topic than this. We may all come from different backgrounds and lifestyles, but one thing we have in common is that we're all impacted by this issue.

Second, whenever this issue has been discussed, that discussion has almost always been conducted in a respectful manner. People may disagree, but they have not engendered a hostile environment. So long as the health care threads are clearly labeled, people can choose to read them or ignore them. We're all mature enough to handle that . . . or we should be.

Third, if we say health care discussions have to be posted only in the sub-forum, what's next? Should newly diagnosed people be prohibited from asking their questions, because we have a separate board for those issues? Should issues relevant to women or teens be banned from RA Connect because we have special forums for that? Of course not. Health care reform should not be singled out just because it's controversial, or just because you disagree with someone who happens to be quite articulate about it.

We should not let this issue divide us. We need to support one another, even when we disagree. It's that diversity that makes this community so special.

Take Care,
Pam

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Pip — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:21:45 GMT

I am against separating these topics because I just don't think they'll be used.

In response to the complaint that OT Health Care Reform is being posted in the RA section - frankly I cannot think of anything more on topic than what can happen, or will happen or the repercussions of the political wrangling going on over HCR which will effect our disease and our access to medications. This is going to effect each and every one of us in one form or another.

I have seen no attacks or divisivness towards people that hold opposing views on the topic; both sides tend to post what they believe in, however some people post scare tactics instead of facts which should be addressed. As we work our way thru the facts we gain knowledge and power to effectively help control our own destiny.

I'd also like to point out that the RA Control and Cure Act of 2007 (re-introduced in '08 and '09, I believe) is still in committee and something that AF (and most of us) support. This also directly effects us.

As an APer (antibiotic protocol user) I'd like to point out a difference between Lyme/RA and AP boards. They are MUCH more political, probably because they agitate for change to the system. Properly moderated boards Lyme and AP boards harness the power of the internet to get people to contact their Senators, their elected representatives, to write their local newspapers, and to get their voices heard.

It's something AF should consider consider.

Pip

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Grandpavan — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:53:50 GMT

I don't start posts on health care costs but when I consider them to be one-sided I try to respond briefly to show that there are other ways of looking at the problem and proposed solutions. I have no problem in leaving them off completely but I do think if they are posted both sides of an argument should be presented. God bless.

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Joy125 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:21:04 GMT

[size=2]

For the record, I have been a member of AF since 2007 and I have always posted about the issue of health care reform. GrandpaVan can attest to that. :)

When the new AF site started in the summer of 2008, I posted health care related posts on the "Health Policy Forum" (which has since been renamed to "Arthritis Today Stories"). When AF Dude pinned the "Health Access" forum to the top of this page, I posted health care reform related threads there from November 2008 to the end of July 2009. I pretty much stayed out of the RA forum until April 2009.

On April 6, 2009, a member posted a thread with the "warning," to be afraid of universal health care and wrote:

[i]"I wanted to write and encourage you all to call your congressmen to speak out against universal healthcare. If you heard Tom Daschle speak today you would have heard him say that older American just need to learn to deal with health problems and basically do not deserve to be treated for their conditions. . . . We all need to be very very afraid of this thing Obama likes to call Uviersal Healthcare. . . .

Please call your congressmen today to speak out against it, and I encourage you to listen to Tom Daschle's speach . . . Hypocrites!!!!! All of them that are supporting this!"[/i]

Now, it turns out these statements were false, Tom Daschle never said what she claimed. She never provided a source. But my point in bringing this up, is that the individual complaining about such posts, did not voice an objection to this post, with its unsubstantiated claims.

I believe the complainant is referring to me, when she wrote:

[i]"When asked to keep the political arguments out of the main area, one person responded that people don't read the things she posts in A2HC, so she was going to put stuff out where it would be seen."[/i]

Now I don't recall writing that, and please bring it to my attention if I did. What I did write was in response to the April 6 "be afraid" post:

[i]"Generally, such a topic would be discussed in the Access to Health Care forum that appears at the top of this page, but it doesn't get a lot of viewers or posts so I'm glad you started this thread so more members can participate in this discussion."[/i]

It was a tongue-in-cheek kind of remark, because up until then I had posted health care posts in the Health Access forum, and now she had opened the door for discussion on the RA forum -- and more joined in the discussion as a result.

The complainant has said that the RA forum has been "inundated" with such posts, but looking back over the last ten pages, there have been only 13 posts and from 6 different members, with different points of views. :)

The complainant refers to such posts as "divisive arguments." I see them as discussions of a critical issue that directly affects all of us with expensive to treat RA.

[url]http://community.arthritis.org/forums/Topic4193243-1831-1.aspx[/url]

Edited to add:

I voted against the subtopics, my reason, a member could write about several issues, for example, a new person to the forum, may write their knees are swollen and painful, should they have a cortisone shot or go ahead with knee replacement surgery, but they are afraid of surgery, and have limited insurance. So where would that go?

Personally, I can live with whatever changes are made.

[/size]

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Teri-z — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:41:44 GMT

I'm one of those who voted "yes" to categories, mainly because I have trouble finding specific info I want through search. Most everything is posted in RA Connect which makes it terribly big & repetitive. From the home page you can see that most of the categories are not being used - such as Health & Arthritis News, Coping Skills, Ways to move, Paying for Care, Family & Friends, Research News, Newly Diagnosed, etc. I think you administrators have done your best to make helpful and meaningful categories, but if members won't use them and just dump it all onto RA Connect I'm not sure what you can do. I sympathize with those who don't want to look at more than one category. But for me it would be helpful to be able to separate the general socializing or even medical research that is years away from market from the info I want about current treatments. If I'm sounding harsh I apologize to the members ... I just had surgery for a ruptured tendon and may not be thinking very well. When I first started reading this site I looked up all the info and examples and experiences I could find, but now I only check in a couple of times a month because it is mostly repetitive (newly diagnosed with all the welcome responses and the same suggestions, info on medications asked again & again, etc.) Like I said, the categories are there but you can't make the members use them. I mostly look at this as a socializing site and go elsewhere for info now. I think Warm Socks said it correctly in making the distinction between those who want an information or discussion site versus those who want a more supportive site and check in with their "arthritis family" every day. I think some of this started a big fight not too long ago so I've probably said too much. I'm thankful for this site and computer info in general and remember when there was no Medicare or Medicaid, no insurance at all let alone paid for by your employment, very few drugs, and people paid their doctor with farm produce or a pig or chicken, etc. when they didn't have cash. It wasn't all that long ago! - Teri

RE: Reorganizing Forums

dove-ok — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 07:32:06 GMT

I'm new here and seeking support, encouragement and knowledgable info regarding a terrible, life-altering disease, and I agree with Warm Socks, the arguements over healthcare and also over AP treatment, can be upsetting. However, other off topic subjects that don't turn in to debates and/or arguements are nice to access and read. Don't know if this helps any, just my opinion...

RE: Reorganizing Forums

WarmSocks — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:22:48 GMT

AF Dude:
I appreciate all you do to try to make this work. Asking before making changes is great.

The short answer is, "No. I don't want to wade through a bunch of subtopics." Even some of the off-topic stuff is nice because that's what helps create a community instead of an information exchange.

There is a huge exception, however. I'm not sure my perspecitive will be welcome, but I'll give it anyhow. People already ignore the existing organization provided in this forum, so I don't have much confidence that they'd post threads appropriately under a new system. Specifically, in case that's not clear enough, there is an Access to Healthcare section. People interested in that subject can read/post there. However, posts about A2HC keep showing up elsewhere. When asked to keep the political arguments out of the main area, one person responded that people don't read the things she posts in A2HC, so she was going to put stuff out where it would be seen. As a result of some of the arguments on that post and another about the same time, one person announced that he was leaving, and a few others have been mighty scarce since then. Since then, the main board has been inundated with similar posts that, imo, ought to have gone into the A2HC forum. Healthcare is an important subject, but divisive arguments are not helpful to people who are looking for information/help/support in dealing with RA (or other autoimmune diseases). Posting in such a manner changes the atmosphere of the forum. Instead of a group of people unified to support others with RA, it has turned into a place where a few people shove their political point of view on everyone else. It is not helpful.

Due to this, I no longer check the forum daily. I try to check topics a few times a week to see if there are any newbies; also to see if there are specific questions that I might be able to address. I check less and less, though, than I used to, and if the political posts continue, I will probably quit coming to this forum at all. Some have said, "just ignore those threads," and if there were an ignore button for specific threads, I would do that. Unfortunately that doesn't address the problem of the atmosphere that is created by the few people who insist on political bickering instead of sticking to living with RA.

That's my $.02

RE: Reorganizing Forums

AF Dude — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:59:02 GMT

Looks like the votes are saying yes, but the post are saying no.

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Pam3 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:25:18 GMT

Gramma,

That's too funny. :) I came here to post that same exact sentiment.

Pam

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Gramma — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:58:52 GMT

If you do decide to split us up into categories, please make a separate one for the Antibiotic Protocol posts. :)

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Alison9 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:58:39 GMT

I agree too, please don't change it. I would get confused and a lot of topics would fit into more than one category, so how would one choose?

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Pam3 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:31:03 GMT

I agree. Why fix what isn't broken?

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Awma — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:01:46 GMT

I like it the way it is.

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Nikki Lynn — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:45:03 GMT

[quote][b]Txnana (7/5/2009)[/b][hr]The way it is set up right now works for me......no changes necessary, in my opinion.

Take care

Txnana :)[/quote]

I second that :)

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Txnana — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:48:22 GMT

The way it is set up right now works for me......no changes necessary, in my opinion.

Take care

Txnana :)

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Grandpavan — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:59:22 GMT

I think I would want to check all the subforums because often a post could fit into more than one category and the discussions often go afield of what the original post addressed. If it gets too complicated I might just leave. God bless.

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Gramma — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:53:34 GMT

I wondered where the newcomers would post? We don't want them to get intimidated by having to chose a place.

Also, perhaps a "general" heading might be helpful for posts that don't really have a specific focus.

RE: Reorganizing Forums

Doris Penndorf — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:07:25 GMT

I have mixed feelings about the divisions you have made as example. The Juvenile RA people do seem to get much info and support from the adults, but I can see where it would benefit them to have a separate section (especially for support/info.)

As for OA - there really isn't any good forum on the net for these people, it is not very active, and frequently people are referred to the RA Connect section.....but RA Connect is 99% RA. Since there are so many different types of arthritis besides RA and OA, perhaps a different title or breakdown would be helpful.

There are many people who are just beginning their journey to identify their arthritis symptoms. As you know it can take many tests, visits to doctors, etc., trials of different medications. While RA people can write about their initial journey, they still ended up with an RA diagnosis.....so it still leaves the rest of us at a loss.

Just my thoughts as I begin my own journey. Thanks for asking!

Reorganizing Forums

AF Dude — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:23:31 GMT

This forum section is really hopping. We’re so excited that it is so active. We’d like to help organize all these threads into sub-sections for you. What are some subsections you’d be interested in?

Would you like to see the different Arthritis related diseases broken down into sub section like below?

RA Connect Forum
Sub Topic --> Signs and symptoms
Sub Topic --> Treatments and therapies
Sub Topic --> Emotional support
Sub Topic --> Off topic

Juvenile Arthritis Forum
Sub Topic --> Signs and symptoms
Sub Topic --> Treatments and therapies
Sub Topic --> Emotional support
Sub Topic --> Off topic

Osteoarthritis Forum
Sub Topic --> Signs and symptoms
Sub Topic --> Treatments and therapies
Sub Topic --> Emotional support
Sub Topic --> Off topic