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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 22 to 46 of 194. Go back in thread:
Posted by Fivefires on October 15, 2007, at 2:19:04
In reply to Re: opening boards and closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on October 14, 2007, at 16:47:51
Tks DB for this answer. This would have been my assumption, but I wasn't sure.
5f
Posted by zenhussy on October 15, 2007, at 14:20:35
In reply to Re: opening boards and closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on October 14, 2007, at 12:58:53
>>How would posts be archived on closed boards so that posters could access their posts?
Toph<<>>>>Dr. Bob replies--The boards could stay, so the posts would remain accessible, but posting to them could be turned off... <<<<
would you bring back the archives for 2001 then please? if posting is stopped but archives remain for other 'lesser traffic' boards why not bring back the 2001 archives?
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 15, 2007, at 20:02:13
In reply to Bob the builder he can do it...., posted by muffled on October 14, 2007, at 23:20:53
> some people (myself included) will post on a board because it's there, and because we think we'll be redirected if we don't post on the correct board.
>
> That doesn't mean a board needs to remain a separate board, if the same posts could be made on social in the absence of another board.
>
> After all, they sprang from Social, and perhaps the siphoning off of those topics hurt both the other boards and Social. Perhaps they can more happily nestle in the place from which they came.
>
> DinahAh, I see what you mean. I guess I was wondering what *could* remain separate, not what *needed* to. I think it would be hard to know where topics would be happier...
--
> > But I guess I could change the name and keep the URL the same...
>
> Bob the builder, YES YOU CAN!
>
> MYou were right, thanks for the encouragement. :-)
Bob
Posted by Dinah on October 15, 2007, at 21:14:30
In reply to Re: closing boards and renaming boards, posted by Dr. Bob on October 15, 2007, at 20:02:13
> I think it would be hard to know where topics would be happier...
Oooooh Dr. Bob! :-)
It's nice to see you back on board.
(We still want Babblechat on bottom of page)
Posted by Netch on October 16, 2007, at 6:32:55
In reply to Re: closing boards and renaming boards, posted by Dr. Bob on October 15, 2007, at 20:02:13
Maybe some boards could be joined as "emotional support". I've noticed some posts on "medication" are not about medication... it's more about people trying to reach out.
Some other boards about emotional support have slow traffic./Netch
Posted by olysi79 on October 16, 2007, at 9:21:15
In reply to Re: closing boards and renaming boards » Dr. Bob, posted by Netch on October 16, 2007, at 6:32:55
Keep it basic in my honest opinion.
Low travelled boards get closed, high travelled boards remain.
To avoid fear, I think that possibly once a person registers and before he or she can post, he or she could be taken through a few explanations of the board's purposes, alongside a disclaimer of the board's intentions, rules, and an understanding that many of the board's posters are expressing their opinions to avoid the newbies becoming frightened, etc... You already do this when one registers, but it needs to be taken further, especially when articulating the diverse array of opinions on the boards. As an example, when I was a newbie to the boards, it was the fact that I was reading alot of what I perceived to be "the truth" about these situations from posters that scared me. I thought that it all applied to me. I did not carefully consider that we all have unique biochemistry, life experiences and diagnoses, etc. That can create an intimmidating experience.Finally, as far as policies are concerned, I think there needs to be an effort to keep threads directed at the questions asked by posters. Often times, a person will ask a question in which they want insight from a person who has perhaps had similar experience, only to have their thread hijacked by someone asking a completely different question or offering irrelevant information. It robs the poster of having his or her question answered, and stops a new thread from being created with an appropriate subject line, which unto itself could create a rich archive of useful answers. I think there needs to be reporting of thread hijacking and a policy against it, then the the hijacker's posting needs to either be deleted or be recreated as a new thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 17, 2007, at 0:31:32
In reply to Re: closing boards and renaming boards » Dr. Bob, posted by Netch on October 16, 2007, at 6:32:55
> Maybe some boards could be joined as "emotional support". I've noticed some posts on "medication" are not about medication... it's more about people trying to reach out.
When I revised the layout recently I actually took out a line about that:
> > If what you want to do is support someone more than discuss an issue, just post to whichever board they posted to.
See:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20070817/msgs/785641.html
Bob
Posted by Justherself54 on November 13, 2007, at 11:24:11
In reply to opening boards and closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on October 10, 2007, at 1:43:52
What about placing Alternative into Health (maybe change name to Healthy Living ..change Eating to Eating Disorders..merge Parents into Relationships..Writing..maybe change to Creativity which would let other forms of theraputic creativity such as painting, photography, film, music etc.
Newbies to Introduce Yourself? Might get "seasoned" members to respond and assist newcomers..just rambling!
Posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2007, at 20:38:35
In reply to Re: opening boards and closing boards, posted by Justherself54 on November 13, 2007, at 11:24:11
I think I like it!!!!!Phillipa but add withdrawal back to meds are they go together.
Posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2007, at 20:42:55
In reply to opening boards and closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on October 10, 2007, at 1:43:52
Beginners med board with simple discussions on what different classes of meds do in very simple terms and no scare posts. One that would encourage a person to try the med and the withdrawal would kind of be the same thing. Wasn't the original board kind of mixed with withdrawal too? But no technical stuff this combines newbie thread too. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on November 19, 2007, at 11:24:41
In reply to Re: opening boards and closing boards, posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2007, at 20:42:55
I think my choice would be to close boards that are not terribly active unless people feel really strongly about it. People actually post that they don't want to post on some of the smaller boards because of the lack of traffic. I doubt that anyone would fuss if work or parenting or perhaps even relationships was closed.
The more technically related topics probably should be retained as separate entities, although they perhaps could be combined.
There are some boards that have a specific purpose quite apart from topic. I think some of the boards were started because it helped people feel free-er to talk about sensitive issues. I'd feel uncomfortable closing those boards.
And I think closing Religion or Politics would be a problem if you didn't outlaw the discussion of those topics at the same time.
That in a nutshell is my idea. No formula for deciding when a small board should be closed. Maybe keep track of posts complaining that the small boards get too little traffic and they'd rather post on Social or Psychology? Or just peruse the activity level and then start separate threads for each low volume board asking for feedback about closing them?
Not everything has to be a formula. Any number of things shouldn't be, IMO.
That's my thoughts in a nutshell, although I suppose I've made them clear elsewhere.
Posted by Fivefires on November 19, 2007, at 14:13:53
In reply to Re: opening boards and closing boards, posted by Dinah on November 19, 2007, at 11:24:41
There is the same picture of the cute little kitty on both psycho-babble medication and social.
It would be very helpful to have a different picture on each board; a picture reflecting the content of the board.
Would this be possible w/o too much trouble?
Once again today, I nearly posted a 'social' post on 'psycho-babble medication'. And, btw, I'm assuming it's called the new name of the board 'psycho-babble medication', because it is a discussion of medication by non-professionals? This is what it connotates. Am I the only one that is a little bothered by this?
I expressed a month or more ago that psycho-babble, by itself, connotates people sitting around talking (or, and I hate to say this, psychos sitting around babbling).
Now, in putting it w/ medication, ... well to me, it sort of demeans the posters on the board a bit. IMO, 'psycho-babble' should be done away w/ altogether.
I've heard many people speak of it, outside the site, and 'they laugh about it'. They truly believe it's a bunch of c*azy i*iots.
Okay, if it doesn't bother the most of you, this is Ameri*a.
I'm sorry. I truly and sincerely don't feel like being mean or rude or condescending or dissatisfied or any of those bad things. I only wanted to say how I felt. I'm way down in the dumps w/o a freakin' ladder and I'm probably expressing my opinion in a manner reflecting this.
Sorry.
:( 5f
Posted by Angela2 on November 19, 2007, at 17:54:28
In reply to Re: opening boards and closing boards, posted by Dinah on November 19, 2007, at 11:24:41
justherself54, I like idea about making the writing board a general board for all creative stuff.
Phillipa, like the idea about explanations about different meds.
I also like idea about turning social into general.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 21, 2007, at 8:06:23
In reply to Re: opening boards and closing boards, posted by Dinah on November 19, 2007, at 11:24:41
> No formula for deciding when a small board should be closed. Maybe keep track of posts complaining that the small boards get too little traffic and they'd rather post on Social or Psychology? Or just peruse the activity level and then start separate threads for each low volume board asking for feedback about closing them?
>
> Not everything has to be a formula. Any number of things shouldn't be, IMO.I agree, but a formula can be a starting point. Here's each board and how many weeks ago its most recent thread was started:
2000 26
Faith 6
Parents 5
Books 4
Eating 3
Health 1
Work 1
Grief 1
Writing 1
Relationships 1
Students 1
Substance Use 1
Newbies 1
Withdrawal 0
Self-Esteem 0
Alternative 0
Medication 0
Psychology 0
Administration 0
Social 0
Politics 0So a month without any new threads would mean closing 2000, Faith, and Parents. I might consider 2000 and Faith to be exceptions and just close Parents?
Bob
Posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2007, at 8:08:28
In reply to Re: shutting down boards, posted by Dr. Bob on November 10, 2007, at 18:11:58
Dr. Bob couldn't eating, health, be combined? And self-esteem is really a part of psychology to me as my therispist and I discuss these thing. Agree general would be great. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on November 21, 2007, at 8:43:15
In reply to Re: closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on November 21, 2007, at 8:06:23
Dr. Bob - You started that post on work, didn't you? By redirecting it from another board?
Surely that shouldn't count.
Dinah
Posted by Dinah on November 21, 2007, at 8:56:36
In reply to Re: closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on November 21, 2007, at 8:06:23
I also don't really agree with the criteria.
One post a month seems excessive, since you have us trained to use the boards by topic, and some people do that even though they'd rather post somewhere where there is more traffic.
I'd suggest four per month as a bare minimum. That's one per week.
Either that or an announcement that redirects will no longer be made to the less active boards, so people are free to post on that board or on Social.
And as for Newbies.... Since it's a board specifically designed to help newcomers feel welcome and helped, does it make sense to judge it by the number of new threads? Responses sounds like a better criterion. How about at least four new threads that generate more response than a welcome and a suggestion that they post on a more active board?
Posted by Dinah on November 21, 2007, at 9:31:37
In reply to Re: closing boards » Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on November 21, 2007, at 8:43:15
> Dr. Bob - You started that post on work, didn't you? By redirecting it from another board?
>
> Surely that shouldn't count.
>
> DinahNever mind. I saw you didn't include that one. :)
Posted by Muffled on November 21, 2007, at 10:54:55
In reply to Re: closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on November 21, 2007, at 8:06:23
I can see closing faith inasmuch as it seems to end up causing probs.
I think faith stuff can, and has been talked about on psychology. Very carefully of course. And with much thot to others sensitivities. Cuz everyones faith is their own.
So eg. a person can ask for 'prayers', and that can take many forms, it can be prayers in the Christian sense, or healing 'energy' sent the way of the person, or prayers in other religious ways, it can be just holding the person in your thots/heart.
As far as theological discussions...well..they need to be very sensitively done. And could occur on eg. social or psychology etc, depending on the 'why' of the dicussion.
My thots..
M
Posted by Muffled on November 21, 2007, at 11:02:55
In reply to Re: closing boards, posted by Dinah on November 21, 2007, at 9:31:37
Also, as far a trying to have certain discussions on certain boards...well, as a poster that is difficult and time consuming cuz you have to keep switching boards to check on stuff. Plus, if you kinda have a 'home' board, then you get to know certain posters and they in turn get to know you, and that is HUGE, but so much is 'understood' in the communications when you know each other some. There is more trust and understanding on so many levels.
I do goto meds for med questions.
I sometimes goto social for purely social type posts.
Sometimes writing is useful just to spew some of the badness outta me.
And of course admin to see wassup with the running of babble etc.
Those are boards I use most.
So long windedly I am saying that the boards can hold 'broader' topics if you *word* it right!!!!!!!!
I can talk bout my kids on pych or social quite easily.
I can talk carefully bout religion on those same boards.
These are my thots.
Not very clear, sorry.
M
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 22, 2007, at 15:17:01
In reply to Re: closing boards » Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on November 21, 2007, at 8:56:36
> I also don't really agree with the criteria.
>
> One post a month seems excessive, since you have us trained to use the boards by topic, and some people do that even though they'd rather post somewhere where there is more traffic.
>
> I'd suggest four per month as a bare minimum. That's one per week.OK, here's each board and the number of new threads (not new posts) on it during 4 weeks (10/24 through 11/20):
2000 0
Parents 0
Faith 0
Books 1
Eating 2
Grief 2
Politics 2
Relationships 4
Newbies 5
Writing 6
Self-Esteem 7
Students 7
Work 7
Substance Use 10
Withdrawal 13
Health 14
Administration 21
Alternative 26
Social 73
Psychology 124
Medication 308So a minimum of 1/week would mean closing 2000, Parents, Faith, Books, Eating, Grief, and Politics. I might consider 2000, Faith, and Politics to be exceptions and just close Parents, Books, Eating, and Grief?
Bob
Posted by Muffled on November 22, 2007, at 15:28:40
In reply to Re: closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on November 22, 2007, at 15:17:01
I wonder if eating board would get more use if it was made to be more specific to the needs of eating disordered people as opposed to just...eating...?
Maybe not.
Faith and politics as exceptions.....why? Is it a desire to have these problematic topics to have their own place to keep it off the other boards? Just wondering.
I'm not sure exactly why keep 2000 board open if its not being used at all? Can these people not 'meet' on social, where their posts are more likely to be seen anyways????
So I can see parents , books, and grief being able to be absorbed by other boards, but eating....I dunno.
These are my exalted thots if anyone gives a flying f*ck what I got to say...
Ha.
M
Posted by MidnightBlue on November 26, 2007, at 0:27:21
In reply to Re: emotional support, posted by Dr. Bob on October 17, 2007, at 0:31:32
> > Maybe some boards could be joined as "emotional support". I've noticed some posts on "medication" are not about medication... it's more about people trying to reach out.
>
> When I revised the layout recently I actually took out a line about that:
>
> > > If what you want to do is support someone more than discuss an issue, just post to whichever board they posted to.
>
> See:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20070817/msgs/785641.html
>
> BobDr. Bob,
Does this mean if you primarily want to be supportive you should not post to someone on a board unless it is the social board?MB
Posted by MidnightBlue on November 26, 2007, at 0:31:56
In reply to Re: closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on November 21, 2007, at 8:06:23
I would think it might be a good idea to combine books and writing, medications and withdrawal, and parents and relationships.
MB
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 27, 2007, at 20:19:49
In reply to Re: emotional support » Dr. Bob, posted by MidnightBlue on November 26, 2007, at 0:27:21
> Does this mean if you primarily want to be supportive you should not post to someone on a board unless it is the social board?
No, I took out that line, but I still want people to support each other!
Bob
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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