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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 52 to 76 of 194. Go back in thread:
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 14, 2008, at 13:31:10
In reply to Re: emotional support » Dr. Bob, posted by Kath on January 11, 2008, at 17:14:18
> I tend to agree with the below as to the meds part of your idea:
>
> > Having different boards for beginner and advanced medication issues is a bit like seating children separately at dinner. How are the rest of us supposed to get smart if we are not allowed to interact with the smart people? You're gonna have a dumbed-down board for laypeople and eventually babblers will just stop posting there because the quality of the posts will be so stupid. Besides, there are maybe five posters here who are "advanced" in their knowledge of psychopharmacology. And where exactly do you draw the line between elementary and advanced psychopharmacology? If I post a question on the board "Medication for dummies" and the content is deemed too advanced, will it get redirected to the other board? Or if I post a message on the board "Medication for smart people" and the content is deemed to be too basic, will it get redirected to the dummies board?I'd want anyone who wanted to learn more about more advanced topics to feel comfortable asking questions. It wouldn't be limited to "experts". Posts might be redirected one way or the other, but that would be based on the topics, not the posters. It wouldn't be civil to refer to anyone as "children" or "stupid" or "dummies".
I agree, where to draw the line would be a question. We'd need to discuss that, and it would probably evolve over time.
> Does it mean that we AREN'T supposed to write a post just to support a person in, say, the meds board?
No, I still want people to support each other.
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 14, 2008, at 13:31:14
In reply to Re: closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on November 22, 2007, at 15:17:01
> here's each board and the number of new threads (not new posts) on it during 4 weeks
On second thought, I think posts makes more sense than threads, since a lot of posts on a few threads is still activity. Here's each board and the number of new posts on it during the last 12 weeks of 2007:
Parents 6
2000 12
Books 16
Newbies 23
Grief 28
Relationships 40
Faith 52
Students 54
Politics 55
Eating 68
Work 81
Writing 99
Health 105
Self-Esteem 107
Substance Use 145
Withdrawal 206
Alternative 526
Administration 601
Social 1608
Psychology 4107
Medication 7578A minimum of a post every other day would be 45 in 90 days, so that would mean closing Parents, Books, Grief, and Relationships.
Bob
Posted by Dinah on January 14, 2008, at 16:18:17
In reply to Re: closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on January 14, 2008, at 13:31:14
And newbies. :)
I also don't think anyone on earth would mind recombining work with social.
Posted by muffled on January 14, 2008, at 17:32:36
In reply to Re: closing boards, posted by Dr. Bob on January 14, 2008, at 13:31:14
Why not closing newbies and 2000? as they not have enuf posts either?
Or are those people bettern me so get their own board?
M
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 14, 2008, at 21:50:37
In reply to Re: closing boards, posted by Dinah on January 14, 2008, at 16:18:17
> And newbies. :)
I'd rather improve Newbies than close it...
Bob
Posted by Dinah on January 14, 2008, at 23:43:16
In reply to Re: newbies, posted by Dr. Bob on January 14, 2008, at 21:50:37
I know. :)
Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2008, at 23:49:20
In reply to Re: newbies » Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on January 14, 2008, at 23:43:16
Could that be a board for med education and explanations of neurotransmitters those that are not treatment resistant as was implied on the main board. Then those on let's say maybe an SSRI could help other beginners hang in there? Just my own thought. Phillipa
Posted by Justherself54 on January 15, 2008, at 11:50:24
In reply to Re: newbies, posted by Dr. Bob on January 14, 2008, at 21:50:37
> > And newbies. :)
>
> I'd rather improve Newbies than close it...
>
> BobCould you have an "official greeter" in the newbies area to help welcome them and direct them to the boards that would be most suited to their questions? I think we may gain members that way as right now they may perceive no responses to their first post as uncaring and not return..
Posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2008, at 13:03:36
In reply to Re: newbies, posted by Justherself54 on January 15, 2008, at 11:50:24
I thought we did that at one time could be mistaken. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on January 15, 2008, at 16:32:03
In reply to Re: newbies » Justherself54, posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2008, at 13:03:36
We did do it at one time.
My opinion is that even if someone greets them promptly, welcomes them to babble, and directs them to the board most likely to provide them with answers, they're still having to repost their information.
Why can't official greeters make sure anyone not answered on a main board is greeted?
Posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2008, at 19:10:22
In reply to Re: newbies, posted by Dinah on January 15, 2008, at 16:32:03
Dinah I've been criticized for answering a thread that no one has responded to . I feel at least a hi or a little interaction even if don't know the med or whatever helps the person know someone knows they are there. An example is someone I e-mail with now who said when she posted I was the only one to respond and we were not on similar meds. Just my thought as it sounds very similar. Phillipa ps I'd be more than happy to welcome a person if on the board at the time and sometimes I do and say someone with more knowledge than me is sure to come along. Is this okay?
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 16, 2008, at 0:48:18
In reply to Re: newbies » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2008, at 19:10:22
> Could you have an "official greeter" in the newbies area to help welcome them and direct them to the boards that would be most suited to their questions? I think we may gain members that way as right now they may perceive no responses to their first post as uncaring and not return..
>
> Justherself54I agree, greeters, either official or unofficial, would be great. Would anyone like to volunteer?
> I've been criticized for answering a thread that no one has responded to . I feel at least a hi or a little interaction even if don't know the med or whatever helps the person know someone knows they are there. ... I'd be more than happy to welcome a person if on the board at the time and sometimes I do and say someone with more knowledge than me is sure to come along. Is this okay?
>
> PhillipaI'm sorry you got criticized. I also think a little interaction would be welcoming. Plus the green "new" indicators make them easy to spot. Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Phillipa on January 16, 2008, at 18:35:45
In reply to Re: newbies, posted by Dr. Bob on January 16, 2008, at 0:48:18
Thank-you Dr. Bob I do enjoy it. Phillipa
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 16, 2008, at 22:03:57
In reply to Re: newbies, posted by Dr. Bob on January 16, 2008, at 0:48:18
> > help welcome them and direct them to the boards that would be most suited to their questions? I think we may gain members that way
Someone new posted there today, does anyone have time to go say hi?
Bob
Posted by muffled on January 16, 2008, at 22:15:10
In reply to Re: new newbie, posted by Dr. Bob on January 16, 2008, at 22:03:57
Posted by Phillipa on January 16, 2008, at 23:24:07
In reply to Re: new newbie, posted by Dr. Bob on January 16, 2008, at 22:03:57
I will just got through doing the ebay. Love Phillipa then it's off to bed.
Posted by Dinah on January 18, 2008, at 10:25:19
In reply to Re: new newbie, posted by Dr. Bob on January 16, 2008, at 22:03:57
Going to say hi is very nice. No doubt about it. But it doesn't solve the problem that someone writes a post that's important to them, puts it where they think they're supposed to put it, and then are redirected to a board where they're likely to get answers. And have to retype their post. One in which they may have invested a lot of time.
I think the function of the newbie board could be done with a welcome screen after registration, directing new members to the proper board. And with reminders to frequenters of each board to warmly greet people with new green things next to their names. Having all posts answered would be ideal of course. But people could make an extra effort to greet newbies.
It was a nice gesture, Dr. Bob, and a nice try. But not many newcomers use it, and as a result even the best intentioned of greeters slip in checking the board, because they're not used to seeing much activity. And greetings are usually (and properly) a direction to a more active board, so people have to post twice, which is not very warm or welcoming.
Unless you can find someone well educated in medications willing to post answers to newcomers in sufficient depth, I think the newbie board is a well intentioned thought that just hasn't worked out.
And even if you do find posters who can do that, is it the right thing to split up answers that are potentially helpful to others?
Incidentally, I think putting the old search function back in would do more to welcome newcomers than the newbie board does. People would more easily be able to search the archives.
Posted by gardenergirl on January 18, 2008, at 11:05:16
In reply to Re: new newbie, posted by Dinah on January 18, 2008, at 10:25:19
Surely those who want to make a point of greeting new folks could scan the boards for the new flag. Or at least scan the boards they frequent the most. I'd probably be more likely to greet more if I did that versus try to remember to go to the newbies board.
gg
Posted by Phillipa on January 18, 2008, at 12:58:15
In reply to Re: new newbie, posted by gardenergirl on January 18, 2008, at 11:05:16
Same here I greet on meds when I don't recognize someone or they indicate they are new. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on January 18, 2008, at 16:34:32
In reply to Re: new newbie, posted by gardenergirl on January 18, 2008, at 11:05:16
Well, that's what I think.
I know Dr. Bob meant very well by setting up the newbie board. But he's tried various options and it just hasn't really worked. I think the most welcoming thing at this point is to let it go.
But that's just my thoughts. I've been known to be wrong.
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 19, 2008, at 11:13:43
In reply to Re: new newbie » Dr. Bob, posted by Phillipa on January 16, 2008, at 23:24:07
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 19, 2008, at 11:32:15
In reply to Re: new newbie » gardenergirl, posted by Phillipa on January 18, 2008, at 12:58:15
> And have to retype their post.
They could copy and paste...
> And with reminders to frequenters of each board to warmly greet people with new green things next to their names. Having all posts answered would be ideal of course. But people could make an extra effort to greet newbies.
That's a good idea, I've thought before that I should add something to each board's introduction. Lots of people just skip them, but it wouldn't hurt. I should just do it.
> Incidentally, I think putting the old search function back in would do more to welcome newcomers than the newbie board does. People would more easily be able to search the archives.
>
> DinahThat's a big project, and I'm not absolutely sure there's enough memory for it, but I do think it would help to have it back. Maybe this summer?
--
> Surely those who want to make a point of greeting new folks could scan the boards for the new flag. Or at least scan the boards they frequent the most.
>
> ggOr scan those boards + Newbies?
--
I've been wondering why newbies aren't always welcomed. Sure, there are practical reasons like not having time to check another board. But are there other reasons, too?
I'm trying to understand here, not to be critical.
Bob
Posted by Dinah on January 19, 2008, at 12:02:13
In reply to Re: welcoming newbies, posted by Dr. Bob on January 19, 2008, at 11:32:15
Dr. Bob, I know I've said this before. But in addition to the board not getting much activity so people forget, people might feel a bit awkward just saying "Welcome. You probably want to post this on Meds." I do myself, even though I'm used to redirecting. It feels kind of less than helpful, even if I blame it on you.
Posted by Phillipa on January 19, 2008, at 19:37:09
In reply to Re: welcoming newbies » Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on January 19, 2008, at 12:02:13
Doesn't make me uncomfortable guess it's a bit like welcoming a patient in the hospital as a new admission. Plus I'm here a lot. Phillipa
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 26, 2008, at 8:01:12
In reply to Re: new newbie, posted by Dr. Bob on January 16, 2008, at 22:03:57
> does anyone have time to go say hi?
If someone could welcome these folks, too, I'd appreciate it:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080124/msgs/808684.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080124/msgs/808916.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080114/msgs/808429.htmlPhillipa, thanks for your help there,
Bob
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