8 replies to this topic

[QueenTimely]

Hi all -

Just thought I'd weigh in about the use of the Are You New Here forum. I suggested that this forum be created to be ONLY the repository of advice from old-timers to newcomers, not a place for newcomers to post. The reason for this was that I've seen so many newcomers like myself ask the same questions and I'd hoped we could establish a sort of FAQ section with some of those answers -- for example, advice on weaning slowly, advice re: every other day approach, advice re: using Prozac to wean, advice about counting beads, obtaining gel capsules, etc.

Instead, this has become yet another place where newcomers post, and it's harder than ever to find the urgent requests for help and advice. Somehow, can we redirect those posts to the Weaning Off forum? Any thoughts?

[Junior]

Hi Queen

One of the problems with this board is that it is not moderated. Along with that, the administrator doesn't seem to visit very often. He PM'd me a few weeks back and asked if I'd like to be a moderator. I said yes but haven't heard from him since!

I agree though, we need some 'sticky' things so we can put the answers to FAQ there. I know I'm tired of explaining that it's not about detoxing but about the time it takes the brain to return to its pre-med way of functioning. I've explained the reasons many times too and as much as I like helping others, I'm kind of over it.

Cheers
Junior

[MaureenV]

Hi all -

Just thought I'd weigh in about the use of the Are You New Here forum. I suggested that this forum be created to be ONLY the repository of advice from old-timers to newcomers, not a place for newcomers to post. The reason for this was that I've seen so many newcomers like myself ask the same questions and I'd hoped we could establish a sort of FAQ section with some of those answers -- for example, advice on weaning slowly, advice re: every other day approach, advice re: using Prozac to wean, advice about counting beads, obtaining gel capsules, etc.

Instead, this has become yet another place where newcomers post, and it's harder than ever to find the urgent requests for help and advice. Somehow, can we redirect those posts to the Weaning Off forum? Any thoughts?

Agree with you both, completely and utterly. I think one of the problems with the new setup (much as it's great in lots of ways) is the role of 'guests', who can't start new threads, but can respond to old ones. Personally I'm having such difficulty keeping up with 'guests' sometimes that I just go to the posts of the ones I know. It's difficult to keep up with people without their little 'potted history' to help.

My suggestions:

* No posts by guests - there's a truckload of information on this site, a search facility etc etc for anyone wanting answers to routine questions.

* If an answer isn't easily found, and you want to offer help, or ask a question, or tell your story - register - it ain't that hard, and the little 'story' that appears beside the name each time helps those regulars recall who you are, AND track back through your comments if they can't remember your story.

* A section for posting informative screeds which MUST be moderated before posting. I was going to suggest that the section which was started be limited to those with 'x' number of posts, but that's a bit arbitary - who's to say someone new doesn't have a brilliant idea - like the one recently from a newbie who used half of each capsule and stuffed a bit of bread in the other side - so simple, but could save someone a lot of hassle.

* I'd like to see every person who registers automatically given their own thread (AND the ability to start new topics, but an automatic thread: The story of 'x'), to which it was obvious only replies to that conundrum could be posted.

* There is also a lot of confusion in regard to posting replies: many new posters just re-post the comment they wish to discuss, without adding their own thoughts or problems. I can see how this would happen - 'add reply' can be a bit ambiguous - does it mean 'put what i've just typed on the board' or does it mean 'now I want to start adding my reply'. Given the number of times this happens, AND the person seems to just give up, is a bit of a concern.

* I was also asked if I was interested in being a moderator, and my answer was a tentative yes, but would want to see some changes before I was interested (such as the above). It was suggested it was a way of 'giving something back' - with my 700+ posts, the majority of which have been long after I'd stopped having problems with Cymbalta, I think I've already done that, and like Junior, and just getting fed up with saying the same thing, over and over and over, because the site's too crowded for people to easily find answers.



Rant over.

[QueenTimely]

Great to hear from both of you on this issue. He asked me to be a moderator too, but it just feels too hard. But maybe we could do it together?

Agree with you both, completely and utterly. I think one of the problems with the new setup (much as it's great in lots of ways) is the role of 'guests', who can't start new threads, but can respond to old ones. Personally I'm having such difficulty keeping up with 'guests' sometimes that I just go to the posts of the ones I know. It's difficult to keep up with people without their little 'potted history' to help.

My suggestions:

* No posts by guests - there's a truckload of information on this site, a search facility etc etc for anyone wanting answers to routine questions.

* If an answer isn't easily found, and you want to offer help, or ask a question, or tell your story - register - it ain't that hard, and the little 'story' that appears beside the name each time helps those regulars recall who you are, AND track back through your comments if they can't remember your story.

* A section for posting informative screeds which MUST be moderated before posting. I was going to suggest that the section which was started be limited to those with 'x' number of posts, but that's a bit arbitary - who's to say someone new doesn't have a brilliant idea - like the one recently from a newbie who used half of each capsule and stuffed a bit of bread in the other side - so simple, but could save someone a lot of hassle.

* I'd like to see every person who registers automatically given their own thread (AND the ability to start new topics, but an automatic thread: The story of 'x'), to which it was obvious only replies to that conundrum could be posted.

* There is also a lot of confusion in regard to posting replies: many new posters just re-post the comment they wish to discuss, without adding their own thoughts or problems. I can see how this would happen - 'add reply' can be a bit ambiguous - does it mean 'put what i've just typed on the board' or does it mean 'now I want to start adding my reply'. Given the number of times this happens, AND the person seems to just give up, is a bit of a concern.

* I was also asked if I was interested in being a moderator, and my answer was a tentative yes, but would want to see some changes before I was interested (such as the above). It was suggested it was a way of 'giving something back' - with my 700+ posts, the majority of which have been long after I'd stopped having problems with Cymbalta, I think I've already done that, and like Junior, and just getting fed up with saying the same thing, over and over and over, because the site's too crowded for people to easily find answers.



Rant over.

[Junior]

Hi Queen

As I said earlier, it would help if the owner of the board could actually be bothered BEING here from time to time.

This boards needs a real clean up. It needs:
- People to register before being allowed to post
- A "sticky" section at the top of each forum
- Mods to move posts into their relevant forums
- A lounge, for people who just want to chat

At the moment it is just a jungle and as I said before, I'm really sick of repeating myself.

How r u doing, btw? I had to updose :S
Junior

[TimC97124]

Yes. You all are right. I'm a newbie here and have been reading (when my head doesn't hurt too much and my eyes don't feel like they're rolling around in their sockets like a slot machine.)

This first forum should be moderated only. There should be an FAQ thread, and a thread with a few instructions to guide newbies toward the forum that would be the most beneficial to their situation. And the instructions should emphasize the need to read, read, read, before posting.

I have learned a lot just by reading. And I now know I'm not alone, and I have a bunch of new friends that I can lean on in this whacked out battle.

Cheers,
TimC in Hillsboro, Oregon, USA.

[Jasminepearls]

Oof, I guess I should not have posted a topic in this forum, I am sorry about that. I was a bit confused as to where to post my issue and I saw *Are you new here* Yes I am! I thought.
I belong to a few forums, and I agree that this one needs some more moderation.

@Tim, cheers from Estacada, OR

[maddie]

Again, probably posting in the wrong place BUT as a newbie, just starting the hell of the Devil Drug withdrawal, I was so happy to find this board. Someplace that I could find others going thru the same agony that I am going thru. I realize logically that before you start posting at a board, that you should read the TOU of the board, you should try to see how the board works and where things should be posted. However, in the state that I was (am still to a certain degree) in, I really couldn't get my thoughts together enough to analyze where I should or shouldn't post. I just wanted a place to scream where others would understand. As you realize more than anybody, the people you are dealing with at this board are desperate and can't always get it together to research the right or wrong of a situation. Truthfully, I haven't really felt that I am having bad mood swings, but I just now, this minute, realized that, when reading this thread about posting incorrectly I had a paranoid reaction. LOL. I really did...I thought..gee they are referring to me, until I saw that your posts were from April and May. So I just added another symptom to the Devil Drug...for the first time in my life..I am paranoid.
I can only apologize now if I have been posting incorrectly...and wish everyone good luck and a quick recovery.

[TimC97124]

Hey JasminePearls from beautiful Estacada. I drove thru there a couple weeks ago on the way up to Timothy Lake. Here we are meeting new friends from Norway and Australia and Oregon and many places in between!

And Maddie, you may be right. We probably shouldn't be so worried about where we newbies post. This is the screaming place, so I suppose we can just scream on. Everyone knows exactly what we mean.

Here's hoping we all get out Hell soon! Dang, that reminds me, I heard someone describe Hell as being a place where no matter what craving you have, you can't get any of it. You crave a drink, can't. You crave love, can't. You crave happiness, can't. Right now, for me, this is drug hell. I'm trying to get off this drug but my head hurts and I have trouble thinking and I have trouble typing. I re-read what I just typed and I keep finding typos. Maybe I shouldn't be worried about that, I don't know. Fortunately, we've found some people here who can help us find the way out.

Thank you new friends, one and all for being here. Doob, Maureen, Cookie, BonBon, Junior, (and others that I haven't met yet) your life stories are so inspiring. I feel like I can't thank you enough; and I'm just getting started. You all are great! I'll find the right place to post my progress.
TimC