I don't think I'll give specific ideas, I'd likely be run out of here on a rail if I did.

I do know something has to give. When I came here back in 2003 one could log on at most anytime in a 24 hour period and see 3 lines of names of "users online" and if you didn't check in 2-3 times a day the new posts would stretch to the 2nd page.

I look back to the archives and see dozens of names that I don't see here anymore. While I'm sure there are many reasons....people do come and go...I can't help but think many aren't here because they found the BS too much to stomach or were simply run off by person or persons unknown.

Our "family" (if one must call it that) is shrinking when it should be growing and that's not a good thing.

B

I would also like to add that if anyone has a point they would like raised but doesn't need the controversy of raising it - pm or email me.

I'll do it! I have no compunctions about it.

My aim is very simple. To create a nicer atmosphere to be in.

How about

Do not post on the new board unless you can be constructive?

Please remember, new people finding this site are largely uneducated about CH, they do not have coping techniques and they do not have knowledge. Please try to help with all those issues instead of taking issue with the way they are trying to deal with CH currently.

We cannot prevent disagreements but can we at least moderate our language and personal attacks when airing differences?

I'm in.


Kelly

I don't like it!

With the results of the current election, my life is about to be taken over and run by the Government for me and I sure wouldn't welcome more "rules" here.

I think the board should stay wide open for people to express themselves freely without new rules or regulations.  It's served it's purpose well for the last 9 years.

Makes the place feel like home!

I'm not a CH.com alumnus, but I certainly wouldn't mind agreeing to rules/guidelines that ask people to be respectful or constructive in the "Cluster Headache Help & Support" forums. !! 

To be "self-policing" to the extent possible, long-time or frequent members can simply report offensive posts to the forum moderator(s) and from there?  Either the offensive post just gets deleted by the mod, or the poster is asked to modify the post?

I participate in and have been a moderator of a very heavily moderated/policed site.  There were two competing sites in the category.  The unmoderated site no longer exists.  Both were founded in 2000/2001.  The heavily moderated site now turns a profit (I know it's not a goal here) - but that is because it brings in advertising dollars with 167,319 threads, 2,409,045 posts, 30,241 members, of which 1,744 are active, and there are 50 - 100 "guests" seeking information on those forums at any given time.  Not suggesting the goals here be changed.  Just points to results in the difference between being welcoming to people (which was a problem there for a time) and trashing them because they're not yet educated to the subject.

One last thought - maybe in the "new visitors" section include info about how people here feel about using the word "cure?"  Then rather than trashing people, we simply have a link we can point to.

Laurie

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

purpleydog wrote on Nov 21^st, 2008 at 3:19pm:

My sentiment exactly.  I too observed this dynamic on another board (older and much busier than CH.com) where members are to "self moderate".  It simply doesn't work, period.

99% of people are truly caring, compassionate, loving, and eager to help, especially on boards for medical conditions.  But the remaining 1%, bullies and meanies have no concept of "common sense".  Self-moderation only works if enough people are gutsy enough to point out rude and inappropriate behaviors AND the offending party is willing to be corrected.  But "normal" people tip toe around the bullies or just grab info and stay away, leaving the boards to the bullies to create the public image of belligerent environment.

It's said that there are 100 lurkers to ONE active member on busy & established public boards (I don't know the validity of it).  When civility, common sense, and mutual respect are not enforced, many of the 99% get disgusted and quietly slip away without further contributing to the collective knowledge and sharing of experiences.  We share the violent pain......but who wants clusterheads to be viewed as a bunch of hostile and classless meanies?  Must we take the frustration out on each other???

I don't have an answer to this dilemma of self-moderated public boards.  We can't change people who don't understand hurting and belittling another human being--let alone fellow sufferers--cannot be an acceptable behavior.  I however feel developing a code of conduct is a good idea.  The 99% won't need it, but it helps to have something official to refer to when necessary.  After witnessing and experiencing rudeness upon my return, I for one don't even know if CH.com has become an "anything goes, whatever you want to do with each other" site.

Apologies for the "dumping" part of my post.

What's the B stand for Wendy?  Dare I ask?

-P.

Ahh!

-P.

Bob P wrote on Nov 21^st, 2008 at 6:13pm:


Reminds me of a local dude who wants to post warning signs every five feet on our local intercoastal waterway because a family member fell in a hole.  'Rule pollution' as his personal therapy.  The only thing that happens with this place gets 'lawful and orderly' is people get bored and stop posting.