Posted by Dr. Bob on February 16, 2009, at 15:43:53
In reply to Re: To Administrators: Concerns; please address, posted by Garnet71 on February 12, 2009, at 2:48:14
> I found out the conversations on this board are part of a research project. I wish I had known that before I started posting. I'm not comfortable in knowing that things I have said could end up in journal publications. ... I know this is a public place in which others can do many things with the information one posts, but I feel violated. I also feel deceived in knowing some of the people I have spoken with may not have had 'real' concerns.
I'm sorry you didn't feel informed. Case studies are, however, addressed in the consent that's part of the usual Babble registration process:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/consent.html
Also, just because someone's participating in research doesn't mean they don't also have real concerns:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20081003/msgs/862001.html
> I wonder why I cannot delete some of my posts, when the option is a feature for other forums--a feature there for a reason.
It's on my to-do list.
> I've also just found that information from this forum is pulled to many other websites.
It's not hard to do, since the information here is public. But I'm curious what other sites you're referring to.
> Some of the members here have concerns about the amount of traffic on this forum. Just from personal experience, I have noticed that when forums are too partitioned/categorized, they tend to not be as active. ... It makes little sense to me why Medication, Neurotransmitters, Alternative, etc., should be seperate topics. ... Why the division? ... Same goes for Social-Politics-Religion-Psychology-etc. ... I think it would be a positive overhaul to have this forum redesigned from a format of the 90s t a more modern format.
As Dinah mentioned, closing some boards is also on my to-do list. Some divisions will probably remain, though. I agree, a redesign might be a good idea.
> On a more positive note, I think the administrators do a very good job at moderating this board. I've used others where moderators regularly jumped on innocent posters who may have said "the wrong thing", creating a sense of walking on eggshells for the forum users. Here, it seems, just the right amount of moderation is practiced, and the moderation I've seen is very rational.
I think the deputies do more than a moderately good job, too. :-)
> it might be helpful for administrators to start a thread asking members how they feel the forum would be best organized (but include limit of say, 6 topics). Of course, a consensus could probably never be reached, but it may be beneficial to have user imput.
>
> For example, just off the top of my head I would suggest, roughly:
>
> 1. Medical - includes medications, alternative, neurotransmitters, etc.
> 2. Mental Health - would include addictions, psychology, self-esteem, support, relationships, etc.
> 3. Anything Goes - includes religion, politics, students, social, etc.
> 4. Resources - library of information about meds, MAO diet restriction, how tos, help, etc.; put your links here
> 5. About Us - administration, faculty, etc.Thanks for the suggestions!
> If you want to increase your user traffic, there are some things you can do. First and foremost, in most cases, websites should not have more than 6 'categories'; otherwise, it turns off (although unconsciously) the visitor or potential user. In addition, the layout of the homepage will instantly attract or repel potential members. There are lot more things you can do, of course; these are just a couple of examples.
>
> You might find the following resources to be useful to find site organizational design ideas ...
>
> It would be fun--and a nice little challenge--to redesign your website.Thanks for the examples and resources. What would you consider the most important organizational design ideas?
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:879572
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20081228/msgs/880511.html