Shown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janice on July 27, 2000, at 23:23:08
The regular posters seem to be posting but new posters seems to be down. The new registration may be discouraging them, yes? Has anyone else noticed this?
Janice
Posted by shellie on July 28, 2000, at 8:01:08
In reply to Posting @ Psychobabble seems slow…, posted by Janice on July 27, 2000, at 23:23:08
Sometimes I notice thatÊnew posters come on and nobody acknowledges them. For instance, the woman asking about teenage therapy was unanswered for several days. I think even if we don't have the information someone needs, after a day or so at least someone should answer, if only to direct them to try a search on the web. Old posters get way more responses than most new or even relatively new posters. I think this is a great board but sometimes it appears to me to have a bit of a clique mentality. Maybe that inevitable, but I think that is more disarming than having to register. Shellie
Posted by Greg on July 28, 2000, at 9:03:53
In reply to Re: Posting @ Psychobabble seems slow… » Janice, posted by shellie on July 28, 2000, at 8:01:08
Shellie,
I won't speak for others here, but I read every post, new person or old (age not considered). I try to read carefully and base my decision to respond or not on what I feel the person's individual needs are. Sometimes I have knowledge on the subject and try my best to pass that on, sometimes I have no experience but can see that will help just to let the person know that I hear them and care about them, and I tell them that. Then there are times when you can sense that a person needs help and kind words won't be enough. If I feel that, I don't post. I recently responded to a new person's post with a post of "I really have no advice for you, but wanted you to know that you are in my prayers". I rec'd an e-mail from that person telling me that I had offended them with my comment, and if I had nothing constructive to say, please don't bother talking to them at all. The door swings both ways.
Of course there are going to be people here that others feel more comfortable talking to, that's life. But I've seen a new person receive 30+ responses to a new post, and others get none. It happens. Sometimes it takes time and persistence for a new person to find a place to fit in, it did for me. But PB is basically a loving, caring and supportive place with wonderful people. You and I are very lucky to have a place like this to come to. I've made a lot of friends here that I know will be with me for the rest of my life.
Quite frankly Shellie, I find your decision to label anyone here with a "Clique Mentality" offensive and unfair. You don't know what goes on in the minds of others (unless of course you are a Psychic) and shouldn't assume any of us to not care just because a person is new.
I'm not angry about this, but felt very inclined to respond. Once again, this is my opinion and I an not trying to speak for anyone else. I hope you have a peaceful weekend!
Hugs,
Greg> Sometimes I notice that new posters come on and nobody acknowledges them. For instance, the woman asking about teenage therapy was unanswered for several days. I think even if we don't have the information someone needs, after a day or so at least someone should answer, if only to direct them to try a search on the web. Old posters get way more responses than most new or even relatively new posters. I think this is a great board but sometimes it appears to me to have a bit of a clique mentality. Maybe that inevitable, but I think that is more disarming than having to register. Shellie
Posted by shellie on July 28, 2000, at 10:19:01
In reply to Re: Posting @ Psychobabble seems slow… » shellie, posted by Greg on July 28, 2000, at 9:03:53
>
> Quite frankly Shellie, I find your decision to label anyone here with a "Clique Mentality" offensive and unfair. You don't know what goes on in the minds of others (unless of course you are a Psychic) and shouldn't assume any of us to not care just because a person is new.
>
Greg, I'm sorry you took offensive at my statement. I was not trying to analyze what goes on in the minds of others, just giving one person's take (mine) on how the board appears at times to me. That's not an attempt to be psychic because it doesn't at all imply intent on the part of anyone, just a feeling on my part at times when I read the board. And I do agree it is a wonderful board; I already said that.And I only brought it up in response to why there are not a lot of new people posting--only one possible idea.
Peace, Shellie
Posted by shar on July 28, 2000, at 13:02:16
In reply to Re: Posting @ Psychobabble seems slow » Greg, posted by shellie on July 28, 2000, at 10:19:01
I think Shellie and Greg make good points (gosh, I'd hate to receive an e-mail saying f-off!).
One thing that concerns me is the post from someone in real pain, who might get a few or a lot of responses, and then hearing nothing at all. Like Me-But-Not-Me, who I am concerned about, and others.
I do think it is probably hard for some people to post when they are new, especially when the message is "Help, Cam" or to a particular person (I do this also occasionally, so I'm not blaming anyone) and I think it might send the message that we are oldsters (we are) who don't want newbies (but we do!).
Recently, there have been several posts that I could not respond to at all. And I don't quite have an approach to handling that, so far.
But, as far as new people, there seem to be several in this set of posts alone. And, some of the oldsters were actually newbies from the last archive or the one before. Have not really been here long, but have been very active.
Hmmmm, I think I'm rambling. I will go now.
Shar
Posted by CarolAnn on July 28, 2000, at 13:20:37
In reply to Re: Posting @ Psychobabble seems slow, posted by shar on July 28, 2000, at 13:02:16
I've been here since last October, and I've seen a lot of people come and go, and from what I've seen, if the oldies were ignoring the newbies, most of the current posters probably wouldn't be here.
It's like Greg and Shar say, sometimes you just don't know how to reply to a specific post, whether it's a new person or not.
Also, "ignoring" new people can be totally unintentional. Sometimes, timewise, it's all I can do just to keep up with the babblers I've known a while. But, when I do have extra time, and I see a new poster who has had no replies at all, I do read their post and try to find some response if I can't actually answer their questions. I really don't think that there are a whole lot of people who's posts have been totally ignored, I would guess, at the most, maybe one in each archive?
Well, I think I've gone over 2 cents!^) CarolAnn
Posted by tina on July 28, 2000, at 17:31:18
In reply to Re: my 2 cents on this, posted by CarolAnn on July 28, 2000, at 13:20:37
I'm not a newbie OR and oldster. Kinda in the middle somewhere I guess. Been around a few months and I have to say that I have posted once or twice and not gotten any answer at all but I still keep coming back. Sometimes you don't get ananswer because people simply can't see your post in amongst the thousands or they have no answers for you. It's a hard call. These are some of the best people I have ever met and a lot of them have become personal friends. Some really know their stuff and others, like me, are just here to say I understand and I support you because I've come through it and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. i know we all try our best to make new people welcome and keep in touch with our old friends but I hope everyone can find this board to be a helpful, supportive, understanding place. All I can say is if you don't get an answer on your first try, try again until someone notices. That's what I do and someone usually comes to my rescue. Please don't feel that your cries are going unheard. They aren't. Keep talking and we'll listen, always.
This is directed at anyone who feels slighted by the old timers. They aren't like that, any of them, take my word on it. They are the most compassionate bunch of wonderful people I know and I would still be in a black pit of hell without them.> I've been here since last October, and I've seen a lot of people come and go, and from what I've seen, if the oldies were ignoring the newbies, most of the current posters probably wouldn't be here.
> It's like Greg and Shar say, sometimes you just don't know how to reply to a specific post, whether it's a new person or not.
> Also, "ignoring" new people can be totally unintentional. Sometimes, timewise, it's all I can do just to keep up with the babblers I've known a while. But, when I do have extra time, and I see a new poster who has had no replies at all, I do read their post and try to find some response if I can't actually answer their questions. I really don't think that there are a whole lot of people who's posts have been totally ignored, I would guess, at the most, maybe one in each archive?
> Well, I think I've gone over 2 cents!^) CarolAnn
Posted by Janice on July 28, 2000, at 18:18:27
In reply to Re: my 2 cents on this--Maybe 3 cents, posted by tina on July 28, 2000, at 17:31:18
Good points guys…I meant to make an observation that the new registration system may be deterring first time posters from posting. Has anyone else noticed this? Maybe it is my over-active imagination at work.
I too, have made many friends here and have been following their mental health and lives for many months now. Shellie, thanks for the reminder, I may be missing some new people. But I've put up postings that have gotten no reply.
Janice
Posted by shar on July 28, 2000, at 20:16:33
In reply to new registration system…, posted by Janice on July 28, 2000, at 18:18:27
Janice,
You may be right about the registration system being a hurdle for new posters. This is pretty intimate stuff, or private, or whatever, and a new person is probably less likely to trust their sensitive information to this site.I really have to be interested in a group (like some chat group or BB other than this one) before I will register giving my e-mail address, etc. because of the privacy issue.
It's hard to tell if that is happening, and we can't really study the issue because all the newbies here have gone through registration!
I appreciate the reminder to be more attentive to new posts.
Shar
Posted by Greg on July 28, 2000, at 20:27:34
In reply to new registration system…, posted by Janice on July 28, 2000, at 18:18:27
Janice,
A very good possibility! The new system isn't exactly user-friendly! Seems it could be made easier. It can definitely be a source of irritation.
I'm VERY sorry if my earlier post distracted from your point here. I kinda climbed up on my soap box and I hope everyone will chalk it up to the ramblings of a sick puppy.
Hugs,
Greg> Good points guys…I meant to make an observation that the new registration system may be deterring first time posters from posting. Has anyone else noticed this? Maybe it is my over-active imagination at work.
>
> I too, have made many friends here and have been following their mental health and lives for many months now. Shellie, thanks for the reminder, I may be missing some new people. But I've put up postings that have gotten no reply.
>
> Janice
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 29, 2000, at 12:22:57
In reply to Re: new registration system… » Janice, posted by Greg on July 28, 2000, at 20:27:34
> The new system isn't exactly user-friendly! Seems it could be made easier. It can definitely be a source of irritation.
I'm open to suggestions...
Bob
PS: And thanks, everyone, for how welcoming you've been to new folks, I do think that's important.
Posted by Janice on July 29, 2000, at 18:30:50
In reply to Re: new registration system…, posted by Dr. Bob on July 29, 2000, at 12:22:57
Hi Dr. bob,
Is there anyway you could make it a one step process? That they could register and post immediately?
Janice
ps I appreciate your attempts to keep PB civil
Posted by Greg on July 29, 2000, at 23:28:05
In reply to Re: new registration system…, posted by Dr. Bob on July 29, 2000, at 12:22:57
Well......
The system really should be a single step, as Janice said. You enter your info and start posting. The confirmation number is time consuming, cumbersome and I don't really see what benefit it carries other than to give you a way to track us (I'm assuming here, ass/u/me). You may have already fixed the glitch, but when you register, it says you are not required to enter your e-mail address, but when you don't and click the registration button, it tells you to go back and enter it. I find that a little disconcerting. Is this so if a person behaves innappropriately on PB, you can block their e-mail? Less questions to answer (or not answer) would be nice. The simpler you make something to use, the more likely people are to use it.
I hope this doesn't sound like bitching, 'cause I really do appreciate you giving us this site!
Peace,
Greg> > The new system isn't exactly user-friendly! Seems it could be made easier. It can definitely be a source of irritation.
>
> I'm open to suggestions...
>
> Bob
>
> PS: And thanks, everyone, for how welcoming you've been to new folks, I do think that's important.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 2000, at 14:06:04
In reply to Re: new registration system… Dr. Bob, posted by Greg on July 29, 2000, at 23:28:05
> The system really should be a single step, as Janice said. You enter your info and start posting. The confirmation number is time consuming, cumbersome and I don't really see what benefit it carries
The benefit is that this way, someone can't just make up an email address or use someone else's.
> You may have already fixed the glitch, but when you register, it says you are not required to enter your e-mail address, but when you don't and click the registration button, it tells you to go back and enter it. I find that a little disconcerting.
Sorry, that shouldn't have happened. I think the site is at least consistent now as far as an email address being required.
> Is this so if a person behaves innappropriately on PB, you can block their e-mail?
My theory is that more accountability will result in more civility. In particular, as the FAQ says:
I ask for email addresses so that if there are any abusive posts, I can notify the person's Internet service provider (or, in the case of threats, other authorities).
> Less questions to answer (or not answer) would be nice. The simpler you make something to use, the more likely people are to use it.
I agree. But year of birth, gender, country, and state isn't *so* many questions, is it? :-)
Bob
Posted by Nance on July 30, 2000, at 18:25:03
In reply to Re: new registration system…, posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 2000, at 14:06:04
> My theory is that more accountability will result in more civility. In particular, as the FAQ says:
>
> I ask for email addresses so that if there are any abusive posts, I can notify the person's Internet service provider (or, in the case of threats, other authorities).
>
> > Less questions to answer (or not answer) would be nice. The simpler you make something to use, the more likely people are to use it.
>
> I agree. But year of birth, gender, country, and state isn't *so* many questions, is it? :-)
--------------------If, as a new poster, I may be so bold, I'd like to share my perception of the registration process:
I registered to post last night, and didn't find it difficult at all. E-mail confirmation seems to be a fairly standard practice for journal access and newsletter registration (I haven't registered to post anywhere before, so maybe it's not a standard BB thing), and I received my confirmation number within a minute of sending my registration request. My biggest difficulty with registration was not the process, but making (and acting on!) the decision to 'go public' (a tad socially phobic, n'est-ce pas?)
I didn't find the minimal information asked for intrusive at all - from the comments above, I was expecting a much more comprehensive, and personal, questionnaire. I feel that providing (very) basic info to enable Dr. Bob to profile the P-B community (hard data for his funding applications!) is the very least I can do in return for the personal time and effort he has put into this project, and for all the information and support I've received while lurking for the past few months.
Just my 2¢ Cdn / $1 US ;- >
Posted by Janice on July 31, 2000, at 16:16:20
In reply to Re: new registration system…, posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 2000, at 14:06:04
well Dr. bob, maybe it's okay. It seems just me and a few other folks have noticed that the new registration system has changed the atmosphere of the board to one where anyone could post to a board where anyone can still post, but it feels like one (sort of) joins. Maybe this is the price to pay for civility. Janice
Have you noticed new posters are down?
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2000, at 17:32:06
In reply to Re: new registration system…, posted by Janice on July 31, 2000, at 16:16:20
> It seems just me and a few other folks have noticed that the new registration system has changed the atmosphere of the board to one where anyone could post to a board where anyone can still post, but it feels like one (sort of) joins. Maybe this is the price to pay for civility.
>
> Have you noticed new posters are down?The number of posts does seem to have been more manageable lately... I wonder if it being summer (at least up in this hemisphere) makes a difference?
Actually, I kind of like the idea of "joining", that would go along with "community", right?
Bob
Posted by MisterB on August 3, 2000, at 22:18:03
In reply to Posting @ Psychobabble seems slow…, posted by Janice on July 27, 2000, at 23:23:08
There is another reason posting at Pbabble might be down from previous weeks ... maybe Pbabble is not as interesting as it was in recent weeks.
For my part, I did find the registration system to be totally unworkable at first. I repeatedly registered and received no registration number. After I started using several masking techniques such as using a different Internet service provider, and a different e-mail address, I was able to register a handle. Robert Hsuing later told me my other handle should now register, but I haven't lately tried, so I don't know what's up with that.
Far from the supportive community PBabble appears on the surface, I found the board to be inhabited by at least several hostile and derisive individuals who were not prepared to consider points of view that do not match their own. I found some individuals holding others responsible for the individuals' own feelings, and I found a licensed medical doctor telling people that yes, person A is responsible for person B's feelings.
Some acuse me of pushing people's buttons, but my perception is that people loaded with buttons tend to wear chips on their shoulders, waiting for someone to accidentally knock them off. Characterizing others with whom one does not agree as an aggressor is a classic rhetorical technique for defense and for control.
Also discouraging me from posting was the way others were attacked for the content of my posts, and several regular individuals on the board were repeatedly diminished by others who said I was the one creating some of the regulars. Very dehumanizing, to say the least. A classic counterinsurgency tactic is to identify all dissidents as one person, or one group, and then to discredit, threaten, abuse or destroy that one person or group.
I identified my handles as psuedoBBobs, and made it clear that I was not these other people. The continued corruption of mine and others' personal boundaries was certainly discouraging. I consider it civil of people to accept me for who I am - in this case I am a pers
Posted by MisterB on August 4, 2000, at 20:48:26
In reply to Despots enforce un-codified rules, posted by MisterB on August 3, 2000, at 22:18:03
I don't know what happened to the rest of that post. It went on to say I am a person who uses psuedonyms for publication purposes and talked about why people might not be interested in a managed dialogue that is represented as an open discussion.
Try doing this on a 386... i checked the post several times before posting, and thought I checked it once it was posted. I suspect it was cut by board management, but I can't really prove that to myself, or couldnt testify to it as true.
This is the end of the thread.
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