Hi All,
A number of the members who are following the GF diet, were at first concerned about posting diet-related questions to the MMB, because of carry-over inhibitions from the old board.
To be honest, I've been dragging my feet on creating additional discussion forums. I didn't do that just to be irritating--I had a reason. I really thought that we needed to spend some time with everyone posting to one forum, so that we could re-establish a feeling of security and mutual trust. So many of us were so hurt and pre-occpied by some of the negative happenings on the old board, that I thought it would help if we "healed" together, so that we can recognize once again, that even though we are a very diverse group, with unique individual personalities, we're also very much alike in so many ways, and we share very unique bonds of friendship. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have thoroughly enjoyed becoming "re-acquainted" with everyone here, and learning to appreciate our individuality, all over again. From what I have read, most of you seem to feel the same way.
Since the issue of possible pruning has come up, perhaps it's time to add a couple of discussion forums, which would be exempt from pruning, due to the nature of their content. How about adding a discussion forum for diets, and diet-related health issues, and another forum for discussions/questions about meds, and med-related health issues. If there doesn't seem to be sufficient interest in these forums, we can always transfer the existing posts to another forum, and close them, or maybe combine the two. We would surely want to make these two forums visable to newbies.
In fact, if we don't make the MMB visable to newbies, then when they post in the forum of their choice, (either diet or meds), their selection will prevent us from mistakenly trying to sell then on the GF diet, when in fact, they would prefer to try to gain control by the use of meds, and vice versa. If they have read the information available to them, by the time they are ready to post, they should have an idea about which way they want to lean. If they are undecided, they will proably say so.
This is a simple tactic, and I'm sure it will not work perfectly, but I believe that it will prevent a lot of wasted/misdirected effort, and it will help to prevent unintentionally alienating any newbies, by preempting unwanted sales pitches. The tone of their posts should give us clues about how they wish to preocede. That doesn't imply that cross-posting , or mixed responses would be verboten, but this should certainly allow us to focus our attentions in the proper directions.
Personally, I consider the MMB to be the domain of founding members, and not newbies--at least that was my original intent. I have said all along that when we open this board to newbies, they would have their own forum in which to post. We will probably want to allow some or all of them to graduate to the MMB after we get to know them, but if their initial posting is done in a forum dedicated to that purpose, then there should be no mistaking its format, and newbies won't mistakenly assume that this forum is mostly dedicated to chit-chat, rather than MC related topics.
IOW, I would prefer that the MMB be left open to posts with totally unrestricted topics, so that anyone can feel free to say whatever is on their minds.
As always, your comments, suggestions, and criticisms are appreciated.
Love,
Wayne
Thoughts About Splitting/Adding Forums
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Thoughts About Splitting/Adding Forums
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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annie oakley
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3859
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 5:56 pm
I liiiiiiike it! Simplicity is propably the best policy!
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
I like it too.
Mainly I really don't want us to split up into "goups". I am really enjoying the forum now and I love the lighthearted posts. In other words, the banter lifts my spirits, and I really do LOVE to laugh.
I know, though, that there has to be serious discussion, research. That's the original purpose and it is very needed. I believe we can have both.
Shirley
Mainly I really don't want us to split up into "goups". I am really enjoying the forum now and I love the lighthearted posts. In other words, the banter lifts my spirits, and I really do LOVE to laugh.
I know, though, that there has to be serious discussion, research. That's the original purpose and it is very needed. I believe we can have both.
ShirleyWhen the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
This post has been edited by the board moderators 6/30/2005.
Hi Wayne. I just don't know about keeping newbies off the MMB. I almost think if that's what everyone here wants we might as well keep this entire board private. Here is my reasoning:
1. Newbies (and even veterans) might not know where to categorize their posts. I still remember my very first question, at the old place's MMB, "Does anyone know a doctor with expertise in lymphocytic colitis?" I got an incredibly warm welcome from so many people! If I had had to categorize that question, I'm not sure what I would have done.
2. I have never been intimidated by suggestions about getting the Enterolab tests or going gluten-free. I think the founding members, and members yet to come, need to be free to express their opinions.
3. Pruning is a tough issue. I know there were many, many times I used "search" at the old place's MMB and found a wealth of great information. Lots and lots. Yet it seems - and please correct me Wayne if I'm wrong - that the vast majority of posts here are on the MMB. How to prune it...I don't know...will give it some more thought.
4. As for adding additional forums, I think we need to be a little careful not to have too many. BTW Wayne what's a Usergroup? Is it something that we could use occasionally for off-topic conversations? That might help keep the MMB from getting overwhelmed.
Well I guess that's my two cents worth for now except to say, Wayne, thank you so much for all you have done and continue to do. What would we all do without you (that's a rhetorical question...you can't leave...ever!)
Love, Carrie
Hi Wayne. I just don't know about keeping newbies off the MMB. I almost think if that's what everyone here wants we might as well keep this entire board private. Here is my reasoning:
1. Newbies (and even veterans) might not know where to categorize their posts. I still remember my very first question, at the old place's MMB, "Does anyone know a doctor with expertise in lymphocytic colitis?" I got an incredibly warm welcome from so many people! If I had had to categorize that question, I'm not sure what I would have done.
2. I have never been intimidated by suggestions about getting the Enterolab tests or going gluten-free. I think the founding members, and members yet to come, need to be free to express their opinions.
3. Pruning is a tough issue. I know there were many, many times I used "search" at the old place's MMB and found a wealth of great information. Lots and lots. Yet it seems - and please correct me Wayne if I'm wrong - that the vast majority of posts here are on the MMB. How to prune it...I don't know...will give it some more thought.
4. As for adding additional forums, I think we need to be a little careful not to have too many. BTW Wayne what's a Usergroup? Is it something that we could use occasionally for off-topic conversations? That might help keep the MMB from getting overwhelmed.
Well I guess that's my two cents worth for now except to say, Wayne, thank you so much for all you have done and continue to do. What would we all do without you (that's a rhetorical question...you can't leave...ever!)
Love, Carrie
Good ideas, tex! One issue I'll raise for discussion is something that I've heard Katy mention. She thinks it's really important for newbies (who are usually so sick and discouraged) to be able to see our lighthearted banter and the fact that we are coping with the MC and going about our daily lives. Katy, did I get that right?
Love,
Polly
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Ok, we've got two opposite viewpoints here--whether newbies prefer to see remedies for their symptoms, or whether they prefer to see people having fun, and pretty much ignoring their disease.
I'm trying to think back to when I originally joined the old board. At the time, I had my symptoms under control, but I believe the main reason I joined, was because everyone seemed to be so knowledgeable, that I just knew I could learn a heck of a lot, if I stuck around, and paid attention. ....and you know what? That's exactly what happened--and I'm still learning from you, every day that goes by.
I will admit that I was really impressed by how everyone seemed to be so sincere, and loving, and truly supportive, but it was the information about living with MC that convinced me to sign up.
Now I'm really curious. Why did you join?
Love,
Wayne
P S Carrie, usergroups are the way that I assign permissions. It's faster and easier than assigning individual permissions. IOW, when you joined, I added you to the "Hidden" group, and that's what enabled you to "see" this discussion forum. The moderators are in the "Moderators" group, and have another level of permissions. Those are the only two groups at present, but we could add a "Registered" group, for example, so that newbies could see all the information forums, but not this one, until they are upgraded to the "Hidden" group.
I'm trying to think back to when I originally joined the old board. At the time, I had my symptoms under control, but I believe the main reason I joined, was because everyone seemed to be so knowledgeable, that I just knew I could learn a heck of a lot, if I stuck around, and paid attention. ....and you know what? That's exactly what happened--and I'm still learning from you, every day that goes by.
I will admit that I was really impressed by how everyone seemed to be so sincere, and loving, and truly supportive, but it was the information about living with MC that convinced me to sign up.
Now I'm really curious. Why did you join?
Love,
Wayne
P S Carrie, usergroups are the way that I assign permissions. It's faster and easier than assigning individual permissions. IOW, when you joined, I added you to the "Hidden" group, and that's what enabled you to "see" this discussion forum. The moderators are in the "Moderators" group, and have another level of permissions. Those are the only two groups at present, but we could add a "Registered" group, for example, so that newbies could see all the information forums, but not this one, until they are upgraded to the "Hidden" group.
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Oh, sorry, I don't think I spoke very clearly on Katy's behalf. I don't think she meant that newbies need to see people having fun and ignoring their disease. I think she meant that it was important for them to see that so many can manage/treat MC quite effectively - to the extent that normal lives are possible - working, playing, traveling, etc. IOW, that there truly IS life after MC. Katy, help me out here. Is this what you think or not? LOL!
In my case, I probably joined mostly for the support. I didn't know anyone else with MC, so it was so exciting to find kindred souls. Plus, I had done extensive literature searches and already found Dr. Fine's site. Of course, Sally and Alice and Maggie all discussed Dr. Fine and the gluten-free diet with me. (Don't forget, at the time I joined, the info on the GF diet had only very recently become available.) And since I was the FIRST one to have extensive multiple intolerances, no one was available to help me with that. I had to experiment on my own to learn what to do. But everyone was very supportive of me while I waded my way through the MI maze. Now it is different, with so many people with years of experience. The accumulated knowledge is incredible.
Love,
Polly
In my case, I probably joined mostly for the support. I didn't know anyone else with MC, so it was so exciting to find kindred souls. Plus, I had done extensive literature searches and already found Dr. Fine's site. Of course, Sally and Alice and Maggie all discussed Dr. Fine and the gluten-free diet with me. (Don't forget, at the time I joined, the info on the GF diet had only very recently become available.) And since I was the FIRST one to have extensive multiple intolerances, no one was available to help me with that. I had to experiment on my own to learn what to do. But everyone was very supportive of me while I waded my way through the MI maze. Now it is different, with so many people with years of experience. The accumulated knowledge is incredible.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Sorry - I should have said I was going to start another thread! 
I thought it would be good to have all the answers in one place - could have left them here too!
So......I started a thread "I joined because..."
I thought it would be good to have all the answers in one place - could have left them here too! So......I started a thread "I joined because..."
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
Why I joined and a bit more
I had finally gotten a diagnosis of MC. Thought it was the end of my problems. Found Dr. Fine’s site and after two weeks of deliberation sent for the tests and found out what the real problem was. Began to feel better and better and once the brain fog began to clear I spent a lot of time searching the web. In the next six to nine months my illusion that going GF would be the answer was shattered by finding that a lot of other foods were also a problem and just by trial and error I began to pick them off. I had seen Sally’s intro to the old site but with tunnel vision I was looking for medical information and never realized that their was a board. I finally found the board and after lurking for a while I was in shock. These people were having the same experience that I was and were talking very intelligently about it and having a lot of fun at the same time. I finally jumped into a middle of a thread and was met with such a warm welcome that I could hardly believe it. Finding out that my name was not really Matthew was the real kicker.
This may not be the way most people find and join this site but I was really drawn in by being able to lurk for a day or two and see the kind of loving caring interaction that went on above and beyond talking about MC, finding that other members were MI, and all the sharing of information about how to heal on many levels .
It would be nice to try to set up a site that would not face new members with a lot of confusing ideas or face them with to many options for healing but that is not the nature of MC nor is it the nature of the solution. If this site is divided up into to many rooms, that will be even more confusing than MC by itself. To assume that every new member is totally uninformed and must rise through levels to get to the oldies is a bit presumptuous and would have turned me away before I ever found such an incredible group of people and, despite the chaos at times, learned so much.
Simplicity-
A chat room
A gluten free Kitchen
A room to talk about medications
Keep all the rooms for articles, jokes, Welcomes etc.
To some extent ideas are going to overlap and may not be where they are expected but that is just the nature of the whole problem so why fight it.
After all these words my main point is that more structure is not always the solution.
Well, I started this post mid afternnoon and kept getting interupted. Its all just ideas. Feel free to toss them about or out .
Love
Matthew
I had finally gotten a diagnosis of MC. Thought it was the end of my problems. Found Dr. Fine’s site and after two weeks of deliberation sent for the tests and found out what the real problem was. Began to feel better and better and once the brain fog began to clear I spent a lot of time searching the web. In the next six to nine months my illusion that going GF would be the answer was shattered by finding that a lot of other foods were also a problem and just by trial and error I began to pick them off. I had seen Sally’s intro to the old site but with tunnel vision I was looking for medical information and never realized that their was a board. I finally found the board and after lurking for a while I was in shock. These people were having the same experience that I was and were talking very intelligently about it and having a lot of fun at the same time. I finally jumped into a middle of a thread and was met with such a warm welcome that I could hardly believe it. Finding out that my name was not really Matthew was the real kicker.
This may not be the way most people find and join this site but I was really drawn in by being able to lurk for a day or two and see the kind of loving caring interaction that went on above and beyond talking about MC, finding that other members were MI, and all the sharing of information about how to heal on many levels .
It would be nice to try to set up a site that would not face new members with a lot of confusing ideas or face them with to many options for healing but that is not the nature of MC nor is it the nature of the solution. If this site is divided up into to many rooms, that will be even more confusing than MC by itself. To assume that every new member is totally uninformed and must rise through levels to get to the oldies is a bit presumptuous and would have turned me away before I ever found such an incredible group of people and, despite the chaos at times, learned so much.
Simplicity-
A chat room
A gluten free Kitchen
A room to talk about medications
Keep all the rooms for articles, jokes, Welcomes etc.
To some extent ideas are going to overlap and may not be where they are expected but that is just the nature of the whole problem so why fight it.
After all these words my main point is that more structure is not always the solution.
Well, I started this post mid afternnoon and kept getting interupted. Its all just ideas. Feel free to toss them about or out .
Love
Matthew
??
Couldn't the newby board still be light hearted, and we could tell them there how well we are doing, or about past similar experiences with which they might be able to identify. There could even be GENTLE banner between the oldies as we form the threads in response to their posted questions.
Yours, Luce
Yours, Luce
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MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Morning Tex,
I am sure after all of the input you have received you will decide what is right for all of us. I will go with whatever decision you make. I joined the old board because I knew nothing about MC and needed to know all I could. My doctor actually recommended that I do research and share it with him so he could also be more informed.
Maggie
I am sure after all of the input you have received you will decide what is right for all of us. I will go with whatever decision you make. I joined the old board because I knew nothing about MC and needed to know all I could. My doctor actually recommended that I do research and share it with him so he could also be more informed.
Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Hi Tex. I joined the old board looking for information and personal experiences and insight from real people. Not that doctors aren't real people - LOL Polly - but I had two very good GI's with totally conflicting opinions about LC. At the time I was concerned because I still didn't feel quite right even though I was in remission. I found more than I could have hoped for - so many caring, intelligent people with a common bond. The information has been invaluable and not available anywhere else.
Love,
Carrie
Love,
Carrie