GUESTS ARE WELCOME TO POST AT CPAPTALK.COM

I will continue to believe this is an open forum for all registerd and non-registered users until I am informed to the contrary.
All message boards suffer from the occasional problem-child discussion or individual, registered or not. We are all familiar with them. They will monopolize and personalize the board focusing attention on themselves at every turn which only serves to distract from the issues at hand, and when called on it will manage to make that an issue too.
More individuals you do not know and will never know the names of would feel compelled to make an entry if given the opportunity without fear of retribution from those more prolific users who attempt to scare them away by insinuating guests are not worthy of using this board.

This much I know to be true:

1)-cpaptalk.com is an open forum for all registered and non-registered users.

2)-We have our share of "monopolize and personalize" junk, which is pretty obvious, but you'll find the majority of people are casual posters with a tremendous wealth of knowledge to share and the desire to help, and the majority of posts are really interesting and informative. There are veteran CPAP users with years of experience and helpful suggestions to make adjusting to this therapy a whole lot easier than it would be without their input. There's also cpap.com which is an online store that can supply you with pretty much anything to do with CPAP (and no, I don't work for them; it happens to be true!). This is a great forum with a lot to offer so stick around and post a question, a comment, or an answer any time. All are welcome!

3)-Guests are just as worthy of using this board as registered posters and should be treated with the same respect.

A large part of me was very reluctant to chime in here, as I consider just about everyone on this board a friend.

And I must say, I absolutely approve of guest posting. I think there are some people that are just not comfortable registering, and there are times when you have an embarassing problem you want to talk about and not be identified with - I understand the usefulness of "Guest" posting.

What I can't fathom is hiding behind a guest name for the purposes of a personal attack against *anyone* on this forum. To me, that is cowardly, dirty, and, as someone else said "sophomoric."

We're all adults here. If you have something to say against someone, at least have the courage and the character to say it under your own name.

The subject of guest posting has come up a few times in the past here at cpaptalk.
It often comes up when there is some controversy over a posted guest.
Here are a couple of the past discussions. The first was a poll.

viewtopic.php?t=1723&highlight=


This second topic was actually posted before this poll. It turned into quite a long topic. This was the first topic in which I ever posted as a guest (identified as "Different Guest.") And I did so only to make a point about my opinion on the subject, and I announced who I was at the end. Since that time, I have posted as a guest only once, approximately a month ago. It is a misconception that all of the guests in any given topic are one poster. There are repeaters, yes, but there are also different guests posting at once. There are a lot of interesting comments in this topic.

viewtopic.php?t=1698&highlight=


So you see, this subject is not a new one.

I understand both sides. There are some types of discussion boards which really should restrict guests because of the nature of those boards, as someone in another topic mentioned. But in my mind, I see that this type of board is unique in that it is a support group, an online support group for people with a health condition. I don't know if there are others out there for such things like diabetes, cancer, or heart conditions, but I suspect there are. And I bet they do not restrict guests, because of the same reasons as here. I suspect the Admin here has mulled over these issues many times. It must be a difficult decision as to what to do and I don't envy that decision. I'm sure cpaptalk has taken it all into consideration and they do the best they can.


Linda

CollegeGirl wrote:And I must say, I absolutely approve of guest posting. I think there are some people that are just not comfortable registering, and there are times when you have an embarassing problem you want to talk about and not be identified with - I understand the usefulness of "Guest" posting.

Lduyer wrote:I see that this type of board is unique in that it is a support group, an online support group for people with a health condition.

never sleeps wrote:3)-Guests are just as worthy of using this board as registered posters and should be treated with the same respect.

I think CollegeGirl nailed the exact reason why Guest posting should be allowed on any board dealing with personal health issues.

People accustomed to using message boards and forums understand that registering a "nickname" is still anonymous. However, some people are uncomfortable with anything called "registration" on the internet.

Not counting the two or three times that I thought I was logged in but wasn't (I posted immediately again with an "ooops, I was guested") I have never posted as a Guest. Not ever. Not on this, or any other message board. But if shy or internet-wary people prefer to discuss their personal medical problems as a "Guest", I can certainly understand that.

I hope that some of the dramatic personal reactions to posts that would have been better simply ignored (imho) won't make first-time message board users reluctant to post as an anonymous Guest if that makes them feel more comfortable.

Guests welcome!

I have no problem with guest posters either. There are many times it is very appropriate for a myriad of reasonsl.

The only time it is not acceptable is if you are criticizing or calling someone out. If you are going to do that then you shouldn't hide out behind the anonymous "guest". It is only fair!

Robert

RobbyRobert wrote:I have no problem with guest posters either. There are many times it is very appropriate for a myriad of reasonsl.

The only time it is not acceptable is if you are criticizing or calling someone out. If you are going to do that then you shouldn't hide out behind the anonymous "guest". It is only fair!

Robert

I understand your concern, Robert, I do.

Unfortunately in the area of free speech often in order to allow the good, we have to accept the bad, ignor the bad and go on. And judging what is perceived as criticizing and calling someone out can be a slippery business. Sometimes criticism and calling out is necessary, other times it is not. Criticism in and of itself is not rudeness. Criticism can be harsh. Who makes the judgement on what is acceptable and not? What is fair, what is not? Just things to think about.

But yes, I do understand your concerns. And they are valid concerns.

But life isn't always fair. Afterall, life gave some of us sleep apnea.


Linda

neversleeps wrote:We have our share of "monopolize and personalize" junk, ...

Actually, I politely disagree with the above quoted statement. Even the most prodigious posters here account for less than 6% of all posts. Is that monopolization? I don't think so. You are welcome to you own opinion.

And if personalization is "junk" then this is the wrong place for me. I wanted and needed to know, not just intellectually but emotionally, that I'm not alone in this. When I started I needed to make personal connections with others sharing the same problems and wrestling with the same issues.

If it weren't for the personalization "junk" those connections wouldn't have formed, and maybe my treatment wouldn't have been as successful as it was. It certainly would have been a lonelier road for me. And, along the way, I feel like I've made some new friends. That is never a bad thing.

So I strongly disagree that personalization is "junk". I don't know if I'm a lone voice in the wilderness of preferably impersonal informative messages or not. However judging by the number of people here who have posted personal information and put up real pictures of themselves in an attempt to reach out to other people on a personal level, I'd say I'm far from alone.

<stepping off the soapbox>

sorry double entried

Trolls and flamers are the nature of any board and the only thing that gives them satisfaction is how much attention is paid to them. ignorance is truly bliss in these kinds of circumstances.

When I worked as a chat room host on AOL we were taught to smile from the wrist down. If someone was disruptive then you verbally smiled at them and moved on and eventually they just found it to be no fun.

If someone has a different opinion or even initates an attack it really doesn't matter if they have a name or are anonymous. The best thing for us all to do is make the assumption guests are just that. Welcome them to the board and greet them nicely. They are welcome to their opinions just as you are welcome to yours.

As far as the personal stuff goes, I like to share with real people not just words on a screen. I come to this board because of the tenor of the conversation andI know there are faces behind the screen names, Okay and maybe I come here just because a lot of you tolerate my insanity.

CPAP.com has given us a great opportunity and we all (including guest) have made this board what it is, a help and a community.

Relinquishing the soapbox to the next orator.

PS i did think about signing in as guest just to see if you could figure out who wrote this. But as we all know I am to egotistical to do that LOL

mikemoran wrote:If someone has a different opinion or even initates an attack it really doesn't matter if they have a name or are anonymous. The best thing for us all to do is make the assumption guests are just that. Welcome them to the board and greet them nicely. They are welcome to their opinions just as you are welcome to yours.

CPAP.com has given us a great opportunity and we all (including guest) have made this board what it is, a help and a community.

My point, exactly!
____________________________________________________________________

WAF, when I borrowed the "monopolization and personalization" phrase and used the word 'junk', I was referring to... well, just that; the junk. The inappropriate soap opera posts, the name-calling, the infighting, the accusations... you know, the stuff which only serves to detract from the good work of the vast majority of people on the forum.

As far as "monopolization" is concerned, the figures speak for themselves.

WAFlowers wrote:When I started I needed to make personal connections with others sharing the same problems and wrestling with the same issues.

I agree wholeheartedly!

neversleeps wrote:WAF, when I borrowed the "monopolization and personalization" phrase and used the word 'junk', I was referring to... well, just that; the junk. The inappropriate soap opera posts, the name-calling, the infighting, the accusations... you know, the stuff which only serves to detract from the good work of the vast majority of people on the forum.

Ahhh! OK, my misunderstanding. Sorry about that. I now see what you mean and agree. Some of it is junk. I tend to turn a blind eye to it and only latch onto the good stuff: the humor, the desperate calls for help, the valuable advice, etc.

I can recall a few other soap operas that have occurred here, but I'd rather not. It is just unfortunate timing that I return from an extended forum absence to ... this.

BTW, I hope that you understand that nothing I posted was directed at you personally (or anyone else for that matter). I was merely disagreeing with my (apparently incorrect) interpretation of your words.

WAFlowers wrote:BTW, I hope that you understand that nothing I posted was directed at you personally

Actually, I was about to throw myself in front of a bus, so I'm glad you wrote....

Nah, we're good.

neversleeps wrote:

WAFlowers wrote:BTW, I hope that you understand that nothing I posted was directed at you personally

Actually, I was about to throw myself in front of a bus, so I'm glad you wrote....

You two are priceless!
Now that's the way to play nice.

Yes, there are some I'm sure that are a tad afraid of putting out too much information on the net so they guest and that's great. If they're more comfortable doing it that way, at least they're getting the help they need. Bill --you took the words right out of my mouth. When I was first diagnosed, I just felt so alone. This place has really been a lifeline for me. There are some really great people on this forum --- I don't know how many times I've yelled "HELP!!" and so many come to my rescue. BTW - I don't have a picture up because I haven't figured out how to do it --it's not that I'm trying to be secretive. My daughter said she'd help me with it. As you can tell, I'm not too swift with these boards!!
Kathy

My positive comment/opinon regarding people who choose personal photos as avatars shouldn't be taken as a negative comment by those who have no avatar or something other than their photo. Heck, if neversleeps didn't have blue feet I wouldn't recognize him!

So Babbie, no need to defend yourself for being avatarless (did I just invent a new word? ). If your daughter has trouble, just yet "HELP!!" again and someone, possibly me, will respond.