Can this forum be edited to have sub-topics?

[bdp522]

If you look through the entire forum you see hundreds of repeated questions and posts. This could easily be avoided.

True. BUT...there are always new cpappers stopping by and reading the most recent answers because it is easier. Most of us don't mind a bit if we have to keep answering the same questions over and over again. I've been here for some time and I never mind answering questions, doesn't matter if they have been asked a hundred times before!

I have been to other OSA forums and I think this one works best for the majority. I Thank Johnny everyday for starting it and allowing us to benefit from it!

Brenda

[Pugsy]

I think even if we had some sub categories that people would still post willy nilly and not read or look for answers first. Either lazy or simply don't know what to look for in the search engine.
Example..Uncle Bob's ResScan thread on where to get the software ........38 plus pages last I looked and people still post "can someone send me link" and the answer is right above their post and repeated ad nauseam throughout the pages. Blows my mind that some people find a thread about the software and don't read to see if the answer is in the thread before posting.

[NJSleepless]

Rarely is a thread closed by admins and then only when something truly abusive is going on.

Thankfully there are no admins with the attitude that think they have superior knowledge and know when to close a thread.

I hope you grow to like the forum as it is.

I very much like the forum as it is and as I mentioned before I love the community. I was simply trying to offer an opinion as to how I personally felt it could be more efficient. That does not invalidate the current format one bit. I have no problem with constructive feedback but I take umbrage to comments suggesting I want to "destroy" the current system. That is silly and over the top.

I have nothing add to this thread. As I mentioned earlier - I have found this community to be amazing and very resourceful. I respect that the current Admin likes the way the board is operated. I did not anticipate my question to prompt some of the replies I received and apparently others who have offered similar suggestions have received the same response.

One thing I need to note though is that as an ASV user, if I use the Search feature and type in ASV, that is not enough letters to return an appropriate search response. So unlike my general feedback in the OP, this is a legitimate issue I raise.

[NJSleepless]

Yeah, that's the sense I'm getting right now

Oh well. I am benefitting for the forum but not looking for a fight.

I'm 100% with you...I thought an ASV forum would have been a great idea as well, so you're not alone.

But I once saw a post by JohnnyGoodman who explained that this format is intentionally kept simple.

It had to do with the idea that many sleep apneans may be older folks who may have little or no computer skills and are further hindered by the fog and cognitive handicap of sleep apnea. That person could stumble onto the site and quickly and easily post a question and get help without stumbling through a maze of subsections, rules, and other requirements. I think that is also why guests can post questions without registering.

When I read that, I thought 'wow, that was really thoughtful and empathetic' because it was intentionally set up in a way so that very few would be turned off because they simply could not manage or get through the forum features.

Makes sense to me Ken!

[rested gal]

One thing I need to note though is that as an ASV user, if I use the Search feature and type in ASV, that is not enough letters to return an appropriate search response.

I agree with your note on that point. The Search feature, for some reason, will not act on a three letter "word."

There are quite a few CPAP related acronyms a newcomer might want to search for on this forum, that contain only three letters. DME, REM, EPR, for example.

Perhaps the administrator, Johnny Goodman, will fix that in the future.

In the meantime, a sometimes better way to "search" for anything on this forum, whether it be three letters or more, is to forget using the forum's own Search button above, and just do a Google search typed out this way:

ASV site:cpaptalk.com

or

quiet mask site:cpaptalk.com

or

what does DME mean site:cpaptalk.com

Adding site:cpaptalk.com all run together at the end of whatever you're trying to find makes Google look only in the cpaptalk.com forum. (Thanks to blarg and college girl for this handy tip from long ago.)

[Goofproof]

All you have to do is search ASV* in search you get 21 pages of items. Problem solved! Jim

[mars]

Hi NJSleepless

If you really want to minimize the longevity of this thread you need to edit your poll rules to limit the number of days to the number already passed since you posted it.

And for someone who likes a more coherent forum you would have done better to put POLL on the thread heading

cheers

Mars

and here is the three character search problem solved -

All you have to do is search ASV* in search you get 21 pages of items. Problem solved! Jim

PS Hey Goofproof - never knew that - briiliant

You really should post a new topic with that info as a heading, because many people will not see it on this thread.

And thanks RG - I never knew that either

[rested gal]

All you have to do is search ASV* in search you get 21 pages of items. Problem solved! Jim

PS Hey Goofproof - never knew that - briiliant

I didn't know that either. Very cool, Jim!

[msradar65]

I voted yes..because I would love to have the pillow exchanged pinned to the top so I don't have to hunt for it.
Then the pillow exchange could be one for pillows and one for cushions(nasal and full face, hybrid) It would be easier to contact a member looking to do an exchange. Other than that...all is well.

[rested gal]

There've been many good pro/con discussions about "categories."
(I still like it the way it is...one big place for everything.)

Oct 2010 - topic started by DHC
Forum-Specific Suggestions ?
viewtopic.php?p=524967#p524967

Mar 2010 - topic started by pokerjah
Forum Suggestion - Topic Sections
viewtopic.php?p=456847#p456847

Dec 2009 - topic started by GerryK
suggestions to Johnny for the board
viewtopic.php?p=429353#p429353

Aug 2009 - topic started by SleepNazzi
OT - Forum Suggestion
viewtopic.php?p=394780#p394780

Any value in Creating New Forum Subjects?
Feb 2009 - topic started by Mtnviewer
viewtopic/t39122/viewtopic.php?p=342140#p342140

Board suggestions
Feb 2009 - topic started by 40 Winks
viewtopic.php?p=340618#p340618

Please Rethink The Big Pot Design
Sept 2008 - topic started by OldLincoln
viewtopic.php?p=296770#p296770

Do you think adding some forums to separate content would make this site more user friendly?
May 2007 - topic started by SleepFitness
viewtopic.php?p=169484#p169484

Any chance of sub-forums being added?
May 2006 - topic started by tom2112
viewtopic.php?p=80429#p80429

Topic started by forumadmin -- Should cpaptalk Be Divided Into Categories or Subsections?
Aug 2005
viewtopic/t4149/viewtopic.php?p=33395#p33395

[BlackSpinner]

If we had categories then newbie would be told "You can't post that here! You have to post in the mask forum, in the machine forum and in the software forum, in the liners forum" Right! some don't even know that that mask isn't permanently attached to the machine.

[NJSleepless]

I made a suggestion and respect the replies.

Obviously others share my view. Just because categories would be added does not mean the quality of feedback would be reduced. This community rocks when it comes to helping others.

How about adding more "Sticky" threads with the information most commonly requested? At the very least I would think that makes sense?

[NJSleepless]

Hi NJSleepless

If you really want to minimize the longevity of this thread you need to edit your poll rules to limit the number of days to the number already passed since you posted it.

I don't care to minimize a legitimate discussion. I just would hope that people would be respectful in the tact and tone of the responses. I think that provoking a good discussion is a positive but when it’s suggested I want to “destroy a good thing” I find that silly and offensive.

[mars]

Hi NJSleepless

If you really want to minimize the longevity of this thread you need to edit your poll rules to limit the number of days to the number already passed since you posted it.

I don't care to minimize a legitimate discussion. I just would hope that people would be respectful in the tact and tone of the responses. I think that provoking a good discussion is a positive but when it’s suggested I want to “destroy a good thing” I find that silly and offensive.

Fair enough.

However, I must have got it wrong, and not understood when you said -

I think we can close this thread. .

Like I said, point taken, close the thread.

Putting a limit on the number of days a poll is operational does not close the thread, but does allow it to die a natural death. And as this question (should, not can) has been asked so many times before that is probably the best thing for it.

cheers

Mars

[NJSleepless]

Yes Mars, you got it wrong. I took umbrage to some of the feedback but after taking a break I really see no harm in an open dialogue and rescind those two comments which I think is quite obvious from tonight’s two comments. But thank you for the analysis! If the question has been asked so many times it may hold some merit. But as I said, I love the community. I wanted to HELP. You folks like it the way it is = kudos. I will still participate to the best of capability.

Less drinking and more thinking?? (citing your sig)