Board suggestions

[40 Winks]

Being so new here I hope nobody takes this the wrong way, but here it goes -

I am a member of a couple of other boards that are hobby related that have some nice features and organization that I'd like to throw out for discussion.

It's been two weeks now since I started reading here and although I learned a lot I find it hard to search for something I've read and now need to refer back to. Some I cannot find again.

How about having categories? For example, one for discussions about the Doc; another for software; one for masks; another for the flow generators; and so on and so on ...

Right now there is just so much good info here, but its all thrown together in a big stew. It takes me so long to dig thru to pull out all the carrots.

By categorizing all of the topics, all the threads relating to masks are in one place to provide an example.

Also, I just responded to ApriaRT topic, and tho I didn't mention it in my reply, I do think it is great that the industry is seeking input from users.

So, another suggestion is to have a manufacturers and/or suppliers section where they could respond, if they so desired, to questions about thier equipment or services. I belong to a tropical fish board where many suppliers and mfg'rs respond to warranty issues or operational questions about their products. Each participating manufacturer would have their own section and have a commited rep or two handle the inquiries. We also get heads up on new product developments and can offer suggestions.

Realizing this board is sponsered by CPAP.com, maybe the manufacturers or insurance associated DME's could provide a little cashola to offset the costs in return for having a representation in the manufacturer's/DME's section. It's gonna take some effort to set up.

I think this is a great place, I also think we could make it better.

[CorgiGirl]

Welcome 40 Winks.

This topic gets brought up every couple of months a new person, sometimes in a respectful manner (which you did) and sometimes in a not-so-respectful manner (which you didn't). There are other CPAP/apnea boards which do set up categories, if that works better for you. Many of the folks here prefer this open format, me included. I find that people post in the wrong categories, so you have to read them all anyway to get all the information which annoys me. I also like that Off Topic posts are okay, as long as you specify they're OT. The search feature is pretty powerful here and I use it to look for information as well.

We do have the constant post for new folks at the top of the message board to help. And we have the New Users and Our Wisdom sections at the top of the page which I believe you'll find helpful.

[40 Winks]

Well, it didn't take long for me to get shot down.

I haven't checked out any other boards, honestly, I kind of like it here.

And I have read all of the Newb stuff, thanks.

[Hawthorne]

This is raised often by newcomers to the forum.

Most people here like it the way it is - myself included.

I have been to forums where there are "categories". Some sleep apnea forums have categories.

The problem with categories, is that people often put things under the wrong categories! When a subject is in the wrong category, it can easily be missed.

Me, I don't want to miss anything, especially on a forum that is about my health! I'm quite willing to go through everything and open a post if the subject looks helpful or interesting to me, or it is a subject where I may be able to give help.

I do like it when people on this forum identify when a post is "Off Topic" (OT). That's as much categorization as I want, for reasons I suggested above.

PLease enjoy the forum though, and feel free to learn and contribute!

[Cajunman]

40 Winks, have you tried the search feature at the top of the page? I'm fairly new too and I find it works quite well.

Kerry

[Wulfman]

Realizing this board is sponsered by CPAP.com, maybe the manufacturers or insurance associated DME's could provide a little cashola to offset the costs in return for having a representation in the manufacturer's/DME's section. It's gonna take some effort to set up.

I hate to keep sticking pins in your balloons, but......
Once the "money grubbers" get their feet in the door, they get too much control over what can or can't be posted. Like.....taking control over your own therapy, adjusting your OWN machines, making sure you're always told to "Go back to your doctor or DME" (you know....the ones who didn't help you in the first place).....instead of getting some information that's helpful.

This may APPEAR to be a "free-for-all" to new users, but it's got a lot more freedom than the other forums. And, the Goodman family has been very generous to us for providing it for us to use.

"Censorship" and "freedom" are contradictions.

Den

[rested gal]

Being so new here I hope nobody takes this the wrong way, but here it goes -

No problem in your bringing it up, 40 Winks. Nah, you're not "shot down" -- you raised a perfectly reasonable question that a lot of people probably wonder about. No harm at all in suggesting that.

Quite a few people would like categories. Quite a few wouldn't.

There've been some good pro/con discussions from time to time. Never hurts to ask. I kind of like it as it is, but then I'm pretty used to it.

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

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

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

Please Rethink The Big Pot Design: Sept 2008
viewtopic.php?p=296770#p296770

This next thing isn't about categories, but might help:
One suggestion about doing searches (thanks to blarg and CollegeGirl) -- if the Advanced Search button at top of the forum's main page doesn't find what a person is looking for, or comes up with such a mish mash of things that it isn't useful, another way to search this board is to do a Google search, written like in these examples:

oral mask site:cpaptalk.com

Cflex A-flex EPR difference site:cpaptalk.com

DME definition site:cpaptalk.com

(Run all the words in that final phrase together... site:cpaptalk.com )

[40 Winks]

well.. er... ahem, I uh, didn't use the ..er, um, search feature to, uh, find out if anyone, um, asked this before.

However! I have successfully used the advanced search many, many times to find info I was looking for. There's just a couple of topics I couldn'g relocate. Never tried the Google thing on a site specific search before tho.

For, example. Last nite I tried to find a thread that listed the reporting elements contained in the different flavors of software. Pretty sure I previously saw a thread that listed all of the items each software app contained in their reports. I'm anticipating buying new equipment and I want to know the details of each. Even the manufacturers site typically just give you a gloss-over, nothing details exactly what items are reported on for me to compare.

Besides, on some boards people get flammed pretty bad if they ask a question that has been asked before. Telling them to . . . ahem . . . try the search feature first. I really don't see any flaming going on this board - and that's a good thing based on its format.

[kteague]

Hi 40 Winks. Some of what you suggest has been brought up from time to time here. While there could be some advantages to categories, one characteristic of this forum is that posts and threads that start with one topic often end up encompassing other topics, which to me is part of the "charm". Another characteristic is that if someone has trouble finding related posts, if they say so, someone will jump in with helpful links.

In the past this has sometimes turned into a touchy subject, probably because it usually comes from someone new, and it's a natural response to defend that which is dear. Hope that doesn't happen this time. Everyone's viewpoint is of value. The popularity of this forum and the longevity and comraderie of many of the members lends to the thought that it's style is a viable option. Hang out with us a while. In a few months, resurrect this thread and let us know if you still see things the same way.

Can't really say much on the part about manufacturer or DME categories - never thought of it. I have to wonder if they'd even want to in light of the tone of this forum as a sort of consumer advocacy group. There are DMEs who have posted here - some openly, others incognito at first. It's always good to hear another side for balance. After all, we're all just out here trying to make a living and trying to live.

Thanks for your input and welcome to the group.

Kathy

[ozij]

OK, I composed this before your 40 winks' and Kathy's responses.... 40 winks, bringing it up again is OK in any case. Opinions may change on the board - and newcomers hava a right to express theirs too.

If you remember who posted, you can search user's post throught their profile.
Advanced search works well
And there's a "bookmark this topic" for you to save the posts that you'd like to.
And Tags (I haven't tried them yet).


Can you tell that I like it the way it is too?

O.