Naming a perpetual thread after yourself

StillAnotherGuest · Post by **StillAnotherGuest** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:21 am

Don't worry about the original comment, Chris, I think that one was just having a "puffy day".

SAG

jnk · Post by **jnk** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:49 am

Re: Naming a perpetual thread after yourself

Good idea! I think I'll do that!

All threads are perpetual, and it's better than naming one's thread after someone else.

Sometimes I think it would be better for the board if I collected all my thoughts into one thread to make them easier to ignore instead of my littering everyone else's nice threads with my oddness.

I do believe, though, that Freshman Forum 101 taught us that if you don't like a thread, you don't read it. But all who disagree with me on that are more than welcome to put me on their enemies list!

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:52 am

I can see both sides of this issue really. I have noticed that I seldom read those threads but it is true that the threads are easy to identify so I don't have to slog through them unless I want to. I am sure some people enjoy them but I am the type that usually picks a topic that grabs my attention and if I see the same topic or thread everyday I wouldn't be drawn to it.
I usually like specific questions and answers. Patience has never been my strong point.

SharkBait · Post by **SharkBait** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:58 am

I commented in Chris' thread, I am all for them. I highly recommend that someone starting out on this journey start a thread like Chris and Kenny have done. After a few weeks it will begin to drop off into the sunset.

I think it helps the new CPAP'er to get this right and get into compliance. The first few weeks are critical. Logging your progress can add an extra incentive to do it right.

It also helps others help them. We can skim thru and see what they've been having problems with and what they've done to get it fixed. That's far better than doing a search on their posts trying to see what they've had to say in the various threads...

plr66 · Post by **plr66** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:21 am

ChrisC wrote:...disregard that single thread if it bothers you....

I didn't start it...to irk your ire..
...Since you've made comments about being disinterested in data

Wow. Could everybody breathe deep and re-read my initial post?
"Irk your ire?" Not even close! If you missed my meaning, I was actually just noticing my behavior when reading the forum, and thought that those posting to their own blog-type threads might be helped in knowing that they may have reduced responses, for just the reasons I mentioned--that I and possibly others might breeze past them because the topic is unclear, and no special need stands out. Some seem to have interpreted my comment to mean something quite critical or disdaining of these threads. Of course there is a place for these! Amazing how this could just degenerate into folks feeling a need to take sides. But so be it.

And for the life of me, I can't figure who you were responding to, Chris, about someone being disinterested in data. I'm on a quick lunch break at work, so perhaps did not read thoroughly enough. Maybe others' quick reading is what brought on all the contentious reactions here.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:17 pm

I think one of the strengths of this message board is the diversity. Diversity in people, posting styles... we can always pick and choose what we decide to read or respond to. I have no problem with seeing diary style topics and do respond when there's something I think I might be able to help with. But after the person begins reporting they've moved into the "doing well" phase, I generally stop checking the longer threads.

I can understand how those "from the start to today" threads can help new people see how it can go -- beginning with frustration, using suggestions, and moving all the way to "wow, I'm doing better now...see?! " That's good for new readers to see. Can be very helpful to many lurk-readers.

I also think when there's a specific problem, a new topic with a title describing the problem fairly specifically is more likely to get a response.

About this...

sharperjudy wrote:No matter what the topic is, when ever some one does pick a topic and post it, and there
are alot of people you belongs to this group or you see that over a hundred people checked
out your post and no one I mean no one even answers your topic, how do you thing that person
feels, they feel like they don't belong, and just think that person was asking for help or they
just wanted someone to listen, I'm a newbe here also to learn and try to help others also

As fast as this message board moves, there will be times that people who possibly would have been glad to respond simply miss seeing a new post. Anyone who starts a topic and sees their post receive many "views" without a response should never take that as having been deliberately ignored by the "viewers." There are many, many people (far more than the number who are apt to post a reply) prefer to read without posting. Lurkers. And I don't mean that in any pejorative sense whatsoever. There are many people who prefer to lurk-read and are not comfortable with posting a reply themselves. That's fine. That's how many people who visit this board are trying to learn more -- simply by "viewing" topics and not ever posting anything themselves. I regularly "lurk-read", but NEVER post, on a message board sleep techs use -- simply because I'm interested in what they're talking about and like learning more about "sleep" stuff.

I'd say there are many people who read this message board but would never post themselves...many more than there are people who are comfortable about posting their own message or posting a reply to someone else's question. Views without responses really doesn't mean a person is being ignored. Nor should someone who gets just one or two responses to their post ever feel left out.

Sometimes it takes the same determination to "keep trying" (by posting again after a couple of days of no response) on a fast moving forum, as it takes to "keep trying" with CPAP treatment. You raised a good point, Judy, about the discouragement some people can feel if a question goes answered. Occasionally I (and I think several others do it, too) will look through a page or two for posts that did get 0 replies, and will post something that I hope is encouraging.

plr66 wrote:I was actually just noticing my behavior when reading the forum, and thought that those posting to their own blog-type threads might be helped in knowing that they may have reduced responses, for just the reasons I mentioned--that I and possibly others might breeze past them because the topic is unclear, and no special need stands out. Some seem to have interpreted my comment to mean something quite critical or disdaining of these threads. Of course there is a place for these!

That's the way I understood your original post, and I agree...both types of threads are fine. Topics with specific questions that catch the eye of someone who might want to offer a suggestion -- and diary style topics. Both can be helpful to many different people.

spitintheocean · Post by **spitintheocean** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:21 pm

plr66 wrote: ....... I was actually just noticing my behavior when reading the forum, and thought that those posting to their own blog-type threads might be helped in knowing that they may have reduced responses, for just the reasons I mentioned--that I and possibly others might breeze past them because the topic is unclear, and no special need stands out.

I understood exactly what your point was; agree whole-heartedly and share a similar view. Of course there are some here who might be just as happy not to hear from me.

Paul

tattooyu · Post by **tattooyu** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:40 pm

plr,

Since I'm pretty sure I started this trend, I can see your point. A lot of people have found my thread useful, and I'm sure some have passed it up or only read the most recent posts. If I have a topic that doesn't really have to do with my own progress or numbers, I start a new thread.

Having said that, I will continue to update my thread until a moderator tells me otherwise. Thanks for your feedback, plr!

-Kenny

OldLincoln · Post by **OldLincoln** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:47 pm

I had not read any of the blog threads until today because I didn't see an issue in the subject and I saw they were well attended. However, after reading this thread I scanned through Kenny's and saw how it has meaning with him trying various suggestions and reporting results. Then the last post I read said he has things pretty well under control now which was a good close to it. Based on that scientific sample of one, I now understand their value.

As for the unanswered posts, I have that experience in other forums where I am asking for help (that isn't in the FAQ's) and am ignored by the pros who are jabbering about the latest gizmo. It is embarrassing and degrading to the poster so I understand. Here, I tend to not reply to initial posters that don't provide any information. I never even read posts with a subject that doesn't have a clue to the issue - example Kenny's thread.

jnk · Post by **jnk** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:26 pm

tattooyu wrote:plr,

Since I'm pretty sure I started this trend, I can see your point. A lot of people have found my thread useful, and I'm sure some have passed it up or only read the most recent posts. If I have a topic that doesn't really have to do with my own progress or numbers, I start a new thread.

Having said that, I will continue to update my thread until a moderator tells me otherwise. Thanks for your feedback, plr!

-Kenny

Kenny, I enjoyed your approach, even if I didn't keep reading the thread. Seriously. As I recall, you explained very nicely up front what you were doing and why on that thread.

I agree with plr66's point that it is important for new ones to know that the blog-style threads might get overlooked by a number of us. But I am glad this all came up, because it allowed sharperjudy and others to make some nice points, and allowed rested gal to remind us of the lurkers. (We know you're out there, lurkers, and we love you! )

Most of all I was touched by SAG's giving me my own perpetual thread! Would you mind sending some of your traffic over my way to my thread, Kenny?

jeff

wasColette · Post by **wasColette** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:04 pm

Like any topic, a perpetual thread can be skipped over if that's not your thing.

I personally like the perpetual threads.

ColinP · Post by **ColinP** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:25 pm

I must agree with the original post - any topic which doesn't have a title that catches my interest as something I can contribute to or learn from, I tend to skip over unless I have plenty of time to kill. So far I haven't a clue what the perpetual threads are about, but I have noticed that they are multiplying. Before any of the perpetual threaders get defensive (yes, you do - this thread hasn't ever even approached critisising you, but you're pretty defensive) I'm not against them, they don't bother me at all, but neither have they managed to attract me yet. The fact that there are quite a few now serves as proof that they serve a purpose and are useful, so carry on by all means, and maybe one slow day at the office I'll actually find out what all the fuss is about...

Colin

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:28 pm

Sorry, plr66. I owe you an apology. I'd read something that someone else had posted a few days ago about just 'slipping on a mask and not worrying about the numbers" and mistakenly attributed the quote to you. I read back and it was totally someone else's.

I took your OP the wrong way: I read it as critical towards people that have started their 'own' threads. I'd replied early this morning, right after getting up, and did not read your message as it was intended. Thank-you for taking the time to point out that a personal thread may not be the best way to gain attention to a specific problem. I can see now that is completely the message you were trying to convey.

grandmma · Post by **grandmma** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:11 pm

JNK:

Sometimes I think it would be better for the board if I collected all my thoughts into one thread to make them easier to ignore instead of my littering everyone else's nice threads with my oddness.

I don't read the perpetual threads, but am happy to see them there and ignore. If others enjoy, then go to it. It makes others happy clearly, judging by the responses here, and doesn't negatively affect those who don't enjoy these if they just move on. However, JNK, I value, appreciate and love oddness - love a mind which takes a dogleg when you least expect it, too!- I'd read any post of yours - set up a perpetual, and I'd be a happy chappie. But....

RestedGal

There are many, many people (far more than the number who are apt to post a reply) prefer to read without posting. Lurkers.

I'm one of those who read many posts, but don't reply much - I don't feel (other than support) I've a lot of advice to offer. I do classify myself as a "lurker", but I agree with RG, it's not a negative comment, just a description regarding someone who clearly benefits from all the advice, as I have, but doesn't have enough either wide experience or depth to be able to contribute to many with the detailed assistance required. But again, I do benefit from reading these and my therapy has improved enormously. I was going to say "immesurably", but that'd be overstating it, since we can! I often get low leaks and 0 AHI now, and this would not have been possible without this forum.

So judging by this thread, perpetual threads or otherwise, each fulfills it's own purpose and helps others to share, sympathise and achieve their optimum therapy - and isn't that the main purpose of this forum?

Uncle_Bob · Post by **Uncle_Bob** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:14 pm

perpetual personal posting or topic posting?

Tea or Coffee ?

Mask