Forum Suggestions

[Offerocker]

SleepFitness:
I agree that GENERAL TOPICS could be separate, and may make discussions & comparisons easier.

Also, the posts would not get 'buried' as quickly.

Keep in mind that 'newbies' may not know exactly which category to post their questions, because they have so many in the beginning - at least I did. I think we still need 'general' or 'newbie' Topic Area.

The best way we have now of finding topics on certain subjects is the 'search', which returns either topics or posts. This can be cumbersome for some, but still very useful.

Another problem is that oftentimes we change subjects in midstream; one throught leads to another, or one problem has more than one solution. However, I still think your idea is a valid one, but I would only like to see the GENERAL topics you outlined.

I'm willing to give 'change' a try.

[oldvaham]

I am in favor of a few categories such as: Masks and their maintenance, CPAP generators, software and reports, FAQs. More than just a few branches causes dilution and confusion of information. While this forum is great and has a diverse group of users, having a few major divisions would narrow the quest of needed information for new visitors and focus attention on what matters most (or currently) to individuals concerned about their therapy.

Just my opinion.

[gasp]

I am new to this forum and at first found it hard to find my way and keep on top of postings that were quickly buried.

I reached out and asked members for help. In a more formal and organized forum, I'm not certain I would have felt as if my quest for help would be welcomed. The formality would lead me to think it was a serious forum and that members may not want to be bothered.

This forum feels alive to me. I feel welcome and enjoy searching both the new and older conversations; it feels like a conversation. A more formal format wouldn't feel like a conversation to me. I see members visiting threads not just to gain information about a hardware, software, but to help others and to enjoy each other's company. The format of the forum seems alive to me. That is why I voted to keep the forum format as is, to keep it alive.

If I had easily found my way, I would not have benefited from getting to know those who helped me.

I also appreaciate your poll - nicely done!

[betty303]

I just reveiwed the results, and was disappointed that no change is so far ahead.

I have been very frustrated with too many messages, losing current threads (both with my own questions, and following others' threads) which are fast lost 3-4+ pages deep. My participation has been slacking off because of this frustration.

I find the search feature the MOST frustrating. I cannot focus in on what I am lookiing for. Even when I know the title of a thread, it doesn't come up in the search results - at least not near the top - and I have hundreds of options that I have to worm through to try to find it. My success rate at finding what I am looking for is almost nil. I have resorted to bookmarking the threads I think I may want to refer to later - that creates another problem of a long list of bookmarks that need time to sort and catagorize.

If it weren't for Rested Gal (and others) posting links to previous relevant threads, I would miss a lot of information that I am looking for.

I have been helped by the valuable information I have found here - absolutely!! In the beginning I was spending hours each day reading and absorbing information. Now I don't have as much time available to read everything, it has become harder to find answers.

One thing that could help, is to be more specific in naming the threads - so they could point more specifically to what is the issue/problem/question that is being addressed. A title like - "need advice" is not very informative. (I have noticed that recently the titles HAVE been more specific than usual!)

[Offerocker]

I am new to this forum and at first found it hard to find my way and keep on top of postings that were quickly buried.

I reached out and asked members for help. In a more formal and organized forum, I'm not certain I would have felt as if my quest for help would be welcomed. The formality would lead me to think it was a serious forum and that members may not want to be bothered.
<snip>
If I had easily found my way, I would not have benefited from getting to know those who helped me.

gasp: I understand your feelings and reasonings. But I wouldn't automatically think that 'organized' results in being 'formal'.
The newly proposed format would not stop anyone from reading all new posts on any subject, and 'could' make it easier to find an interesting article, previously read. I'm not 100% convinced that it would be an improvement, but I do like the idea of general categories.

[betty303]

opps, forgot my last line...

I would like to see 3-4 basic categories (maybe with an additional MISCELLANEOUS category for hard to classify posts.

[dieselgal]

If you feel strongly one way or the other make sure you VOTE!

[RosemaryB]

I like it all being one forum so I voted to keep it as is. I agree with gasp that it is very alive! I can't possibly keep up with it, but getting a good sample of items is very educational. Even things that don't related directly to me I think may help someone down the line that I meet or am trying to help. I looked at someone's sleep study recently and knew some things about it from what I'd read here.

However, I agree that the search function can be frustrating. What I'd do would be to refine the search function. It would be nice to have search phrases, e.g., two contiguous words, not just any two words within a topic. Often this is done by putting them in quotes: example "mask leaks" AND "mouth breathing." Not sure of the ramifications for this, but refining the search function could make a big difference. Also, there could be searches of topics by author. For example, all posts by Snoredog that included the term "central apnea."

RestedGal's efforts are greatly appreciated in consolidating some wonderful information.

Rose

[kavanaugh1950]

I like it the way it is. I learn more about different peoples problems,masks,machines that are different from the one I use. I don't like those other forums where subjects are seperated and I feel this forum is freindly and caring and very informative. I wouldn't change a thing.

[Guest]

I am new to this forum and at first found it hard to find my way and keep on top of postings that were quickly buried.

I reached out and asked members for help. In a more formal and organized forum, I'm not certain I would have felt as if my quest for help would be welcomed. The formality would lead me to think it was a serious forum and that members may not want to be bothered.
<snip>
If I had easily found my way, I would not have benefited from getting to know those who helped me.

gasp: I understand your feelings and reasonings. But I wouldn't automatically think that 'organized' results in being 'formal'.
The newly proposed format would not stop anyone from reading all new posts on any subject, and 'could' make it easier to find an interesting article, previously read. I'm not 100% convinced that it would be an improvement, but I do like the idea of general categories.

You may have a point. Perhaps you could pose this poll again at some point. Somtimes bringing up a different way of doing things will be pondered and then the results of the next poll may have a different outcome. In fact, maybe I would vote for a general format after some more thought and time on the forum.

[gasp]

I did it. I forgot to sign in before posting my reply just now. It was me

[felineperson3]

Using an old adage--"If it ain't broke don't fix it". Personally, I like the forum just the way it is and to me it seems to be very "user friendly". One can always find the most asked questions and answers under the light bulb or if not found there one can just do a search for their specific topic. Too many topic headings can become more confusing as often discussions aren't kept to the appropriate topic. I always click on (posts since my last visit) for a quick review and update of new posts and I often find new ideas and experiences that are being discussed that I would not have thought about to search for. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth--

[birdshell]

I agree that the forum should stay the way it is. For those of us who do not like the separation by topics, this forum provides that service.

For those who do like the separation, please see the ASAA Forum where postings are separated. I found myself reading only one section and missing many others.

I have just celebrated a year on CPAP, and can truthfully say that I have learned a lot by browsing any, and sometimes every, posting. However, I now find that I select my threads to read by the topic. In that way, I may select those which I feel have relevance; when they seem to be over 3 pages long, and I've not already read them, then they deserve a second decision and are usually read.

Betty 303, I hear and hopefully understand some of your frustration. However, as you haven't been a user for more than a few months, please continue the struggle to read. It is a tough job to slog through, but I hope that we are all willing to answer questions about what threads/postings mean. ANYONE can have them, no matter what the level of experience.

I believe that in about 6 more months, you will find that you have enough knowledge to actually help others, who are newbies, on Live Chat whether or not you have their machine or mask!! At least, I have found myself the only (somewhat) experienced user on Live Chat at the moment and helping folks to find answers! No one has been more surprised at this than I; for one with a simple CPAP and experience only with nasal pillows masks, that was quite a realization. Of course, quite often I've referred the question to someone else or sent a PM or an e-mail to another member. I've also borrowed Laura/Rested Gal's method of providing links, and have a bank of appropriate ones collected.

So, my vote was to keep the forum as-is. I'd actually rather see a larger body of collected wisdom under the light bulb (come on, anyone may nominate a posting); and, a few more sticky (and popular) topics, i.e. "What is the best machine?" and "What is the best mask?" with some criteria for each. Other topics that may be sticky are rainout, and a rudimentary explanation of machines/software for analysis of treatment from various companies.

Karen

[CollegeGirl]

Two suggestions:

1) For those who are afraid their post is about to get lost, definitely feel free to go back to it before it hits the bottom of the page and post something like "bump" or "Can anyone help?" There's absolutely no harm in doing that to bring your post back to the top.

2) I agree that the search feature is little help. To find a post more easily, go to http://www.google.com and put in your search terms followed by site:cpaptalk.com . So if I wanted to find all the posts on the rubberband trick, I'd put in the search box on google:

"rubberband trick" site:cpaptalk.com

This brings up all relevant results from cpaptalk.com. Much more efficient.

[DeltaSeeker]

I thought there was a way to search the forum for keywords, but I can't find it. I do like the idea of one list that everyone perticipates in - one place to look, etc. But it would be nice if there was a search.

Linda (formerly lpady)