Spam Reporting and Abuse Policy

If Johnny says leave it up, leave it up. If you don't like it, there's http://www.sleepnet.com , http://www.talkaboutsleep.com, http://www.apneaforum.com and many many, more.

sorry, that was http://www.apneasupport.org

Hi y'all. My comments are somewhat general, but specifically to Johnny.

When I realized I had OSA, even before my sleep studies, I began to look around for information, and hopefully a useful forum, as I have found same to be more direct and to the point than "informational" sites.

At any rate, when I came across cpap.com and cpaptalk.com forum, I was suspicious. I wondered, how much freedom of expression is there likely to be on a forum hosted by an online retailer? Well, my conclusion was and is, quite a lot! Johnny, I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate that!

I don't claim to be an expert, but I think I've visited most forums related to OSA. I know there are a couple more that I've seen referenced but have not visited. I've found some good information on other sites, but frankly, I prefer this forum over all others I have been to.

To me, this forum has more members willing to respond and give opinions (and are permitted to do so) than any other I've run across. While few of us are medical practitioners or employed in the field, I find a rather high consistency in folks acknowledging that they are not experts, a trait I find admirable.

As to the state of this forum, I don't think it's too bad. I've been (still am) a member of a number of forums that are oriented around what you might call more testosterone fueled subjects, such as: chainsaws, tractors, guns, etc.

I've seen things get really, really out of hand. I've seen forums shut down by flame wars. The main conclusion that I've come to about this sort of carnage is that by and large, the members themselves tend to find and implement solutions, sometimes nudged and helped along by a good administrator. I do support banning in extreme instances.

Lastly, we all have decisions to make about our speech and expression. Personally, in my real life, my normal speech is peppered with what the 2nd Circuit Court recently referred to as "fleeting expletives". Sometimes, not even so fleeting, but nevertheless, in my personal life, as in my forum life, I pick and choose when to let loose with these expletives. Interactions are so much more productive if I do that. And respectful. I dislike name calling, but it's not the worst thing in the world. It reflects more on the caller than the called.

The thing I dislike even more than name calling and personal attacks, is censorship. I don't appreciate it from administrators, although I understand the need for it in some cases. But even more despicable, is censorship by fellow posters. Johnny, a thank you for addressing the issue.

Mike

I am new to OSA also. Just started CPAP this week. I started looking for forums because I wanted to see if there were other people like me out there. (young,female,not obese)
I felt alone.
I am a member of a few other forums (and recognize a few others here that are on one or 2 of the other ones I am on). What shocked me and turned me off the most about this forum was not the idiot flame wars....it was the idea that some random forum member could just delete something you had written simply because they didn't like what you said. I almost left the first time I heard of it happening. Why would I waste my time writing something if some jerk with a control complex could just come along and wipe it out?
If you don't like the content of the messages here then feel free to find a site where you feel more comfortable.

I also support free speech and think these rules are great.

Jennifer

[quote="jennmary"]...... What shocked me and turned me off the most about this forum was not the idiot flame wars....it was the idea that some random forum member could just delete something you had written simply because they didn't like what you said. I almost left the first time I heard of it happening. ..................

I also support free speech and think these rules are great.

Jennifer

I never realized that people were removing other posts just because they didn't like what they said regarding CPAP. I thought spam on this board was related to "listing porn sites" "selling viagra" etc.
I wouldn't even consider deleting something a member of the board wrote in response to someone on here.
I too have been the recipient of a little flame but usually that is because someone puts their mouth or typing fingers in gear before the brain is engaged. When that happens to me I usually just read the next response and try not to get all het up! LOL
Deep Breathing helps. It also helps if you just lean back and look at it for what it is....not that important.
HOWEVER, I have also learned some very valuable information on this site and some of it has come from the very people that tend to light a fire once in a while. I will take a little heat in return for great info!

Thanks JOHNNY!

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

For those in terested in other forum rules, here is sleepnet.com
--------------
-To exchange personal experiences in order to help others
-Promote education of Sleep Apnea
-To understand how sleep apnea kills
-Help in deciding when to see a specialist for treatment or re-evaluation
-Maintaining your privacy. Anonymity is very important in the medical field.
Posting removal policy:
-Providing information on changing CPAP pressure
-Breaking software and publication copyright laws
-Promoting the purchase of merchandise through an auction site may be removed
-Hostile, rude, or aggressive postings will be removed
-Surgical and other Non-CPAP treatment discussions (Belong on Non-CPAP Forum)
-Postings that have nothing to do with the goals of the forum
-Postings promoting the purchase of merchandise may be removed
-Postings that include links or phone numbers for commercial sales sites
-Asking someone to contact you for information banned on the forum
-Including or asking for e-mail addresses in message body. Follow-up messages to the post will need to be removed. So beware.
-Posting debating the removal of a posting will be removed.
-Multiple postings stating the same general message. Starting new string is preferred to several follow-ups.
-Asking for and/or giving information about doctors or sleep labs. (No way to verify information)
If your posting is removed and you do not receive a email explaining why, your email address is no longer valid or your spam blocker needs to allow sleepnet.com email.
For further information on the goals and removal policy read "Terms of Use" and "Posting Policy" pages.


They average about 3-4 postings a day.
There is no way to contact other members.

jenmary said:

I started looking for forums because I wanted to see if there were other people like me out there. (young,female,not obese)
I felt alone.

You are not alone. We have more in common than just our names! Jen

Jefe wrote:

<snip>
When you remove someone's post, you remove the thought they attempted to convey. We have the right to think whatever we want, and state it, and let the listener be the judge. You proclaimed yourself my judge, in blocking what I could see or not see. You are not better than me; you should try to judge me.

<snip>

Take the hint.

And if that thought is (from some real postings)

1) 'Kiss my a**'
2) 'Shove your head up your xyz a**'

Then you believe freedom of speech overides expressions of aggression & hate ?


DSM

PS the asterisks weren't in the original posts & the xyz refered to a nationality - these posts are (to the best of my knowledege, still in the forum having never been removed by the originator.

dsm wrote:

Jefe wrote:

<snip>
When you remove someone's post, you remove the thought they attempted to convey. We have the right to think whatever we want, and state it, and let the listener be the judge. You proclaimed yourself my judge, in blocking what I could see or not see. You are not better than me; you should try to judge me.

<snip>

Take the hint.

And if that thought is (from some real postings)

1) 'Kiss my a**'
2) 'Shove your head up your xyz a**'

Then you believe freedom of speech overides expressions of aggression & hate ?


DSM

PS the asterisks weren't in the original posts & the xyz refered to a nationality - these posts are (to the best of my knowledege, still in the forum having never been removed by the originator.

Very good point, DSM.

Well, you guys have certainly convinced me of the error of my ways, and I am ready to repent. As a token of good faith, I will return one of the Hostaged Posts.

First, for a little background information, this was taken out of the thread entitled, ironically

Keeping Our Wonderful Forum a Great Place to Be

Ol' WillSucceed launches into an unprovoked tirade against CollegeGirl 53 days after the last post on April 14. Put it in there at June 4th.

Enjoy!

WillSucceed wrote:CollegeGirl wrote:

I expressed a genuine concern for his health and wellbeing.

What a hill of horse pucky! Your comment was neither "genuine" nor "concern." It was a thinly-veiled, passive-aggressive shot which you made in reaction to my disagreeing with your comment about how C-FLEX works.

You and the small one from down under both get your knickers in a huge bunch when there is disagreement with your sermon-on-the-mount ramblings that are to be listened to and accepted as gospel. Get over yourself, please!!! Neither of you is any more special than anyone else on this forum.

And, for the record CollegeGirl, where you, or the small one, get off thinking that you have the expertise to comment on personality is beyond me. Further, that you think you can assess and comment on personality based on what you read in a chat forum is truly nothing short of ridiculous. Such arrogance you two have -you deserve each other.

StillAnotherGuest wrote:Well, you guys have certainly convinced me of the error of my ways, and I am ready to repent. As a token of good faith, I will return one of the Hostaged Posts.

First, for a little background information, this was taken out of the thread entitled, ironically

Keeping Our Wonderful Forum a Great Place to Be

Ol' WillSucceed launches into an unprovoked tirade against CollegeGirl 53 days after the last post on April 14. Put it in there at June 4th.

Enjoy!

WillSucceed wrote:CollegeGirl wrote:

I expressed a genuine concern for his health and wellbeing.

What a hill of horse pucky! Your comment was neither "genuine" nor "concern." It was a thinly-veiled, passive-aggressive shot which you made in reaction to my disagreeing with your comment about how C-FLEX works.

You and the small one from down under both get your knickers in a huge bunch when there is disagreement with your sermon-on-the-mount ramblings that are to be listened to and accepted as gospel. Get over yourself, please!!! Neither of you is any more special than anyone else on this forum.

And, for the record CollegeGirl, where you, or the small one, get off thinking that you have the expertise to comment on personality is beyond me. Further, that you think you can assess and comment on personality based on what you read in a chat forum is truly nothing short of ridiculous. Such arrogance you two have -you deserve each other.

Snoredog wrote:I suppose you deleted your own snide comments you had directed at Vader about his hat too?

You saw that one? Wasn't it great? No, Ted took it out right before he locked the thread. I do have a copy tho, I was just waiting for a good segue.

SAG

jennmary wrote: Why would I waste my time writing something if some jerk with a control complex could just come along and wipe it out? *

If you don't like the content of the messages here then feel free to find a site where you feel more comfortable.

I also support free speech and think these rules are great.

Jennifer

Exactly!

I’m amazed that a few here still don’t get it, but luckily for the rest of us, Johnny Goodman had the wisdom to clearly outline the rules for everyone.

*(my emphasis added in bold type)

Interesting,

How does a forum moderate against someone publish fabrications about other members. I mean stating outright lies or inventions about another member (versus asking a question of or in regard to another member).

I am saying that this happens here.

What recourse does someone have. PM ? yes PM is a great mechanism, a way one member can ask another about something they have posted - even try to clear up any misunderstandings - what if the originating member refuses to answer PMs. Then any such fabrications remain.

Methinks someone has just started down this path right here in this thread.

So how can people who have such a dispute get it dealt with if one has the will to do so but the other clearly doesn't.

I don't have any answers - jsut a few ideas

DSM