Forum Suggestion - Topic Sections

[Rebecca R]

Hi Dotty, please don't feel nervous about posting here. These very same "I'll get the popcorn" folks are the same dedicated ones who help hundreds of those struggling with their therapy every day. I think they just need to break up the seriousness of this forum once in awhile(I've gotten caught up in the hilarity myself and enjoy it). Sometimes they get carried away but I think you know they mean no harm.

Dori is right Dotty. She is always nice to everyone, but she doesn't hesitate to tell people if they are misbehaving. Wait and see. They listen to her too.

It only looks like there is an "in Knowledge." There really isn't. I'm speaking for myself, but I often haven't a clue what is going on sometimes. Okay most times. It does take a while to figure out how to find information, but once you get used to the format it isn't so bad. People are usually helpful even if you stumble into the middle of a thread like this.

IMO people here usually laugh at themselves and the whacky humor on this forum sometimes keeps people from going crazy living with Sleep issues. If people roll their eyes at you in the straightforward threads, jump into a crazy thread and ask a question. Expect an answer, but expect to have a few laughs too.

r

[Wulfman]

Maybe the first topic under "Announcements" should be a locked sticky thread called "Why This Forum Cannot Be Categorized."

I'm really kinda nervous about posting this, because it seems that there's an "in knowledge" here that I'm not a part of (yet? Maybe I will be at some point?). And, I'm really nervous that I'm setting myself up for being flamed for saying this.

But, maybe if there is a topic like this (where "LOL! I'll get the popcorn" type responses result when it's asked), it could be added to a general thread at the top. Just so innocent people like me don't stumble across asking it and find out that it's something that makes us a source of ridicule?

I've already discovered that, despite my searches for answers to some of my questions (trust me - I use that Search feature VERY often and have found it immensely useful), I have ended up asking some questions that have gotten some eye rolls from the old-timers. I apologize for that. I'm trying to do my best to not ask the overdone ones.

I've been wondering about the categories as well. I'm a member of another (non-sleep apnea) forum where the folders are categorized, and it's works fine. So, in the back of my mind, I've kinda wondered why this one isn't as well. Now I know. But, I'm dismayed that there seems to be laughing and joking about what I thought was a legitimate question.

I do also know that, on the other forum I frequent, we do have our "I'll get the popcorn" topics as well. But, what we did is alert the newbies to these "hot topics" in one thread, so they didn't find themselves on the end of being made fun of. (And, so that we don't lose the person forever. Which is kind of where I feel right now. This place is way too important for people with sleep apnea to make them feel like a fool when they ask a question.)

Please don't flame me for saying this.

Dotty,

Here are a couple of links to my analogy of the forum.......It's like one continuous backyard party.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43832&p=389249&hili ... rd#p389249

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13818&p=116486&hili ... rd#p116486


Pull up a chair, make yourself comfortable and partake in whatever manner you wish. If we were all "straight-laced" all the time, it would get pretty boring around here. We have to try to keep some sort of sense of humor about this therapy. We're stuck with it, so we might as well make the best of it. The most negative statements usually invoke the most hostile responses.......phrases like "I hate my CPAP!", "This therapy sucks!", "I quit!", "I hate my husband's/wife's new CPAP!", etc., etc.
When people approach the forum with a genuine, sincere question or problem with a positive attitude, they'll usually get TONS of help. It also helps if they try to use the Search function, too.


Den

[carbonman]

So, in the back of my mind, I've kinda wondered why this one isn't as well. Now I know.

G, you make my point why the "catagory" threads are my favorite.
It's where we get to know each other, away from the mechanics of cpap.

You let us know you're concerned that there may, in fact, be an Inner Circle.
There are many here that are concerned about that.
That's a legitimate concern.
...but, that's a topic for another thread.

You're concerned about being flamed.
Many people are concerned about that, but are afraid to say it....
for fear they will be flamed.
That's cool.

You let us know you're innocent and don't want to be ridiculed.
That's fair. I was innocent at one time and I was afraid.
That's life. No matter where you go you got dues to pay.
...but, I have never seen anyone ridiculed.....that didn't deserve it, to start with.

Look back through this thread.....we've had some fun,
we've learned alittle bit about each other,
we're all just alittle bit closer.

Please don't flame me for saying this.

.....just so you don't feel left out.

....and if things get out of hand....Dori will put the bad people in time out.

....not that I would know anything about that.

"Every time you are compliant in using your machine, you take that first step to better health"- DJ_Boxer

....and every time you post here, you're one step closer to the Inner Circle.

[Really]

I realize I am new to this forum, and don't mean to be critical. But I was wondering if there has been any thought into creating categories/topic sections for the various threads? This forum seems to get a lot of new threads every day so it would make it a lot easier for users to find information on specific issues. Some suggested topics might be: CPAP equipment/Sleep Clinic/CPAP experiences/General/FAQ. It would be pretty time consuming to recategorize the existing threads. Great site in any case.

Where else can you go file a complaint about the way the place is arranged and not ever become a member? Really??

[GumbyCT]

Where else can you go file a complaint about the way the place is arranged and not ever become a member? Really??

'IN' the "Inner Circle"

I should learn to read between the flames

[jnk]

Johnny has a nice place here.

The way I was raised, I might feel free to ASK why the furniture was arranged this way when I first came through the door. But I would probably wait a while before I suggested that we divide all the bean-bag chairs into a hanging-beads section, a lava-lamp section, and a black-light poster section just because the fraternity next door did it that way. But hey, that's just me.

Isn't it good we have a place where ALL of Muffy's personalities can feel welcome?

[roster]

Please don't flame me for saying this.

Under these conditions, I would not dare flame.

[jules]

we pretty much welcome anyone and everyone here

we pretty much can talk about everything here - no hush hush behind the scenes telling about the secret handshakes and discussing data outputs

this is an equal opportunity flaming site unlike some heavily moderated sleep apnea support site (whose name I won't mention but those of you who know me know where HELL is) where only the moderators get to flame and when they get tired of flaming there they have been known to come here

[GumbyCT]

HELL is) where only the moderators get to flame and when they get tired of flaming there they have been known to come here

To ask questions they know that get the natives to riot? All w/o ever becoming a member? Would they take advantage of nice trusting people?

[jules]

yeah it wouldn't be anything new and they must be feeling as lonely as the Maytag repairmen but at least the Maytag repairmen can fix something right

[grandmma]

....and if things get out of hand....Dori will put the bad people in time out.

....not that I would know anything about that.

*snort*!! (Thought that one slipped by, didn't you??)

Isn't it good we have a place where ALL of Muffy's personalities can feel welcome?

(with apologies to Muffy!)

and finally,

....and every time you post here, you're one step closer to the Inner Circle.

I've found also that "inner circle"'s are a personality thing - you either fit or you don't. Me? I don't care either way!!

[-SWS]

above: the Quiche Lorraine Model of social dynamics

In Lorraine's Quiche model of social dynamics above, we can see the inner circle is paradoxically portrayed by the outer crust...

So just where the heck is far-side fringe living portrayed on that model anyway? There are plenty of "fringe benefits" sleeping and cybersocializing near the edge...

OUTER RECTANGLE MEMBERS UNITE!!!!!!
AND EAT A QUICHE OR TWO FOR BREAKFAST

[jules]

AND EAT A QUICHE OR TWO FOR BREAKFAST

oh you are ruining my LSF attempts and I really didn't need help ruining it

[jules]

I have a question.

Please please take me.




Does this mean we now have adults on this thread?

[GumbyCT]

I have a question.

Please please take me.
Does this mean we now have adults on this thread?

Alright - that is completely OFF topic and therefore THIS thread is LOCKED.

You don't have to go home people - but you can't stay here!!!