FORUM CATEGORIES - (Just hear me out…)

[Amigo]

Isn't this thread actually "OFF TOPIC"?

Everybody already knows how I feel about this.

As far as the "chit-chat" threads, it seems to me that if there are subjects within the conversations that appeal to new users and it increases their interest in joining in the forum discussions, then it's worthwhile. That's part of what makes this forum "user-friendly" and any attempts to categorize topics is going to make it like the other (highly moderated) forums that have become "ghost towns".

I do like the suggestion of a "MORON" section, though......sub-categorized into several different sections of course.
(Maybe one of them being for suggestions for forum categories)


Den

Oh, Den...priceless!

My sides are aching from laughing so hard...thanks!

[jnk]

I call dibs on being considered for section moderator if there's ever a "moron" section.

[brain_cloud]

Has anybody seen my glasses? I could swear I set them down by this topic just a few minutes ago. They're tan and dirty.

[Amigo]

A forum with thousands of posts in total, and dozens more posted every day can certainly be daunting even for those of us who are experienced with its nuances.

Having given this topic more thought, however, I have decided that I am against any categorization.

Each of us may have specific issues of interest surrounding sleep apnea, which we like to follow and participate in. With or without "OT" threads, they will inexorably move down the queue.

I really think it comes down to a matter of organization in keeping track of what truly interests you.

There are already several useful tools for managing that: 1) View your posts, 2) Mark topics read, 3) making a copy of the thread's link, or even a link of an individual's specific response, 4) Subscribe topic, and, 5) Bookmark topic.

For those who wish, PM's are also a valuable tool for sharing specific information. All "pearls of wisdom" do not have to be shared with the entire forum.

I agree with all of the reasons others have stated for not categorizing, and sincerely hope it does not come to pass.

[So Well]

Life doesn't happen in categories, but OCD types will try to roll it up into tiny little balls.

[-SWS]

Life doesn't happen in categories, but OCD types will try to roll it up into tiny little balls.

I think you have a point there... Consequently a pair of big functional balls probably makes more sense:

1) Main CPAPtalk forum, and
2) Social Networking

[Physician]

Thoughts?

There should be a few more categories, BUT while we are on the topic of improving this website, I'd like the POSTS TO BE NUMBERED. Unless one uses the quote feature, it's too difficult to discern to which post the member is replying. When replying, the simple phrase of "reply to post #6" appears automatically. If that's done, then quoting will be done much less often.

[Amigo]

Life doesn't happen in categories, but OCD types will try to roll it up into tiny little balls.

How very true..."order, we must have ORDER!"

I wonder what would happen if I reported this thread as SPAM?

[Wulfman]

Life doesn't happen in categories, but OCD types will try to roll it up into tiny little balls.

I think you have a point there... Consequently a pair of big functional balls probably makes more sense:

1) Main CPAPtalk forum, and
2) Social Networking

I've always considered them to be one and the same.
I just did a search on topic titles for "OT" and got 619 matches. (out of 942 pages of posts)

search.php?keywords=OT&terms=all&author ... mit=Search

I'm sure there have been a number of them that didn't get "OT" put in the title and some that could actually be considered relevant to issues which could be loosely tied to "health" or other related issues even though they DID have "OT" in the title.

The very first thread I ever posted to was essentially an off-topic thread......the "Where do you live" one that I resurrect from time to time. That was several months after I started following this forum and about a week after I finally joined the forum. I never did have any questions to ask about my own therapy.

People need to feel comfortable with this therapy. Many new users are scared sh*tless going into this. Sometimes they need their hands held, sometimes they just need the "cut and dried" information and sometimes they need the proverbial "padded 2 x 4".

It's ALL "social networking" in my opinion.


Den

[So Well]

Life doesn't happen in categories, but OCD types will try to roll it up into tiny little balls.

How very true..."order, we must have ORDER!"

I wonder what would happen if I reported this thread as SPAM?

Hypothetically, just for example to get an understanding of the proposal, if I want to make a comment about the pink bow on someone's ass, in which category would I post it?

[Really_Ugly]

Life doesn't happen in categories, but OCD types will try to roll it up into tiny little balls.

I think you have a point there... Consequently a pair of big functional balls probably makes more sense:

1) Main CPAPtalk forum, and
2) Social Networking

I insist on a Dating, Singles, and a Just Messing Around categories. And maybe a Handling Holding Room.

So Well should post in the Just Messing Around Room

[So Well]

RU, That's clear.

Now what if I want to ask, "Is it true that during the time of the Roman Empire, in the hills of Libya, the Romans dumped vessels of olive oil onto the water in the viaducts in order to transport it quickly and economically to the seaport, where it was easily separated from the water and collected into vessels for shipping?", in which category should that be posted?

[-SWS]

It's ALL "social networking" in my opinion.

As it turns out I agree with that. However, one tier of social networking bears direct relevance to making treatment work. A second, less-direct tier of social networking occurs that is no less important IMO...

Yet everyone seems to agree that first and most direct social-networking tier is essential----as it directly deals with attempting to make apnea/SDB therapy work. Den, you DID have questions, and you answered many of those questions by searching through the posts in that first and most directly-related tier.

But those OTHER less-direct social-networking objectives---the politics of health care, the job challenges, searching for cruise partners, attempting to find potential friends or even romantic partners..... We need ALL of that here IMHO. And yet, SOME of that is guaranteed to annoy those who are disinclined. I'm thinking two indispensable center stages.... And I'm also thinking social networking that is not so directly related to CPAP can have MORE therapeutic value for some of us than CPAP itself...

Let's not push all that off to the side... Let's make it another MAIN focus so that hoseheads can socially flourish around here like never before.

[Wulfman]

Let's not push all that off to the side... Let's make it another MAIN focus so that hoseheads can socially flourish around here like never before.

This ain't my forum......it belongs to CPAP.COM and the Goodman family.......it's up to them. It's been my interpretation that they wanted it the way it is (I think it's also easier for them to ride herd on). And, judging by yet another poll, having categories still isn't all that popular.


Den

[jnk]

ride herd