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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Weary on October 30, 1999, at 19:38:26
Dr. Bob,
A rating system was not what I had in mind when I started the original thread. I doubt I'll remember to use it, but I guess that's not such a big deal since some of the proponents have already forgotten to use it within the same thread. LOL! Seriously, I can tell by screen names whether the content is likely to be long, expressive or technical and (as noted) can decide to read or not read it. I think a rating system will discourage some people from posting and cause more confusion than it's worth. I guess I was just hoping for some tigers to change spots and it is patently obvious that isn't going to happen. My main intent was to avoid run-on threads. If I don't care about the "suggestions" thread for example, and it takes up half the page, that limits the amount of valuable information I'm going to get about other topics I may care about before the page is archived. Once archived, someone will bring the darn thing forward just to say "you go Weary" or "you suck Weary" and there will be even less info before the next archive. Is there a technical way to limit threads to maybe 10 posts (or less)? If the limit is reached, the poster could be prompted to reference the previous thread or post they are answering. Just a thought.I liked the idea of removing the previous post prior to answering. In cases of multiple questions or comments, some quoting may be appropriate for clarity.
I value the sense of community here as much as anyone else on the board. I value useful information also. I do not value twaddle. I am willing to bypass the twaddle to get to the information if there is room left for it.
Weary
Posted by dj on October 31, 1999, at 9:47:04
In reply to Re: Rating System? Dr. Bob , posted by Weary on October 30, 1999, at 19:38:26
& chaos go take a look at some of the threads on this site, particularly those that relate to Flora:
http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum/DepressionMenu.htmlIMO, the twaddle level on Psycho-Babble is minimal and insignificant, particularly when you compare it with sites like the above & the sense of community & thoughtful, concerned, genuine contributions is much higher, here. However, those threads could be minimized along with the reposts...
> I value the sense of community here... I value useful information also. I do not value twaddle. I am willing to bypass the twaddle to get to the information if there is room left for it.
> Weary
Posted by Judy on October 31, 1999, at 13:00:07
In reply to If you want to see real twaddle, run on threads.., posted by dj on October 31, 1999, at 9:47:04
> & chaos go take a look at some of the threads on this site, particularly those that relate to Flora:
> http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum/DepressionMenu.htmlOmigod, dj! That place scares the bejesus out of me! Every time I go there, I'm looking over my shoulder in paranoia for 24 hours afterwards! Yes, there's Flora. What about that Gatekeeper thread? Alex?
For those who have never visited the Harvard Depression Forum BB, it's rather like a trip to bedlam! Flamers crawl out of the woodwork there (they even have their own "mascot flamer" called The Troll!). To add to the confusion, posters aren't required to add their names, and most don't, so there's little or no sense of community there.
One thing I like best about PsychoBabble is that I come to "know" its posters, the demons they're fighting and the meds they use to fight them. I've been away from this board for a while (or lurking at times) due to two nasty trials with AD's that failed - I didn't have the mental acuity to contribute. I'm now in washout mode and seem to be slightly hyper (as is probably obvious since my name is all over the place here!). My point is that it was nice to return and catch up on the progress of some of the 'old-timers' and meet the new posters by name and (usually) diagnosis.
I did agree with a most of Weary's original suggestions for streamlining the board a bit, and I must commend his/her organization and wit in composing that post. My biggest pet peeve is the retrieval of a huge thread from the archives and bringing it's bulk to the current board. I'd much rather posters wrote, "I'm commenting on a post in the [date] Archive entitled [title/date/poster]..." If I remembered the original thread, I'd keep reading - if I didn't, I'd go back to the archive to refresh my memory. I'm also a proponent of two PsychoBabbles (one technical/one general), but I understand the problems it would create with overlapping topics and (for me at least) the confusion as to where the heck did I see that post that I read earlier and now want to respond to.
But I digress from the original post here. Take dj's suggestion and check out the Harvard BB if you want to increase your appreciation of PsychoBabble!
Judy
Posted by mary on October 31, 1999, at 16:32:42
In reply to Re: Rating System? Dr. Bob , posted by Weary on October 30, 1999, at 19:38:26
Weary, sorry, I couldn't resist. This comment is probably exactly what you are referring to but, if you were hoping that tigers would change their spots, it will never happen, leopards, maybe, but never tigers. I really enjoyted that bit of humor and needed to let you know.
I like the idea of not bringing forward posts over six months to nine months old. It seems to me that when there is a four month gap in responses, the latest post is no longer dependent on the previous posts. The older posts appear to be a trigger for the current posting. I hope people can see what I'm trying to say. In the meantime, maybe tigers can adjust their stripes ;).
Mary> Dr. Bob,
> A rating system was not what I had in mind when I started the original thread. I doubt I'll remember to use it, but I guess that's not such a big deal since some of the proponents have already forgotten to use it within the same thread. LOL! Seriously, I can tell by screen names whether the content is likely to be long, expressive or technical and (as noted) can decide to read or not read it. I think a rating system will discourage some people from posting and cause more confusion than it's worth. I guess I was just hoping for some tigers to change spots and it is patently obvious that isn't going to happen. My main intent was to avoid run-on threads. If I don't care about the "suggestions" thread for example, and it takes up half the page, that limits the amount of valuable information I'm going to get about other topics I may care about before the page is archived. Once archived, someone will bring the darn thing forward just to say "you go Weary" or "you suck Weary" and there will be even less info before the next archive. Is there a technical way to limit threads to maybe 10 posts (or less)? If the limit is reached, the poster could be prompted to reference the previous thread or post they are answering. Just a thought.
>
> I liked the idea of removing the previous post prior to answering. In cases of multiple questions or comments, some quoting may be appropriate for clarity.
>
> I value the sense of community here as much as anyone else on the board. I value useful information also. I do not value twaddle. I am willing to bypass the twaddle to get to the information if there is room left for it.
> Weary
Posted by Weary on October 31, 1999, at 21:12:19
In reply to Re: Rating System? weary and spots, posted by mary on October 31, 1999, at 16:32:42
Mary
ROFL!! It would have been difficult for me to resist too! I guess I was too weary! I like your idea of not bringing forward ancient threads. Like most of the ideas suggested, however it is dependent on people remembering to do it. Like... um,.... remembering to delete old posts before responding. (not one of mine, btw)
Maybe yours is another idea with a possible software change solution. Poor Dr. Bob.
I won't contribute further to this thread and bear the risk of being accused of contributing to run-on threads. ;) My original thread is now of epic length, with thoughts, intents, and even diagnosis and treatment plan attributed to me that have no bearing in reality-at least not my reality. It seems these things take on a life of their own. I guess it's like having a "leopard" by the tail! LOL! Well, thanks for the laugh Mary. I needed it.
Not opposed to a little whimsy --- Weary
Posted by dj on November 1, 1999, at 2:28:43
In reply to Re: If you want to see real twaddle, run on threads.., posted by Judy on October 31, 1999, at 13:00:07
Great description of it, Judy. One very wacky place indeed, the net at it's worst. One can only appreciate the civility of PB after visiting that chaotic little piece of the WWW.
> Omigod, dj! That place scares the bejesus out of me! Every time I go there,..
> For those who have never visited the Harvard Depression Forum BB, it's rather like a trip to bedlam! Flamers crawl out of the woodwork there (they even have their own "mascot flamer" >called The Troll!).
This is the end of the thread.
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