Why Many Do Not Participate

[Corrine]

I was looking back on former topics to learn how to use the board effectivly and saw that in July and April there was discussion on lack of use by members who are either new or old members. Well, for me I do not post much as when a question comes to mind I find that there is usually an answer to it already, this is good. But I have a lack of understanding of chat rooms and the computer in general. I have to say that I find this all intimitating. I'm afraid of sounding stupid or spelling words wrong or of getting no response to my postings which has happened or of posting a inquiry in the wrong place. I don't know how to get involved with a discussion. Do I need to be on line when others are? Does time zones make a difference? I don't think that I'm the only one to lack confidence.

I am a slow learner and have difficultly in understanding the different symbols such as the suitcases and the acronyms (I saw that thread(know what that means now) and found it helpful).

I hope this gives a little insight as to why many don't get readily involved.

[Canadian Karen]

Hi Corrine!

I can totally understand how you feel. I was in your shoes before also. But the more you are on the board and slowly get your feet wet by participating little by little, you will get more comfortable. I have gone from being terrified to post for fear of sounding stupid to now being a moderator..... If you are worried about making mistakes or sounding silly, please don't. I haven't seen once here on this board where someone was either made fun of, berated, or ignored. I think you will find a bunch of really helpful, understanding people here who will walk you through it no problem and will always be there to help out whenever you need it.

Also, remember that our motto is "No question is too stupid to ask".... We have all been down this road and know how overwhelming this diet can be at the beginning and there are some questions we have asked in the past that we though "Sheesh, this sounds like a stupid question but I have to find out......" I think you will find you will get responses that are both welcoming and helpful....

I hope this eases your fears and worries and I also hope that you will become a contributing member of the board......

Take care,

Karen

[BabySnooks]

I was looking back on former topics to learn how to use the board effectivly and saw that in July and April there was discussion on lack of use by members who are either new or old members.  Well, for me I do not post much as when a question comes to mind I find that there is usually an answer to it already, this is good.  But I have a lack of understanding of chat rooms and the computer in general.  I have to say that I find this all intimitating.  I'm afraid of sounding stupid or spelling words wrong or of getting no response to my postings which has happened or of posting a inquiry in the wrong place. I don't know how to get involved with a discussion.  Do I need to be on line when others are?  Does time zones make a difference?  I don't think that I'm the only one to lack confidence.

I am a slow learner and have difficultly in understanding the different symbols such as the suitcases and the acronyms (I saw that thread(know what that means now) and found it helpful). 

I hope this gives a little insight as to why many don't get readily involved.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Corrine,

Canadian Karen is right--everyone who posts on this sight is very understanding and we all try to help each other. Without a site like this, Celiac would be a very, very lonely disease. I am new to this site in a past few weeks and I still am not quite sure what I am doing. But I plow through because I need all the info I can get on this terrible disease.

I still don't know how to post a question to just all members, so I click on reply near someone's name. I have no clue if I am doing it right or wrong.

[Canadian Karen]

Hi BabySnooks!

Don't worry, I am still trying to get used to this new format, and as for blogs, I won't even go there yet!!!! LOL!

To start a new post (to ask a fresh question instead of just adding onto the end of another), first pick the forum category it would fit in, i.e. technical help, coping with, post-diagnosis..... Then, once you are that topic section, on the right hand side (you probably have to scroll over for it, as I have to.....) you will see "New Topic" and "New Poll". If you click on the "New Topic", a blank box will come up for you to compile your post. Once you have finished, go down to the bottom of the page, you will see "Post New Topic" or "Preview Post". The preview post is for you to see what your post will look like once it is posted (to see if you have done quotes, colours, smilies, etc. correct). Once you are satisfied with your post, just click "Post New Topic" and your topic will be sent. Then the moderators take over and pin the topic once it has been viewed.

I have been on here for a year now and I still haven't mastered the "quotes" thing..... lol

Take care,

Karen

[ianm]

This message board is one of the best ones out there. This forum is about celiac disease, not who has superior geek skills. You will not get flamed if you ask a "dumb" question or post something in the wrong spot. If anybody does that I don't think Scott will put up with that kind of behavior for very long if at all. The moderators will move your post to the correct thread. Most message boards have more members that do not participate than those who do. That is just the way it works. There are some aspects of this board that are not real user friendly but those things are not easy and can be very expensive to change.

[Guest BellyTimber]

Hi Corrinne,

I think those are very perceptive observations.

It's so good to just read where everyone else is at.

The odd time a message gets overlooked I think are purely accidental. Just ask an extra time!

As for spelling that's one of the areas where we let everybody be themselves, I'm hardly even a regular myself but I think I would be right in saying that much.

Again welcome to look and post or not,

[JLK]

Corrine,

I would hazard a guess that if a post goes unanswered it may be due to a high volume of traffic on the board so that the message gets "lost" under new or continuing threads... Many folk on these forums don't have a great deal of time when they sit down to the computer, and may not look at posts three or more pages down.

You needn't worry about others being online at the same time or time zones. Just post and we'll see it when we do get online.

I am new to this forum and have had good responses to my questions but one thing I know I am doing "wrong" is making my posts too complicated with too many questions... Some questions get answered some do not. Try, try again All of us are here for help and to help, so please share your questions and any solutions you have discovered with us!

Judi

[celiac3270]

And if you ask a number of questions and a few don't get answered, post back and ask about those few again.

If you find that your post is moving to later pages and you didn't get the answer to your question, make a reply in it to move it to the top like..."I'd appreciate anymore insight into this" or something. The common web term would be "BUMP" (meaning, you want to bump the post to the front to get more replies, but don't worry about cyber terms...we don't really use those anyway.