How can this discussion forum site be improved?

[Greg]

Since the discussion site format changed some time ago, it seems we have lost a whole lot of contributors. Perhaps the timing was coincidental, but I miss the varied comments from distant geographical points.

Is this site too difficult to manoevre?
Are posts being missed?
Are the topics not relevant?
Are some of us dominating the discussion?
Do some of you know how to read but not how to type (just seeing if you are awake!)?
Do you not realize that your experience can be of tremendous benefit to so many others?

Where have you all gone?

Why?

Please share your viewpoint on this.

If private responses would serve us better, feel free to send me a note. I have nothing to do with the administration of the site, but I can pass along any comments that would help.

Signed,
Lonely

[Greg]

Good insight, Ken. I tend to agree with the first two points. The third about the hidden forum resulted from some folks not wanting their comments available on the internet for anyone and everyone to see due to the potentially sensitive nature of the topic. The idea was that this would generate additional discussion. It has not done so to date evidently.
Hope you are well.

[auntybevy]

After trying to locate information on BCC, I decided to post and hopefully get an answer to my question. I know that I have read forums on “protocol” in the past and thought it would be easy to find. Unfortunately it was not. Is it possible to have a “search” on this site to easily provide forums that might answer our questions?

I have also noticed that there are not as many “views” on this site as well as “replies”. I am not sure why as this is a great forum and easy to maneuver.
Bev

[Greg]

Bev:
Thanks. Another good point. On the last site we did have minimal search capabilities and that seems to be missing here all right – unless I am missing where it is.

I also think some posts are missed altogether because people click on the last response in the right hand column and potentially miss new subject matter in the middle under the main headings. I know I do that and miss all kinds of stuff.

[stumblegirl14]

I love the new site – however I liked the old site also. I don’t find it difficult to get around, of course I don’t get around much. I don’t post often as lots of times I don’t feel I have much to contribute experience wise as my journey is relatively mild having only cystoscopies so far. Others that have been through more of the challenges are better able to relate their experience when serious questions are posed. My personal opinion is that I don’t feel at all that others have dominated the forums. I haven’t been gifted with the wit some possess. Perhaps summer has some people missing & of course life gets in the way at times. I did like when I could see where people were from but not a biggie and I can well understand why some don’t want their location revealed. The information available here, in addition to the great support by other members has for me been a godsend.
Flo

[Susan]

Would it be possible for those people who want their location kept secret to opt out of having it displayed? And for the rest of us, it would be available by default for the group to see? I agree that knowing where others are is information that helps us to bond with each other.
I also think that summer has something to do with the lack of postings. Lots of us are probably travelling, or at the least, spending less time indoors on our computers. I was away for the month of July myself.

[marysue]

I think if folks are willing that their location is key. I discovered other women to connect with this way. The suggested option of keeping the location anonymous should be available too. I also suggest if you don’t want people to know who you really are use an alias. I too, don’t like the status of “newbie” or senior member etc. Who cares? Some people post once in awhile, some like me a lot. Others as mentioned only post when they feel they have something to contribute. That being said a lot of people that were on the site when I first joined in late 2010 don’t seem to be with us any longer. I don’t know what happened to many of them. I have been posting less because I’ve been too friggin’ busy. I do read the posts at least every second day but don’t always post.

[Greg]

Any other comments from the vast hordes who read here but have not posted? Here’s a chance to help make this site the preeminant site on bladder cancer discussions (of course, I think it is already) and make it easier or more user friendly.

[Jack Moon]

Thank you all for your valued comments. These issues will be raised with our website administrators by Tammy when she returns from vacation.
Tammy and I believe getting the poster’s location shown should not be a problem.
Hopefully we can put in a search tool also.
It is our goal to make this forum and website as user friendly as possible.
Thanks everyone,
Jack

[Ieva]

I visit the site almost daily, as I did with the previous site.
On the previous site, I could scroll up to the posting, while I was responding, to help me with my thoughts and response. I cannot do that now (or I can’t figure it out how to, on this site).
I miss many postings, as I usually only look at the posts listed on the right hand side.
Previously, we could ‘click’ on the poster’s name, to generate a response; now it is to the topic (I think this is so), thus not as personal a response.
The new site, though it looks fabulous, “feels” quite formal, which can inhibit spontaneous responses. Having to decide which heading to use, as opposed to just posting.
I miss seeing people’s location, as well as the number of views.

Thanks for initiating, Greg!

Ieva

[Susan]

I was fooling around with my settings today, and noticed that although Photo is listed, it’s not actually enabled. How about that? Could we have photos of our choice instead of those avatars?

[Author]

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