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What cancer patients, their families, and caregivers need to know about COVID-19.
TO ALL.....
 |
Oct 26, 2011 - 12:21 am
The thread : Alkaline water and its benefits I too, forget at times to look at the date of the original thread's Please do not take offense to this note, we ALL find ourselves I have contacted Greta a few times already, and have asked for the Perhaps if each of you ask Greta to forward our plea to stop allowing Every Forum board program has that capability, and it's up to the It's bad enough to read of a death the first time around, but to see Stay well, John |
Joined: May 2005
I Don't Understand Why John
Some posts may be old but that doesn't make the topic irrelevant does it? I know it can be unnerving to see posts from those who have departed but their words are still important to many.
This conversation has come up again recently as you noted John. Nana B mentioned it recently too. I also emailed Greta to see if we can come up with a solution that most of us feel will address this important issue. I suggested that we have some sort of icon or generic avatar for those who are no longer with us. They can use that avatar in the threads but keep the avatar that our friends used on their About Me page.
It is an important issue but I'm not sure that locking the topic, which would prevent others from commenting, would be helpful to US as a community.
To all that respond, does a generic icon (a flower perhaps?) seem like a solution or would fellow members prefer the topic be locked ?
Of course, neither can be done, both can be done, or other suggestions are invited.
Hopefully we can come up with a solution that helps the living while not silencing those we've lost.
I hope that my words of wisdom continue on after I'm gone.
Then many of you can finally have the last word with me on one of my comments ;-)
Peace
-phil
Joined: Nov 2010
i prefer a solution along phils lines
i appreciate johns and others feelings and am really happy either way.
for me being reminded of the words from someone who has died reminds me of their contribution here with fondness. We all have different responses to this infrequent issue. often just a comment on the post and a pm to whoever bring an old post to life would see the issue handled.
i view it as the deceased contributions here still have value and relevance.
words of wisdom, well yes sometimes:-)
hugs,
pete
Joined: Aug 2011
I agree with Phil
I agree with Phil too....maybe as suggested some sort of symbol to show the person has passed over. But I think it's important to remember that not everyone who has quit posting has died. They may have just moved on and are finally free of cancer and all of its lingering fallout.
Peace~
Joined: Jan 2007
Phil (and others)
Re:
"It is an important issue but I'm not sure that locking the topic,
which would prevent others from commenting, would be
helpful to US as a community. "
The earlier threads can be read, but anyone wishing to refer to
that thread would have to start a new thread to do so.
That is the customary and most practical solution, and one
that most -all- webmasters use to prevent old threads from
being regenerated while preserving the useful data of the
old threads.
While a forum's data is important and should be readable to visitors,
directing questions or answers to the departed (death or otherwise),
is a futile and embarrassing experience to the unknowing.
Answering a post that is a year old (in this case two (2) years old),
is almost absurd. But the one newly contributing to such an old thread
had no way to know that the thread had been errantly "reborn" recently
in the same manner that the new contributor has provided a "rebirth".
There are very few BBS and forums that do not lock old threads,
but those that neglect to do so, usually aren't dealing with such
sensitive material.
And to clarify again..... the issue isn't "not being able to read the data",
it's regarding those that expect a reply from those that can never
again do so.
It can be even more unnerving, to ask a question about a treatment
one's hopeful about, only to learn that the one they're asking has
long ago died in spite of that treatment.
Kinda' takes the wind out of the sails.....
Best wishes,
John
Joined: Feb 2009
Locking a Post
We shouldn't lock a post. There are many times I didn't want to ask a question just because maybe it has already been asked and found one 4 years old. I also noticed that John had posted and he passed last year too. He was very knowledgeable on many things and to lock his posts would do no good. Think we should leave things as they are. Just my two cents.
Kim
Joined: Jun 2010
Locking threads
leaves them readable to anyone who is searching that particular topic.
In a typical forum, it is used to end discussion on a particular issue (usually when it gets to heated) and is done in lieu of deleting the thread.
If, after reading an old thread, a new user still had questions they would be free to start a new discussion topic.
Personally, I am in favor of John's recommendation, if it is something that can be accomplished with the software used on this forum (I do not assume that all forums have the same abilities). Perhaps locking all threads that are more than six months old (again, you could read them, just not post to them)?
There is a thread Phil started in the Spirituality forum which now has well over 200 responses, and I have notice that when you try to access the new posts it just goes to the start, it seems that we have exceeded the capabilities of the of software. This would be another case where locking the thread might make some sense.
Having an avatar that represents deceased is a good idea, but might be difficult to manage. This forum is over 10 years old, and how would Greta determine between deceased and someone who just stopped posting?
Blake
Joined: Jun 2010
Double Post
*
Joined: Apr 2009
Lock em up!
Ya.... I'm for locking them up..... seems the most logical since you can still access and read them and this would prevent posting to them. Yes..no way Greta could keep up with the deaths. Did I actually agree with John and Blake???????????? hummmmmmm..... LOL
Jennie
Joined: Jun 2010
More importantly
Did John and Blake just agree?
Did I just see a flying pig?
:smile:
Joined: Apr 2009
Ya Blake...
Thats what I meant.... LOL..thought I was seeing flying pigs too! lol
Jennie
Joined: Jan 2007
HUH !
Wow.... I read Blake's post and thought I was dreaming...
I had a few drinks...came back... any HOLY CARP~
Blake's post is real..... REAL....
REAL
(I need another drink)
Good health to ya', Mr. Blake!
John
Joined: May 2011
Heh, heh, heh
Sometimes the personalities are the best part of this site!! Love the interaction!
Joined: Jan 2010
Lock the threads
It's always a shock to see someone replying to a post whose author is no longer with us.
And Blake and John23 agreeing just made my day LOL
Best
Joined: Mar 2011
I too have fallen victim to
I too have fallen victim to the dreaded "old subject thread" and spent time reading many replies only to notice the question was very outdated or the posting member was no longer here. Frustrating.... I agree with the locking of the thread concept. It's usefull to read them but of little value to post to an old thread.
Joined: Jul 2009
I say leave them as they
I say leave them as they are. It is a shock to see dear people come up and truthfully I prefer to avoid "uncomfortable" feelings at all times. However difficult it is, even as the tears fall now, the people who cancer has taken from our lives IS ONE OF THE REASONS I CONTINUE TO POST HERE. I see Donna picture and read her words and I am reminded over and over again what this vile disease has robbed us all of. Their lives, their battle, what they lost and their families/friends lost are a HUGE part of the cancer journey. They were human beings who lived and breathed life into this board, they gave us pieces and parts that no medical clinic, no chemo, no juicing tidbits could ever, ever give us. I saw sweet John's face the other day and a snippet of a memory came back- when Adrian shared with us that John told him he was going to be a ghost for Halloween. And not only did it make me smile, I remembered what a fight he had and how horrible it was.
Please don't lock the threads, don't take their pictures down. They are part of the journey, they are part of who we are. And it hurts, it is uncomfortable. But please don't let that uncomfortableness rob us all of what they gave to us and what this journey is all about.
With love from Minnesota
Patteee
Joined: Jan 2010
Create an archive
It is not unusual for an archive to be created for older threads on a forum. To archive them would mean their content would still be avaialable for read only, therefore the thoughts and information are preserved. It would also be helpful to have a seperate search on archived material.
I think a new thread most often will get more attention than one of the old ones with a new post.
Just my two cents.
Marie who loves kitties
Joined: Sep 2009
I agree with Phil that the
I agree with Phil that the post can be still provide help to those who need it. I would hope that even if I was no longer alive, that something I posted could help another.
Joined: Jun 2006
just look at us
WOWSERS just look at us....having a real conversation...back and forth...
no freaking no yelling
yayyyyyyy us :) :) :)
mags
Joined: Oct 2010
lock and keep
I think threads over 6-12 months old should be locked. I prefer to keep the avatar because it is easier to associate images and faces than names on fragmented stories with dozens or hundreds of posts over several years. To me, the picture with a long series of posts sometimes feels somewhat like a visit with an old friend, and what made them special.
The detailed stories of those who have gone before us are very important to guide us in our battles. Once locked, if an old thread is truly needed, it could still be linked.
Joined: Feb 2011
lock'em up!
Ditto on voting to lock the old posts...be assured that this process keeps the old posts available to read, just no new comment ability. Perfect and easy solution to an ongoing problem.
Joined: May 2005
For Those Who Want To Lock Posts...
Why?
Is it because it bothers people that someone died?
Isn't a post on juicing still relevant now even if it was created in 2005?
If we started a new thread, then would we have to cross reference the old post so the continuity of the thread makes sense?
From the comments I've read, it seems more of an "uncomfortability factor" of who's posting than posts not being relevant to what members want to talk about.
Can someone explain this to me and to the others who feel that threads should not be locked why you think the threads should be locked.
Thanks...
-p
Joined: Feb 2009
Ditto
Also, I'm thinking that others that have moved on in their life might have had something releveant to say way back when and if brought to the forefront again it might be beneficial to someone new - someone not used to searching the board for a certain topic. Don't look back on someone that has passed as always sad because that person just being on this board contributed much valued information, whether a kind word, an experience, a prayer, a research contribution, etc. The only problem is when a hacker gets on and brings old posts up just to spam us - that's when it's sad to see a person we lost.
Kim
Joined: Jun 2010
A couple of things
* Often, when someone responds to an old thread, they get few, if any answers.
* Spammers seem to target old threads (most of the recent spam attacks I've seen were old threads)
* Sometimes, the question in an old thread (like the one John linked to) is addressed to a particular user, who will never answer
* There does seem to be a limit where the "new post" feature works on threads. Once the post count gets too high the thread opens at the beginning regargless
The thread is still relevant, can still be found in a search, may answer whatever question the searcher had. Of course, times have changed, treatments are a bit different, there may be solutions that have not be brought to the fore...
Add to that the uncomfortable factor, and yes, there is a good argument for locking old threads.
Of course this whole conversation is moot if the forum software does not allow for thread locking...
Joined: May 2005
Addressing Your Points
Looking at these points:
* Often, when someone responds to an old thread, they get few, if any answers.
-that happens with new posts too. If people aren't interested they won't respond, period.
* Spammers seem to target old threads (most of the recent spam attacks I've seen were old threads)
-that makes it VERY easy to spot spam. Those are eliminated by the Elves on the night shift and threads stay in the order they were in before the spam attack.
* Sometimes, the question in an old thread (like the one John linked to) is addressed to a particular user, who will never answer
-sometimes new members don't respond. Thats the way it's been and will be.
* There does seem to be a limit where the "new post" feature works on threads. Once the post count gets too high the thread opens at the beginning regargless
-as long as you select the correct link you will be directed to the new posts that were made since your last visit. At times I do find it confusing when people may mean to respond to the original post, but they comment on someone else's response and then I've found I have to chek the date and time of the posts. Even the post you mentioned in the Spirituality Forum which has over 200 responses goes to the new ones for me
The people we miss had voices. I can't help but view this idea as silencing the dead. I know I'd be dead but I'd really be offended by this.
I have no idea what software they use...
Joined: May 2009
I didnt read all the threads
I didnt read all the threads here but I do get a jolt when I see the faces of those departed friends. I would say the jolt is because they passed from a desease that we all have. A reminder that some are dying from this, will we be next? My input.
But maybe their picture should state the date of their death or just say, wil be missed, lost the fight or something similar
Joined: Jan 2007
Good grief.
I started this thread because we have new individuals asking
dead people questions and expecting answers. When they ask
three dead people and are ignored three times, they wonder
what's wrong.
There's nothing "wrong", they just need Dionne Warwick to get
their message through!
Cancer kills. I'm sure there are some that need to be reminded
of that really ugly fact, but just reading through the archives, or
doing a search for a topic and dredging up an old thread will
provide a perfect illustration of just how deadly cancer is.
But once an old thread (2009?) is resurrected by posting to it,
it will again appear to be a "new" thread. Unless of course,
someone takes the time to look at the thread's initial date.
But how many of us do that?
I've posted to an old thread because I didn't expect to see a
thread from 2006 on the top of the pile. If it was "locked",
it would have been prevented from being resurrected.
There is no loss of data, and the words of the original poster,
dead or alive, remains intact and perfectly readable.
The only difference, is that we won't have unsuspecting people
asking questions, or providing answers to the deceased.
Imagine hovering in the ether, looking down at someone that's
finally asking you a question you can answer........ and thinking
"What the #$%^, how am I gonna' answer that clown?"
A bolt of lightening maybe?
Seriously, it isn't about being made sad, it's about preventing
the resurrection of threads and replying to those that can no
longer answer.
It's just common sense... isn't it?
Best wishes to all.
John
Joined: Sep 2009
Well hopefully they would
Well hopefully they would realize what the dates are on either the initial post or the responses. I would think if someone did not post an answer to a question I asked they might either be in treatment or perhaps dead. I would like to think they would only ignore if they had passed on though and not because they just wanted to ignore me :)
I sometime like to look back at old posts, I miss some of the people, plus it shows me how far I have come. I am still friends with many who have passed on from here on my Facebook page,but I would never delete them from there either.
Joined: Jun 2010
No one is talking about deleting
locking a thread just prevents any new posts to it.
Joined: Feb 2008
I agree with Phil
I agree with Phil that it is nice to think our words live on after us. And Phil, I suffer from no delusions that anyone will EVER have the last word with you. *grins*
It startles me sometimes to the point of a sharp intake of breath to see one of our dear ones who is gone, but I do still like to look at their faces and remind myself how dear and precious they still are to me.
*hugs*
Gail
Joined: May 2005
Gail
You've got my number!
I already have the Ouiji Board app for my iPad (which I plan on taking with me when I go.)
There may never be a last word with me
;-)
I often feel the same way Gail when I see someone who is no longer with us.
Joined: Apr 2010
Me
I'm with Gail on this one, same feelings, I see a face of one who has passed on, I kind of catch my breath, but have gotten to the point I can smile after and think of them fondly and enjoy their words. So I kind of enjoy when an old post pops up, and I can see their faces, and "hear" their words again, I find it rather comforting. And if the threads were locked, I would never get to "accidentally" see their faces again, as I tend not to search through old posts (lack of knowledge how to for one)
Just my thoughts,
Winter Marie
Joined: Jan 2007
Winter-Marie ---- (et al)
Re:
"And if the threads were locked, I would never get to "accidentally" see their faces again,"
Wow.... I really don't know how this topic has taken such a bad turn.
Of course you can "see their faces again". You can read what they typed,
and consume the thoughts they tried to convey. The only thing you can't
do, is ask them a question, or give them a reply.
That, is what "locking a thread", is all about!
Doing a search for any topic will still produce threads from the past,
just as they do now. The only @#$%^& difference, is that you will
not be able to post anything to that thread!
Why is that such a problem to anyone? Why would anyone want to
ask someone that is no longer alive, a question? Why would anyone
want to give a reply to someone that can not read that reply?
I miss those that have died, but I shed more tears over those that
are on their way to that destination. I wish I could stop the madness
and remove the fear of trying something different.......
But all that has nothing to do with the problem of old dead threads
being resurrected as if they were new.
There are solutions to everything, and locking an old thread, is just one.
Oh well.....
Be well.... Life's short!
John
Joined: Apr 2010
LOL John
I just never really go back to threads,and if they were locked then no one would cause them to "pop" up on occasion, and when one from the past pops up, I don't know, I guess I kind of like seeing it, kind of like coming across an old picture you forgot you had of a good time, and it invokes a pleasant memory for that moment, and I kind of like those moments. I'll keep my vote out of this though, I'm computer illiterate as to solutions and such.
Love at ya man, you know I loves ya,
Winter Marie
Joined: Jan 2007
Winter-Marie....
Re:
"kind of like coming across an old picture you forgot you had of a good time"
Yeah, I hear ya'. It's like that picture of Blake that I have up here on
my dart board.
(just kiddin' Blake, old man...)
Seriously, I didn't intend to start a fiasco over this, I just felt bad
for the "new member" that asked a question to someone that's
died some time ago.
I will not go into details, but we have a forum for a totally different
topic as part of our side business. Years ago, I left old threads intact,
since the info was never "old". But I found that questions were being
directed to people that had posted 8 years prior. Who knows where
those posters are now? Who sits for years, waiting to get a reply?
I don't want to even be on "hold" with a phone contact for more than
five minutes..... but 8 years? Crazy!!
After I finally go, please don't try to ask me a question, ok? I'll be too
busy shovelling coal into the furnaces of hell, and if I stop to answer you,
he'll add another trillion years to my sentence.
Be well.... (love'ya' too!)
(shhh, don't tell anyone I said that)
John
Joined: Apr 2010
LOL
Well, I see where you're coming from, you have to hit the blond on the head a couple of times, so your point is the poor guy who asks a question on a 5 year old post, and he's wondering why he isn't getting an answer from the original poster who is possibly no longer with us, so then that person feels ignored and unwanted in an already confusing, sad, lonely world of cancer. Got ya.
Winter Marie
Joined: Aug 2003
and then there is....
Sometimes I find myself reading a long thread with fascination only discover a response I myself posted -- years ago. Since I have truly terrible memory problems, I'm always interested to find out what I wrote! Just kidding -- I appreciate this current thread and agree that it would be good to have the information still readable, but to stop additional responses after a certain length of time....
Tara
Joined: Apr 2009
An Additional Solution
If it is decided not to lock "old" threads and you notice a new member waiting for a response from someone who is no longer with us, you might do a kindness by making them aware of that fact or calling their attention to the original thread date. When I was a new member, I did not search for a specific topic. It was just a big general cry for any and all help.
Blake and John,
Fascinating to see you guys getting along. Just don't get too mushy on us.
Luv,
Wolfen
Joined: May 2005
Great Suggestion Wolfen
A Private Message to the person would be a very kind gesture. I'm not sure if some people don't realize that members can send private emails to each other. I've seen so many things posted in the past that are really conversations between two people yet it's carried out in public.
Go figure...
-p
Joined: May 2005
We Are Not Alone...
What about the other forums that are not as active as ours? There ARE other forums. If someone isn't as fortunate as us to have a more common cancer where there are a lot of advances being made (yes, we ARE fortunate that we don't have something like pancreatic cancer), people do not post as frequently so how would locking posts benefit them? Do you think this would ONLY apply to us?
So we have to look at a date on a post. Big deal.
How often is this an issue? Once a month possibly?
As you said John, it's just common sense...
Let it be
-phil
PS: there is a Grief and Bereavement Forum on this site.
Joined: Sep 2011
Holy Carp, Batman......
There are other forums? LOL!
I am enjoying this thread and I must chime in my opinion. I say let it be. I'm fairly new and luckily felt my way around and figured out the protocal. However, had I posted on an old post, I would not have been offended had someone come on and told me to start my own thread and perhaps guide me through the proper procedure. This can be daunting to some posters and help is usually appreciated.
I enjoy reading the old posts. They helped me to get to know you guys better and answered a lot of the questions I had without asking them again (although I did sometimes ask again, just for my own clarification.)
JMHO
Deb
Joined: Jul 2009
and what about a caregiver,
and what about a caregiver, we have a lot of them on the board, who didn't die, but still don't post.
And what about those who never died and rarely if ever post anymore, like that spongebob person?
and those that passed, maybe like a fancy funeral ribbon across their picture with RIP on it?
(sorry, I wasn't serious, just throwing things out there)
And you are right- some of these boards if you lock the threads after a certain period, then there would be no posts to respond to.
I have seen a couple of great "john" posts to some of the threads, like, "say, you might want to post this in a new thread as so-and-so can't respond, or they don't come here anymore"
I still think just to leave them alone.
Great conversation though!
:):)
Joined: Dec 2001
Ah Sponger.....
those were the days! What fun he was.....he's still alive and kicking....just moved on or is out in the ocean somewhere protecting us.
Joined: May 2005
SpongeBob
Protecting us from Mr. Crab
;-)
Joined: Dec 2001
BAHAHAHA!
Or squidworth.....just sayin'.
Joined: Aug 2011
Same discussion on Caregivers board
Hello everyone. I'm posting this as two discussions
about this have been occurring on two different boards (maybe more)
and oddly enough, roughly at the same time.
I'd just recently finished chemo and was bouncing on prednisone
so had difficulty in making my point.
Catwink22 and I went back and forth for awhile and she helped me
explain my point of view better. I've pasted that part of the
discussion below. I also pasted links to both of these discussions.
Forgive me Phil for not using your tips on how to make it show as a
link. I did read that during one of my chemo fogs and plan to return to it.
You have good information at your "expressions" and I appreciate that.
Personally, I'm in favor of closing discussions - meaning locked to posts.
If the topic comes up again, start a new discussion of the same topic.
Perhaps they could set up links to similar closed discussions?
I think of these discussions as "conversations" that are active while
their are people paricipating within a reasonable period of time.
Conversations do end. Another analogy would be a "conference call".
Would you dial into a conference call that was scheduled/occured on 2/1/2001
with no participation/activity since 4/15/2001 and attempt to participate?
That is kind of what's happening - especially with newbies.
I realize the information in some discussions is timeless and valuable - like
tips on being a caregiver, how to deal with grief, etc. Maybe a solution here
would be to "flag" those discussions for quick reference? Just a thought.
Sometimes this website is unusally slow - I don't know if resources being used
in indexing keywords and other things on active discussions is a factor or not.
My thought is on "closed" discussions, there would be no need to re-index them
as they would be completed (since no new posts).
Anyway, thanks for letting me share my 2 1/2 cents :)
Hugs and positive thoughts to all of you,
Jim
---------------------------------------------------
Jimwins:
==========
Well, on many discussion forums the items
do get closed to new posts at some point but the
entire discussion (thread) does remain intact.
Personally, I can work around things the way they are.
Similar to LinvinginNH, I just happened to have a similar
"annoyance" I guess to posting to something that really isn't
active - for example a topic that has had no activity on
it in a year or more.
To me a discussion in this setting is like a "conversation"
between two or more parties. The "conversation" is active
while parties are still participating within a reasonable
time frame. I mean most conversations (discussions) do
end at some point.
Maybe I'm just anal too :). I do tend to like things neat
and orderly. I'm the kind of person who can tolerate clutter
for a short while but if I'm around it too long, that's how
I begin to think. Of course that was before chemo. Who knows
what the "new me" is gonna be like ;).
Catwink22 Response:
=======================
Now I understand! Thank you! It's like hanging up the phone
(which I have a hard time doing lol).
HELP! I'M TALKING AND I CAN'T SHUT UP!
I didn't think of it as "conversations", but that is what it is.
I'm a little OCD myself, I feel nervous if "things" get too chaotic, I just feel it's important to keep the information available.
Purrrr Purrrr
Cat
Jimwins response:
=========================
Yes! I like the phone analogy.
Sending hugs and catnip your way,
Jim
Colorectal Board discussion:
-------------------------------
http://csn.cancer.org/node/229191
Caregivers board discussion:
---------------------------------
http://csn.cancer.org/node/228762
Joined: May 2009
The re is value in old post.
The re is value in old post. Why go over the same thing again if the info is out there. The value is still there
Joined: Jun 2010
Everyone agrees on this Nana
No one wants the old posts eliminated, just locked, so they become more like reference material instead of ongoing conversations.
Joined: May 2005
Deleted my Post
The topic was too old...
Joined: Jan 2007
Hey Phil....bro...
Phillie -
Some links for you, bro. There's a ton more than I ever thought existed,
but I'll just give you three good ones to start with:
Should I get a Colostomy?
I Need Someone to Talk to.
rectal cancer treatments & surgery
Ya'know.... Instead of "locking down old threads", we should demand
the prohibition of -new- threads, and just continue the old ones forever!
All in favor, click here :
Be well (and sane)
John
Joined: Aug 2011
Cute
Phunny ;)
Okay, I went back and re-read your expression about creating links.
This time, less chemo fog :).
Phil's posts could never get too old ;)
Looks like John had similar idea and beat me to it.
Guess I need to start learning HTML :)
Hugs,
Jim
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