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Poll

Should AIDSmeds launch a forum called "I Just Tested Poz"?

Yes
42 (46.7%)
No
29 (32.2%)
Either way is fine with me
19 (21.1%)

Total Members Voted: 90

Voting closed: July 25, 2006, 07:47:14 pm

Author Topic: New Forum for newly infected?  (Read 39299 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline manchesteruk

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #50 on: July 20, 2006, 06:07:25 am »
By tucking the "newbies" away in their own little corner, doesn't that only perpetuate the "difference" in the HIV of yesterday vs the HIV of today?  Everyone wants to debate the "manageable disease" point, then on the other side "protect" the "newbies" from scary stories.  Can't have it both ways, folks.  Additionally, by hiding them away in a corner, we take away from the "veterans" like Moffie, Sonomabeach, Aztecan, Joe, Alan, Ray, etc

I couldn't agree with this point more to be honest.  Sure there could be plus sides of a forum for newly diagnosed but I think the above reasons outweigh it.  Also when is a new member not considered new anymore and is allowed to post in the living with forum? It all sounds like segregation to me which is the last thing a newly diagnosed person want's to deal with they are concerned enough about that to begin with.  Secondly for a new members forum to work it would need the regular input of the members of the living with forum so I don't see the benefit of having two forums to achieve this.
Diagnosed 11/05

"Life is too important to be taken seriously" Oscar Wilde

Offline Ann

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #51 on: July 20, 2006, 09:19:59 am »
I'm not voting, but I'd like to address some of the concerns that have been raised here.

I don't see any problems coming from the people who post in the Am I forum. Well, no more than the occasional foray into Living that we already have. If we do create a new forum, the Welcome thread in Am I will be amended to reflect the fact that the Newly Diagnosed forum is also off limits to them.

I don't see a new forum being a place to hide the newly diagnosed away, nor would it be a place they HAD to post in for a certain length of time. It would NOT be a case of someone new being "allowed" (or not) to post in the Living forum. It would simply be a safe haven for those who do not yet feel comfortable posting in Living.

However, I can see that questions about what labs mean and whatnot being moved into that forum if they are posted in Living, but it would be decided on a case-to-case situation, just as all threads are now. It doesn't happen all that often that threads are moved and I can't really see that changing.

I don't see a problem either with who is going to answer questions there. Those who want to will do it and those who would rather not, won't. If we do create this forum, I will be checking it several times a day as I'm sure Andy will be, and it will actually make it simpler to extend a welcome to new people.

Personally, I don't mind one way or another if we have this new forum or not, but I don't see it creating problems and if it helps a few newly diagnosed people find their feet here, then it can only be a good thing.

Just my .02 of the currency of your choice.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline David_CA

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #52 on: July 20, 2006, 09:20:56 am »
I think the ideas of mentoring a new member sounds great.  I know many don't have a real-life support system in their lives; these are the ones who probably need mentoring the most.  I guess my biggest reason against this 'improvement' would be "Why do we need it?"  The current forums work great; look at all the new members.  If it didn't work, we wouldn't have all these new members.  I barely have enough time to keep up with the Living With and Off Topic forums, and I'm sure many others do, too.  I think that the all-important welcome to a new member's initial post would be sacrificed with less traffic in the proposed 'Newly Diagnosed' forum.  Besides, do we really want only a very small handful of seasoned HIV+ folks giving opinions?  What makes this site so great is that we have all races, religions, continents, and age groups covered.  This variety, this all inclusiveness is what will welcome new members.  The squabbling and hateful posts are easy to eliminate, if one is concerned that new members will be turned off by them; we simply need to quit posting things that aren't appropriate.  We're big people now, we know what sort of posts are helpful and what are hurtful.

David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline gerry

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #53 on: July 20, 2006, 11:18:14 am »
Quote
I guess my biggest reason against this 'improvement' would be "Why do we need it?"  The current forums work great; look at all the new members.  If it didn't work, we wouldn't have all these new members.

Without a doubt, forums activity is at an all time high.  And we can only expect that it would increase, including an influx of more new members.  We cannot really make a conclusion that the current format works as best as it could be without being able to hear from those who tried it, found it was too overwhelming, and decided to pass, without even attempting to post.  We've heard from Jay when he referred a couple of people here and they seemed to have been unable to "filter through" the very busy Living With forums.  Those opportunities could very well have been missed opportunities.  I'm not saying that the goal should be to get each and every one with internet access who is living with HIV to become a member.  It's still not going to be for everyone.  But we have to consider why there were "many requests" sent to Peter and others privately to have such a forum made available.  It sounds to me like there are people out there who do want to be included but for some reason are being hindered.  Perhaps, the current format, as great as it is now, is one of those reasons.  That's only my opinion (and vibe), of course.

Offline AlanBama

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #54 on: July 20, 2006, 11:40:08 am »
I am really liking Joe's idea of an ambassador or mentor for the newly diagnosed.
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline AldousOrwell

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #55 on: July 20, 2006, 11:47:53 am »
Christ me and Dingo have actually agreed on something!

Although like him I have mixed views but on balance I see no harm in trialing it. Could the streams not be merged later if it did not achieve a predetermined set of goals.

I've already noticed a difference in attitude of longer term survivors and the more confident refined ARV using newbies. Us newbies can learn a lot from these elderstatespeople and it would not be too hard to link to the other threads when relevant points are referred to in either area.

Perhaps we should mark the tenth anniversary of HAART in this way.  Those starting HAART in 2006 are different to those who went on the less refined ARVS in 1996 or even 2000. In terms of less side effects but conversely worse off in terms of  less access to welfare since the governments knew we were going to live.

Wait.. re read... nothing controversial ..... post.

Aldous 'Oh no not you again' Orwell.

Offline Gilles

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #56 on: July 20, 2006, 11:58:36 am »
I am not trying to be agist but I rather have a forum for young positive people ...like 18-30....reading some of the threads I often don't associate myself with people who have been diagnosed since 80s and are in their mid 40s. It would be good to have a forum for younger people because I think we have different lifestyle and are part of the different generation and therefore have different concerns...anyway this is my suggestion and I am not trying to discriminate against people who are older than me and I have been able to get some great information from them....however, I cannot really associate myself with many of their issues....

Please don't get offended by this suggestion because it is not meant to be...but I think if you would be of 23 years of age it is more helpful to talk to people of same age and in similar situation.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2006, 12:04:11 pm by Mr.Scruff »

Offline Joe K

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #57 on: July 20, 2006, 03:01:28 pm »
Alright, some of the arguments have been compelling and I'd support such a forum, but I think we need some commitments from posters to sort of "monitor" the forum so the new posters do not get ignored.  I suppose we'll never know unless we try it and if it doesn't work, then we just go back to where we are now.

Offline David_CA

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #58 on: July 20, 2006, 03:23:19 pm »
You know, it's kind of funny.  Back a few months ago I was new to this forum and to HIV in general.  I made a suggestion to have another forum primarily for introductions for those newly infected and new to HIV.  Almost nobody supported that idea.  People gave their opinions as to why this wasn't a good idea, but I still thought it was.  The benefits I've received from this site, in its current format, helped me and changed my mind.  I'm glad "Living with HIV" was the main forum.  Like I said in an earlier post, I know I would have missed out on a lot of responses had I posted in a 'Newbie' forum.  It's kind of like the "Side Effects" and "Treatment Questions" forums; those two go hand-in-hand so well that I wouldn't know where to post.  If I'm wanting to know about a treatment, side effects are a big part of it. I don't know that dividing the attention paid to posts would be a good thing.  To me, there really aren't too many posts in "Living with HIV" to wade through.  As of 3:20 pm today, there are only about 20 posts that have a modified date of 'Today'; that's not too many.  I also think most new people here, especially those new to HIV, read a lot of the back posts.  I know I read post after post... several years worth.  I wanted all the info I could find.  Mostly, though, 'living with HIV' is exactly what I needed to hear when I got my poz diagnosis; I needed to hear about living.

David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline Terry

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #59 on: July 20, 2006, 11:28:00 pm »
Well now I need to add another suggestion about forums and threads that has been kind of an annoyance for me.   >:(

I watch C-SPAN on cable TV on a regular basis. It’s a rather informative and a very un-bias news station. C-SPAN has a rule about callers calling in too often. As a matter of fact I think you can only call in once a month. Which brings me to my point.

I basically read/log onto the forum for information about and concerning HIV/AIDS. I do enjoy the humor and crazy stuff that goes on in here. I’m one that is first to get into a fight or argument, it’s my nature. Goodness knows I’m too serious of a person and I need the Lwood, Dachshund, and Jack/Jake kind of personalities in my life. (For your information those are three that I admire quite a lot) Just saying, so as not to get my ass kicked.   >:( >:( >:(

However, would it be possible for members to be limited to like say starting only one thread a week. I’m not going to say names. But I’ve logged on to AIDSmeds a number of times and a few people have started a number of threads one right after the other and it’s truly all a waste of time to click onto all this silly crap. Like “I forgot to feed the cat today”  “I want to send wishes to”  And “I also I want to send wishes to this one also.” (You get my point?) The living with forum has become like an old ladies sewing circle. Try leaving that silliness for the off topics or pm’s.

Now if I haven’t made myself perfectly clear in expressing myself, you can have Tim Horn give me a call at 707-869-XX69 whenever he’s up to it.

Back to my point. There is too much dumb crap being posted where important information needs space.  Let’s get this site back to what made it great in the first place.

Terry

PS. I hope my points are taken seriously. Let’s get back to dealing/living/understanding HIV/AIDS.

PPS. David_nc you don’t need anything at all. You have it all dude. In my opinion You have your shit together.









Offline Cliff

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #60 on: July 21, 2006, 04:43:24 am »
I voted either way, because I can see the benefits of it, but am not sure how it would work in practice.  But I do like Matt's idea of a Spanish Language forum.

Offline bobik

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #61 on: July 21, 2006, 05:48:23 am »
Hello Peter,

I would keep on reading the living with forum, and forget about the newly infected forum. I think the good thing about this forum is the mixture, the mutual understanding of newly infected and oldies. That is what I missed on the dutch HIV forum, that is why I came here.

Coen
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Offline carousel

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #62 on: July 21, 2006, 06:24:48 am »
.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2007, 11:23:58 am by carousel »

Offline bobik

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #63 on: July 21, 2006, 10:38:19 am »
A question to the oldies: How many of you would regularly read the newbie forum?

A question to the newbies: if the oldies did'nt write in the newbie forum to advise you, would you miss them?
Coen Honig at Facebook

Offline David_CA

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #64 on: July 21, 2006, 12:59:22 pm »
A question to the oldies: How many of you would regularly read the newbie forum?

A question to the newbies: if the oldies did'nt write in the newbie forum to advise you, would you miss them?

I most certainly would miss them.  I think we'd have a lot of questions without nearly as many answers if they weren't here.

David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline AlanBama

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #65 on: July 21, 2006, 01:35:17 pm »
Please excuse this temporary hijack, but I need to say this:

Terry, I am sorry that you don't like the fact that I post Happy Birthday threads in the Living With section.   The way I see it, every birthday we celebrate is truly remarkable.  It's part of "Living With AIDS".

The moderators have NEVER stated that they had a problem with me doing this, but I'll take this opportunity to ask:

Are the Happy Birthday threads inappropriate for the Living With Forum?  If so, I will gladly post them in Off Topic.   I figured this subject would come up one day, I just had hoped that when it did I would be in a better mood than I am in today.

 >:(
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline Trish

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #66 on: July 21, 2006, 01:49:19 pm »
I voted either way...

Should there be a new forum for the newly infected/diagnosed, personally I would visit that forum and welcome them.  I try to welcome all the new people in Living With, but with the influx of activity on the forums I find it hard to keep up.  I do my best to welcome as many as I can, because I do remember when I first came this site and the outpouring of welcomes, support and love from all those who took the time to do so was what kept me here to the end.  So, with that being said, yes I would visit the new forum should it come to exist.  If not, I will continue to welcome as many people as I can get to in the Living forum.

And should this new forum happen, and then we see it isn't working, I see no problem with going back to the way it has always been -- posting in the Living With. 

It's a worth a shot.  I see no harm in trying it out.
"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is buit."  Eleanor Roosevelt

Offline Ann

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #67 on: July 21, 2006, 02:13:54 pm »
Alan,

I've got no problem with you posting birthday notices in Living for exactly the reason you mention.

Sorry to hear you're having one of those days.

Hugs,
Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline AlanBama

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #68 on: July 21, 2006, 03:01:10 pm »
Thank you Ann.   The birthday thing is a labor of love, and I understand that you can never please everybody.   If someone doesn't like the birthday threads, no one is holding a gun to their head to make them click on them.

Hugs,

Alan
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline Jena

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #69 on: July 21, 2006, 03:10:20 pm »
When I was diagnoised last summer I was fortunate to find this forum  right away. I can honestly say that  it saved my sanity, if not my life. I learned so much more here than I would have ever learned from doctors, case workers, on my own... I say, no, no new forum, this is where the newly  diagnoised people need to be, where they can get good, sound advise, not on a forum with other folks just like themselves, full of fear and feeding off each other.
Jena

Offline Terry

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #70 on: July 21, 2006, 04:41:16 pm »
Alan,

I don’t know who told you that I said such a thing. But they’re wrong. I don’t say happy birthday to everyone because I don’t know everyone. But I do send my good wishes to those people you put up that I do know.

Maybe you are having a bad day! Don’t we all have them? You just made my day ugly by accusing me of something I never said.

Have a good day. I won’t talk about this to you again. You should get your facts straight before you start accusing people of stuff.

Terry

Offline AlanBama

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #71 on: July 21, 2006, 04:58:04 pm »
I'm very sorry if I misinterpreted you, Terry.  But you stated "I want to send wishes out to".....to me that means birthday wishes.   No, you did not specifically state the word 'birthday'.  If I was limited to one post per week, that certainly wouldn't work for July when we have about 20-25 birthdays!

I apologize to you, perhaps I am overly sensitive today (and most days!)  I hope you will still be my friend, and forgive me if I misunderstood your intentions.

Alan

edited to add:  PS - I apologize again to everyone for hijacking this thread.  Please forgive me.
« Last Edit: July 21, 2006, 05:08:08 pm by AlanBama »
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline bobik

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #72 on: July 21, 2006, 05:01:03 pm »
Well now I need to add another suggestion about forums and threads that has been kind of an annoyance for me.   >:(


However, would it be possible for members to be limited to like say starting only one thread a week. I’m not going to say names. But I’ve logged on to AIDSmeds a number of times and a few people have started a number of threads one right after the other and it’s truly all a waste of time to click onto all this silly crap. Like “I forgot to feed the cat today”  “I want to send wishes to”  And “I also I want to send wishes to this one also.” (You get my point?)

Hi Terry,
I can very well understand that Alan thought you were talking about the birthday wishes, considering what you wrote earlier on. No reason to feel accused. If you read your own post, can't you understand the misunderstanding?

Coen







« Last Edit: July 21, 2006, 05:02:37 pm by bobik »
Coen Honig at Facebook

Offline water duck

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #73 on: July 21, 2006, 06:22:19 pm »
Terry darling,

You love to roar like a lion, you scare away the 'newbie'.
If only they stand their ground, they will realize that the lion is toothless.

Siang

PS : i would suggest to Mr G Bushy to call 707-869-XX69   ;) ;)

Offline anniebc

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #74 on: July 21, 2006, 06:42:18 pm »
I see no harm in a trial run...those who want this to work will make it work, and I agree with Gerry, so many newly diagnosed are getting lost in the sheer number of threads...if we want to help and support them we have to make sure we don't lose sight of them...a new forum may well be the way to do this.

Hugs
Jan :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Offline Jeffreyj

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #75 on: July 22, 2006, 01:35:43 am »
 I think it's a good idea to leave things the way they are. Lets be in it together...from begining, to the end, and everything in between.
I hope everyone is doing well. PEACE
Positive since 1985

Offline Peter Staley

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #76 on: July 22, 2006, 08:04:29 am »
bump

Offline Eldon

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #77 on: July 22, 2006, 06:10:24 pm »
Well Peter, it is a tough one here. i voted no. They need to be around some of the older members to get some feedback. We still want them to be part of the group.

Offline water duck

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #78 on: July 22, 2006, 06:31:53 pm »
Really Eldon !!
If older members sincerity is questionable, i don't think we want them to be part of the group !!
Your shady fundraising efforts had spilled over onto the Zephyr Foundation which is an honest and pure effort for LTNP, causing alot of grievance for a number of us here.
Till now , you had never offered any explanation, of which i consider it is long over due !!
« Last Edit: July 22, 2006, 06:34:17 pm by water duck »

Offline Peter Staley

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #79 on: July 22, 2006, 06:59:25 pm »
Water Duck -- I asked folks to post comments in this thread about the pros & cons of having a new forum.  Your post does neither, but instead, seeks to hijack this thread, and start a flame war.

Please, please, please, Eldon -- don't take the bait -- ignore waterduck's post.  In fact, I hope everyone ignores his post, and continues to use this thread ONLY for discussing the topic at hand.

Thanks,

Peter

Offline water duck

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #80 on: July 22, 2006, 07:09:48 pm »
Peter,

SORRY it is never in my intentions, what you started : AIDSMED has helped so many , it will be a crime to start a FLAME WAR !!!

I shall ban myself from this site for awhile to cool off.

PETER , I HAVE TOO MUCH RESPECT FOR YOU HAVING STARTED THIS TO DO OTHERWISE !!!

Sorry.

Siang

Offline Eldon

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #81 on: July 22, 2006, 07:20:07 pm »
Vincent,

First or all you cut the communication off when I tried to PM you and explained what happened. You responded with a do not communicate.

Second, If you would have took the time to READ what Tim Horn wrote you wouldn't be writing this in this thread at all.

Thirdly, I LISTENED to Tim and followed HIS instructions and I DID NOT reply becaused I was asked not to post anything else in the thread.

Fourthly, You could have approached this differently by sending me a PM which is a useful tool on this site.

By the way, for your 411, Tim AND Peter got a response from me.

Offline Eldon

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #82 on: July 22, 2006, 07:26:32 pm »
Ok Peter, I apologize your post posted while I was typing the other response, Everyone please ignore this.

Offline Life

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #83 on: July 24, 2006, 11:29:42 pm »
Eldon, they will be AROUND and they will not get lost in all of "this".... ;D
« Last Edit: July 24, 2006, 11:37:58 pm by Eric »

Offline DingoBoi

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #84 on: July 24, 2006, 11:39:59 pm »
bump

bumping is frowned upon in this forum as you should know peter.  oops wait, you are the damn quasi owner/mod of this.  ok.. you can bend  the rules  ;)

did you know your email is *self edit*  glad to know it's so easy to find cockle (sorry couldn't resist) but it's the combo of that that makes me laugh (didn't want to publish here for obvious reasons)

and on that note...

I will reiterate my support for a new forum... for the simple reason that we are growing.   It might have worked fine months ago... after the merger it still 'seems' to work, but i fear it WONT continue to work.... there are too many coming to handle in the same forum.. that's my main concern in voicing support for this, espeically after my initial 'no' response.  I don't want this forum to be 'reactive' rather than 'proactive'. 

I think they will be 'crowded out' in the living with forum... again it's not the situation now... but it will be soon.... especially aftter the merger and all the links ... we've only seen a glimmer of what is about to happen i think here in the current forums.. I think it's going to shortly explode fully justifying a new forum.  Just by that partnership.  Hell, you people in the know, well... know what traffic this site is getting and where they orginate from (ie: poz.com).

I do think actually that should be more encouraged... with ads or snips to direct people here to talk about being newly diagnosed.  to me the poz.com website seems very 'long-time infected' information' without clear direction for newly tested pozzies.  Could that be corrected so they could ACTIVELY be directed here to talk?  The current links seem so passive and doesn't shout out 'NEWLY DIAGNOSED?' like it should i feel.

I don't believe there is a single link that says something to that effect on the main page of Poz.com. (i could be wrong here)

Can we make it easy for the newly diagnosed to find the information they need?   I really think this should be a key HIGHLIGHTED link that is very obvious on the poz.com main page.

Again, it comes back to a newly diagnosed person trying to figure out where to start... going to poz.com's main page can be overwhelming.. where is the 'START HERE FIRST' type of link or ad?

the page is GREAT for the rest of us who are used to it and 'know'... but for a new person???? I fear that it DOES overwhelm them... EVEN HERE... where is the OBVIOUS link on the main page for the newly infected?... i really think something like this should be added to both. z(and if it's there already, it's needs better highlighting or placement)

When i tested poz, i went out on the web and researched a bit.. and i did find this site... but NEVER found the forums.   it wasn't until six months later i came back and eventually joined everyone here.

why?  because i didn't know they existed.. i never saw the link to it.

at the time i was so overwhelmelmed and looking at a website without seeing that obvious link drove me away at first.   

I think both websites needs a "newly diagnosed?' ad that directs them to a specific lesson... i know some are in place already, but frankly, they are very technical/medical, where people need to first hear "okay, just breathe for a moment.. relax... and then learn about the many links that both sites offer.

I fear i'm rambling now so i'm gonna stop, but that was my initial impression when i came to aidsmeds... everything was a blur and i missed the best part which is the forums (ok.. the best part for 'me').. everything is great here... but more direction is needed for new people and especially better direction to the forums in general.



they need a 'safe' forum for them to express there fears in and be honest without totally scaring them about the true reality of hiv.... not to minimize it, but for most the realities won't be obvious for many years, it's too much a blow to them to get hiv and come here for support and see all the 'horror' the living with can present which is real, but, in terms of welcome and introduction to this, is probably not things they need to read explicitly.

yes, many will still read it, but between the anticipated GROWING traffic, i am adamant now that they need a specific forum for them. 

Concerns are all valid, and it will take 'working out' but i feel for this site to grow properly, this should be added.

I just fear the horror of people newly infected reading tales of 20+ year pozies.   That's NOT their reality in this day and age for the mostpart.  We need to be a little more appreciative of the differences between then and now... tho, with respect, it's never easy no matter what.

Let's just make their introduction a bit easier is what I want to say.

Thanks for reading.
« Last Edit: July 25, 2006, 12:11:22 am by DingoBoi »

Offline Alain

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #85 on: July 25, 2006, 11:17:45 am »
.
« Last Edit: November 03, 2006, 08:23:21 pm by cowandalehouse »

Offline AlanBama

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #86 on: July 25, 2006, 11:27:57 am »
I think Dingo makes a good argument in favor of a 'newly poz' forum.   I totally get what he means about the newly diagnosed people's reality being different from the long termers....this is probably something we need to face and deal with in a practical manner.
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline David_CA

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #87 on: July 25, 2006, 12:15:07 pm »
The more I think about it, the more I think a new forum for 'Newly Diagnosed' isn't a good idea.  Why would anybody want a fellow newly diagnosed person to do much more than welcome them?  I really think the Old Timers' experiences are what we (newly diagnosed) need.  They've often been on many, if not all, of the drugs and dealt with side effects.  They've experienced a variety of doctors, government bureaucracies, insurance issues, emotional, and personal problems that are likely to confront those of us who'll be living with HIV.  If they haven't experienced these things, I can imagine they know people that have and can relate the situation. 

The other main problem occurs when the ones who start in a 'Newly Diagnosed' forum start posting in the 'Living with HIV' section.  It will definitely be somewhat difficult to respond to their questions without knowing their background.  I imagine a lot of Old Timers will stay in the 'Living with HIV' forum and miss out on the introductions.  I'm sure they'll still respond to questions, but would be forced to go look for a post in another section to make sure that their answer is even relevant. 

I think if we just behave ourselves and keep the bitching private that new users won't be so intimidated (if they even are). When I initially started lurking on this site, there was a BIG to-do about John and Trish.  There was name calling, accusations, and all kinds of tacky interactions.  I wasn't sure what the hell it had to do with living with HIV.  Soon enough, that situation died down and things returned to issues dealing with HIV and AIDS.

I remember how I first found this site.  I searched Google for "living with HIV".  I had already found tons of general information about HIV/AIDS, drugs, side effects, etc.  What I was really searching for was how one lives with HIV; that is exactly what I found here.  I learned how Old Timers had dealt, and are dealing, with side effects.  Those side effects will also be of concern to me.  I read about how they had faced problems with financial support, depression, anxiety, and any number of issues.  Some have already become issues for me.  Without the information on living with HIV that I found here, I KNOW that I wouldn't be handling this as well as I am nor as equipped to handle it in the future.  Let's think about what newly diagnosed folks need and think about why they're not getting it here in "Living with HIV".  I think that most will realize that, for the most part, we really are getting what we need here.


David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
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02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
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05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
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Offline Peter Staley

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Re: New Forum for newly infected?
« Reply #88 on: July 26, 2006, 03:48:29 pm »
Okay -- we've decided to launch a new forum called "I Just Tested Poz" for the newly diagnosed, and for the older-than-new that want to help them.

I think the most convincing argument for this is the dramatic increase in traffic "Living with" has had, making it hard for newcomers to find the kind of threads that will help them most.

Let's make one thing clear from the get go -- old-timers are more than welcome in this new forum.  In fact, it probably won't work unless the old-timers help out in a major way.

And finally, nothing is set in stone here.  If this doesn't work out, I'm sure you'll let us know.  We can always merge the new forum back into "Living With."

I'll probably launch this later today.

Peter

 


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