just wondering.......

moose53 · 09-05-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonymous_no_more

--snip--
Are we now suggesting that because the BT server resides in, more likely "nerd think tank", [than a hacker's den] that we are to be paranoid of JLester and/or his motives?

The original BrainTalk forums were located on Massachusetts General Hospital property and "validated" by the hospital because of that physical location and because a hospital employee had created and was maintaining the forums. Massachusetts General is one of the top teaching hospitals in the world -- its name speaks volumes.

To have the servers move from there to a hacker's space (http://tinyurl.com/ncnej) -- darn straight I'm concerned. I, personally, am not paranoid -- too much life experience for that.

My concern is that a NON-PROFIT organization that's been receiving funds from some of its members/contributors is stashed in a hacker's space while the creator/overseer of the servers and overseer of the non-profit organization is continually not available and doesn't even work in the state anymore.

Before I retired, I worked in the computer support field for close to 14 years. I do not buy that a server can crash so badly that it's not recoverable in more than 6 weeks. I do not buy that it takes weeks to get new installation disks. I have gone through a similar experience. The server crashed badly because the air conditioning was not working -- something we did not know. The server crashed after my boss went on an extended vacation. I had no experience at all with the new server -- didn't even know how to login yet -- it was that new. I got in touch with peers and with the vendor and had the server back up and running within days -- not weeks. This was a server that was actually damaged by an overheated room.

I'm concerned with the images that I see on the root of the hasty-pastry server. They're not porno; they're just not appropriate for a non-profit organization. I'm concerned with the images on the virtual reality that is tied to hasty-pastry; again not porno -- but not appropriate.

I won't go back to BT1 (the original BrainTalk) unless it gets sold or the management changes. Because the level of commitment that should be demonstrated toward fragile human beings is not there.

An entity such as BrainTalk.org with the number of individuals who rely on it for research or for companionship or for support during horrendously difficult times ... an entity that has the reputation that BrainTalk.org has accrued over the years from medical professionals ALL OVER THE WORLD...deserves better than "I'll fix it when I come back from my trip".

A non-profit organization that has grown to be such a huge part of people's lives needs to have plans in place for emergencies:

- what do you do if the server crashes??
- what do you do if the one person in charge gets injured or dies??
- what do you do if the one person who is in charge is out of the country for a month when problems arise??

There should be back-up individuals in case any of the above circumstances happen (G-d forbid). Obviously, there is not.

That's my humble opinion.

Barb

09-05-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

An entity such as BrainTalk.org with the number of individuals who rely on it for research or for companionship or for support during horrendously difficult times ... an entity that has the reputation that BrainTalk.org has accrued over the years from medical professionals ALL OVER THE WORLD...deserves better than "I'll fix it when I come back from my trip".

Sums it up pretty well. I thought with the outpouring of financial support after the last major crash, John said he had so much extra $ donated that he was going to upgrade everything so in the future things like this would be a non-event. Guess I thought wrong.

The weeks for disks is a real hoot

DocJohn · 09-05-2006, 07:24 PM

Me too.

I think there's a disconnect between the community that went so far as to create a nonprofit org for itself, and the people who actually run that org (and through the org, the actual website). If one creates an org, one would think, it is to ensure the community -- first and foremost -- is up and running. And if it goes down, it gets back up in a timely manner (e.g., days, not months).

If the org can't minimally do that, I don't see the purpose of it. There's no great science or art to running a large online community. It just takes a leased server and some folks who want to help out.

John

anonymous_no_more · 09-05-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocJohn

Me too.

I think there's a disconnect between the community that went so far as to create a nonprofit org for itself, and the people who actually run that org (and through the org, the actual website). If one creates an org, one would think, it is to ensure the community -- first and foremost -- is up and running. And if it goes down, it gets back up in a timely manner (e.g., days, not months).

If the org can't minimally do that, I don't see the purpose of it. There's no great science or art to running a large online community. It just takes a leased server and some folks who want to help out.

John

exactly. why spend so much time trying to change something that appears to be immovable? move on. isn't this new site [BT2] doing exactly what everyone wanted BT to be?

Those that want BT, will remain, those that have paranoia, fear, concerns and some moral anger, should remain here (or somewhere else).

why continue to beat one's head against a brick wall? oh, I'm guilty of that in responding to these threads...gotta run.

Thelma · 09-05-2006, 08:10 PM

If JLester isn't doing what you think is appropriate, whether it be in the location of its servers, or by the fact that he is no longer associated with MGH, then, my goodness, find another board that offers what you need.

There is no other board that can match or add up to the one John has built 'doc' has just seen an opportunity to wean off some of the members with a look alike site that has much more leniency than the members heer even want.

He could have had a matching site of his own at any time in all the years Braintalk has been going.

He never showed any kind of sympathy for the members ther till he saw john having a problem.

If you buy the kindness and caring attitude then you will have a surprise when he finds all of the trouble on his doorstep.

Then the rules will change in a minute.

All of the rules had to be placed on the BT1 site because of the members and their actions.

None of them applied when I first started and we did a petition on it that went to DC with far less trouble than you can imagine given the last couple of years.

You need to think twice 'doc' because the site over there took years and years to build. It sure is not perfect but it is the best on the market and hopefullly it is not for sale.

So many have advice and think they can do it but you believe me you would have wilted 'doc' if you had of had to take what John took.

I have been to many sites since I have gotten sick and read till I am blue in the face all of them and the comments they are making. Some true and some unbelievable riddled with untruths and downright fiction.

It is my honest opinion that this site should close and if you still want to do it do it the right way.........on your own........ with your own and not in spite of all your protestations otherwise.

You put on your other site an invite to help John and he did not respond. Yet you did it anyway. Seems to me you didn't mean it to help John as much as yourself.

That is the way it appears to me anyway.

No offence meant

moose53 · 09-05-2006, 08:44 PM

((((((Thelma)))))), I'm so glad to see you posting again.

I've told you before -- and I'll say it again -- you've been an absolute treasure to BrainTalk.org. I've seen you supporting people on a lot of different forums. We need many more like you.

I, for one, am glad that this little forum has been here for the past week or so.

A place to re-connect to people that we truly care about.

A place to discuss everyone's viewpoint. I'm glad that a lot of us have been able to air our concerns in a civilized environment. The best way to solve problems is to brainstorm -- I feel like we've been able to do that here.

I don't fault anyone for their viewpoint. I appreciate the people that feel the same way that I do. But, mine is only one point of view from a viewpoint that's colored by my history (and, I suppose also by my baggage).

I heard something the other day on TV -- a preview of one of those shows that's going to try to help couples reconnect. It's a phrase for people that are not seeing the same side of an argument or of a disagreement:

"That's OK."

Each say that to the other and then start your discussions from there.

For me, everything that I've heard/read is OK. I can understand the reasons behind everything that's been said here. It's all *OK*

I had disconnected myself quite a bit from BT1 before it went down. More involved in getting my business going. I did like to check in once in awhile though. It's hard to believe for someone that's just joined an online community. But, you really do learn to truly care about and love the people that you come in contact with frequently. I hung around the Child Neuro forum 'cause I like kids and I like to do research. Before I ever knew what hit me, I was "in love" with all the great kids and felt connected to the parents and grandparents.

I don't think BrainTalk.org will ever disappear. I think it will change and grow and become something even more impressive that what it was before. All of us who have contributed financially and spiritually and emotionally to that growth and change will be part of whatever it becomes.

I don't think BrainTalk.org and John Lester has anything to fear from this little forum being here for now so that people that care about each other can stay connected.

Bless you all. Hugs.

Barb

anonymous_no_more · 09-05-2006, 10:15 PM

((((Thelma and Moose))))

Now, that's the spirit. We bend, we flex, and understanding/acceptance is right around the corner.

There's plenty of "internet" for everyone. For those that want to build a better BT, there won't be any words that can keep them from their duty...however that is achieved.

Doesn't always require a financial investment [for those that don't have that ability]. Can be as simple as staying out of the fray, using the ignore button when applicable, and continuing to build support by "supporting" a non-hostile, online environment.

For those that simply log on, dump their unhappiness, and run...they will come and go.

DocJohn · 09-06-2006, 06:30 AM

Hi 'Thelma,' I'm not sure how running forums out of my own pocket "helps me" in any way. I did it as a community service. (Believe it or not; it makes no difference to me.)

If I was watching a carpenter build a house and he ran out of nails, and I had a box of nails on me, I'd give him the box of the nails. I wouldn't just say, "Oh well, none of my business." Some people would, and that's fine. But it's not fine for me to do that.

John