[beth]

Some ponderings:

I was looking around admiring our progress so far, nice new logo, optional chestnut skin and many forums starting to develop that "family" feel, things rollin' along nicely.

Then I clicked on Home, which simply takes you to the full list of forums, (where I just was). I'd kind of like to see a home page with a larger logo, a welcome to all who find us, a short statement about who we are and maybe an invite for first-time visitors to stop first at a forum just for newbies. That forum could include the FAQ's, TOU, Meet the Staff and How to Register, Post Threads and Reply to Threads. Maybe ?'s for the Mods, whatever makes newbies more comfortable.

So many of us are comfortable here because this format is the same as OBT, and we have a lot of experience with it. But for newcomers it can be intimidating to join in, especially when it seems like everyone has a long history together, it can feel risky to post a query. So I feel NeuroTalk should in every way possible welcome and reassure people this IS a safe and supportive atmosphere for those with neurological or other related or undiagnosed conditions (and parents/caregivers!). NeuroTalk's form of administration, moderation and participation is unique, and something we can be very proud of, and should talk up? shamelessly promote? flaunt? Oh what is the word I want?

I think we have something special here, maybe the NEXT new thing in on-line patient-led support communities, and if we want this to become the place we once knew and loved, only better, we have to grow, and we have to attract attention. What we are doing is WORTH taking notice of, but ain't nobody but us gonna do the braggin'! Am I making any sense at all?

There's a need to rebuild the databases too, w/ a plan for how to make that happen. Work to be done...not overnight, but we can't neglect it, either. We all made it clear how much we care about this community, and can be proud of what we have done so far, with the invaluable aid of Doc John, Kimmie Dawn and the Mod Squad, but we're not done yet,are we? I see NeuroTalk becoming more than OBT at it's best, our admin, mods and member input can't help but make it so, if we keep on keepin' on.

Thoughts or suggestions? Doc J? Kimmie? Is there a "master plan" of some kind in a secret vault? Any new word on the database recovery?

Proud to be a "NeuroTalkie",
beth

[Jomar]

Beth - I think it's a great idea.

[I'd kind of like to see a home page with a larger logo, a welcome to all who find us, a short statement about who we are and maybe an invite for first-time visitors to stop first at a forum just for newbies. That forum could include the FAQ's, TOU, Meet the Staff and How to Register, Post Threads and Reply to Threads. Maybe ?'s for the Mods, whatever makes newbies more comfortable.]

[kimmydawn]

I absolutely think that's a wonderful idea and I'm sure it's in the plans a bit down the road...links to resourses, news, forums, all kinds of neat things.

Yep, excellent idea that I'd like to see come sooner than later.

KD

[Chemar]

I agree!........thanks for the suggestion Beth

re the recovery of data.........I think that is gonna be up to us members to slog away and keep rebuilding here wherever possible

[west1]

Regarding data recovery, I previously submitted very specific questions regarding database restoration at the “other site” (links not included here so as to not violate this site’s (NT's) Community Guidelines, but these questions should be easy to find under the other site’s “Forum Feedback”). Thus far, no response of any kind.

[southernlady]

It's called a portal. That front page ahead of the forums. And with this being a subdomain of psychcentral, I don't know if that is possible. Liz

[loisba]

Wonderful ideas, Beth! I've been actively doing my little bit on the MG forum to rebuild the database by posting helpful site links, and by opening up threads and inviting comments on subjects I know are of concern to myasthenics. If each of us does that in our own particular forum, in no time at all we will begin to build a usable database.
As far as promoting NT, the only MGers I know are those I met on OBT, and I have no way of contacting them other than on OBT. I haven't felt right about using OBT as an avenue of promotion, though I must confess that when someone else posts a mention of NT (or even a link to NT, as has happened), my scruples do not at all prevent me from mentioning that I enjoy posting on NT.
Hugs,

[Idealist]

Makes perfect sense to me, Beth. In fact, I think you've got the right idea there. I've been thinking about the same issues myself lately, and wondering how I, as a member, could do more to jump-start some of the forums.

[beth]

Ya know, I believe it's fine to post NeuroTalk under Useful Websites on OBT - you just can't invite anyone to come join. That's what I got from their "Rules on Posting Other Websites" or some such thread on Forum Feedback.

Have to say it makes me really SAD to visit Forum Feedback

[Jomar]

there's always PMs to let them know about NT.