BT1 down again
 

Hi all,

I thought it was just my ancient computers being unable to access BT1 over the last few days, till I saw Doc John's mention of it in the Blog:
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archive...in-in-trouble/

So, if anyone else is thinking it's just them, it's not! Wasn't sure where to post this at first, but I reckon it's a community issue (our roots, at least) and thought mentioning it might save a few people some trouble.

Not that I post there, but I look in on it now and again. Hope they get it up again for those loyal folk who have supported it come hell and high water.

all the best :)

Thanks I added my 2 cents as a member used to say [wonder if she is still here]

Thelma,

Thank you for your honest feedback. It's always appreciated.

Thanks for the update on the blog, artist!

I think many of us care about the members of that site and hope the best for them whatever it might be.

KD

Brainfreezes....
 

I've had trouble getting onto BT for over a week now.
I have contact with 2 others that PM me on BT forums, luckily have emails addresses....only one of them is able to log on with no problems after being unable for few days..
One time I was able to log onto BT with numerous tries all week...but couldn't get into any of the forums.
They did say they had some sort of power shortage....what??????????
But after last years saga...where they told us to stay tuned, would be up soon, then nothing happend for months....not even one word of update. Like they didn't care.
To me this is terribly unprofessional big time....at least they could have written a few lines to update....or even solicite a few coins to help, but nada, nothing....not one single word!
Like a kid with his favortie toy....broken, but refuses to allow someone to fix it. The whining kid hangs on all the tighter...ITS MINE! ALL MINE! No one else can touch it....but then the parts falling through his fingers...peices trampled on the floor....then finally tosses entire pile in the trash then makes lame excuses as to why he wouldn't let go and allow others to fix....ITS MINE!
And no one else's!
Very interesting for sure.
I don't have a sense of entitlement or feel Braintalk OWES it to me,
but because this is such an important website with great information that saved my life....I feel it should be "run" with proffesionalism and perhaps should be funded to ensure its smooth operation.
There's a lot of people out there searching and trying to heal selves when doctors have been unable to help.
This is just my not so humble opinion....I may be wrong...but I do know others share the same feelings as I do in this touchy subject.
For what thats worth....cheryl

As I've said before a couple of times, I love this place. It may still be growing, but quite frankly...I get really tired of hearing about BT1. Once upon a time, it was a nice place.

And here I go 'cause I'm of the mood, but friends of mine were treated poorly there, we're here now, and BT is a thing of the past for me. So, I guess now I'll ignore, plug my ears, and not look at BT1 threads again.

This is NeuroTalk. :hug:

BT1 ... http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/ignore.gif

Hi,

I was just hoping to spare some people the angst we went through last year, knowing nothing. There are a fair few people on this forum who are members of that one too. If someone had posted something similar to my post last year, somewhere accessible, I personally would have really appreciated it then, I thought they might now. That's all. Won't bother, next time :rolleyes: .

all the best.

PS: Apparently some people can get it; I can't on either of my computers, one mac, one pc (but old).

BT is not down, but it is having problems. I have been able to post since the issues began, just have to refresh, etc... It is frustrating, I will say that. I also think they should have warned everyone before shutting it down to do "work" on it. They should also be giving notice to ALL with en ETA, that is for sure!

I am also curios if they get paid to do the site?

I am just so sincerely concerned that BT having problems are making some so angry :confused: And how do you get mistreated by a website? Was it one member that was mean? I am sincerely curious! I just have never seen any OVERALL ugliness from there, but maybe just a couple not so nice replies, but that's it.

I would hope that if only 1 or 2 people were not so nice, that the whole site would not be held responsible for them. :)

I LOVE NEUROTALK:)
I no longer post there ,actually,i no longer even read there.
If you wanna post info.I don't see a problem,since your intent was not for bashing.
Take care

Hi

I think letting members know the status of BT is fine here, artist...thank you.

We have many members who post on both sites, and it does cause people concern when they are unable to log on

However, for many reasons, I also think it is best for this discussion not to go to things past.........because the topic tends to get heated and hurtful when that happens.
let's all be sensitive to all members from both sites

So, as Doody said : "This is NeuroTalk" ............
Let's enjoy being here :)

Artist, I'm just venting. One too many funerals and mishaps lately and I hope today's funeral was the last one I have to go to in a very long time.

It's just that, if people get started in on BT, it STILL gets my heart racing just a little bit more because believe me, I do have ill will going on regarding that place and certain persons in particular, and being the snotty brat that I am, I can't hold my opinions in to myself when I start getting reallllllly mad. I'm sorry for your folks who still go there.

I can see this all snowballing down a big hill so to that I say....

Doody .... http://home.mchsi.com/~njp/emoticons/ignore.gif Pay no attention to the doody snot.

Ahh Doody ...:(
Take a deep breath, blow it out - and don't even think about that old place!:)
:grouphug:

Status
 

I was able to get onto the chronic pain forum OBT and watched a thread about the problem since last week, I held down myCTRL button and asif it was bypassing pop up to allow it to opwn I could get on.

Zobie slayer had information of the techno situation as they work on it.

If unable to post this techno pass on, mod's just delete it. Nice to know what the trouble is why I passed it on....
Dianne

ZS-

the administrator is working from inside the "Hasty Pastry" office where the BrainTalk Server is physically mantained. When there, he "sees" BT Communities by connecting through the internal network, not the internet. His first look at BT last friday, after I had alerted him to the problem, was in confusion...

"Things are loading fine on the internal network."
They never lost power. They had battery backups.

Last night, status was the same. Perhaps a tiny bit faster, but only a drop in the bucket...

did narrow it down to which T1 connection at the "Hasty Pastry" that is giving all of you the trouble.

If things go right, hoping for a resolution within a few days if not sooner.

Maybe the ISP might have to get involved. I see that as the worst case scenario. We may need them to send a guy/gal out. It could be their problem...
__________________

Administrator/Community Manager

Cheryl, do you know if they get paid for providing the website? I know the donations go to the maintenence of the site, but not sure about a "salary". Anyone?

I only have 2 sets of question I have yet to get any answers to:

Why does this sort of problem take over a week to fix? Doesn't anyone care to get the thing that thousands rely on fixed asap instead "When we get around to it"?

What can be done in the future to ensure it doesn't happen again, given BT's history of technical "glitches" that seem to take it down for months at a time, or seriously impair its service?

Thanks,
John

Hi Doc

Well in my own opinion the reason is that John L is away a lot from Boston and the home of the server in the basement of Hasty Pastry and his so called assistants are in California. They have no access to the site at all save for being able to exercise a few changes here and there.

The head honcho is about to make some changes in the general design of the forums such as reducing the topics or some such thing on the individual forums. He is starting with the epilepsy forum as that is his original home forum but you can't see what is happening as because of "security" reasons you have to private mail him and get a password to see what he is trying to do. I assume he has started an example and only the chosen may view it.

Or he is starting his own site. Your imagination can run wild over there but the one fact is evident all over that the members are of no value to the site whatsoever.

John was just recently or in the near future in Calgary Alberta for a meeting, this month for sure is all I am positive of. Whether he takes time to fix the site is debatable.

He will never let anyone but himself fix it regardless of who they are as it is the best reference he has for what he is doing now.

The whole site is a farce and the board he has is useless save for boosting and boasting of what it used to be with no noise as to what it has become.

So in answer to your question it will remain the same as it is for the near future as it survives it's past and then fades into oblivion as it is now headed.

Slow or fast, good or indifferent it is serving it's purpose of being and that is all they want for now. Another non-profit fiasco.


As to what can be done to bring it back is a hard question to answer as when the reporter was asking about all the sites for Neurological diseases and conditions I read what his, John's friend and board member had to say to her and it was as if he was relating what was 5 years ago.

The members also wrote to her and while they had good intentions they waxed on about how good the site was and seemed oblivious to the present condition. So this is what went out in print. And many read it and think how wonderful and indeed once it was so.

I don't think John will ever sell it and while he has seemingly no interest in what is being conducted there by his staff it still serves a purpose.

But the one question for me is where is the reality or is it just Reality now...................It is what you want it to be and to heck with what others see or want.

This site is going to surpass all that Braintalk promised and has failed to deliver. He promised compassion and caring and being there for the long haul and chose instead to leave it all in the hands of one who neither cares nor is the least bit interested in the site or the members in general.

More fools the members be that still are trying to find the good and the value in what once was a beautiful dream.

Wake up people and see this is the reality that you are searching for and try and bring those who need it here.

Sorry if I hurt feelings but the truth is not to be denied but told straight and upfront not banned nor censored by anyone.

for it is truth that will allow us all to go forward.

Thanks for reading

Thelma

When...
 

I read "promises" and see they are broken, over and over and when I see explanations late or never coming, and when I suspect doubletalk...I lose interest pretty quickly.

Promises: JL promised that the 2000 board would remain with all its information in read only format... REALITY: it was turned off with no warning.

Downs/glitches: responded to days later, or never (we did not hear from any admin about the current problem for DAYS).

Doubletalk: Blocking links to here-- censoring them in posts.
"Can't work on form lists --only John can do that"--- well Admins there have
added forums to the list, are going to work on Epilepsy forum, have closed Sanctuary to guests, etc. They seem very capable of DOING things.

I posted this once before and I will so again:
As of 10-10-97 there were THREE earlier forums before the 1997 version
and all of them were dropped and no information saved. This is posted clearly on The Wayback Machine in Spinal Forum.
The 2000 forum was turned off with no warning after promises to keep it archived. (some is on Wayback Machine but the vast majority is lost forever).
The 2004 forum is totally lost-- I do not think any archive will be forthcoming from it (it was huge and filled with information) and now we cannot access
the BT forums efficiently at all. Trying to keep information SAFE here and link to it is being censored and blocked.

It is not the handling of one down that is upsetting people...it is a 10 yr history of behavior that disrespects those who made BT a novel, helpful, informative place.

I just went there and read the announcement at Epilepsy... so there will be little islands now of special people with passwords
who can post and block general readers? Make it an exclusive club? :( How will people in need find what they want? That is what made BT great...its availability. I have been looking at their forums home...not many members are there anymore...just trolling bots.

And I won't even address the "reign of terror" that lasted over a year there that many here know about. That seems to be over,
and there is no reason to dredge it up again. It alone was devastating!

thanks for your thoughtful insights...to me it's like a lost love. You just can't "go home again". :grouphug:

you're welcome, Alffe!
 

And Love is blind is it not, often?

Requests made...
 

I have made repeated requests regarding the status/plans for database restoration, reliability, etc. at BT and still no information. I have also requested that if the database will not be restored, please make this clear with a statement so the users will not keep “wondering” about it… still no information. Mike Weins (ZombieSlayer) has made a valiant effort to keep BT running for these past several months, but since he is on the other side of the country to where the server is located, there isn’t much he can do to fix hardware, etc. problems.

One can only assume that BT is still primarily a one-person operation. While this person was employed at MGH and it was his job to support the site, everything went well. But since this is no longer the case, the site appears to continue to die a slow death. Note no status/plans/information from any of the members of the board of directors either (or at least nothing that I have seen). These issues were discussed months ago after the last crash and many excellent suggestions/recommendations were submitted (both here and at BT) and some offered financial assistance. But again, little to nothing with regards to plans/implementation.

Thanks DocJohn for understanding the importance of reliability and support for a site such as this.

I first went to BT when I had surgery looming in 04. I know alot of people were members long long before that. I did not see the BT that many did back then. Instead the BT I saw was one of heavy handed one sided control. Dare say anything negative about on of the favorites and the swift hand of banning came down hard. And no I was never banned but I was afraid to speak my mind at times.

When I joined it was because of Rock (remember him) he made you feel so comfortable that I thought I would jump in. I did learn so much from the members there and I am very thankful for that.

Now JL has moved on to bigger and better things on the back of the many who built his legacy. It is time to let it go and move your bags or baggage:p here. Remember what we have all been taught. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. I refuse to be fooled by what I see as the biggest fool of all.

Thanks Dr John for giving us a new confortable home. I hope I didn't offend any as these are my thoughts and mine alone. Have a great day...Sue :) :grouphug:

I've never really felt comfortable responding to these threads, because I don't know all of your pain, confusion, upset, and so much more. I was never a member of BT. I know it's been so difficult on so many. That I DO know.

If I can speak as an observer, I'd like to...

I've seen alot of the pain, upset and confusion. To be honest, I've shed a few tears over the upset that I've seen...something I don't do often...and I want to assure everyone that we care for the members here and continue to offer a place to "set up house" online.

Because I want you to feel at ease, comfortable and welcome, I want to assure everyone that I'm approachable...very. I'm human...very. I've made mistakes and will continue to. Tell me about it. Tell me that I'm not getting it. It's OK! Please do so in PM. It doesn't mean that I'll agree or that I don't still have to act per the guidelines and for the whole, but you certainly have voice here. The guidelines are just that...guide for posting and behavior. They're not set in stone rules, (well, some of them are in that we can't tolerate attack, flaming, etc.)

I'm open to suggestion, comment, disagreement, most anything. I realize there are at least two sides to online relationships and interactions and often like to share my "side" or views as well. If you don't understand an action and it upsets you, PM me and tell me why. I'll explain my side and thinking per the guidelines and we'll do our best to move forward from there. :) If we still disagree, it's generally OK because most actions just follow with a PM....not points being racked up, not suspension, etc.

That's my view and I wish that it was known to all administrators everywhere that sites such as these aren't "just websites". They're literally communities for many who actually place their online homes (and almost everything they would at real life home) into their existences there. I wish this was realized and practiced everywhere. The "websites" are more than programs and "work"...they're more than just "rules" or status. They're communities of "online homes".

They are places where there are real people with care, love, work and massive investments placed. There are real people with stories to tell, information to give, experience to share, and support needed if just ONE person could relate to them that they're not alone...someone somewhere understands...someone somewhere CARES to understand and show that they do.

Yes, these "sites" are so much more and I wish that was known to ALL administration in these special communities and treated as such.

With respect to all no matter where your "online home" is...as well as care and concern that you find/have what you need,

KD

Thanks KD :)

It's embarrassing sometimes when people say "it's just the internet" or "get a life." For some of us, it's our only real contact with the real world. It's pretty sad I have to live most of my life through a screen, but it's a heck of a lot better than being completely isolated from the outside world.

I like it here. My "angels" are here, and they know who they are. ;)

You're welcome, Kathy.

I really mean that. Sometimes when I send that "initial" PM with an action, it's just a "motion" and I might not seem really approachable. That's just me doing the "business stuff"...lol.

Yep, I remember the desperation I felt when I first entered an online community...so isolated feeling, so alone, so misunderstood, needing support. My life changed in that, 2 AM or PM, I never felt completely alone again. Yep, I know those feelings.

KD

KD Having come here from a mental health site you would find it hard to understand what exactly Braintalk was in the lives of many there.

Of course there was a lot of general chit chat but at the core there was a life and death situation.

After I had been there for a short period there was a woman who was being a real irritant to some of the members and no matter what you did she just couldn't get it together enough to understand. So John had to ban her and while he had no choice he was clearly upset by it and so was i. I knew where she was posting and I felt she could not take the banning and was really concerned for here. Two days later I found her on a site and talked to her for awhile. She was so disoriented and wouldn't contact anyone and when she said she was going to sleep I waited for an hour or so to see if she came back. That day her husband came on to say she had passed away in her own bed alone during the night. He blamed the site for causing her anguish and you know I had to agree.

We all had long posts about it and many had problems with what they had said to her in the paast and felt to blame but there was no blame to give out. It was beyond any of our most sincere offers to help her. Her face is forever in my mind. Small, serious with long beautiful hair. Many here can remember her I am sure.

When you are a moderator it is a very serious project and that is why i am forever saying I don't want moderators. If she had of been allowed to talk and say what she wanted to there would have been someone to share with her. Being told she could no longer talk cut her off from help and support. true she may have never found anyone but at least there was a chance she may have.

You know right now I can't even remember her name but her face is as clear in my mind as my own.

Tidilly little comments that in everyday llife would be as nothilng are illminated on this site as well as Braintalk and should be ignored unless you can help and assist. All the small talk of sorry for you and praying for you don't really cut it. All it indicates is what you feel and not what the person onthe other side is feeling.

I like positive, and I don't mean saccarine santimonious remarks but straight from the hip truthfull reponses as there would be in a "real"conversation. That takes time to get to know the person first and then tak truth.

Having so many moderators around is confusing I would imagine to many of the newbies and especially when three or more of them respond to one post.

It must be overwhelming to some, maybe not all.

The name just came to me "Cat" was what she used to call herself. I think?

So this site here is a continuation of Braintalk and what it was. All of those who are now advocating for Als and Parkinsons started it at Braintalk save for one or two. A few associations came from there as well.

So what I say about the site and whatever happened to John Lester and his desire for it which I fear came under anothers influence is not in any way related to the members there. We had our bitchy days and our good days and we did make a difference for ourselves. John provided the site but it was the members that made it what it was, not him in any way he now takes credit for.

It was the members that made John Lester and it was the members he betayed.

It's a precarious road you walk and what today is or yesterday was it is every day a learning experience. Just wait for tomorrow.

Great post Thelma. You have said a lot of things I have not been able to put into words :)

Thelma's post certainly helps illuminate many of the feelings--
 

people had about Braintalk, and how many felt betrayed by it when it went down for so long with little explanation.

There is the sense sometimes that people who run boards don't always undertand the degree to which peopel depend on them, emotionally and informationally. The Internet is a wonderful thing in that it allows people who are "shut-ins", who previously would have had little communication with others like them--or indeed, many others at all--to exchange data and support each other.

As I said in a number of posts there, though, Braintalk WAS different. It was not only a board where people went for support, but it was also, by its members, built into the biggest database of information on a number of what had previously been obscure neurological topics. For example, due to people like JCC and Pakisa, it was THE go-to place for information about Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Others, like Rose and Mrs. D, built the best database about vitamin deficiencies that had yet been seen on-line. Liza Jane, Wings, Rose, Silverlady, Nide44, joe, myself, and others built an enormous information source for sufferers of neuropathy. It was these archives and links that made the place so much more than a place to vent or get support--it made it a place that resulted in enormous differences in how patients approached physicians and how information/research on conditions were received by medical professionals. I'm even willing to go out on a limb and say that what went on at Braintalk was in a major way responsible for certain conditions, particularly gluten sensitivity, "coming out of the closet" and getting international mainstream publicity for the first time.

Because of this, many of us were hit hard by the problems at Braintalk due to the loss of the database and the links. It was not that this info was not available other places, but it was organized and indexed in ways there that enabled people to do "one stop shopping"--they didn't have to click to several other boards. It's why so many people became annoyed at the lack of communication from Braintalk's hierarchy about recovering the archival database, and why so many there, who now post here, have started sites/blogs of their own to never risk a loss of so much information again.

And, of course, there is the still unresolved issue regarding those who gave actual money to John Lester/Braintalk--contributions were solicited on some parts of the board following other periods of difficulty and outage--not getting answers as to where the money went and how it was used to keep the board running smoothly. Many suspect it went to help John Lester set up his Brigadoon community on Second Life. To my knowledge, no explanation as to the ultimate destination of those funds (and it came to quite a sum) has been advanced.

Many began to get the sense that JL had tired of the Braintalk communities, and was now on to other projects. And many of us did resent this because JL had become cyber-world famous through the publicity that surrounded Braintalk, had likely gotten some lucrative project/job offers due to it, and now did not seem interested in the boards anymore. I, and others, proclaimed that at the very least we were owed an explanation, as we felt that we had built the board, and the databases it was known for, as much, in the end, as JL had. (Many, of course, said that it was JL's board and he could do with it what he pleased, and owed nothing to any of us--I even tried advancing a legal argument--the legal issues in cyberspace are somewhat unexplored--that the board, using public bandwidth, did not belong solely to its founder, in the way that televison and radio stations using public airwaves are owned privately but are supposed to be regulated for the public trust.) And this is not even mentioning the somewhat arbitrary and capricious moderating that had begun to characterize the board in recent years.

In the end, many of us went back and continued to post at Braintalk not because we didn't have other options, such as this one, but because it was the place that people knew to come, and we did not feel we could abandon those who didn't know of other places, though we could encourage them to come to those places. (The recent blocking of url links to other forums seems to indicate that Braintalk's current administration takes a dim view of such encouragement.)

I only post this rather long explanation for those who may not be aware of the history, the feelings, and the circumstances, and why it's still a sore spot for so many. (Believe me, this is not the only board at which Braintalk gets discussed.) It may also serve as a cautionary tale for those who create sanctuaries in the still relatively unexplored cyberspace realm.

Well said Kimmydawn! It's nice to feel that the people in charge can be trusted. You really seem to want a good connection with the people on this board and that's refreshing! Thank you!

Just my 2 cents here and don't want to offend or upset anybody who does still read/post at bt- this is just my opinion. First, I want to say that to me, this forum is run like a forum should be run- with respect toward the posters and giving us a place to offer help and state our opinions without fear of the gestapo coming down on us. In other words, it's run professionally by people who seem to really care about the forum and the people who post on it- and not like a forum run by jr. highers- in other words, with IMMATURITY. That's a pretty simple word but it totally fits. The moderation was heavy-handed and blatantly one-sided and if you weren't in a particular clique (or to put it less nicely, if you didn't kiss the mods or "another person's" @%*, your posts were censored, you were warned, or you were banned) you didn't have a snowball's chance in ^#@% there. And I'm not talking about JL....It was so obvious that you couldn't miss it. And if we're honest, those of us who posted at bt for several years knew that there were certain people on each forum who were bullet-proof. As far as those "in charge", I saw this one particular person who ran the place and was suspected of being a mod (take a guess what #) come on there and reply to people with such sarcasm and be a real smart alek. Obviously "they" derived great joy from the power they had on there, possibly that was the only power they had in their life and it went to their head. Seems like I've always heard that power has the potential to corrupt some people- but not all people. I think it was a severe case of "swelled head", but this person probably acts like this both on and off the forum....For the record, I don't even go there anymore- I stopped a long time ago- not long after it came back when one of the ladies who had been there for quite awhile was banned unfairly- particularly when there were some who had done alot worse and nothing was ever done to them. But, I have to give someone some credit that's due- after this incident I PM'd a number of times with Zombieslayer and he was the first person from there who seemed to actually listen to my complaints and would return my PMs, even though he really wasn't in a position to do anything about it. I had hoped that maybe they'd learn something over there after so many people here had voiced opinions and offered advice as to how they'd like to see bt run if it came back, but no, nothing changed. I decided that that wasn't a place for me- too much childishness, too much rudeness and sarcasm, too much "Adolph Hitler",etc. instead of the respect, kindness, fairness, and open moderation that's offered here. Going back to bt at this or any point would be like putting your hand back on top of a red hot stove after you'd already done the same thing yesterday and got burned. As snoozie said, "fool me once...."

I think you may be referring to one of my Daddy's favorite quotes. It was: "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely!"
How sad, but so often true.
Hugs,

That sounds like it Lois! I think your Daddy was absolutely right. Thanks!

Nothing personal towards you, redjpwranglergirl, but I think that's really unfair to all the other people who didn't get banned or didn't get their posts censored or never got warnings etc.. Does that make me someone who kisses someone's **** or is in some sort of inner circle with the mods? No, it does not. I've used that site for 10 years on and off since it was really and truly the wild wild web. None of it is all positive and all negative to me.

Well, call me a fool then. I know you're not really calling "me" a fool, but see I've not been in the same situation as a lot of people obviously have been. I really don't care if you all do think I'm a fool, but that would be a real shame because I am not a fool. I still post there and as long as there are people looking for information in the TS forum there and as long as the Autism forum continues I will continue to do so, and as long as some of my friends continue to post there and as long as there are new people looking for information which they might not get otherwise, I will continue to do so.

It's that important to me to continue to keep up with current scientific information in my areas of interest and it's that important to me to try to make sure that if someone new comes along they're not inundated with misinformation and go off totally lost in a crisis situation, particularly in the Tourette's forum although it's basically died now over there.

Also as long as there are people posting on the SOS forum there I will attempt (and this one is the hardest one believe me and the members here will know why it's the hardest one)... I will attempt to give them a hand to hold or even just for them to know that there is someone out there somewhere who understands a little about what they are feeling at that very moment. If I'm scrolling down the list and see someone needs someone or something, I'll answer if I can.

I absolutely and totally understand why some of my friends who are here do not post there. Absolutely. They're my friends. However, I have friends at BT as well. I'm not going to walk away totally from the friends I've made there who didn't come over here.

I just plod along doing my best. Here and there and other places. As long as my brain is working and my fingers can still type and I have some time in the day that's what I'll continue to do. I take breaks from everywhere from time to time and I attempt to stay out of situations that are none of my business and I also try to focus on why I am here and why I am there and just do what I do. I really dislike all this "us" and "them" stuff. It sure makes me feel a little lost that's for sure.

Geez, now you've really made me wonder again. I hope my friends here understand why I do both 'cause I truly do understand why they do not. :(

Had to go put the vegies in the casserole so we can eat tonight. :)
I forgot something and didn't want to edit my previous post.

I don't live with my head in the sand you know. I too get angry about it all and I too actually get sad about it all. It hurts me to see bad things done to good people and people who I care about. I probably know as much or more about things that have gone on as the next person. It's just that I made a choice to continue to use that site and to continue to use this site. There was a mass exodus at one time a long while ago from over there and I lost contact with so many people who meant so much to me. I found them again here and it means the world to me. I often do wonder though if any of them gave me a fleeting thought at the time. :D

well, that's it I guess. I try not to post on these threads unless I have something I feel is important to say but I'll probably stay away from it all again now. Chill out.

Lara... Lost in Space - Part II. LOL

I really think it is a good idea, as I mentioned at the start of this thread, for us ALL to be sensitive to one another here, and especially to the members who post at both sites.

Every time we get one of these threads, people get hurt or offended on one or other "side"
I understand these feelings and I am not trying to in anyway invalidate them.
Rather, I would just encourage us to move forward and stop looking back.

Our two communities will always have a connection, that is our history

It would be nice if we could have a present and a future of peaceful co-existence, especially for the sake of the members who do have dual participation


:grouphug:

Lara the world is a better place because you are in it. No explanations necessary about the whys of what we do. I'm just grateful for your efforts and for your friendship. :hug:

The really odd thing is that there is so much BT bashing from this site, yet when you go over there, you just don't see it.

I have been there quite awhile, and can tell you I have never noticed any of the things you refer to, That does not mean it did not happen, it just means I never felt the need to get involved in the drama, even though I did not even know there was any to be had! Those who chose to are the only ones who got hurt. They say when you know too much....

I just post by asking for support and offering support, that is it.

Lastly, for those of you who refuse to ever post there again b/c of the "mods" are not hurting the people who run it, you are hurting the people looking for support, by really taking it out on them. It's like biting off your nose to spite your face :rolleyes:

Most people are good, with a few bad seads, but you have them here too, Try not to fool yourself into thinking they are not ;)

I think you guys here at BT2 should think twice when not replying to BT'ers when we visit here, and start treating everyone as if they are real people looking for real support

jena

the history was last year and there was a lot of stuff said by people on both boards then. So it is important to get that into perspective.

Many people did get very hurt and many of the feelings are justified. Just because some were not aware of things that were happening, certainly does not give cause to invalidate what DID happen, jena.


BUT


We have members from both communities here and we have as much care and support for those who consider BT home and just visit here as we do for our own. Both boards have valued members who give and need support. To suggest that members here dont support those visiting from BT is just not accurate...the situation is quite the opposite as a visit around the forums shows

I really am politely requesting that this thread not deteriorate into attacks on members from either side. Discussion is ok....but comments that point fingers and build on rumour and innuendo are not helpful to anyone.

BT is back up, so this thread really has run its course now.

We do believe in open discussion here at NeuroTalk, but this discussion, which was intended to help BT members when their boards were down, is no longer focussing on being helpful and supportive, and is bringing out past hurts and rubbing salt in old wounds.

PLEASE would everyone think and edit before they post words that could hurt an innocent member just by the way they are lashed out.

I appreciate everyone's cooperation.

thanks
Cheri

I just want to back up what Chemar has said in regards to respecting the choices, decisions, and practices of all here...even though they're different in comparison to our own.

Some were hurt, some were upset, some felt panic even. Those are feelings that belong to some even though we might not share them. It doens't mean that they don't exist for several to many.

I agree that discussion is GOOD because we do have many members that frequent both sites. BUT, because we do, we need to be supportive to that in our responses as well as the upset that is still there for many.

One way to help minimize hurt is to use "I statements", not "you" as they feel accusitory and can make others feel defensive. Please don't tell another that their decision, or feelings, are wrong or not justified. Please don't tell another that their choices and perceptions are wrong.

Overall, please remember that there are members here that frequent both sites and try to check your posting for something that might feel attacking to anyone. Talk about your concerns, talk about your fears, talk about your likes or dislikes, talk about your experiences, but please refrain from pointing out another's as wrong or inappropriate because those same things differ from your own.

We're all just doing our best to manage our individual self-care in many ways. We all have that in common. It's a good "base" ground to stand on, yes? :)

KD

I do agree with that decision, and I also feel I was entitled to respond, which I have done, I believe, in a respectful manner and without using anyone's name, or pointing a direct finger. But really, I have no hard feelings here at all! :)

In regards to this, we can agree to disagree :)

:D when you join NeuroTalk...you are an NT'er too.

kinda sad that anyone would join here and not feel that they are part of our community. i'm sorry you feel that way jena and that you feel you are just visiting. i just figured you were a member of both. heck..most people who post on forums are members of many.

:eek: i even post on another forum. :D

i say Attachment 1303 to anyone who wants to post and be part of our ever growing community.

:confused: Where did you get that idea? Am I not part of this forum b/c I chose to voice my opinion? Somehow, that doesn't quite make sense. I post here often, although I seem to be a thread-killer, I am not the type to have to one place or another, I can do both. But because I choose to make a very clear observation, and respond to a post, has nothing to do with anything. So, I am quite confused by your statement :confused: