Question about rules here
 

I've been try ing to catch up a little...and from what I have read the original Braintalk was down for quite sometime..so this forum was created..as a backup by a different administrator..but now it will remain its own community with its own set of rules..
I get the jest of the majority of rules..many are the same as the old Braintalk..no threats, name-calling,sexual innuendos, porn,etc..basic civility...
But some other rules appear to be much different..first here there is identification and acknowledgement of Mods..
As a member now of both communities ..without trying to bash one or the other..I am trying to figure out all other differences as to what is acceptable here vs. there..
For instance correct me I misinterpreted something but it appears we can question mods decisions..and that we can talk about bannings openly..
Here is another I have questions about :
Political discussions that are medically related are they in or out ? Lisa

hi lisa, this is from one of the mods here at bt2 so i quote,

I think the best, meeting in the middle, suggestion would be that if a post might be crossing the political guideline but you feel it's important for those living with ALS to hear about, you could post simply the link.

For example, the post on stem cell research...I so see important information re: awareness there. However, it had a very strong political tone. In a case like that, you could make a post entitled "stem cell research" then go to the body and make the statement, "Good information to know, but strong political content is included. Because of that I'm posting the link only," then post only the link. Of course, you'd want to do that using your own words.

How does that work? It would be limited discussion. That way a reader will make their own decisions as to whether or not they want to get involved with, or be subjected to, an article with strong political content. Most importantly, though, you will be getting the information here for those who feel the need as you're obviously a source of massive information and awareness.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////

lisa hope this helps

bb

I & many others feel at home here, we are not going to abuse the system...well I'm not anyway......its good to be treated like adults and not dyslexic children.

welcome aboard Lisa

popping in here to say hello and welcome you lisag.:D

in a nut shell...a bit more lenient than some forums. discussions can keep going as long as no flaming or attacking. each forum has it's own flow. some like it to stay on topic all the time..others...the social aspect is part of it.

bobbyb covered the politacal stuff.

if in doubt..pm a mod. we are never hidden when we are online. little green light will be on.

oh...hopefully we won't have banning issues. :D

Thank -you all so much for answering my question,,
I think what Bobby recommended about posting...
And e-mailing a post to the mods before posting if I feel it is questionable as far as the rules go ...is a great idea..that way I don't accidently cross over the boundaries..on issues like stem cell legislation , healthcare reform etc..Lisa

Lisa--I missed you, so glad to have news of you and Gary.

I don't quite understand everything that is going on here, but so glad to have BT2.

Wally's Mom

Wally's Mom,
How is Wally doing? Good to see you posting here as well...

I guess will learn more together...
It has been about a year since I was on the original braintalk..I left for a variety of reasons which I posted at the old braintalk before I left.., then came back for a short time, then my computer crashed..and stayed down for months..and unfortunately I left with out notice..lost my old e-mail account as things bounced because I could not get in..which was the only place that contained you guessed it some Braintalk members phone numbers..all the ones I had anyway..
Then life happened..and you know Murphy's law..what can go wrong will go wrong at the worst possible moment...
Anyway..best I can figure Braintalk suffered a couple of major crashes.apparently this last time being the worst..
People here..entirely new administrators set up a temporary safehaven..which they have now decided to make permament..
This forum has different guidlines concerning mods and bannings..but most of the other rules are the same....also we know who the Mods are here...
These differences are the best I can figure out anyway..
I can say this the MODs here were very timely in responding to my questions..so if you have any questions ..I wouldn't hesitate posting or private messaging them..
Anyway some people from old Braintalk are poting here..some have chosen to stay here..others like me will probably be posting at both...
People I feel have some very legitimate concerns at old Braintalk...but personally for me I'd rather discuss them there if allowed..Lisa

Thanks, Lisa. Wally is doing well considering. Arms and legs not working, eating pureed food, using bi-pap and oxygen concentrator. Since using the bi-pap and enemeez for severe constipation he is much improved--really much more comfortable than he was a year ago. He has been using the computer for long periods and asked his Dad to take him to the ocean. His Dad spent the entire summer modifying our 20 year old camper and we went to Schoodic in Maine for about 10 days--actually traveling took 5 days. He seemed very content and happy to be there and see the ocean. Wally probably started with ALS symptoms (hands) around 1997/98 and was dx'd in September 2002. I suppose that he is somewhat a slow progressor.

http://forum.als-net.gr/viewtopic.php?t=74
I agree with Rama 100%.
This was and is JL forum.
Fotios

Fotios..
I really don't know what to say..actually there is alot I wish I could say over at the old braintalk..but we are not allowed to discuss bannings there...
To me personally ..I feel it would be more appropriate..to talk about an incidence ...where an incident occured..but if we are not allowed to ...then I do understand the frustratiion of members needs to vent elsewhere..
I left and posted a response at old Braintalk the first time ..in protest to this incidence...(the second time it was for other reasons my computer failed and alot of very unfortunate events occured afterwards)...
But, the way I look at it is there are very good people over there as well..
JL is very busy and I just don't know if he has the time to look at things as closely as he did years ago..
I do thank him for alot of things.. for one...without old braintalk I would have never met any of you guys..without you guys I would have been lost and more than likely my husband would not be here..
So for that reason I choose to post on both forums..but if the kitchen gets to hot for me to handle at times..I need to leave for awhile..before I type something I'm surely going to regret..
Moderators anywhere are just human..they sometimes make mistakes..but I do feel on the whole they try there best..the question is how are forums going to handle things when members do feel as if a mistake has been made..or a moderater only saw part of the picture,..
The answer at this forum is clear...the answer at old braintalk remains to be seen..
But, bottomline wherever I go..I'm a guest..and although I have my own sense of fairness..everyone is entitled to their own as well.. we are all different people..ultimately it is the administrators sense of fairnesss that does and should prevail...as the site belongs to them..
I don't want to come here to bash old braintalk..there are alot of people I care about over there...I just want to make sure I am clear on the rules anywhere I go..if I can't agree with them or how they are enforced ..I need to leave at least for awhile...until I feel I can comply .so far at this site here..I do not perceive any potential problems in that area...Lisa

Lisa
Geia hara
If we can't change the rules why we try to find solution for ALS?
Rules say ALS is not cure for more than 137 years now.
Rules wanted me to be slave but I am not,
because someone in the past fight for my freedom .
If we forget the past, we can't go in the future.
Fotios

Fotios..if we can't change the rules in one place we can meet at another like here where our "collective" voices are heard on some issues that are more open to discussion...
I don't know what to do ... if people are afraid to speakout..and I understand the dilemas faced on other sites regarding this matter..spaekout and risk being banned..
I'm pretty darn vocal..but I still feel as though I'm walking a tightrope discussing this matter there... I also don't want my voice to be the only one that is heard..it not all about me..
But,bashing a forum to me is just not productive either..I mean there are alot of caring people on various forums.and many have done alot of good as well...is the answer to just pack our bags and leave ...for me its not..its a cooling off period I need...for others it may be their own personal solution..as everyone sees things differently..
I don't have all the answers..just for now.. I'd like to try to post at both places because there are people I care about here and there...Lisa

Lisa
I don't like rules bad or good rules are rules.
Every administrator/moderators can ban me as Fotios,
but not my voice.
I have enough rules from ALS no place for other rules.
Is better to open friendly the door for the PALS and stay fair.
Fotios

Fotios..I understand what you are saying... at least to a degree..I can never completely understand... as I do not have ALS and nor your unique personality..but I do know what ALS does to a person as I do see it 24/7..and have seen the damage it has done over the past 7 years firsthand..
However, to me ...some rules have to exist..they even exist at this forum...a community needs to be safe and no one deserves to be threatened...
But, I do get the jest of what you mean and respect your point of view..Lisa

Hi, lisag, and welcome. :)

I appreciate your asking about the guidelines.

BobbyB gave a good example about what might not be limiting in reference to the guideline stating to "limit the discussion of politics".

As far as questioning a moderator/administrator action, you can. For instance, if you feel that you were misunderstood and a moderator acted out of misunderstanding, you certainly can PM that moderator to state your concerns. To attempt to cut down on misunderstandings a moderator will contact the member first to ask them to edit their own post (unless action is needed immediately and you're not online) to open a dialogue from which to work with. Also, in an attempt to gain as much information as possible, the moderators work together and ask for input from all online at the time...again in an attempt to avoid misunderstandings.

If you feel that you're still not being heard, please PM myself or Doc John.

We've already "fine tuned" several guidelines to the specific needs of this community. They're guidelines for all of us to go by for the comfort of the whole. We recognize that there also can be specicial circumstances that will come about when posting.

Please remember that if ever a post is edited, etc., it doesn't mean that you've been warned or anything. It's just an edit. :) If behavior continues, then warnings might come way down that road for some members. I don't see that happening here, though.

If ever an issue arises that you feel the need to post outside of the guidelines for a specific reason, please contact myself or Doc John and we'll discuss it with you and work on something that hopefully can meet your needs. :)

You'll find we're very hands on. Don't ever hesitate to PM with concerns, suggestions, or just to say "hi".

I'm glad you're here.

KD

KimmyDawn,
Thankyou ...and very nice to meet you...Lisa

Lisa
Say big hello to Gary from me and big hello to you
and Gary from my wife Kirsten
I go for sleep now,
I hope tomorrow night to sleep with PEG .

Fotios,
So good to see you are still hanging in there...and good luck with the PEG,,, it should make life alot easier...Lisa