Low activity in some forums
 

I originally joined because I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. I found that form helpful and there seems to be a lot of activity.
My diagnosis changed to post viral syndrome which I have discovered is grouped with chronic fatigue syndrome. It has also been suggested that I might have fibromyalgia. I started posting in that forum and don’t get much in the way of replies. I started looking at the other posts and I noticed that the first page has posts that are almost a year old or older.

I also checked out the headache forum ((I get migraines), there didn’t seem to be a lot of activity there either.

Why so little activity? I would think people would be looking for support and answers about these conditions.

I suspect this is because many members are busy coping with the direct and indirect effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

And, unfortunately--
 

--over the last several years, nearly all forums like this one have seen a dimunition of postings as people have gravitated towards groups hosted on social media sites.

I'm not fond of those--they don't tend to have the curation, and thus the overall accuracy, of more moderated boards--but they do seem to be easier for people to access, as they're often there for other reasons already.

I'd like to echo what glenntaj said.

I've tried social media and still use them but in a very limited way compared to many people.

It's hard to carry on much of a discussion of anything when your space is limited as it is on social media sites.

Your space is limited here too but not nearly as limited.

OP: I've offered a LOT of info on this forum and often no thanks, but I continue as just maybe my info can help someone. Being on here I think about 5 yrs, I believe it was a lot busier yrs ago... And there are not answers for EVERY issue I suppose around here...you mention migraines and I've never had one of those but COULD BE the grape seed extract I've talked about until blue in the face, could help you there. I have NOT had a regular ole headache in 25 yrs since taking Grape Seed Extract.

We do have a search tool to find past posted info on symptoms & testing & medications.. Much of that will still apply, or give you ideas to search online for current info..
https://www.neurotalk.org/search.php

We have the useful sticky threads at top of each forum with saved info also..

Starting a discussion can help to increase activity..

Caroline, I thank you for your helpful replies and posting. However sometimes you are the only one replying.

OP: I don't know where everyone is but I continue to try to support what I know and have used in my long life.

I agree with both kiwi33 & glenntaj regarding the effects of the current pandemic, and especially the rise of social media "groups" on reduced forum activity. This is not just happening at NT but on many forums.

Sadly, we have also lost a number of our steadfast posters, like mrsD and others who are too ill to post or have passed away. They were so reliable in trying to answer all over the forums with their wide range of knowledge and experience.

Also, when NT was recently moved from the PC URL, that caused a drop in search engine ranking, so reducing new members finding us... but it seems to be increasing again. There is also a high volume of views, so it's good to know many are reading the valuable info accumulated here since 2006, even if not posting.

There are a number of our forums that are still active, and as Jo*mar mentioned, often just by starting a discussion, more participation follows.

I don't expect to be thanked. Any thanks I get is just frosting on the cake.

This board provides a space where you can air your ideas, information you'd like to share, even photos. If nobody appreciates your contributions, at least you've put them out there in case anyone is interested.

You can't please everyone. And you can never know who's actually reading your posts and how much your posts have meant to them. There are people reading but never saying anything.

Many of the posters I had contact with haven't posted for quite a while.
One of my issues tho is when NT changed some of the options, format, etc....Was a bit lost. Do check in now and again as I have navigated somewhat better. What I did like before was being notified by email when there was a message/response to Private Messages..
I'm guessing the Thumb up represents a thank you.

Agate

I totally agree with what you have to say that any thanks you get is just icing on the cake.

Avalone, I quit posting on the migraine area because no one was in there posting. And it wasn't something I liked hearing my self talk. I like talking to
others. So I usually spend time where there are people talking.

I usually look and see if there are new threads in the areas I used to haunt,
but lately I've had trouble remembering my password and getting in.

So age isn't helping me.

donna :grouphug::hug:

ger715, you might want to check your settings about the e-mail notifying you about Private Messages because I still get those e-mail notifications. I'm fairly sure you can too.

I went looking for the Thumb up and found an icon for it. I'm going to try it out here and see what happens.

There is a "Thank" option at the bottom right of each post too if you want to thank someone for a post. Then your user name will show up on that post as someone who thanked the poster.

ger715, yes, agate is correct that you can go into your user CP (control panel) and select to receive email notifications for PMs etc, subscribe to threads/forums and a whole lot more
All the old options are still available, including the "Thanks" button, but I know some of the older theme/skins may not show it
I use the Tulip and the Spring themes as they are bright and cheerful :) and the Thanks button shows on both of them

Themes/Styles that show a Thumbs up icon instead of Thanks button..

Country Comfort
Responsive Green
Responsive Blue

Firefox Browser - Other browsers and Smart phones may display differently.

Thanks for the info! I had no idea there were were these differences in the styles.

Responsive Green and Country Comfort are options I don't have apparently. I've been so happy with the Spring theme that I've just stayed with it for ages.

It's a pleasure to come here and see its colors.

I like the Desert Sand style.. I think Mocha would have been a better name for it..or Coffee & Cream.. That's what I think of with the colors used..

In the past I previously had a Thanks option. I've been a member for many years having many posts using the Thanks option. I no longer have that option on my screen.

Chemar mentioned a CP (User Control Panel). Don't know where to find that either. All that was available to me in the past seemed to change a little over a year ago.

The FAQs have a lot of info on forum use & features -
https://www.neurotalk.org/faq.php

User CP -
https://www.neurotalk.org/usercp.php

If you can't see those in the upper solid color bar going across the screen what browser & operating system are you using?

I'll add a screen shot of how mine looks.

https://www.neurotalk.org/members/10...icture8403.png

New Posts - is a easy way to find the most recent posts..

I have MY Profile where you show User CP...all the rest is the same. After going into My Profile, there is info I can change my password, etc.....things I don't want to undo.
I have the same Apple Laptop I've been using for years as well as Safari.

Appreciate your help.....But still somewhat lost.

I looked deeper into the My Profile . which is used in those styles/themes I listed earlier..
User CP is used in the other styles.

If you click Edit Options - that will give you things you can change messages, PMs, notifications..and such..
https://www.neurotalk.org/profile.php?do=editoptions

Or you can sample the the other themes with the drop down near bottom of pages, usually on the left side..
pick one and it should change until you change it or log out and if you like a different one to use all the time you can set it in the edit options sections..
Safari might display things a bit differently but shouldn't be too different..

Just to add re the Theme/Skin changes in the drop down box bottom left of all pages......it's best done from the main forum index page https://www.neurotalk.org/ as sometimes it doesn't "stick" when done from another page

It appears I am getting along a bit better. I have checked Tulip, Spring and currently using Sand.......
Appreciate the help and info....