A Friendship Hub

[Just Sara]

I’ve been observing members, including myself, trying to form friendships and connections with each other on our BeyondBlue Forum.

This trend is evolving and as such, doesn’t have a format to provide space for people to develop these associations.

Each thread has a topic which can and has progressed into long term support which is fabulous; some, including me, are finding it difficult to keep to topic as well as nurture this growing desire for a closer connection.

Another issue is of course anonymity/privacy and how this important aspect supports the sites reputation as a safe haven for sufferers of mental health disorders and related concerns.

As this site can have up to 70,000 views per month, it might be interesting to create a simple (one off) user survey. Information and statistics gathered could encourage BB to further develop its value to the community.

An added bonus is the consultative process itself. Users who fill out the survey are providing information as a holistic approach, that’s inclusive and representative of individuals having a voice that matters.

Identifying trends/gaps could be useful in supporting a new type of forum structure or a whole different section of BB, allowing members to converse similarly to a chat room; or at the least, have a forum ‘hub’ where members can create their own space to request time with specific users for instance.

I’d like to hear (read) what members and moderators think of these suggestions. Please submit your thoughts as they are valued and worthy of recognition. New members are very welcome to add to this thread as well.

Kind Regards…Just Sara

Definitions

User:
Anyone who views the BB site for information as well as forum participants

Member:
Read-only forum users or those contributing to forum threads.

Moderators:
ChrisB and Sophie_M

[kanga_brumby]

Sara this seams to be a good idea.

But at the same time thats what the BB cafe was started for.

It wouldn't be obvious to a newby. They might actually think it is a cafe. Not a place to drop in and have a chat. About the weather, cricket, Kids, football, work, that rotter at the supermarket. You know the one {lol) . But to a new person this could be a great start. In finding some sensitive people to chat to. Which would be a big help to all. Cludoes to you for thinking about it.

Yours in friendship Kanga XXXOOOXXX (Peter)

[Doolhof]

Hi Sara,

This is a great idea, to allow people to have a say.

I agree that sometimes the topic does change as a thread develops. I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. As long as the original poster does not feel as though they are being pushed aside and not having their needs listened to, maybe that is okay.

There have been some threads as well where only a few people or even one or two communicate a lot between each other. Some people may find this intimidating, not wanting to join in with that thread.

It may be important for all users to know they are welcome anywhere on the forum as it is now.

Having little hubs may work well for some, while others may feel left out.

Sometimes when my BPD pops up, I feel invisible on some of the posts. I know that is not so. If I feel that way, others may as well. So like I mentioned, everyone needs to feel like they can join in with any thread.

I don't remember all the info that is supplied to people when they first join this forum.

It is a great idea to have an open thread for comment.

All the best, cheers from Dools

[Just Sara]

Hi wonderful Peter K; PeeKay? lol

My first reply!! Yay..thankyou so much friendly friend.

I get exactly what you're saying Kanga. Kazzl's Cafe is a successful beautiful hub for silliness, respite from the seriousness and fun, not to mention the dalectible food and beverages.

What I'm talking about has come up in conversations I've had from some who'd like a more intimate (friendly) connection to discuss more personal stuff, maybe even in private. As we can't have access to emails etc, a new 'contact' section might work.

I've asked for suggestions or comments on things like the survey, a chat room or what else might work. (or not)

Thankyou for posting PK...

Sara xo

[Just Sara]

Hi and thankyou so much Mrs D...you so get it!

Everything you've said is how I feel, and thankyou for the addition (feeling left out) which gives major food for thought. I'd actually like to hear more about this issue. I mean that's the reason we come here to begin with isn't it?! Feeling isolated from our loved one's, friends, colleagues etc due to our disorders or confusion.

Consultation with members (and BB users) helps to feel it sort of belongs to us. Not to mention being heard and validated.

You're wonderful fellow CC and all round 'good guy/gal'

Sara xo

[Croix]

Dear Sara~
Thank you for this -a great idea.

I'm not sure if you are ready for concrete proposals yet, however here two to get started (there are more)

- if you do not want me to continue at this time please sing out - Croix

This is Post 1 of 2

Content of these 2 posts:

Contacting other members

Conversing with other members​

Proposed Definition: Long-Term User = user with 100+ posts

Contacting & exchanging information with other members
------------------------------------------------------------------

Reason:
I have on a number of occasions wanted to converse with members who are not normally in the thread I inhabit.

This has been to ask a question, give information - or for social reasons.

It would be possible to leave a post in a currently communal area such as the chillout lounge or cafe, however this has drawbacks in that that:-

(a) the contactee may not frequent those placed sufficiently often and
(b) the contact request message may have scrolled so far back due to intervening posts as to make it not readily apparent when the contactee does inspect the cafe etc.
(c) it does not provide a default location for the information-bearing post or posts.

Solution:
A possible solution would be for each Long-Term User to have his own thread (titled with his/her username) maybe in a new zone**

This would allow the contactor to leave a message to the contactee or place the information-bearing post itself there directly.

**A new zone because are about 200 threads in the area I first thought of (the BB Social Zone, so the intrusion of a large number of new threads (i.e. 1 per l-t user) would make the retrieval of a mix personal and normal threads hard. A similar argument applies to the Welcome & Orientation area.

As threads are presented in chonological-use order it would not be possible to group them together with identical unusual characters at the start of each name (eg:"zz") meaning they could not be placed 'out of the way' in any existing zone

Note: This method should not impinge greatly on system resources provided such resources are not already near maximum capacity

Continued in Post 2 (Conversing with other members)

[Croix]

Post 2 of 2

Conversing with other members

--------------------------------------

This would allow nearly real-time interaction between a small group, perhaps up to 3 or 4 members

The idea is merely an extension of above.

Two or more L-T Users agree to meet in one of the L-T User's thread at a given time and exc...

Croix

[Croix]

Comment: The big problem with all of the above is the effect on system resources (which includes bandwidth). It may be that above hogs too many resources and might not be viable, or need to be only allowed in off-peak periods.

Similarly may require too much storage space, overtax the search engine, or any one of a number of possibilit...

Should either be entertained then a trial period would seem essential

Thanks

Croix

[SubduedBlues]

Hi Sara

I concur that some method of establishing a private connection with others would be nice.

I think it would be great if we could post messages to each other directly via a moderated private message. This would enable us to initiate that more personal communication, but at the same time maintain the safety of the posters. For this to work, I would hope that I could select who can and cannot send me private messages; I don't necessarily want them from everyone... only those that I think I can trust to not step on my feelings.

thats my 2c

SB

[Just Sara]

Hey Croix!

You little bottla! Talk about do my job for me! lol

It's concise, referenced and relevant. I love it! Especially about the forum server stuff, it's practical thinking. Some great ideas and comments re contact and conversing. I hate chat rooms too because of the delay with the enter function and typing speeds.

What do you think about a survey to get stats/info/ideas? From an admin perspective, this works for me. They're great for demographic specifics too such as cultural and religious needs.

Actually, it's 'Blue Sky Thinking' all the way...it's only limited by the (lack of) imagination.

I'm so happy you contributed Croix. You mentioned this on my thread a little while ago and I took notice. It was probably the empetus for my head spin-out...luckily! Otherwise we wouldn't be doing this.

Sara xo