Basically I posted this twice; once at the top level and once within the Social Thread. I asked people to Like the post if they read it. Some also commented and some commented without Likeing. The aim was to compare the visibility at the top level to that within the Social Thread. My overall conclusion is that an item is seven times more likely to be viewed at the top level.
What does this mean? Well for me it means that I would only be willing to post quizzes and lengthy jokes, and run virtual get togethers at the top level. The long jokes I recently posted were copy and paste from emails not involving any real effort on my part. If something is only visible to a subset of 1 in 7 it is not worth the effort. Having been asked to hold another virtual event I am thinking of holding one over the August Bank Holiday. If it is demoted to the Social Thread I will not bother.
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MichaelJH
Heart Star
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It's an experiment to see where in the forum gets the most views- and or the most responses?And the content is to be quizzes and long jokes?
There are indeed differences in different parts of the forum.I am in the heart bit and hypothyroid part.I can tell you the hypo people are right brain boxes and will win any quiz.The heart people will probably go for the jokes more.
If the jokes are condition specific i should be wary of offending people.The topics that get the most replies tend to be emotive.
Still think the thyroid people are brainer.You should see some of their stuff.I have a theory that they are younger and better educated, mainly female and possibly quite a few are American- and they are medically twenty years in front anyway.Reading what they have to say and comparing it to what my GP says is embarrassing.
When i post on the heart thing asking for explanations or opinions there are none.My CABG (see i've got letters after my name too) used mammary arteries so i am interested in why these were used (I know this part) but also i am interested in why these are not used in other people.No one has any opinions on this ( i have opinions but i am not sure i am correct)
And then look at the posts, look at this one.What the heck is he talking about? What are the people replying talking about?
Didn't mean to be offensive.Your post was confusing (to me).I see a heart star is a good thing, a Butlins redcoat,and friendly face to help people settle in on the forum.
Completely understand doing things like that takes a lot of work for the person preparing it and that's a lot of energy spent on something if it isn't going to be well viewed or people don't find it easy to get to and appreciate it.I can understand why you don't feel motivated which is such a shame because I'm sure your previous virtual event probably brought a lot of people a lot of pleasure and a boost to their mental health during recovery.
Let us know what you decide.
You would hope that if you'd been asked to hold this virtual event in the first place that it wouldn't be considered to be for the Social thread only , but a special opening posting day when people can post their non medical posts on the main forum too.
These open days happen on other forums, once or twice a month, with great success and all forum members are usually notified by a message post from the forum admin the day before , and on the day. so that everyone can take part ( and so that there aren't any queries about social posts in the main forum being used on that day ).
It gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy people's photos and stories or jokes rather than just the people whom know how to access and use the social check in regularly,
Take care , and thanks for all you have done before as well as highlighting this disparity, I hope you still get to have your event, hugs, Bee
We’d like to support you all, whilst keeping posts and comments relevant to heart health at the front of the community. Therefore, we’d like to try setting up a “Social Check-In” for off-topic social support, where you can still enjoy respectful conversations together.:
So where was this posted? I cannot see it in this thread so therefore it is irrelevant and totally out of context. This gibberish in so many threads is earning the forum a bad name. Go and play Solitaire or something please...
Still not a community guideline. Therefore, a suggestion, regardless of who suggested at and who they represent.
As a cardiac patient whose mental health has suffered as a result of my condition, I've found the off topic/non cardiac posts really helpful and uplifting in some dark times. That's all part of the recovery for me and others.
And the times I've only been interested in the on topic posts, I've scrolled past the jokes etc as I know folk enjoy them and it encourages friendly interaction which some folk need for various reasons. If anyone is lucky enough not to be in that position, then I'm genuinely pleased for them. But please don't take it away from those of us who do rely on that interaction. And please don't kettle us into one thread per week.
I've said it before but I'll say it again... there is room for everyone on this forum. We can ignore or scroll past what we don't like, report anything dangerous and use the search function if there's something specific we're looking for.
I saw in my daily update that MichaelJH had written a new post but haven't had time to check it out until today. What do I see but a negative post from you. I agree with Hidden hou just seem to want to be irritating like a wasp when enjoying lunch in a pub garden!
Post wherever you want to Michael, people could always pass by your post if they don't want to join in.
That's not saying that a few will pop in just to say that their not popping in as is their want.
The 'Don't like it but hate to miss out without putting my view forward' gang, will still appear, but hopefully will quickly disappear again.
I am sure they will be along later to { politely } tell you where to post your post.
I agree that your post may get more views now at ' the top level ' and not on the social thread but would that have been the case a few weeks ago? and the reason for that is?
I feel sorry for the moderating team on this one, when I started on here 2 years ago the posts which were not straight forward heart related posts (rather than those posts which just seem to cover the mental/social side) were few and far between and therefore were not a problem.
In my opinion (and I am not criticising anyone here), over a very short time they got more frequent and seemed in my opinion to take over the site, which I for one found uncomfortable with.
Therefore if the moderating team have relaxed their stance it won't take long before it happens again, that is just human nature.
Life is about balance and it is balance and it is getting that balance right which is the problem.
Hi Michael Being a quizzer please post one as I replied to someone yesterday our mental health should be catered for on this forum and anything that lifts our spirits should be on The things that despond me are all the negative comments and complaints that are now appearing on this site
Like Woodsie I don't do the social, the main feed is part of my breakfast, coffee toast and a side of harties, if the is something that I can reply to either in appreciation or with some (possibly) useful advice then I do. I am also detailing my exciting new adventure in medicine just incase it is helpful for someone, or at least gives people a chance for a bit of a smile.
Since I first started to lurk on this platform I have noticed a gradual shift from the mutual support/ social aspects of recovery to a rather less easy going feel. Some fairly prominent members of our community have been forced out and I feel that the social thread is partly to blame. Suddenly the is another room to use, but some of the newer members seem to be dictating how the main feed should be.
I say post your stuff here, you always have up to now and the general tone of this site was the thing that drew me here, let's see if we can keep it going.
Just post them Michael. The virtual gatherings and quizzes can have a positive impact on people who are unwell or lonely. If the forum was changed to a directory structure lice would be easier for everyone!
Dear oh dear oh dear. My mother would be telling us to ‘play nicely’.
The BHF forum has Guidelines ‘a place for people to talk about anything related to heart disease’. No-one forces us onto the site. We choose.
The BHF understand that some people find a lighthearted content (quizzes, jokes, chatter etc), unrelated to heart issues, helps their mood. They also understand that others want to focus primarily on their heart issues. They listened, and set up the social thread to support, but separate, these two.
A short while ago, I found the forum to be a respectful and inclusive place. I have no memory at all of these public squabbles, petty differences, unpleasant remarks, off topic chatter, or so many challenges of the Guidelines
For me, it now feels less pleasant, and I contribute less. I see I’m not alone in finding navigating through off-topic and argumentative posts rather off-putting. In not nearly so proud of the forum now, nor recommending it much, as I’m not confident what new people will find.
When very sick, confused, angry or worried people contact us for the first time, I’m sure they are put off by seeing petty squabbles, not helpful posts.
I’d love the forum to get back to the good hearted, tolerant, generous, heart-focussed site that gave me such good help when I needed it.
Please remember that HealthUnlocked and the BHF community in particular are for sharing individual experiences and heart health related content. I appreciate the demand for more off topic and social conversations. The social check in thread was developed by both the BHF and HealthUnlocked to facilitate these conversations while allowing the main feed to remain prominently about heart health.
Unfortunately, as this some replies to this post have been in breach of #2 from the community guidelines, any further comments will be turned off.
Many thanks,
HU_Moderator
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