HELP! And where to find it

[helvella]

We see a lot of members, especially new members, struggling to use this forum.

Often, members ask how to do various things. Almost as often, the answer is readily available if you know where to look!

The place to look is the Help button on the bar at the top of the page. Ringed in red in the image I have posted. Just click on it and a new tab will open in HealthUnlocked's help area. Sometimes you have to wander around for a while to find exactly what you need.

[The above applies using a browser on a computer. On a phone or tablet, or in the HealthUnlocked app, this help doesn't always seem to be readily available.]

[Parbrook]

Unfortunately, HU is using poorly designed software that doesn't support browsing by category and topic in a way that is provided by most other forums (commonly using PHP software).

HU requires a specific search to see anything other than the latest posts, which is not the same as browsing categories and topics.

Many of the pre-defined topics on the right panel in HU contain hundreds of posts (currently 9,359 for Hypothyroidism) with no way to browse by subject.

[Rapunzel]

...or go to Thyroid UK's main site

thyroiduk.org/

which contains a wealth of information all on its own which is always worth a root around.

[TSH110]

Not on an iPhone I'm afraid. If there is a help button it is hidden under a menu tab somewhere.

I will investigate and report back.....

Ok:

You have to go to the far right under your own icon (not very intuitive) and it is listed near the bottom.

I do have a search facility so can look things up by word or phrase. That is on the lower title bar under more (far right)

I'd paste some screen grabs but don't seem to be able to do that.....

[helvella Administrator in reply to TSH110]

Only one picture per thread - and only on the original post!

[TSH110 in reply to helvella]

Good job I did not waste any time in the help or search departments 😂🤣😂

ta for info, just as I suspected was the case.

[Oliver1954]

Hi no help button on my I phone?

Or is it hidden? ?

[helvella Administrator in reply to Oliver1954]

I did write that this only applies to web browsers on computers. TSH110 has just responded with how to find on an iPhone.

[Treepie]

Seems to me there are many help requests where the poster has not tried to search or even bothered to spend a few days reading the forum and learning in order to ask pertinent questions and give the needed information.Perhaps it is desperation ,or maybe the modern way of seeking instant gratification.

[TSH110 in reply to Treepie]

Treepie even though I have access on iPhone to the HU search facility it is not fantastic as for ploughing through thousands of posts to find something similar to what you want to know - I simply cannot make that sort of commitment time wise! My allotment would get me a dirty plot note from the committee plus I have a long day at work. Surely a forum is a place where you can ask questions about your specific problem with its unique background, rather than using it like an encyclopaedia to simply look things up. I like the dynamic quality, each response is from someone's own interesting perspective and no question asked twice is likely to get exactly the same responses from the same people - which I think is of considerable value. Also knowledge is not a static thing set in stone, it evolves just as time passes. I think the interactivity is very important too - so many of us felt incredibly isolated before finding this brilliant resource and could chat with lots of people who understand how tough this journey with thyroid disorders can be - that for mereally matters, it is more about getting direct support from people than looking information up second hand. Mind you I do read a lot of posts and comment if I feel I have anything helpful to offer. 😊

I may have misread your comment and rabbitted on at a tangent....but the same goes for the help facility it is somewhat hidden and involves a dectective type mindset when I was really bad with hypo I could hardly read or keep any info in my head allowing for multi step tasks - they were simply impossible - but asking one thing ought to bring the answer back making it far easier if you are struggling mentally and with a process here.

[helvella Administrator in reply to TSH110]

TSH110,

The HU search facility is dreadful. Truly dreadful.

All I was trying to do was point out that HU have put up a load of "How to..." information for using the site (not for thyroid issues). Trying to search for many of the likely terms related to thyroid symptoms, treatment, etc., is unusable even when fully brain-functioning - let alone when affected by brain-fog.

[TSH110 in reply to helvella]

helvella I quite agree and the way you put it made me laugh!

[Treepie in reply to TSH110]

TSH110, I have replied (below) but on the wrong post.

[Treepie]

I do not disagree with you.My comment was aimed mainly at the first time posters who ask a question but provide no information and have to be asked by the good folk here who are ready with advice. Looking at posts over a few days would pick up Thyroid Uk as a source of information and help to frame a question with the necessary details.

I use an ipad,no iphone but I suspect they are not so easy to read alot in a session.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Treepie]

Treepie,

TSH110 likely won't see your response because you replied to the original post, not TSH110's response.

[Treepie in reply to helvella]

Thanks ,I had not realised.

[TSH110 in reply to Treepie]

@treepie we must beg to differ then. 😉

I was always told it was best to ask if you need information rather than do nothing and stay ignorant. I still think that sound advice.

[Treepie]

Thought i was agreeing with you! I believe in some self-help and judging by some recent responses from the really knowledgeable so do they.They must get tired of repeating themselves at great length.