So, what are you going to do?

[Idealist]

What's everybody going to do IF BT1 really does come back on-line? I hope it's okay to ask that. I was a little shocked to log on today and see the thread that says BT1 is back, and it got me to wondering...

BT2 has certainly come a long way in very short time. Heck, it's just starting to feel a bit like home to me - comfy and warm. I wondered about switching back and forth, although that could get pretty confusing. I just hate to see the family get split up again.

What do you think?

[Kamie]

BT2 is staying put. I am 98% sure the name of the community will be changing to be a bit more distinct from OBT. But I am sure it is staying around. There is more than enough room on the internet for BT2 and OBT to coexist peacefully. :)

[hmmmmmm]

I hope this site stays around even if Brain Talk comes back. Over the last couple of years the attitude of some at Brain Talk was becoming arrogant and totally self absorbed. This site has been a breath of fresh air.

[Doody]

I'm very comfortable right here so far.

BT1 has some valuable information I'm sure we've all used from time to time. But I'm sure this forum we'll gradually get its feet on the ground in terms of getting all that information back that we had.

I like the way things are falling into place and the relative freedome to talk openly.

I already voiced my opinions about both forums so I'm not going to beat on that poor old horse anymore.

[anonymous]

I think there will be a lot of questions to ask regarding BT1…

Will the hardware/software support situation be the same or will it change? (will JL still be the sole person 100% responsible for support of the site?) Will there be any backup personnel? What will be their experience and availability?

Will the hardware/software stay where it is (the current location was discussed a few weeks ago) or will it be moved to another location, such as a 3rd party server farm where it (probably) could get redundancy and 24x7 support? VERY IMPORTANT: Would we be willing to foot the bill (or somehow acquire funds) for additional support? (however I believe DocJohn had indicated that a 3rd party server farm really shouldn’t be all that expensive).

What will be the notification/update structure in case of another crash? Will we be “out in the cold” again?

What are (or will be) the responsibilities of the rest of the BOD members to help in times of crisis?

Others have also voiced issues with moderators, availability, banning, etc. Would there be any changes with respect to this?

The information and resources available on BT1 are like nowhere else on earth (assuming they have or can be saved), but I admit I will be torn between BT1 and BT2. The BT2 administration (and moderators also) have proven their commitment and support for the users here.

I would suggest these (and any other appropriate) questions be respectfully submitted to JL. As mentioned (or at least implied) before, JL has provided an excellent service for us for many years and I believe he is due all deserved respect. Perhaps he will provide a summary of the events over these past few months after the site is back up (my assumption only).

[stevem53]

For me..I may still post on BT-1 occasionally..but as far as Im concerened, this is home now..The atmosphere is alot more laid back, theres excellent communication, more freedoms in the speech dept, no Gastapo's waiting to ban you forever and throw the key away for spitting on the sidewalk..The moderators are not anonymous, which really surprised me, and they participate, and contribute on either the forum of whatever illness they may have, and/or other forums that they moderate..Dr John and Kimmy Dawn are so accomodating, open minded, democratic, and helpful..This community is a two way street

I was skeptical at first because of all the anger that people expressed here in the first few weeks..I later realized that people expressing the emotions that they had to stuff before because of they werent allowed to express themselves..I guess I was so used to oppression myself that it took me a while to realize that I was somewhat angry too..That "walking on eggshells" feeling isnt in the air anymore

[trekker]

My sentiments too stevem53....I do feel freer here, less worried about the conflicts that had infested OBT.

[Looking4hope]

I was skeptical at first because of all the anger that people expressed here in the first few weeks..I later realized that people expressing the emotions that they had to stuff before because of they werent allowed to express themselves..I guess I was so used to oppression myself that it took me a while to realize that I was somewhat angry too..That "walking on eggshells" feeling isnt in the air anymore

Expression or Oppression. Isn't that a no-brainer? :D

[Doody]

WEll said Steve.

[Chimera]

I agree 100% with stevem53. Now hopefully it can stay that way.....

[snoozie]

Hi honey, I'm home...Sue

[stevem53]

Expression or Oppression. Isn't that a no-brainer? :D

Works for me..;) :D

[The Godfather]

"What's everybody going to do IF BT1 really does come back on-line?"

It's like asking on which side of the Berlin Wall would you have chosen to live - West Germany or East Germany ?

BT2 v BT1 - same sort of inhabitants, far better administration.

Does anyone really need to go back to a place that was so secretive and intolerant ?

[Phillipe]

"What's everybody going to do IF BT1 really does come back on-line?" It's like asking on which side of the Berlin Wall would you have chosen to live - West Germany or East Germany ?
BT2 v BT1 - same sort of inhabitants, far better administration.
Does anyone really need to go back to a place that was so secretive and intolerant ?

Do people want to go back to BT1 Moderators? My Vote, No No No, here..:(

[Ponygirl]

:D


I'm staying put!:D

[Thelma]

Well a lot will not like what I am about to write but if the truth be known it is not what am I going to do but what are we going to do.

So far I can't see where anyone save 2 people [ not me] have posted anything to make this forum work.

All of the talk has been on what John here is going to do and what he wants us to do.

The same old same old topic over and over till I don't even want to post as well.

I am tired of all of the saccarine posts being put in and the follow up of each moderator to another moderators postings.

It is getting to be just a chitter chatter site and that will soon have no questions to ask as it will be gone.

In one forum a moderator has even come behind John himself and copied his post as if it takes having it appear twice in order for us to understand it. Or some kind of reasoning that leaves me guessing.

Now please moderators don't come in now and give me any explanations. You are not my subject the following is.

There are no postings here to reply to that have any merit. Everyone is saying what it can be but look around and seriously see what it is now. Very few are being serious enough to post relative information on this site.

There is no past here to talk about. Many are just waiting for Braintalk to come back up and many have been banned from there and so can only go back to read.

So why then are the ones who are being so adamant about keeping this site not out there gathering the information needed to bring this site into being for what it is intended for.

Stop talking about other sites and get down to business on the one you are on.

Either that or wait till the one who gave you this is fed up enough to say nuts to it it is not worth the hassles and troubles if they are not going to get down to business.

It took quite a group to bring the old Braintalk into being and it was not done by John Lester. He provided the site and the members made the site what it was.

I say was but I think it should read will be again.

Were they the only people in this world who could pull off making Braintalk what it was. Are you not capable of doing the same.

Then lets stop all of the talking and get at it.

Don't like the rules or regulations as they stand well just wait in time they will all change as we want them to.

John Lester made some stupid [imho] decisions with the moderators and in particular one who's name I won't mention again and he is paying a price.

He has lost respect from many who helped and admired him.

Lets learn from it here and become the site and forums we have been and more.

Lets get out there and give it a run for the money.

Get these forums going.

[Doody]

Oi vey Thelma.

Braintalk wasn't built in a day and neither will this be. Some are trying to settle in. Being abandoned and then finding a new home is very traumatic, right up there at the top of the top 10 stressors in life. Some mod stuff is strange to me, but for myself, it's better than dealing with the Mod 4s in life.

By the way, love your new do.

[Chemar]

Hi Thelma

Looking around many of the different forums I see a lot of just what this site is supposed to be.... people supporting each other and providing a wealth of information and experience on their conditions. I sure see where a lot more than just 2 people have posted useful info in one forum alone never mind the other boards here.

JMHO (without any saccarine:D )

[KTM5665]

:rolleyes: oy vey is right. I feel like Im in a bingo game gone bad.

but. isnt it grand when many personalities come together and just blend into a melting poit of fun and knowledge? all rolled into one tidy little message board?

dont take things too personally thelma...i think you take things to heart my dear. Have fun, live your life a little..laugh..laughter makes the pain a bit more bearable.

[paula_w]

with just about everything you've been saying lately and I applaud you for speaking out. Not everyone can without being attacked or insulted. i'll probably go back and forth between Parkinson's rooms , where I feel comfortable. I didn't have any trouble with mods on BT1; didn't go into forum feedback, so going here was a learning experience.

The mods all are trying and I applaud them, but there is a big age gap; and between that and different physical conditions, for which i have not seen any respect directed to people for having these conditions; I have been openly insulted. Other games people play - rooting for the person who agrees with you to the exclusion of another person's valid opinion, calling people swines, cliques [who isn't a moderator]. Don't get me wrong, i don't want to be a moderator.

So I will visit the Pd rooms where the age differential is not an issue, where conversation is purposeful and not manipulative, where words are not twisted into something they weren't. WHere there are no exclusion games and welll.......people care about each other and treat each other so. This can be done along with disagreeing. The PD room has this pretty well mastered.

Word to remember .....this forum is all of ours. We all have a say. This is a peoples forum.....To those who posted friendly back and forths, I hope to keep bumping into you between forums ....there are many good people here.

Thanks again Thelma
Paula

[KTM5665]

Im glad Im just a middle age frump.:D

[Idealist]

Gosh..I didn't know that feelings would be so strong on this subject. I guess I haven't been keeping up very well lately. For me the answer is simple: I want to be where my friends are. :) That's why I asked my question in the first place.

I can see your point, Thelma, about the lack of comprehensive discussion. When you look around these forums, it does read a bit like a general chat room. But I kind of agree with Doody and Chemar. I think people are still getting used to this new location, and that once they've settled in more they will become more serious about it. Not too serious, I hope. I for one haven't made any in-depth posts here yet, but eventually I will. When it feels right for me.

I'm okay with both sets of forums, though I gotta admit I've enjoyed the fresh atmosphere in here. Maybe that's because it's still new. But I'm here more for the people than for anything else. I always will be.

[DocJohn]

It's true -- a community isn't built overnight and those who wish this place just "took off" where the other one left off without skipping a beat are being optimistic. It can take months, and sometimes even years, to build a strong, vibrant and cohesive online community. Just because we got a good start with membership (we'll hit 900+ members by the end of the month!) and postings (over 13,500+ so far), doesn't mean we're there yet.

But, as I've said, we're not going anywhere, we're here for the long haul, and I'm a very patient man. Others will continue to find us, and this community will continue to grow regardless of what happens elsewhere.

John

[slogo]

I love it here and will continue to enjoy it here as long as Docjohn keeps it going.

Thanks Doc,I am very grateful for what you have provided and think this is a GREAT PLACE TO BE! Gaye :)

[Doody]

Yes. Well, it's all so new, really.

And at first people are amok, checking things out. And waiting. And waiting. Wondering if they should invest and if so, how much time should they invest. Because they've just walked into a new place and are investing in a lot of 'blue sky', when they've already invested in an old established business...but one that has been closed for repair with nary a hint of a re-opening (until just recently).

27 years ago my very-ex-husband and I bought a not quite established paint store, so we knew we had bought a lot of blue sky. Unfortunately the older, more established paint store a couple blocks down eventually doomed our paint store and put it out of business.

I for one hope that won't be the case here because I like Doc John's blue sky.

[~scrabble]

(((Doody))) ......... nice analogy. I like your 'blue sky' idea. ;)

[Doody]

Wewl, actually...lol, in dictionary.com it says:

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source

blue-sky  /ˈbluˈskaɪ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[bloo-skahy] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective

1. fanciful; impractical: blue-sky ideas.
2. (esp. of securities) having dubious value; not financially sound: a blue-sky stock.

So I guess ??? that when we came in here we were seeing a blue sky, thinking of investing in it, but not so sure of its outcome.

However..I think this venture is doing quite well. :D We already have lottsa customers. :cool:

[JoJo6]

As some of the others said, look around and you will find many forums trying to get things started.

For instance, I badgered Dr. Grohol to let us have a Alzheimer's diease and Dementia forum. I was happy when the forum was set up . It's been at least a week. only 1 person besides me has posted there.

It is beyond me why nobody wants to use this forum. I'm asking myself if I am the only one here that deals with patients of Alzheimer's and/or Dementia.

I know I wondered out loud at least once if Alz. & Dementia needed to be with Caregivers.. I know several posted in Caregivers that were dealing with Alz. and Dementia. Maybe they should be together?

I am wondering WHY people don't post in these 2 rooms? If people aren't going to use it then we need to use the space for something?

One of my brothers had a stroke last week and I have been a bit sidetracted and can't even think. I'll let this be tonight until I have rested a bit and can half think.

I have had my MIL for many years, she suffers Alzheimer's. We had to place her when she got very hard to handle. We still are very involved in her everyday care as much as possible.

I care very much for those that suffer this as well as the ones that are caregivers. Thelma, it's not for lack of trying that some of the forums are not full. I've been spending much time trying to do what I can to jumpstart the Alzheimer's D. & Demenitia forum. Also spending some time on forums that have info about my own health issue's.

Maybe the morning light will help this make some sense. Jo

[Alffe]

Oh dear Jo....please just continue to be who you are..here, and in real life.

[loisba]

I for one was overjoyed to find this site, and be able to say Hi to some of my old MG friends. I tried joining one of the other MG support groups, and looked in on others, and found them to be VERY cumbersome and difficult to use. The only reason I might go back to the OBT (if it ever does come back) might be to see if others of our MG group are there. I had about given up hope and really felt very abandoned when I found BT2. I might be feeling differently had there been a real effort to keep us updated on progress on the OBT. When I found BT2 it was really like coming home, and I just wish I'd found it a little bit sooner.
Hugs, Lois

[Thelma]

Jo Jo

When I first went to the old Braintalk it was because I was the coordinator of a Young Adult Stroke Recovery Group and I wanted to see if I could utilize the site for the members of the group.

I tried but it was too hard for the majority of them and had to stop doing it.

But I personally stayed and watched it grow.

The one here will too of that I am sure. In particular because there is someone there to care that it does. You are to be comended for your attitude.

Stick with it and if you need any help just call

Edited to add the following

Remember the advent of Alzheimers or Dementia is a pair of diseases that have o as yet treatment and so are ongoing in the extent of the disability.

Stroke on the other hand has a higher and gettig higher every month improvement that can be related in both the physical and mental aspects of each individuals event. You have there something to work with and to see improvement that the others don't afford you.

Keep the caring for them but acknowledge the difference and look to the stroke and aneurysm forums for the ones who need you the most and can make progress with your help.

Hard road you have chosen girl but one that is so humbling and and at the same time so worthwhile.

Good luck

[just laurie]

In seven years at "OBT", I never once had problems with a mod or admin. I don't anticipate problems there in the future. I will continue to check on it regularly and scoot back there as soon as it's open again. Too much love has been poured into it for me to leave it when its down--literally and figuratively.

Laurie

[lady_express_44]

OBT was home to me . . . but this board feels more and more that way to me with each passing day.

A lot of the information I have gathered is actually stored on links to OBT; included in threads that many of us have contributed to.

I am anxious to see if those old threads will come back up, or if that information is lost forever. :(

Cherie

[Addy]

I don't know what I'll do... I can, however, tell you what I am doing...

I'm reading here when I can...

These past few months, without original braintalk in my life, other pastimes have replaced the hours spent here. I look back at the original with pride, knowing that my life was altered those many years ago when I came seeking support in the Tourette Syndrome chats. The journey took me through the forums of tourettes, depression, adhd, bipolar and to my sanctuary of friends in survivors of suicide.

Back to this forum... I'm not here often ... I'm very busy right now... when I read, I'm absorbing whats been said... applauding and say "yes!" outloud when I support the poster... and I'm chewing around other things that have been said .... most of all: respecting all points of view.

If (or when) the old braintalk is up and running, I will likely participate there again. I will go where my friends go. I will be there to support them as they are there (or here) to support me.

I can't imagine not have braintalk in my life. I wasn't prepared to give it up so abruptly... so I am pleased this site was developed - I love the familiarity here. I'm comfortable knowing that if this new forum is meant to survive, it will.

Original braintalk was/is a phenomena - an experience many cannot possibly fathom unless they have been a participant. As it grew, it ran into problems no one could have imagined because these issues/concerns were new to the internet. Things were handled to the best of the ability of the "handlers" - for lack of a better way to put it. I always remind myself - the internet is the new frontier.

I don't know why the "handlers" have deserted the ship, so to speak... and why they chose not to communicate with us about the demise of original braintalk... and I'm quite confused as to why so many of us got that email saying it would be back up .... and still... nothing... however, other things take importance in my life so I haven't had the time wonder too much about this.

:)

[~scrabble]

*waves (((Addy)))

[Alffe]

waves at both Scrabble and Addy...:D

[agate]

I can't just disregard 5 years at the old BrainTalk. It's a history, and a place with people whose names are familiar to me.

I'm going back there.

The old BrainTalk has some very useful features at the top of the screen: medical dictionary, PLoS, PubMed, etc.