NEW FORUM POLICY FILE BEING WRITTEN - INPUT REQUESTED

brainman · Last edited by brainman on Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:13 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hi everyone,

I am developing a new "The Cancer Forum Policies" file and would like to make this a community project. I have administed and participated in other forums, so I know the basics of what to include and how to write a good, brief policy. Obviously it will include "no ads," "no pornographic material," etceteras. However, I would like to open this thread so that you can tell me what you would or would not like included. I will be posting other messages as I write the policy for your comments. Finally, it will have to be approved by Dr Lee and Dr Leo before implimenentation as the official policies for the forum.

That brings up the first issue: What should we call the document... Policies or Guidlines? I have made that the question for the poll associated with this thread. You have 30 days for your input. Please vote. Obviously, this is a minor issue. However, it will test the process.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 566 Location: UK

Hi, Jim - As you know from my postings, I have no problems with people saying what they have found useful, but intensely dislike any attempts to force a view on others that this is the only way to go. Since everyone is different (physically), what is good for one may not be for another.

A direction to posters that advice and accounts of personal experience are welcome but that hard-selling of products/treatments is not might be helpful.

And, of course, no insulting personal comments.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 614

Hi Brainman,

I strongly echo Vee Smith's comments. While people may find certain things useful to them, I see a lot of danger for newly diagnosed people reading these types of posts and interpreting these as gospel.

I have not run across these types of posts in the area I visit as I am new or missed them. That is one of the primary reasons I've come looking for other cancer boards. I'm tired of people promoting their personal alternative regimens as something that is effective when it cannot be scientifically proven.

Thank you for allowing this honest discourse.

PBJ

Big Sister · Experienced user Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 65

Hello, Brainman -- I voted to call your brainchild "Policy" not Guidelines because the latter can be intrepreted any way by anyone. A "Policy" states clearly what the guidelines are and the consequences of violation.

This forum is designed for people who are suffering, who are confused, who are terrible frightened by what is happening and what they fear for the future. We are people who never expected to have to deal with pancreatic cancer, yet here we are.

What we need is help -- help to deal with fear, help to deal with possibilities, help to deal with impossibilities, help to sort them all out. We need clear exchanges of opinion, whether conventional "white man's medicine" or alternative therapies. We need knowledge of drugs, of surgeries, of hospitals, of doctors, of therapies. Finally, we need to know we're not alone and welcome the opportunity to listen to others who have gone before.

People who find this forum and use it for other purposes must be shown the door asap by you and the other site administrators. The "policy" must state clearly that any extraneous messaging will not be tolerated and quickly removed so as not to vex honest individuals who are facing the death of a loved one.

Good luck with your venture. Pat

Muttsmom

I agree with the posters about keeping people from shoving alternative treatment down people's throats. I left one board because of that. When someone is 1st dx, as we all know, we're terrified. I think many newbies are so afraid of the unknown, like chemo, that they want to believe there's another way, and alternative medicine hasn't been proven and to me, someone's way of making money off someone else's dx.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
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In memory of Kim 12/1/04

jfkbluecircle

Hi, Jim,
First, sorry for the length of this post. I teach writing at a university, so terminology is a significant part of my life's work.

Second, thanks for working on this; junk that gets posted is annoying and at times downright offensive.

In my opinion, the rhetorical distinction between these two terms is significant. Policy infers the 'public' rather than the private. Since this forum is public, 'policy' might dictate more of a 'mission statement' for this webspace that (to me) invites community and the exchange of narratives, not professional advice, nor product promotion.

Not to add to your work, but why not have both? Policies (perhaps read as "police-- ies") would seem to decree how the list is moderated both externally by you, other moderators, and the Drs., AND internally by members. Commonly e-round tables have a 'flag' option available to members to help maintain the purpose and integrity of online forums. Guidelines could be more about the responsibility of those who participate, i.e., a 'how-to' guide on how to incorporate relevant material into posts to encourage discussion, etc. Taking a page from my teaching experience, writers write more effectively when told what to write, rather than what not to write.

I am not suggesting that the text you are drafting is intended to box folks in as they post to threads. However, the purpose of whatever this document gets named (I assume) is to create boundaries between what is appropriate and what is not AND who is responsible for cultivating and sustaining the overall purpose for this incredible online powwow.

Regards,
Jessica

brainman

Thank you all for your input. Although I first voted for "Guidelines" I now see the value of calling them "Policies." I especially liked Jessica's help in understanding the difference between what the responsibilities of the officials of the site are versis the responsibilities of the community of members are. I really do see this forum as a community effort and will try to make that clear in the document(s) I am writting. It might be one document called "Policies and Guidelines for the Forum" Laughing

Keep posting your comments. I am interested in reading your thoughts about what you think should (or should not) be included.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

brainman

OK, although the votes show a majority in favor of calling them "Guidelines" (including my vote!), I am inclined to agree with those who are in favor or "Policies."

Here is an alternative I would like to present: Create an FAQ section that would basically address the questions of the members (what they can and cannot do) and a policy document that will state the governing rules for the forum. I have emailed a copy a draft (not yet shown the Leo) to several of you for your input. If I did not include you and you would like to have so input, please, let me know and I will send you a copy. It is not a secret document.

I have also prepared an FAQ section. I am hoping the Leo will place an FAQ button at the top of the page (with the Registration and Login buttons are located). But he is the only person that can do that since he is the only person that can modify any of the underlying code that forms this forum. However, if you follow the link below you will be taken to that page.

http://cancerforums.net/faq.php

Your feedback is most helpful.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

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