BrainTalk's Intentions

[WhataBreeze]

Open Posting To BrainTalk Management:

Let it be known, this Thread has no plans to exbound a negative influence against B/T, it's owners, management team or community members. If anything, I hope just maybe all the B/T wizards might take some "Constructive Critisism," from anyone who truly has the care and desire to see BrainTalk recover to atleast it's former status by the activity it use to show. Yes, I as one am very thankful B/T is back on and my hat is off to John Lester being a man of his word.

The facts are today BrainTalks "Free Membership" is just coming close to 4,000 new members. I seem to remember this total is aproximately less than 10% of the total membership prior to the crash. Using the old yet very reliable 80/20 system, which when applied to BrainTalk, of the current 4000 members, 20% account for 80% of the activity. This means about 800 members are currently carrying most the activity where it use to be 8,000 to 10,000 active members posting regularly in these Forums.

I am not one to tell anyone how to run their business, corporation, company, orgaization, etc. as I've already had my own. However, I would hope as I'm fairly confidant, those within the BrainTalk Hierarchy surely realize as good as BrainTalk is to many all over the world, "She just isn't what she use to be."

Speaking for myself, as well as many I've continued to stay in contact with, can someone please give us any knowledge of BrainTalks plans or future directives. Coming from the side of the fence you are on for over thirty years, prior to acquiring Central Pontine Myelinolysis said to usually be by iatrogenic causes, I tried my best to get as much knowledge as I could from my own customers.

Where is BrainTalk going or not going and is there any request by the B/T Owner/Management Team that will help in assistance. Looking forward to a meaningful 2007. G-d Bless...


Franky and Breeze ;)

[The Dude]

Maybe you should have posted this on the member-mod base instead :) (Moderator Connection)

Ah man!!

[WhataBreeze]

Dude, you are absolutely correct in your observation. You would think this being posted anywhere within the BrainTalk Forums, it should still be obtained and viewed by those it was intended for but also available to the B/T members. This being a positive posting should be recieved with appreciation. Dude, between you and me I noticed I was in error for its placement but I'm not a "Cut and Paste Artist." Thanks again......

Franky and Breeze

[Pamster]

What exactly do you want to know WhataBreeze? I don't exactly understand what prompted posting this. It's too bad that things aren't 'fully restored' but I think they said they have plans to restore the database to an archive forum, is that what you're asking about? Where is BT going as in what about the old database with all the informative posts?

I do understand you felt you were being positive, but in saying: "She just isn't what she use to be." that is kind of hard to take in a positive light. Maybe you can elaborate on what you wanted to know WhataBreeze. Or what you hoped to accomplish in this thread. :)

[WhataBreeze]

Ms. Pamster, Members and Viewers,

First, congratulations are in order Ms. Pamster my friend, now that you have an "Official Title," here at BrainTalk. Dude was entirely correct it appears by "My Error" in regard to placement of this posting. However, the placing has nothing to do with the importance of the message that I sent. "She Ain't What She Use To Be," the actual correct old saying will continued to be used post my days as well as most everyone else.

Note, in context of anything not performing at well as it had before, this old saying is still used. I think where you possibly took a wrong turn is not understanding my entire communication was in regard to membership and the numbers, not what crashed and archives etc. When you lose aproximately 90% of your membership base whether active or not, is what's called in many arena's "Taking A Major Hit."

Personally, I'm shocked to hear you should have any inclination that I wasn't being positive. Of all my sources, BrainTalk has been one of my most powerful tools of communication since becoming a member after acquiring Central Pontine Myelinolysis. (See Signature Below) As I began navigating with Google all the way through three Senate Offices including Senator William "Bill" Frist, M.D., Majority Leader on my way to the National Institutes of Health with the unbelievable kind assistance of NORD (National Organization of Rare Disorders) which introduced me to ORD (Office of Rare Diseases) at the NIH whose direct assistance with all the research information I brought together now is the first time CPM (Central Pontine Myelinolysis) has ever been "Officially Recognized," by a major world health organization. Yes, BrainTalk is a important factor in my CPM Awareness Foundation. Thanks to all just named, the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, (NINDS) has added CPM to their data. (See Link Below)

I have such regard for John Lester for keeping B/T alive as many in his position would not of made the same decision under the same or similar circumstances. My concern now the question of rebuilding the "B/T Membership." Believe it or not, BrainTalk in my opinion was also a very serious source for those currently involved in important areas of the "World of Medicine and Health Care."

Bottom Line: What is BrainTalk's direction in regard to it's present and future Community Member totals?


Franky and Breeze

[Mike Weins]

Although the placement of the thread wasn't ideal, it was seen :)

There are rough draft plans for restoring the pre-crash database. I can't say when because it's my job and I don't have everything I need yet. Once I do I can (and will) give everyone an idea as to how long it will take.

While membership hasn't rebounded as fast as we had hoped, we're confident that it will. If you notice some of the regulars that used to post aren't registered please contact them. Maybe they don't know we are back online. I do get a couple of emails each week saying they didn't know we were back.

We are also discussing and implementing some of the changes suggested in forum feedback, pms, and emails. The moderator connection forum is one attempt at more open communication between mods/admins and members.

Moderators now accept pms and (should be) reply to them when they can.

[WhataBreeze]

Hi Mike:

Mike, your response of concern is much appreciated. I will tell you after owning a retail chain of stores prior to my acquired CPM disorder in 2002. I will make one promise to you as a very caring community member who didn't jump the B/T ship. There is not a lot of difference between members and customers. You will see quite a parallel between the need for both. No matter what you plan to do for a positive including following your plan it must coinside with an upswing in your "Active Membership Numbers."

I remember those wonderful days having the responsibility for up to 200 employees facing a month with a turn key of $800,Thousand. (Cost of doing business) With as many professionals B/T had and still do have a few floating around, you might just open it up to suggestions from your current members now. Note, it doesn't always take a person who is responsible for the knowledge to have the answer. Much of the time I found wonderful ideas from my entire Team. (My employee base)

Hey, when it comes to computer technology I'm worthless but all my myelin wasn't blown out. In fact I have a very creative idea that is sitting waiting on you that should have no cost to B/T. Opportunity doesn't make habit on coming around at the moment needed but.......

G-d Bless...

Franky and Breeze

[Mike Weins]

Forum Feedback is the place for any and all members to put in their suggestions/ideas/comments.

I think that most believe their input won't be discussed with admin, but that's not true.

So speak up if you've got ideas either publicly or via email/pm :)

Feel free to share this posts with others.

[dahlek]

and I too am concerned.
Many folks feel that right now it's not worthwhile to post here than at other sources due to the prior system failures here AND that oft touted limited, IF ANY, responses during the down time. Many, including myself, are loathe to spend time culling thru our files to post valuable sticky resouces that could be lost again.
An example pertains to your statements about old posts/data being retrieved and saved. How can/WHEN can folks go thru that stuff? When I first discovered BT 2-1/2 years ago...being so ill, and trying to FIND out what the fruitcake was going on with me....well, I found all those posts and spend literally weeks reading all those old posts.. It helped me LEARN about all that goes into my own condition, how to live with it, meet people who cope or not with it, and meet and learn others, such as Breeze who, well, thru their strength, smarts, and plain old GRACE keep my own bleats of protest in a true life CONTEXT.
What has made BT super-special, has always been the ability to refer persons to other sites, some of which have boards as well to get a different, or more specialized take on their issues. Example, the Cancer topics here, well, there are busy active boards relating to those issues, and often there IS cross over. I have been able to refer folks to such key sources in a way not-doable in most.
Lastly, status-quo isn't going to keep this place as comfy as in the past, the shoes are losing their shape? Is it neglect or the fact that needs and expectations have/are changing or evolving?
BT CAN and should be a LEADER for neuro fields, but, how it [the governing board of BT AND mods] responds or not to it's members- will determine it's fate. What to do? survey's, Specific multiple choice questions [probably not w/THIS group] other options. OR PROPOSE options on WHAT WE, the USERS would like/want? Let US know what you all are tossing about - I'm SURE you'd get more feedback than you can digest!

Good thoughts and hopes! - j

[Mike Weins]

I still don't have access to the old database yet, so I don't have any news :(

The idea I have is to put a sticky in each forum with a link to the archived forum (ie Chronic Pain will have a sticky with a link to the old Chronic Pain forum).

I'm also hoping to allow members to log in to retrieve pms. I won't know until I can access the database if this will be possible.

As for what we (myself, David, and mods) are tossing about...I will be making a post in forum feedback and a global announcement sometime today.

[dahlek]

Both good points....if only I a bare 'puter dweeb could learn to x-fer the 'stuff' to a file somewhere in my dweebie 'puter.

Global announcements these days can either be of productive exchange, or, political exchange - which usually translates into status-quo speak and double-speak. I did work for the gummint a long time and can double/double-speak w/the best of 'em. I've left some of the BEST speechless w/same ddspeak. Soo, I hope I can trust you to talk straight, as best as you can.
Hope equals patience? - j

[Mike Weins]

Well this global announcement is just a pointer to the real thread ;)

[mister]

Hoping that BT will actually be better this year than it was in the past. Somethings get better with age and experience and I would hope that will be the case here to. Time will tell

Hopes for improved health for all