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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 27. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shar on February 1, 2001, at 0:11:19
...so I can present this can of worms...
I was wondering if there might be a way to keep regular psycho-babble (meds) from being so repetitive. It really seems to be the same questions over and over; I rarely ever post there anymore unless someone is getting or giving information on a new topic.
If people could do a search first, they would no doubt find answers to all but their most esoteric questions.
I know there is probably no acceptable way to handle this, but it seems so unfortunate. Or, maybe that's just the best way for it to operate. Who knows?
Shar
Posted by Rach on February 1, 2001, at 5:53:03
In reply to Gettin' out the can opener..., posted by shar on February 1, 2001, at 0:11:19
I know Bob won't have the time for this, but maybe someone would give him a hand. FAQ could be divided up into the various med types. Perhaps SSRI FAQ, MAOI FAQ, General depression FAQ, general med FAQ etc..
Just an idea
Posted by Noa on February 1, 2001, at 8:12:15
In reply to Perhaps a FAQ page?, posted by Rach on February 1, 2001, at 5:53:03
This same issue has come up before and the last time, what came out of it was the psycho-babbe-tips folders--so people can refer to sorted archive information fairly easily, rather than having to sort through a search process.
I guess it has helped but not eliminated the problem.
As for Faqs, I think there are faqs at Dr. Bobs Psychpharmocology tips.
Personally, I find myself just not reading as much of the medications page, which is ok for me--i skim over it and read things that seem important to me at the moment.
Posted by shar on February 1, 2001, at 23:11:46
In reply to Re: Perhaps a FAQ page?, posted by Noa on February 1, 2001, at 8:12:15
I think something like FAQ for each med (or the most mentioned ones) would be great. I thought about doing something like that previously for Tips, but the process was so bulky and tedious, I gave up.
Maybe we will have a great idea on how it could be done simply.
Shar
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 2, 2001, at 0:51:44
In reply to Re: Perhaps a FAQ page?, posted by shar on February 1, 2001, at 23:11:46
> I think something like FAQ for each med (or the most mentioned ones) would be great. I thought about doing something like that previously for Tips, but the process was so bulky and tedious, I gave up.
At Psycho-Babble Tips there's also the option to upload (and thereby make available) "files" that can be plain text or Word documents or whatever...
Bob
Posted by danf on February 2, 2001, at 9:48:11
In reply to Re: Files?, posted by Dr. Bob on February 2, 2001, at 0:51:44
A trial period such as a month at a time where a specific topic is designated... a Topic of the month...
start with a common one like effexor, side effects & withdrawal...
Then at the end of the month combine the useful posts ???? edit out the diversions, etc...
Then new posters with old questions can be referred there....
In other words a build it by the BB FAQ section.
& then OK, I will volunteer to edit the first one..
Posted by danf on February 2, 2001, at 10:00:39
In reply to How about ?, posted by danf on February 2, 2001, at 9:48:11
The reason I suggest this vrs a compilation of posts from the archives ( which is not a bad idea but more work ), is that some thought can be given to the posts so that a coherent over all picture is achieved, rather than a piecemeal answer of single questions.
I do not know if there would be enough interest for this to be feasible.
Posted by Lisa Simpson on February 2, 2001, at 10:07:27
In reply to Gettin' out the can opener..., posted by shar on February 1, 2001, at 0:11:19
Hi Shar. I wonder if there are two reasons why these questions get repetitive. Firstly the site has visits from newcomers who don't know about looking up old posts or tips, so just ask their question. And there are also people who don't want to look up old posts because they want a response from a real live human being. I've done the same. Rather than look up a subject which I'm sure has been mentioned before, I prefer to post it on the board so I can "talk" to a real live person. I don't have many of those around me, you see!
You are a prime example - I have posted problems here and you have replied and made me feel so much better. I couldn't have gotten that from reading old posts and tips.
Lisa
:)
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 2, 2001, at 23:22:16
In reply to How about ?, posted by danf on February 2, 2001, at 9:48:11
> A trial period such as a month at a time where a specific topic is designated... a Topic of the month...
Or of that archive? Either way...
> start with a common one like effexor, side effects & withdrawal...
How about starting with one for which there isn't yet a Tips folder? :-)
> & then OK, I will volunteer to edit the first one..
Fine by me!
Bob
Posted by mars on February 3, 2001, at 2:33:34
In reply to Re: How about ?, posted by Dr. Bob on February 2, 2001, at 23:22:16
If/when I am a little more stable...
I would be happy to proofread (I am a better reader/commenter than writer, usually) and if anyone is interested I can do layout and make PDFs, if there's ever a need for that. Just call me (acro)Batgirl. I did tech support (and lots of writing) for a big desktop publishing program for four years, have legal apps, fonts, etc., and a deep need to be useful.
mars
> > A trial period such as a month at a time where a specific topic is designated... a Topic of the month...
>
> Or of that archive? Either way...
>
> > start with a common one like effexor, side effects & withdrawal...
>
> How about starting with one for which there isn't yet a Tips folder? :-)
>
> > & then OK, I will volunteer to edit the first one..
>
> Fine by me!
>
> Bob
Posted by danf on February 3, 2001, at 10:56:22
In reply to Re: How about ?, posted by mars on February 3, 2001, at 2:33:34
The reason I mentioned effexor is that it continues to be an active ongoing topic. The tips do not seem to be aimed at the side effects & withdrawal problems very well.
another part is that the tips have many dry Pdocs comments & do not seem to address the more commonly asked questions very well...
The basic Tips on effexor use the statistics from the origional studies for FDA approval & lowball the sexual dysfunction. Also I see little about the classic "electric zaps' of effexor... ?
So what is the first topic to be ?
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 3, 2001, at 12:10:27
In reply to OK, What topic ?, posted by danf on February 3, 2001, at 10:56:22
I;'d be really interested to see some work like that on Effexor.. my STUPIF pdoc insists it has no withdrawal symptoms, and very few start up ones... I'd love to hvae something printable I oculd take him about it.
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 4, 2001, at 2:04:51
In reply to OK, What topic ?, posted by danf on February 3, 2001, at 10:56:22
> The reason I mentioned effexor is that it continues to be an active ongoing topic. The tips do not seem to be aimed at the side effects & withdrawal problems very well...
Well, the Effexor folder was something James put together, but I guess he's taking a leave of absence, so if this is what you want to do, give it a shot. :-)
Bob
Posted by danf on February 4, 2001, at 6:46:41
In reply to Re: OK, What topic ?, posted by Dr. Bob on February 4, 2001, at 2:04:51
Thanks... will go ahead with Feb as effexor month
Posted by Neal on February 4, 2001, at 12:11:33
In reply to Re: Gettin' out the can opener..., posted by Lisa Simpson on February 2, 2001, at 10:07:27
> Hi Shar. I wonder if there are two reasons why these questions get repetitive. Firstly the site has visits from newcomers who don't know about looking up old posts or tips, so just ask their question. And there are also people who don't want to look up old posts because they want a response from a real live human being. I've done the same. Rather than look up a subject which I'm sure has been mentioned before, I prefer to post it on the board so I can "talk" to a real live person. I don't have many of those around me, you see!
>
> You are a prime example - I have posted problems here and you have replied and made me feel so much better. I couldn't have gotten that from reading old posts and tips.
>
> Lisa
Shar- I agree. The newbies don't know enough yet to do searches. Sometimes those of us with a lot of mileage on this board can step in and help em out, if we feel like it, even if the question has been answered a hundred times before.
Yes, it's boring sometimes, and a lot of them never aknowledge our answers, and indeed are never heard from again. But there's always that one-in-a-hundred who gets an answer from a fellow-human and is grateful and becomes a new member of the PB team.That being said- If there's one more thread on *Weight Gain on Celexa!* I'm gonna scream!. . . . . -Neal
Posted by judy1 on February 4, 2001, at 15:02:41
In reply to Re: Gettin' out the can opener... Shar, posted by Neal on February 4, 2001, at 12:11:33
SORRY!!! I just couldn't help it!!! Judy
Posted by shar on February 5, 2001, at 1:33:48
In reply to Weight gain on Celexa » Neal, posted by judy1 on February 4, 2001, at 15:02:41
Wow! What great energy!
I think one way to deal with the human contact issue would be to maybe provide a brief answer to the question (esp. if the person appears to be a newbie or is just starting a med) and then direct them to the folder.
My technical confusion is this: if we take a month of posts, and put them in the Effexor folder on PB Tips, and edit out the non-relevant posts, can we get the posts to show in their entirety (such as what was actually written) or will it be like here where we click on a response to read it?
Man, I am glad you all are willing to handle the technical side of Effexor for February! When you have done some work, could we have a report on what you did, what worked/did not work, best practices, etc.?
If I can learn this I can jump in also and start working on a med or something. Or would that be more of a hindrance??
Thanks,
Shar
Posted by Rach on February 5, 2001, at 6:41:48
In reply to Re: OK, What topic ?, posted by danf on February 4, 2001, at 6:46:41
I'll give a go at doing a zoloft FAQ type thingy. Not sure how it will be, but we'll see...
I'm definately more the english nerd than the comp geek.
Posted by Noa on February 5, 2001, at 9:47:33
In reply to OK, What topic ?, posted by danf on February 3, 2001, at 10:56:22
I don't remember who started the tips folder on Effexor, but I think you can add more posts to it, to reflect themes of subsequent discussions.
What you do is search the archives, here and then post links to the threads of posts that you feel are helpful info to include in the tips forlder.
Posted by Noa on February 5, 2001, at 9:50:39
In reply to Re: Gettin' out the can opener... Shar, posted by Neal on February 4, 2001, at 12:11:33
The repetetiveness doesn't bother me much--I just skim the thread topics and choose which to read, skipping a lot these days.
I still think it is the nature of an interactive board, though, for things to repeat as people come in and connect around certain topics. I think the search function, and the tips folder can add to the experience, but I don't think it is going to eliminate the repeating altogether.
Posted by danf on February 5, 2001, at 9:55:56
In reply to Wow!! danf, mars, nik, neal, lisa, rach, noa, judy, posted by shar on February 5, 2001, at 1:33:48
It seemed like the best will be to have the info in a single page... This will be up to Dr Bob, however as to the final format.
Since there is already an Effexor FAQ page, probably just add another as the real life experiences of babble posters.
Rach... way to go.. zoloft is another that gets a lot of the same questions repeated...
I see no reason why there can not be multiple topics ongoing...
Posted by Rach on February 6, 2001, at 6:09:39
In reply to What I thought: shar and Rach, posted by danf on February 5, 2001, at 9:55:56
Maybe, if at all possible, we could get Dr Bib to somehow highlight the links to the FAQ/tips pages, so that it is more obvious to newbies. That way, more may be inclined (and even notice) to have a read before posting.
As Noa already stated, though, this isn't going to stop people asking basics - which is agood thing. It may just ease the volume a bit.
Posted by Rach on February 6, 2001, at 6:11:20
In reply to What I thought: shar and Rach, posted by danf on February 5, 2001, at 9:55:56
Sorry 'bout that, Dr Bib! :)
Just curious - Did your parents call you Bobby?
Posted by shellie on February 6, 2001, at 11:35:28
In reply to Another suggestion, posted by Rach on February 6, 2001, at 6:09:39
> Maybe, if at all possible, we could get Dr Bib to somehow highlight the links to the FAQ/tips pages, so that it is more obvious to newbies. That way, more may be inclined (and even notice) to have a read before posting.
>
> As Noa already stated, though, this isn't going to stop people asking basics - which is agood thing. It may just ease the volume a bit.I agree with Rach and have stated this before. There is really no encouragment to do a search. On the psychobabble board, there could be a sentence concerning looking up prior information concerning a specific medication or medication withdraw in the archives. e.g., There is an option to ......... The board starts out with "overwhelmed by the archives, before even mentioning that the archives may be of help. Then I think it should say, "overwhelmed by the archives", but not as the introduction to the archives. Shellie
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 8, 2001, at 0:20:48
In reply to Re: Another suggestion, posted by shellie on February 6, 2001, at 11:35:28
> There is really no encouragment to do a search. On the psychobabble board, there could be a sentence concerning looking up prior information concerning a specific medication or medication withdraw in the archives. e.g., There is an option to .........
Hmm, that's a good idea, I'll try to add something like that the next time I get a chance to update things. Thanks,
Bob
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