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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Mar 7, 2014 7:39:53 GMT -5
After a fair bit of thought, review, and in consult/discussion with our Co-Administrator John, we've decided to Close "Over the Fence" (our daily chat area) to the General Public effective Sunday, March 9th. As of that date, only registered, logged on members will have access to read and/or participate in this area.In a sense this is a follow up to a question I posed to you last year when we were starting to migrate the old site to this new format. I asked why you came here and do we really still need/want Chat since so many use Facebook for that purpose. The majority of you felt that Chat was important here because you post or discuss things that you wouldn't on FaceBook. Bearing that in mind, we feel that we're doing you a disservice by keeping it so open to the General Public. We're not FaceBook. COPD in Canada & The World is a place of learning, educating and sharing information and knowledge with a central theme... COPD It's a also a place to come to for peer support, understanding, making friendships, caring and sharing topics beyond COPD. As much or as little as the individual wants. Even if it's just to sit quiet and read with a coffee but still feel "part of a family." Some things are shared here by members that they would never put up on their pages. In other cases you might "want" to share /talk about something in your life but you want to limit who can see it. But; because we currently leave it so open, it's subject to that same broad readership/exposure as FB. Perhaps you have a daughter, son, spouse or family member or even a nosy neighbour that you don't necessarily want them knowing all of your business. There can be many different reasons...... When you're a registered member, and when you're "logged on," you can "see" the other members that have been on in the past 24 hours as well as how many visitors have been by. (Usually in the 400-500/day range) The areas that are blanked out (closed to the public) can't be viewed by anyone except registered, logged on individuals. It's not a perfect system BUT, we hope that it will help you just a bit in protecting your privacy and making you feel a bit more comfortable. Jackie Whitaker John Eastland
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Post by mary57 on Mar 7, 2014 9:15:40 GMT -5
Thank you, I think this is a good step in reducing exposure of our lives. True it's not perfect but then again not much is. I know that I write rather openly as do many of us here, because of the friendships that have been made. Sometimes I hesitate to give clear details because of the 'public internet domain' but refuse to live in fear of 'big brother' scrutiny. So I thank you both, for this decision.
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Post by Deborah on Mar 7, 2014 10:01:25 GMT -5
I totally agree with Mary and with the decision. It has always been a bit of dilemma for me, as we live in a smaller town and privacy can be at a premium.
I do not think this will be any kind of a barrier, either, as it really is so easy to join and no major trouble to log in (other than remembering to log in). Thank you for looking after us.
Deborah
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Post by susanny on Mar 7, 2014 11:31:57 GMT -5
Thank you for thinking of us and our privacy. Like Mary and Deborah, I have made what I consider to be good cyber friends here, ones that I know would be close if we were to meet in reality. I need these friends to pour out my heart to at times, knowing they can skip over it if it's too much information or read and care if they consider me to be a friend, too. I rarely if ever post on FB because it's too open. Like you said, everyone is reading it and there's no lack of nosey people. I have a sister who posts everything about herself and it is actually embarrassing to her sisters as she'll post our information, too! I don't really care for FB but do appreciate our forum. Like that you are closing the fence to just members.
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Post by arlenefl on Mar 7, 2014 12:07:51 GMT -5
Thanks for making this more private...I've been reading here for quite some time as I know a couple of people from COPD intl., post here, plus you all seem like a very caring bunch of people. Long ago, when I became a Widow, I had a friend (who I thought was a friend)looking in to the Widow Forum I was on, and saying nasty things about people I knew and who became more involved with my widow status than I wanted her to be. So, privacy is important. Hopefully I will be able to post here and not worry about that.
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Post by jim on Mar 7, 2014 20:11:50 GMT -5
thumbsupde1 I agree with what the other members have posted.
beating-heart
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Post by aero63 on Mar 7, 2014 21:17:25 GMT -5
I think it is a great decision and thank you.
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Post by sandy07 on Mar 7, 2014 22:18:38 GMT -5
Good decision. Thank you .
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Post by spike99 on Mar 7, 2014 22:23:25 GMT -5
.
"locking down" to members only sounds great to me as well...
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Post by peter on Mar 7, 2014 22:26:15 GMT -5
I also think it is a great decision and thank you.
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Post by mumsie on Mar 8, 2014 3:47:48 GMT -5
Yes - a wise decision I think. Incidentally although I don't log in and post very often, I do frequently 'look in' on you all while drinking my morning coffee - so I am probably one of those showing up in your 'visitor' numbers. That said - it is no problem for me to log in - the only reason I don't is because I expect that most of you folks are in bed fast asleep because of the time differences. I will happily log in from now on Have a great weekend everyone!
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Post by pippy on Mar 8, 2014 13:45:48 GMT -5
Great News all for it
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Post by David on Mar 8, 2014 17:49:35 GMT -5
I agree with Jim thumbsupde1
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Mar 9, 2014 7:27:27 GMT -5
Thanks for the affirmation everyone. It's appreciated!
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Post by hugahusky on Mar 10, 2014 5:22:10 GMT -5
Thanks Jackie and John for a decision that will make me feel much more comfortable and perhaps we will have more participation now. I have never felt comfortable discussing our health system on this forum.
Thanks again.
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Post by tousabella on Apr 2, 2014 10:43:35 GMT -5
Thanks, Jackie. I, too, have met so many caring friends here, and would really hate to lose contact. It's great sharing with one another...I've sure learned so many wonderful changes that are available to "us'n COPDers" Many of you have sure changed my outlook on this horrible disease. Thanks again....you are very important in my life...even if I don't stop to 'type' instead of just reading.
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Post by muggsmom on Apr 19, 2014 3:40:13 GMT -5
When I read the subject line that Over the Fence will be closing, I thought my heart was going to stop! Then I read a little further and thought "OK, I can breathe again." Even though I don't post often, I stop in and keep up with everyone and I felt I was losing my lifeline. Since my family has basically deserted me about the transplant, I have been very depressed and haven't felt ready to talk about it. However, I knew that when I am finally ready, the only people that would understand how I feel are on this forum. I can't very well go on FB and talk about how hurt and angry I am with my family when they are the ones reading it.
I think closing it to non-members is a great idea and thank you for caring about our feelings - again.
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Post by barb7330 on Apr 19, 2014 6:22:04 GMT -5
hug4U for you muggsmom. So sorry your Family has deserted you. You know you can always come here for support and a sounding board. Great bunch of compassionate group here that have an idea what you are going through and are willing to help you.... th_haveagr8daybutterflylady
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