Nostalgia

[skb]

Some days I look back and think of all the diabetes forum friendships that I made. I am really appreciative and grateful for all the things I learned from each and everyone of them.

Creating this forum was personally a very joyful experience. I've learnt a lot technically from the guys over at SMF & Tinyportal (the developers of this s/w).
To make Search options easier here, I have tried to implement an "Index of Topics" many times but faced difficulty with version compatibility and eventually gave up.

This morning I remembered that we had started a "My Story" thread with contributions from most members. Reading it all over again refreshed a lot of things that routine and age makes us forget. If anyone else also wants to catch up, here it is;

https://www.diabetic.pub/forum/index.php/topic,771.0.html

[Tamagno]

Thanks, SKB.

It surprises me also to realize just how long I've been here and all that's transpired!

[walkerwally1]

Thanks for the reminder SKB.  Sadly we no longer hear from some of those people.  I wish I knew how to encourage more people to join. 

[bigskygal]

Thanks skb! It was nice to revisit those posts.

[skb]

I wish I knew how to encourage more people to join.

Yup. There is no easy answer to that. This is a hotly discussed topic on many forums on a wide range of subjects. Personally, I know that forums have a lot to offer over social media in terms of content and features but that doesn't seem to swing the vote in favour of forums. Some forums which have been around for a number of years (since the BB days) have the advantage of having large membership and manage to survive with their bunch of faithfuls, but newer ones like ours are all struggling.

I guess the only answer to your question is to use the "Invite to Forum" button in the right panel as often as you can. The other option is to use the "Send Topic" feature to email any discussion thread to a friend or known diabetic. But even so, the truth is, that many of our friends who came over from the other forum in the initial days, are not to be seen around.

And BTW, I browsed that forum today, and guess what, they have a "Vendor" section now, where companies can market their goods for a fee. This is precisely what we had objected to and the War of Words began.

[bigskygal]

It is sad we can't seem to attract new members. I am not on sm in any way so don't know how to change that. I am not at all surprised that the old forum is monetizing posts, where else could they go? Money makes the world go round I guess...

[Carbcrazydog]

There should be a chat option here like a messenger where you can talk to members on a personal level.

SOrry i was away for so long-i have been drowning in work. Celebrated my son's 6th birthday and 10th wedding anniversary a week back. Just back from Andaman islands. It was hot and humid but heavenly.

[walkerwally1]

Hi CCD, glad you stopped by.  Actually there is a message option here.  Just click on the name of someone and there will be an option to send a personal message. 

[bigskygal]

So nice to hear from you CCD!!

[skb]

There should be a chat option here like a messenger where you can talk to members on a personal level.

A chat is easy to implement. There are many plugins available, but I haven't done it as it overloads the server AND we don't have enough members. Personally I would prefer a Skype type of option, where online members could see and talk to each other.

Great to have you back.