Private Groups

[RockyR]

I have asked Hank for a place here that only members would be able to see the posts in.

Also asked for the creation of private groups. So Any member could add other members of their choice to participate in topics they they need support in without the whole wide world seeing it. It seems to me we could discuss and share issues that we will otherwise be forced to deal with alone.

I have some issues I want many of you to discuss with me but I won't do it in an open forum like this, Email and private messages are too cumbersome for group participation. So I will have to go it alone if Hank can't acomodate this and I really don't want to.

If Hank cannot, or is not willing to do this for any good reasons, would anybody here like to have that available on another board. NOT TO REPLACE this one, Just another that would give a bit more privacy.

What do you think???

[GMan]

JohnAllen,

I kept coming back to this topic really not knowing how to respond, and to be quite honest with you I still am not sure how to respond.

I know that several of the topics here are only limited to members, for example this one on Comments and Suggestions. However I think you are asking for more, and I still am unsure what it is. I have had good luck with both Email and the Private Messages with others on the board, but it usually is responding one an one, with no group interaction, which I think is what you are asking for (correct me if I am wrong).

I am concerned that it may become exclusive and hurt others feelings if they are not included, which I feel is not good for the whole board. I like the idea of sharing your thoughts, emotions, and ideas with people that think like you, but I learn a lot more from other thoughts and ideas, even if I do not agree with what they say, when you know someone it is easier to hear what they have to say. I myself have been called a Liberal, a Conservative, and anything else on the same issue by many people, but I do want to hear both sides and live in peace with all. A noble gesture, but at least I can hope.

I hope that you do not think that this idea is not a good one, because I do understand what I think you are saying, I just have to think out loud and in this day and age that means using my fingers.

I know that Yahoo groups are for people who are like minded to a lesser degree than something like this forum, so that might be an option for you.

Please do not take this as a negative, it is not my intention. I support your efforts in whatever arises.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

The Yahoo groups is one idea...

AOL Private Chat Rooms are another. You can schedule "Live Chats" in realtime in there.

Those are two REAL EASY ones.

[Xcop]

JohnAllen,
I support your requests and observations.

David

[bear]

I'm trying to think of some kilt related issues that would need to be private and I can't. (We've had some very personal stuff in this public forum related to kilts!)
Maybe you could give us an idea of the kind of issues you'd be discussing in the private areas, so we can give our opinions on whether we like or dislike the idea?

[highlandtide]

JA I told you to use email. There was no need for this post.

[Graham]

I think I'm with Bear on this one, we have discussed really personal stuff, eg. I shared problems I've been having with my teenage daughter - deeply personal stuff. No doubt non members would view those posts, but since I can't see them I don;t care. The responses I recieved here were all encouraging and compassionate.

We've discussed in an adult way how to cope with toilets and kilts.

If there are even more personal issue you need advice on then we are all here for you to respond by private email.

John, if I may say, you have not been shy about discussing deeply felt issues, I admire that. I hope we have all been sensitive to your issues, I believe we have.
Good to have you here John!

[Colin]

I too agree with the rest of the posts. Graham shared some very personal information with us regarding his family. I was proud to see the maturity and level of support that was voiced by other members. We only hope it helped him in that situation, so he could help his family.

If you wish to discuss a private matter with a few select individuals, I too suggest PM (copy and paste!) or email. The only other solution is an instant messaging system like yahoo!messanger. I see that several members use this (as do we at work) and it is possible to conference with several people at once.

[Casey]

I must say that it is my understanding that this is a public forum. I agree with the format. If there is a need for something more private which can not be handled through email or PM's then I am of the opinion that it should be elsewhere.

Now having said this I agree with Bear that maybe we need some examples that would give us more food for thought.

Casey

[bikercelt1]

I'm with the other guys John Allen. We do seem to wear our hearts on our sleeves here, and for the most part I think people are sensitive when we understand the situation (of course we are al human and sometimes we don't understand the sensitivity of a situation until it's too late). And ther is the OT section that is members only. Maybe I don't understand what it is you're interested in or what your concerns are. Feel free to send me a private message if you need to.

Jamie