is it time to Merge Vets back to one section?

[Margo]

I was heavily involved in trying to get vets split into a serious and non serious section. At the time it seemed right to have two parts. there were quite a few more posting and using this part of the boards and it seemed a natural progression.

Now with things slowing down considerably, albeit there seems to be some life returning with new members (which im over the moon about), I see less and less reason to have the forum split.

Some of the reasoning for splitting was that Support threads would not be taken off the page by silly posts and it would be easier to spot them amidst all the melee of posts. another was that the non serious part could be used to not trigger people and be more of a safe haven for vets.

However with the incredibly slow movement in the support part i do not see threads dropping off quickly at all. I also feel that with the improved labelling system and a return to common sense (RYL finally sees it IS A TRIGGERING SITE CUS WE ALL SELF HARM), it is far easier to see threads that maty trigger and those that wont.

I feel that by combining the two and consolidating posts as it used to be in V2 and on Ruin when it was the anything goes forum, we can have a section of the boards that can provide something for all without taking up more space than required or indeed needed.

So i was wondering what others thought? would be interesting to hear from those who have seen it all and the new peeps too.

Matthew xxx

[whirlpools]

I didn't see it the way it was before, but it feels a little disjointed to have them separate at the moment. They are both slow-moving boards and sometimes I think it feels more natural to have a mix of good and bad - it's more like a real 'conversation' going on, rather than splitting the two and making it kind of black-and-white.

I wonder if merging the two boards back together might make Vets' an even more welcoming, friendly and realistic place to be.

[Jefferson.Meriwether]

I never knew the previous set up either. I have no complaints about the two boards being merged into one

[Louise]

i think it would be better as one, i can not remember what it was like before it moved to two sections.

[Mandimoo]

i remember the old way, what if ryl ever had a sudden influx that lasted for a while? maybe some kind of job, benefit or healthcare cull in the future could arrive to lots more serious threads being posted would we then have to consider re-splitting?

either way good luck getting anything done, I love Harley an' all but there's a lot of site-action more needy than this at the moment.

[Margo]

Im not saying its needy. Im just asking. Mandy the world is suffering more and more unrest and depression is on the up. This is a rather specialised site and only a few stick around, especially in this part. The majority of people who qualify to post here by age alone chose to post elsewhere on other parts of the site.

The reason for making this is not to demand change now but to get a feel for what people want or like. Then, perhaps when Harley is free and the changes can be made, they can decide whether to keep it as one or two forums based on what the general conscensus is.

[Sefka]

Merging them would certainly get Vets moving faster, and would stop the tendency to only frequent one (which I know I'm often guilty of.)
I'd be a bit worried about serious threads getting pushed down too quickly, but if the people who were here before the split are fairly confident that won't happen, I believe them.
I think I like the idea.

[Stellata]

Jobs cull is right now, Mand. I'm stuck in the middle of it.

I still have a squiff in my head re Vets as older bods v. needing a place for those that no longer self harm, or if they do, do rarely. It's still a blur. Not sure how to fix it though.

Really, I'm not overly fussed though.

[The One Who]

I know that I don't post much on Vets, but I'd probably prefer it to be one. As a way to combat the possible 'triggering' threads, all that needs is better thread titling.

[Margo]

Katie i think in all truth vets is just a place where some people feel more comfortable to post in. I wanted it to be "THE" place adults who self harm could come, but on a MASSIVE site predominently filled with young ladies (who are all lovely), i dont think this will ever happen. Its a bit like going to a school disco to find 40 somethings. we are just the parents skulking at the back of the room :P

As for the not harming that much part, i think thats out of the window. the Moving forward section seems more relevant IMO.

[Stellata]

Yeah, the Moving Forward thing is all good, but it all seems to be 'one offs' rather than 'these are a group of people committed to staying in a steady recovery from self harm and will cheer each other on and talk each other through the dark places without needing to step around other's severe self harm'.

[Margo]

aye true.

[Bitter_Angel]

I dont know, I am on the fence with this one.
Old vets was good, but perhaps it was those that used it that made it that way. I a lot of the people who I consdered vets residents, where the type who generally got on with things. Yeah, most the time they had bad stuff going on, but they realised the world didnt revolve around it and so support posts where only throw out when something major happened. But now in vets and all over the forums, I cant help but see the same threads all the time. The same people posting the same things everywhere. I mean this to no one in particular and I dont mean to be offensive, but some people always seem to have some sort of crisis going on requiring a support thread pretty much all the time.

I guess, I would worry, if the boards were merged together again, it would always be the same posters at the top permanently. The way it is now, on the board there are what 20 threads on the first page? Statics wise, if we were merged, it would be even to have 10 support 10 general. I think more than half the support places would be taken up continuously by the same people. Where as at the moment, I can scan through and just easily skip the repetitive one.

But I can also see the other side of it. If it were merged, perhaps we could rebuild the community? Encourage people to live outside their illness?

I dont know.
And I dont even know if it is even technically possible with Harls being absent.

[effervescence]

I think you may be right.
My suggestion is have one board but have two icons for threads so the OP can choose a red or green (or whatever) icon when making their thread, so that serious ones can be more easily seen and therefore get replies.

[Stellata]

I don't see anything wrong with reaching out for support and/or connection with others when you really need it. That doesn't mean that you're not 'getting on with your life'.
The board is for everyone to post on.
And everyone copes in different ways.
Sorry, sore point that I don't want rubbed raw right now.

[The One Who]

Katie I don't think anyone is saying people can't ask for support when they want/need it, or that it is not for everyone to post on.

Kim makes good points.

[Bitter_Angel]

I am not saying there is anything wrong with asking for support when you need it. But is it still support if it is needed their permently? and if so, what happens when something comes up that a person may need more support on? If it is there all the time, then I dont think you feel the true benefit of it. I know when I ask for support, just seeing people reply, makes me realise a lot and helps more than anything. If they were replying all the time, to my thread, then I dont think I would see that or get the extra lift off it.

But that isnt what this thread is about. Would it work? and would it benefit us. Im not sure. I still cant help but think of it statiscally. As I mentioned earlier, for a balance board it would be approx 10 support and 10 general. But, I would assume there would also be a couple of 'room' threads thrown into that. There are 3 I think in general atm, dont think there are any in serious. So that would have to come into it as well. And some cut backs on the Stickies.

Im still intrested to hear other peoples views though.

[Margo]

Ohh a can of worms kim I could get into but I won't. Lol.

How about a penguin forum where you can all basque in my splendour?

[tifflehan]

Bring On The Penguins!

[Bitter_Angel]

But penguins dont eat worms? Do they?