TO: Traci (This is the last time I promise!)

[ashley]

Traci, sorry to have caused so much trouble. See, that last time (before last week) that I had visited the site, the message boards were very different. I am used to the way that they used to be, and I am not used to all of these rules and such. What do you mean by keeping my posts in one topic? How will anyone see my topic if it moves to the back of the list? Please elaborate. Thanks! (P.S. Why did the board change anyway?)

[Cleo]

Hi Ashley,

The board changed for ... well, for the better. It's much more appealing and efficient this way.

Speaking of efficient and keeping posts in the same topic, this is how to do it....

When you come to the Help for Cats - Feline Health Page, you'll see the list of topics in the first column. Each topic is a continuing story, questions, answers and other info. Your "Stinky Poop Normal" topic is 8th down on my list right now. If you need to continue on with your cat and this particular subject, click on <b>that</b> topic and after reading the replies you can post your own reply with questions and more info. The post reply button is at the bottom of the posts, second button in from the left and looks like this:

Aside from being confusing, when you continue to post your questions and replies to the topic already at hand, your original post gets put further down the list. Now, when a reply to that original post is made, then it moves UP the list and is better noticed.

I hope this helps ... or better yet, maybe this page will.
BULLETIN BOARD ETIQUETTE & HOUSE RULES

Cleo

[Traci]

Cleo, my dear, that was an excellent account of what I was trying to say, thank you!

Ashley, hope it's clearer now.....with the amount of posts the feline health forum is likely to get per day, it just makes it easier on everyone if posts are contained in the same "threads", and by this, I am speaking of topics that deal with the same kitty or that kitty's continual problems. Rather than have to sort through many posts about the same kitty, they could all be in one post.

Jason and I feel the new format is more functional, more fun for everyone (options), and keeps the topics in their assigned places. If you remember the 'old' board several months ago, you'll see that the new one offers so much more, new forums, as well as a forum for registered users only.

[ashley]

I understand how to reply in the same post, but doesn't it get confusing after a few months? Let's say I asked a question every week. After three months, that's 12 questions, and with the replies added in, that's a long list. Also, what if I have a question about the same cat, but it's different from the poop or socialization question? Do I post a new topic or continue to use this one? Also, would you guys mind if I post ONE more topic, to start things fresh? I'll just name it "My Cat Questions" and leave it at that, instead of being named "To: Traci......"? Thanks for all the help and sorry for all the trouble.

[Traci]

I understand how to reply in the same post, but doesn't it get confusing after a few months?

No, take Sara's for example...we know that Sara updates regularly with her Vestre, and when I know there's a new update, I don't have to read the entire 4 pages, I simply click on page 4 for the latest update.

Let's say I asked a question every week. After three months, that's 12 questions, and with the replies added in, that's a long list.

Not so long at all, at least we can always refer to post #1 in the event we need to recap or refresh our memories about the original problem. We truly do not have a problem with posts that end up being 4 pages long, as long as it is frequently updated to. The choice is yours, you can post a new subject, but if you have several questions within 48 hours, please keep them in one post.

Also, what if I have a question about the same cat, but it's different from the poop or socialization question? Do I post a new topic or continue to use this one?

If its a new issue unrelated to any other post you have already made, then post a new topic.

Also, would you guys mind if I post ONE more topic, to start things fresh? I'll just name it "My Cat Questions" and leave it at that, instead of being named "To: Traci......"? Thanks for all the help and sorry for all the trouble.

Let's keep it all in the last post (not this one, this "To Traci" post has been moved to the Support Forum). So, go back to feline health forum, and in last post you made, start there with further questions.

Remember, the most recent posts made or replied to, will be highlighted with an orange folder, so when we log in to see them, we see the highlited posts, alerting us a new post has been made or replied to. I know it seems confusing, but once you get the hang of the board, you will see how easy it gets, and easy for all of us to respond to updated posts, etc.

If you're not registered, then you probably don't see the recent posts highlighted since your last visit. If you are a guest user, you won't see those options.

[jason]

I understand how to reply in the same post, but doesn't it get confusing after a few months?

nope, this board is low volume anyhow....im a member of some boards in the hundreds of thousands of posts per forum.

Let's say I asked a question every week. After three months, that's 12 questions, and with the replies added in, that's a long list.

and just imagine if, for every question, you made about 5-6 different topics instead of replying to the original, that would be approx 60 different topics from your 12 questions, all with their own replies...now that i call confusing.

would be better to have 12 topics for 12 questions with each topic containing replies pertaining directly to the question its replying to.

Also, what if I have a question about the same cat, but it's different from the poop or socialization question? Do I post a new topic or continue to use this one?

new questions needs a new topic (assuming its unrelated entirely) and would be nice if it had a reasonable subject, as opposed to "question number 2" use something like "socialization characteristics with multiple cats". when the subject "makes sense", it makes it real easy for users to know what the topic is about before clicking on it (also helps the search engine).

Also, would you guys mind if I post ONE more topic, to start things fresh? I'll just name it "My Cat Questions" and leave it at that, instead of being named "To: Traci......"? Thanks for all the help and sorry for all the trouble.

please simply use new topics for new questions....if you want to add to your topic or reply to another users comments on the original, simply reply to that topic and dont create a new one.

if you would spend sometime browsing the board, you will get the picture better than anyone explaining it.

thanks for making the effort