Share You Story - Enhancements

I've noticed new users will post their story in SHARE Your Story and come back and do updates and start discussions in that area. Those questions/updates are often neglected since it scrolls. How will they know where to put those (ie put them in the message boards rather than the Story)?

This is a huge reorganizational task! I'm already giving you guys a standing ovation for this mountainous task. It will make this place even better. (can you imagine? better than this?!)

've noticed new users will post their story in SHARE Your Story and come back and do updates and start discussions in that area. Those questions/updates are often neglected since it scrolls. How will they know where to put those (ie put them in the message boards rather than the Story)?

Excellent Question

One of the changes we are thinking about with respect to stories is introducing the concept of sharing a personal story a bit more on the site and offering people two options. A discussion topic to share their story which will be organized in subfolders by "starting" date. This is for people who just want to tell their story once but really don't want to do a longer term journal sort of experience. I think it is a great piece of guidance to let them know that if they have questions, they shoulld come to the other section. (More on names later!)

We'll also offer them the option of a blog for those who want to journal their ongoing experiences.

We sense that people have different needs/goals/wants in sharing their story. Do you think that is correct? Other views/interpretations?

We sense that people have different needs/goals/wants in sharing their story. Do you think that is correct? Other views/interpretations?

I totally agree with this one! I think people have very different needs/goals/wants in sharing their story! Offering the two options would be awesome! I love the blogging aspect. How cool would it be to follow someones story or even their thoughts as they go through this process!! But some people just want to share their story once and be done with it!

Hugs!
Michele

Melissa Middleton, "Coming Enhancements to the SHARE Site ... Come Offer Your Views" #15, 6 Mar 2005 12:17 pm

Also, I really like the idea of having add on's to peoples stories by them as they move along through the months...if the parents choose to do this...then I think it will not only help parents see how far they have come...it will also be such an amazing resource to parents who are where this person once was....AND it will help those of us follow an individual's story through time too.

Blog of the month

So, I was thinking.... (uh oh!)

After thinking about the flow of the board, it seems more logical to keep the SYS in chronological order and send them to retirement (aka archival) in the order in which they are posted. Since we now have that awesome search bar and the stories will be linked to our profiles... is there really a need to recategorize them all? Seems like busy work for already overwhelmed techies (we are a demanding bunch, afterall!).

I dunno, maybe everyone else disagrees. But how will my story, for example, be easier to find if it is thrown in a 28weeker folder? Seems like just putting "logan 28 weeks" in the search bar should eventually get to it for now. And soon, clicking on my name will bring it up. ??? Know what I mean?

hmmmmmm...something to think about...Think about it like you are a new mom on the site. You want to find other 28 wkr stories, what would you do? Would you automatically do a search or would it be easier if there was a 28 wkr folder?

I know what you are saying and I am really not sure what the best way to do it is...let me do a search and see how many 28 wkr stories come up...brb! lol

OK, I am back. My search showed about 25 (I really didn't count them) matches. The matches ranged from messages on the message board to actual stories of babies being born at 28 weeks to "at 28 weeks my water broke, but I made it another 3 weeks". You know what, I don't think Logan's story showed up...brb, gonna check again!

OK, it showed up when I did Logan 28 weeker, because in your story it says Week 28. So, if I were a new mom doing a search and put in 28 weeks, your story wouldn't come up and YOURS is the one she needs to read...

Also, the search brings up messages and SYS which might get confusing...Just my $.02! I am happy to see you are always thinking about making the site better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs!
Michele

I LOVE that you guys are thinking about things like this! It helps sooo much to hear what you think about how to organize things.

I think you're right, LogansMom, the standard is to have the most recent discussions at the top and let the older ones be archived over time.

I aslo think there should be an easy way for members to find stories for a specific gestation age, etc. We haven't finalized anything yet, but we're working on some ways to make that easy. It may involve assigning a range of gestation ages to a story, so that you could easily find all the stories within a certain age.

How does that sound?

The ranges sound okay, some of the ranges will have a lot more stories than others! It has been my experience that each "week" has situations pretty unique to that gestational age. I would like to see them each in their own folder, but then that is just a wish!!

Oh and Lee, you would probably be amazed at how much we think about this site!!

Hugs!
Michele

I suppose you could do something like (tweak as necessary):

24 weeks and under
25-28 wks
29-31 wks
32-36 wks
37+ weeks

However it has been my experience that even a week's difference in gestational age has made big differences in a baby's NICU stay. But if I had to group them... I think those blocks are the most similiar. IMO Ideally they would have their own classification, if classified at all.

You're right Michele, I didn't consider that search brings up both SYS and the MBs. Perhaps the search can be tweaked where you can check a box if you want to search

the whole site

SYS

MBs

Man, this is pretty complicated. God bless you guys, Lee, for tackling this reorganization process!

Okay I can't help myself, I'll offer my 2 cents worth.

I agree with Michele, about archiving based on gestational age. I think it will be the easiest way for new visitors to find the info they are looking for. I realize that could possibly create many folders, but I just think it seems the most logical and easiest route for finding info.

I do like Darcy's idea about the option to search SYS or MBs. I know I've wanted to find someones Story and via the search option have had to weed through the most recent messages to find the right story. If we had the option to modify the search to a specific area that would be much more helpful.

I think Michele is right.... we are turning into the "Fisherman's wife", except he now has numerous wives!! LOL

Just my thoughts on this.

Karri

Lee, has anyone told you lately that you and the rest of the tech team are just awsome! (and I am not only saying that to butter you up!

Darcy I do like your idea of categorizing...but here are some things to think about too..

1. children born as multiples will be different (even according to gestational age) than single babies...for example a big difference might be weight

2. children who are born severely premature should be clustered in their own category...though the most premature should also be in their own heading

3. I agree with Darcy....with preemies...a week can make a HUGE difference

I know it gets really complicated....I think with all of the fisherman's wives in the SHARE techno tank...the SHARE tech. team will want to start e-mailing us our divorce papers!

Melissa Middleton

Well, whatever the group decides I'm sure will be a good idea!!! Lee, Nancy and crew you're all great and a techno miracle at that!

I'm just trying to get responses back to all those that take the time to share their stories....so I'll leave all the categorizing to you guys...and you ladies are a special category all by yourself!!! I love SHARE!

Brenda & Benjamin (34 weeker born 12/24/99 with NEC)

Naw, they won't send us the divorce papers because they know they can't afford the alimony! It is cheaper to keep us around!! LOL!!

Hugs!
Michele

With the grouping, I would like to see it taken a couple steps further...

24 weeks and under
25-26 weeks
27-28 weeks
29-30 weeks
31-33 weeks
34-36 weeks
37+ weeks

Of course, you all know what I would really, really like...but will wait for the powers that be to make that decision!!

Also, love, love, love the idea of searching the whole site, SYS, or MB! GREAT idea!!

and yes, I hope God will not only bless them, BUT give them an extra dose of patience as they deal with us!!

Great discussion, girls!!
Hugs!
Michele

Their lives would be so BORING without us too!!!

Have a great night all!!

Donna

PS....I was REALLY shy too in my earlier days!

I was shy, too! I was an awkward kid until I discovered gymnastics. Then I turned into a show off. LOL!

I was shy too, until I had kids!! I guess I figured I had to learn to speak up for them!

I'm with Donna, they would be bored with out us! We make life interesting!!

Karri