scaring away newbies

[Noah & me (GA)]

@Robert and Echo @Jill & Alex (GA)
I recently had a discussion with someone who maintains a Facebook page for newbies that are just overwhelmed by FDMB. I know we can't just stop accepting new members but there is one thing I notice a lot. I often troll New Posts for oddball questions I might be able to help with or threads that have gotten only two or three replies. If I click on New Posts again five minutes later the entire page looks different. I don't want to encourage anyone to bump a post but I can see how someone's desperate pleas just fall off the bottom of the page. It must be disheartening.
The second thing is something I hope isn't me. When I read things about vets saying not to test my blood boils. I can control my thoughts but I also know I can sometimes be a little blunt. This is a perfect example and after my last post in this thread the member has not yet posted again. Read it and tell me what you think. I'm not trying to be an ass, I save that for Off Topic.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ot-an-option-financially.211986/#post-2351531

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

I should have been more clear. Anyone can read it and tell me what you think, not just the people I tagged. Be nice to me.

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

My suggestion would be to start a thread in Think Tank (TT is a better place) asking the Community how we can help newbies acclimate to the FDMB. Discussion may help create an awareness. I also wish those who whisk newbies off to other groups or boards would instead take the time to help them here on the FDMB. It's been an all too often and common occurrence since Facebook has become part of our everyday lives, but I digress.

I don't want to encourage anyone to bump a post but I can see how someone's desperate pleas just fall off the bottom of the page. It must be disheartening.

Bumping a post without replies is exactly what should be done... perhaps coupled with a response something along the lines of, "I don't answer the answer to your questions, but I'll give your post a bump to the top. Maybe someone else will be able to help." We also should be aware of the fact that sometimes no one has come along who does know the answer or can be of help. We're simply volunteers. There are no experts here.

RE: your linked post/being blunt
I understand your concern and am very familiar with what you're saying... mostly because my style is also "blunt"... as it is in every aspect of my life. I have several children and many grandchildren not to mention have had many pets too numerous to mention over the years. Confession: I don't think I have ever spoken something as simple as baby talk to any one of them. That's how direct/blunt I am, so I get what you're saying.

IMHO, people have to remember their strengths as well as their weaknesses and act accordingly/try as best as they can. Remember what it was like to be new. On the other side of the coin, it helps when those seeking help understand up front that every person who responds to their posts has the very best intentions and means well. I realize emotions are raw at diagnosis (mine were), but if a caregiver believes everyone is trying to help to the very best of their abilities... it helps.

I've closed this thread in hopes the conversation will be picked up in TT.

Edited to add:
Let me re-phrase that... I've closed this thread with hopes of having meaningful conversation focused on the positives in TT. Let's steer clear of making it a b!tch session, please.

 

[Robert and Echo]

I echo Jill on this. Thanks to both of you for the thoughts on this.