A newbies opinion

[Deb and Pepper]

First off I want to say this is a great group with great people and very good information. I am VERY glad I found you all. Keep up all your great work.

Being one of the newbies you are all talking about (only 22 days since being diagnosed) I can say from VERY recent experience that there is just too much in-depth information being given to some very frightened people. In the very beginning we don't need or want to know everything there is to know about feline diabetes. We want to know what we have to do RIGHT NOW to get started. We'll learn as we go once our panic is over and we're more comfortable with all this.

I agree something needs to be done about the mass of information being pushed on newbies. This just overwhelms us and frightens us more! We have very good information, but too much of it. I don't think it should be gotten rid of, just get one announcement with the very basics to start everyone off with, then let them read the more in-depth stuff as they get more relaxed and have time to read it in a few days. When we come here, we feel totally out of control. We need to get some of that control back before we can get comfortable with this BIG change in our lives and that's what we're looking for when we come here. Some control.

I do agree we need a "newbie" page before we jump into the mainstream. However I don't think "Feline Health" is the right name for it. "Getting Started" would be better, that would catch everyone's eye and it would be the first place they would go. And it should be the first thing they see when they get to the Board Index. Newbies don't want to read for 6 hours before they get to the all important information they are looking for. The index page is intimidating to look at, there is so much information there. We need to point them to a place to start.

Us newbies mainly want just a few specifics to get us started:

1. WHAT DO I NEED? There should be a list of all the test/shot items. Insulin, syringes, tester, test strips, lancets, Ketone strips. Each should be a link to a SHORT page that has a SHORT description of the item and where to get them. Do inform them that the 3/10 cc syringe with 1/2 unit markings are easier to use. Do inform them the meters that use only .3ml blood are easier to use and easier on their kitty. I think most people are afraid of how much this is going to cost them. Telling them where they can get items cheaply will be a HUGE help.

2. WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY KITTY? Since we are here for help, it is almost a given that we are willing to go to wet/low carb food because we have already read at least one article about how much better it is than dry food for diabetics. We came here to find out WHICH wet food we should be giving our babies. We don't want to wade through the big Binky's list and choose for ourselves. There should be a short list of all food under 10% carbs so it is easier to see which ones we are all using. Remember we are scared, not wanting to wade through information we don't need right now, and many of us are probably near having a panic attack because this is all so overwhelming!

3. HOW MUCH DO I FEED MY KITTY? I was VERY confused on this when I first came here. I ended up feeding Pepper twice what he should have been getting because I thought everyone was talking about the 5.5 oz cans when they were talking about the 3 oz cans. Someone gave me a formula to figure out how many calories I should be feeding to get Pepper back to and maintain a good weight for him. I about flipped when I found out how much I was overfeeding him! That formula should be given to every newbie so they can see how little they should be feeding. Most of us were free feeding before and really have no idea how much they should eat. We just filled up the bowl when it was empty. Snacks like boiled chicken cubes should also be discussed here.

4. WHEN DO I FEED? Telling us "before nadir", after AMPS & PMPS, and +1, +2 & +3 makes no sense to us. There should be NO abbreviations used in this section. We will learn as we go but the first few days should be in "laymen" terms. This includes answers to any questions that are posted here. We'll catch on in no time, but at first you need to talk in "our" language.

5. GET THE SPREADSHEET STARTED. I have yet to find a newbie with a spreadsheet started. This is almost always the first thing suggested when newbies come to LL so I take for granted it's that way on all the support groups. Unless it's been fixed in the last 24 hours, something is wrong with the link or the directions that's being given out for it. Whoever has the good link/directions needs to get the bad one fixed.

6. WHAT DO I DO FIRST? Stress how important home testing and getting the right foods are here. Put a link to how to home test here for those who need more instruction than the vet's 5 minute explanation.

7. HOW TO MAKE POSTS. Inform everyone about the 1 post per day rule, how to header it, and how to use the icons, expectantly the 911 & ? icons.

I'm sure I've missed some things but whatever is in it should be SIMPLE. Add links for "more information" though out it so everyone can use it as a hub to the more in-depth information on these vital subjects.

I think newbies should have some input here. What were you looking for when you found the group?

 

[Anonymous]

thank you deb,
I really like the idea of giving a sense of control to the newbie.
Starting the testing gives a wonderful sense of control I think.
A list or a newbie kit is always offered.
Sometimes first things first.
Are you Already shooting?,,,well if so, let's not change diet until you are testing.

And dropping the immediate use of terminology before explaining it.
I always tell newbie's it does not matter what time you shot...or what time you last tested is....we only want to know the +number of hours since your last shot.
And diagram it.
+2
+6
etc.

I think we all know most of these starter discussions. I'm wondering if I can collect the important FAQ's, most frequently used, and collect them for us to grab so as not to go hunting.
Offering them all at once is overload...IMHO

 

[Deb and Pepper]

Overload is understating it for sure. :lol:

That's why I stressed making it simple to start off. There is so much to learn and so short a time to do it.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes the learning curve is steep for sure. For all of us. It's the hardest time...next hardest time might be when kitty is heading toward remission.

 

[Beth & Atlas]

Those are all very good points.

Although, I recall reading that much of that information is located on the Feline Diabetes home page.

The message board right now is the first thing folks find. But, there is a wealth of information already available answering your suggestions located at Feline Diabetes home page.

So I am not sure we really need to re-invent the wheel...we may need to just remember a lot of this is already available for the newbie ...and unfortunately the google bots are not directing new folks there. So we can though!

 

[Karen & Smokey(GA)]

I have seen responsive posts to newbies that are WAY TOO LONG.

Multiple posts from persons who explain in detail everything all over again.

Those posts need to be shortened up and edited down to the 'getting started'
essentials.

Only one or two "success stories", not every FDMB old-timer chiming in.

It seems that everyone has to jump in with their explanation and story.

I have often held back from posting on a newbie thread if I see there have already
been several posts, and the questions are answered.

I do find, though that sometimes the response posts don't answer a question the newbie
posed.

It is very important, I think, to tailor responses to the questions the newbie has.

In addition to giving basic information.

 

[doombuggy]

While I get the OP's post, I have to disagree with what I experienced when I came here 2 months ago.
I had taken Cedric in for his annual shots on 4/21 and mentioned to the vet about Cedric's excessive water drinking. They ran some tests, but felt that he was going to come up diabetic. They were going to get bakc to methe next day for sure. I spent part of the evening and the next morning researching Feline Diabetes. I found Dr. Rebecca's site first, before finding the MB. I found most of the stuff the OP mentioned in her thread starting post above on the main board/site. I wanted to absorb as much as possible. yes, it was over whelming, but so was the diagnosis. I wanted to be armed with all the knowledge I could get. I do have a co-worker who has a diabetic cat, so I called them that first evening (4/21) to talk to them. I have a friend who has a diabetic dog; I have other co-workers at Disney and friends from high school that are diabetics. so I have talked to all of these people to help me help my cat.

I am a moderator on an unoffical website dedicated to Disney's Pirates of the Carribean (attraction & movies, and now books), so I understand the needs for "patroling" and also for the organiation of FAQs. maybe those need to be revamped here, or set up in a seperate forum (that is what we have at tellnotales). Finding the time might be tough, but that's not my call.

:YMHUG: and my 2 cents. Now I better get to work!

 

[Deb and Pepper]

I have seen responsive posts to newbies that are WAY TOO LONG.

Multiple posts from persons who explain in detail everything all over again.

Those posts need to be shortened up and edited down to the 'getting started'
essentials.

Only one or two "success stories", not every FDMB old-timer chiming in.

It seems that everyone has to jump in with their explanation and story.

I have often held back from posting on a newbie thread if I see there have already
been several posts, and the questions are answered.

I do find, though that sometimes the response posts don't answer a question the newbie
posed.

It is very important, I think, to tailor responses to the questions the newbie has.

In addition to giving basic information.

Thank you Karen, this is exactly what we are talking about. Too much information at one time and most of it is not needed the first few days/week. That's why I think there should be a "newbie page" that is separate from all the pages we already have. I'm not talking about renaming the Health page. Make the health page the 2nd step after the newbie gets all their equipment, learns to test, post, and has a spreadsheet for help.

It's GREAT that everyone wants to greet a newcomer, but stick to the subject asked about and keep it short and to the point. If you can't help with the question, just say hello and welcome to the board and leave it at that for now. Wait to "chat" with them when their questions are answered and they are getting into the swing of things.

No offense intended but the newbie is here to get information for THEIR cat, not to hear about yours. Save the stories for after the newbie gets their sanity back and gets comfortable with this drastic change in their lives. And we need to stop repeating the same information reply after reply. If you don’t have new information, just greet them. Let them use their time reading the in-depth information not the same reply time after time.

 

[Jen & Squeak]

FDMB FAQ

I agree about people being overwhelmed.

People here (advice givers) seem to have forgotten all about the FDMB Faq which was developed by Janet and others and had A LOT of work put into it to answer just those questions raised here.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/fdmb-faq.htm

While it hasn't been updated for a bit and may not reflect recent learnings about levemir, lantus and acromegaly, it is absolutely the best source of info for newbies.

Jen

 

[Deb and Pepper]

Honestly the personal contact is NEEDED by newbies. The "We'll help you get through this tough time" is such a confidence builder. We need it to set our minds to taking on this challenge. Just reading doesn't do that.

 

[squeem3]

5. GET THE SPREADSHEET STARTED. I have yet to find a newbie with a spreadsheet started. This is almost always the first thing suggested when newbies come to LL so I take for granted it's that way on all the support groups. Unless it's been fixed in the last 24 hours, something is wrong with the link or the directions that's being given out for it. Whoever has the good link/directions needs to get the bad one fixed.

Cyn is busy at the moment with a recent move to a new city.

Try either of the templates here: https://docs.google.com/templates?q=FDMB+insulin+template&sort=hottest&view=public

You must be logged in to be able to use the Make A Copy option under the File menu. Then follow the rest of the SS intructions on the Tech board to publish your SS and get the correct link to share with others.

 

[KigerKat]

As a newbie who has only been here for a few days, I can understand a bit about where you are coming from. I started one thread, and while I honestly appreciated every response I got, I was a bit overwhelmed. I didn't feel like they were speaking down to me or trying to belittle me in any way, but there were a lot of opinions.

I took everything that they all told me, spoke with my husband and our vet and feel I have a very good plan for our Jack.

I can say that I was more confused and overwhelmed reading former posts. I can definitely understand your comment about the abbreviations, but I saw most of those in the older threads. I think I was able to figure most of them out, but this early in the game we have plenty of time to figure things out. After all, my Jack has only been diagnosed for 6 days!! But I do feel that as newbies, we are on the right track to come to a forum like this and see what real people are doing with their cats to help guide us in our choices. Sure, it's overwhelming, but anything like this would be.

 

[Anonymous]

Let me say this...I don't think a single one of us no matter how great or not so great we felt about our initial posts felt anything but overwhelmed with the learning curve.
I was new 4 years ago and my first post was met with wonderful peeps...many of them still here today. I was so relieved to find I did not have to fight this battle alone. But I too was overwhelmed with the learning curve. I think that is to be expected.
And certainly within a rather small period of time it all comes together.
I was not given a bunch of links to read.
I was offered a house call by a fabulous woman for whom I shall always hold as a saint...I accepted and she arrived that night, newbie kit in hand.
I was off and running then.
Please newbie's...do accept any help that is offered. Whether it be a telephone walk thru to get a spread sheet up and going, a member who lives close by who wants to visit you to show you how to test your kitty (and maybe bring you some needed stuff) or a newbie kit.
It is up to you to ask, slow us down when you don't understand, and accept the help when it is offered.
You can do this. If I can yes you can too. And I now think of myself as somewhat of a feline diabetes expert (some would dissagree) but I find it a most interesting and rewarding chore to teach it to a newbie.
Lori
and tomtom too!

 

[Kathyh]

I hope everyone reads the "letter from you cat" at the top of the Feline Health section. It was one of the BEST things I read at first.

 

[Anonymous]

oh yes Kathy...that should be in the 'must read' catagory.

 

[Melanie and Smokey]

Great post Deb! I like the organization and I think a couple of the advise-givers do structure their posts similar to that with links to the relevant parts of the site for each topic.

It is hard to cull the information, it all important and links together and where you draw line for needed now and needed later may be different for each cat. Example - I didn't need to know about ketone testing, but I've seen cats that were in the ER very shortly after the first post and without that information they could have missed a dangerous situation.

I don't think a newbie can be greeted by too many people though. Seeing success stories help give hope in what is a terrifying and scary situation. I'd hate to see some of the greaters feel like they couldn't contribute so they don't post at all. Some of the best posts from newbies I've seen were where a handful of members stepped in and the member took to the place quite well.

 

[Deb and Pepper]

What I am talking about would only be for the first day or 3, just long enough to get the needed equipment, food, learn how to post, get a spreadsheet up (once it is fixed), learn to home test, and have time to take a deep breath before plunging into everything. With having links to the more in-depth articles ALSO in this section, newbies CAN start all the reading they will need to do, but the pressure of "get it all read by yesterday" won't be there.

About the ketone testing. That SHOULD be something we ALL do right away and regularly. Why let it sneak up on us and become a BIG problem if we can catch it early and get it taken care of before it does become a big problem. Us newbies are here to do whatever we need to for our kitties, it SHOULD be something we do. My yearly "woman's" tests have never showed a negative test but I wouldn't think of NOT having them because I have no family history of it!

About the success stories. Why not put up a page of them (we can each post one) with a link in the newbie page and in the index. I would love to read more of them! It could also solve one of the problems we are talking about here. Instead of putting our stories into newbie posts, we could greet newbies and say "If you want to see Pepper's sucess story, follow this link" and the newbie could read a few, skip a few, and their post wouldn't be 5 miles long to read. Also, us "older newbies" could read them. I'm sure there are a lot of them I will never be able to read unless something like this is started. :sad:

I just thought of another thing that MUST be on this page and should be stressed NOW. "You're not going to "cure/manage" your kitty overnight, if ever. You have a LOT of work ahead of you, but don't worry, we will be here for you every step of the way. " I see something like this in some newbie posts but not all. I came into this thinking I would be able to get Pepper under control in a week and be able to relax into a schedule. Boy was I wrong!

 

[Beth & Atlas]

Tossing this idea out there as this thread develops...

Folks who are willing to provide advice could maybe...

• Use the Quote Function to keep the newbie's question clarified and on topic to their current concerns.
  
  Use italics to highlight the immediate information from a linked sticky or page, so the newbie could reference further information later when the crisis/newness is over.

Example:

How do I regulate my cat? What should I be expecting?

Step 1. Start at a low dose of PZI, Lantus, or Levemir insulin, as recommended by your vet. A conservative starting dose is 1.0-2.0 units, twice per day. If your cat’s blood glucose was less than 400 mg/dl (22.1 mmol/L) at diagnosis, or if your cat is on a low-carbohydrate diet, the starting dose should be only 0.5-1.0 units twice per day. More information can be found here.

 

[Deb and Pepper]

Tossing this idea out there as this thread develops...

Folks who are willing to provide advice could maybe...

• Use the Quote Function to keep the newbie's question clarified and on topic to their current concerns.
  
  Use italics to highlight the immediate information from a linked sticky or page, so the newbie could reference further information later when the crisis/newness is over.

Example:

How do I regulate my cat? What should I be expecting?

Step 1. Start at a low dose of PZI, Lantus, or Levemir insulin, as recommended by your vet. A conservative starting dose is 1.0-2.0 units, twice per day. If your cat’s blood glucose was less than 400 mg/dl (22.1 mmol/L) at diagnosis, or if your cat is on a low-carbohydrate diet, the starting dose should be only 0.5-1.0 units twice per day. More information can be found here.

This is exactly what I had in mind when I started this post. This is perfect! Thank you so much!!!

 

[Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin]

Hi Deb,
This is a fantastic post and a great perspective from the trenches, so to speak.

You are right that we need to get down to basic information. One of my peeves about the Health section currently is all the "announcements" at the top - there are currently 19 and it really makes this introductory section look overwhelming. I remember when I was new and we had a different board set-up I wanted to read everything! And you just can't, not in the beginning. But it's difficult to know what's really important and what isn't.

As for spreadsheets, I sometimes think that is too overwhelming for some newbies because not everyone is as computer literate as others. It's a very helpful tool, but should not be expected in order to help someone. The simple format for posting numbers in a post should be explained so once they start hometesting they can post numbers without a spreadsheet.

Explaining terminology is a good point, although there is an announcement section for that. http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=15885 If we could narrow the number of announcements down to maybe 5 it would make the Health section more inviting and more relevant for newbies. The terminology announcement is a good one to keep.

Those are just some thoughts. I am very glad you brought this perspective up as those of us who've been here a long time sometimes forget how hard it was in the beginning.

 

[Deb and Pepper]

Hi Deb,
This is a fantastic post and a great perspective from the trenches, so to speak.

You are right that we need to get down to basic information. One of my peeves about the Health section currently is all the "announcements" at the top - there are currently 19 and it really makes this introductory section look overwhelming. I remember when I was new and we had a different board set-up I wanted to read everything! And you just can't, not in the beginning. But it's difficult to know what's really important and what isn't.

If you think Health is overwhelming to look at as a newbie, take a look at the Board Index that IS the first thing newbies find. Health isn't the introductory section, the Board Index is.

First time I came to the board, I clicked on the START topic, thinking this is where they will greet me, have the most common faq's, and get me started. Boy was I wrong!!! I had to wade through 7 topics before getting a short greeting that has a negative in it. ("I am concerned that if you get in too deep, too early, you may be discouraged.") No offense, but anything we say to a newbie should be nothing but POSITIVE! "You can do this, we will help you every step of the way."

Two more topic later, I FINALLY find the FAQ's. The topics newbies are looking for is the 8th and 10th topics! And this is a "how to use this board list" not 'how to get started with your kitty's diabetes list"! There is no "Getting Started" topic.

As for spreadsheets, I sometimes think that is too overwhelming for some newbies because not everyone is as computer literate as others. It's a very helpful tool, but should not be expected in order to help someone. The simple format for posting numbers in a post should be explained so once they start hometesting they can post numbers without a spreadsheet.

I totally disagree! Your spreadsheet is your MOST VALUABLE tool in you kitty's treatment!!! Looking at numbers really don't register how well our kitty is doing, they are just numbers, especially for newbies. Seeing them in color immediately show you how well he/she's doing. It takes 600 number and makes them only 5 groups to look for and we are all looking for the green numbers. Not only that, the advisers can glance at the colors and see in an instant how well your kitty is doing. Can you imagine looking at 3 weeks of BG's that are just typed in and trying to figure out what's been happening while the Kitty is struggling with a hypo!!! nailbite_smile

Explaining terminology is a good point, although there is an announcement section for that. http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=15885 If we could narrow the number of announcements down to maybe 5 it would make the Health section more inviting and more relevant for newbies. The terminology announcement is a good one to keep.

A lot of topics could be moved to a Newbie page that are sprinkled all over the whole site. As it is right now a newbie (everyone for that matter) has to search the whole site to find what they are looking for. If you don't know which group to look in, you ARE searching the whole site!

Those are just some thoughts. I am very glad you brought this perspective up as those of us who've been here a long time sometimes forget how hard it was in the beginning.

:lol: It's that way for everything in life. The experienced people forget how long it took them to gain their knowledge and how hard it was to get it. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[doombuggy]

Hi Deb,
This is a fantastic post and a great perspective from the trenches, so to speak.

You are right that we need to get down to basic information. One of my peeves about the Health section currently is all the "announcements" at the top - there are currently 19 and it really makes this introductory section look overwhelming. I remember when I was new and we had a different board set-up I wanted to read everything! And you just can't, not in the beginning. But it's difficult to know what's really important and what isn't.

If you think Health is overwhelming to look at as a newbie, take a look at the Board Index that IS the first thing newbies find. Health isn't the introductory section, the Board Index is.

First time I came to the board, I clicked on the START topic, thinking this is where they will greet me, have the most common faq's, and get me started. Boy was I wrong!!! I had to wade through 7 topics before getting a short greeting that has a negative in it. ("I am concerned that if you get in too deep, too early, you may be discouraged.") No offense, but anything we say to a newbie should be nothing but POSITIVE! "You can do this, we will help you every step of the way."

Two more topic later, I FINALLY find the FAQ's. The topics newbies are looking for is the 8th and 10th topics! And this is a "how to use this board list" not 'how to get started with your kitty's diabetes list"! There is no "Getting Started" topic.

Regarding your "no getting started topic" comment, have you looked here: http://www.felinediabetes.com/
While I am not as new as you, this is where I went first.

I do agree that maybe the message board needs to be reorganized. As I mentioned in another post, I am a modorator on an unofficial Disney message board (which has a website too) and I want to post a link so that you can see how it was set up:
http://tellnotales.yuku.com/directory
Notice that the first forum is all FAQs and announcements. Please note that I was asked by my friend who is an admin of this site to become a mod in 2006, so I didn't have any say in the set up, nor do I know how to make any changes to it. Rita, one of my friends who has 4 cats, 2 with kidney problems, is the admin, but is currently experiencing serious medical problems, so I don't feel comfortable with asking her any questions about "how tos" regarding the admin side of the MB. Note there are some private forums that you cannot see here. They are for moderators.
I really need to go get ready for work. Good luck.

 

[Beth & Atlas]

T

As for spreadsheets, I sometimes think that is too overwhelming for some newbies because not everyone is as computer literate as others. It's a very helpful tool, but should not be expected in order to help someone. The simple format for posting numbers in a post should be explained so once they start hometesting they can post numbers without a spreadsheet.

I totally disagree! Your spreadsheet is your MOST VALUABLE tool in you kitty's treatment!!! Looking at numbers really don't register how well our kitty is doing, they are just numbers, especially for newbies. Seeing them in color immediately show you how well he/she's doing. It takes 600 number and makes them only 5 groups to look for and we are all looking for the green numbers. Not only that, the advisers can glance at the colors and see in an instant how well your kitty is doing. Can you imagine looking at 3 weeks of BG's that are just typed in and trying to figure out what's been happening while the Kitty is struggling with a hypo!!! nailbite_smile

There are two schools of thought on this particular topic. I for one absolutely dislike Google for a number of reasons unrelated to the discussion of diabetes management, but I finally signed up for an account to put a SS up. It took me well over 6 months to finally relent. I tend to be a Privacy OCD person and being on Google was just too far for me at the time.

That said, I am also an oldie...not a newbie. I was on this site long ago before there was such a thing as the Google SS. We used to post our numbers in our profile pages on this site, not anything on Google. And when we would help someone we could quickly flip to their profile to evaluate what was going on.

So, from my standpoint when I returned and was deluged with insistence on having a Google SS, it was a total turn-off. Those who were willing to help me, worked with me and my old fashioned excel sheets.

Having a newbie trying to read up on Hypos, assemble kits, get meters, learn to use said meters etc. and setting up a SS...I got really aggravated last year. And I've been here ...done that!

While the SS does prove to be an awesome tool, I think a newbie either maintaining a single thread for a few days and then setting up a ss or posting numbers in the first post of the day as a recap is fine.

If we're going to insist a newbie have a SS, perhaps the person doing the insisting should set it up for them and then link over to it with the technical instructions.

Hi So and So....

I started a SpreadSheet for you to help you visualize how kitty is doing. You can find your SS at the following [link]. I have PM'd you the password and instructions for putting the SS in your signature line.

 

[Deb and Pepper]

Hi Deb,
This is a fantastic post and a great perspective from the trenches, so to speak.

You are right that we need to get down to basic information. One of my peeves about the Health section currently is all the "announcements" at the top - there are currently 19 and it really makes this introductory section look overwhelming. I remember when I was new and we had a different board set-up I wanted to read everything! And you just can't, not in the beginning. But it's difficult to know what's really important and what isn't.

If you think Health is overwhelming to look at as a newbie, take a look at the Board Index that IS the first thing newbies find. Health isn't the introductory section, the Board Index is.

First time I came to the board, I clicked on the START topic, thinking this is where they will greet me, have the most common faq's, and get me started. Boy was I wrong!!! I had to wade through 7 topics before getting a short greeting that has a negative in it. ("I am concerned that if you get in too deep, too early, you may be discouraged.") No offense, but anything we say to a newbie should be nothing but POSITIVE! "You can do this, we will help you every step of the way."

Two more topic later, I FINALLY find the FAQ's. The topics newbies are looking for is the 8th and 10th topics! And this is a "how to use this board list" not 'how to get started with your kitty's diabetes list"! There is no "Getting Started" topic.

Regarding your "no getting started topic" comment, have you looked here: http://www.felinediabetes.com/
While I am not as new as you, this is where I went first.

I do agree that maybe the message board needs to be reorganized. As I mentioned in another post, I am a modorator on an unofficial Disney message board (which has a website too) and I want to post a link so that you can see how it was set up:
http://tellnotales.yuku.com/directory
Notice that the first forum is all FAQs and announcements. Please note that I was asked by my friend who is an admin of this site to become a mod in 2006, so I didn't have any say in the set up, nor do I know how to make any changes to it. Rita, one of my friends who has 4 cats, 2 with kidney problems, is the admin, but is currently experiencing serious medical problems, so I don't feel comfortable with asking her any questions about "how tos" regarding the admin side of the MB. Note there are some private forums that you cannot see here. They are for moderators.
I really need to go get ready for work. Good luck.

No, I haven't seen that page before. I followed a link from another site to get to FDMB and it took me to the Index Board. That's where I started.

 

[Deb and Pepper]

If we're going to insist a newbie have a SS, perhaps the person doing the insisting should set it up for them and then link over to it with the technical instructions.

Hi So and So....

I started a SpreadSheet for you to help you visualize how kitty is doing. You can find your SS at the following [link]. I have PM'd you the password and instructions for putting the SS in your signature line.

This is a TERRIFIC idea! I have VERY little experience in Excel, (but I'm learning fast) and I did manage to get one started but only after someone else called me and we went through it over the phone. Having them "ready made" would be great and it would be one less stressful thing for us newbies to "deal" with. Thanks for the idea.