Disappearing posts

[Chu]

I am referring to an email which I managed to get through via a reply to

That is not my name nor avatar name, so I'm not sure why that name would be on my forum account. It's not really a big deal.

That was probably me trying to go too fast, sorry! During that period (December), we get A LOT of emails regarding the Xmas goodies and such, so I send out about 100 emails in one day. I confused you with someone else or did a wrong copy&paste move. Apologies! That's human error, nothing more.

I too see all your posts... Have you tried going to your profile? In there, you should see 1500 and some posts, and if you click on the tab "postings", you should see them all.

That said, if there are posts belonging in the private board, it's normal that you don't see them, because you were removed from that section after months of inactivity. That is our normal policy, but it doesn't mean you cannot be back if you become active again.

Surely they know every avatars real name and email.

I can't speak for everyone, but we have thousands of people in our mailing lists, the forum, sott, etc. I can't remember everyone for sure.

Like I said, I've been here for 15 years and it's surprising to me that it all went unnoticed. Guess my contributions were not memorable in any significant way for my absence to be noticed.

On the contrary. We would like to be able to "personalize" things a bit more, but please understand that, as it is, we have our plates quite full, and people come and go all the time. We can't go "after them" if they don't give any news, don't post, etc. So, we assume that they are not interested, and that if they are, they will ask. And they do, like you are doing now.

Just to be clear that nothing here was personal, although I understand why you may see it that way if you are dealing with other struggles in life. I hope you see that you are welcome to participate and network again! Our condolences on your mother's passing, and all the very best to your son. That must be very difficult.

 

[stellar]

I too see all your posts... Have you tried going to your profile? In there, you should see 1500 and some posts, and if you click on the tab "postings", you should see them all.

'There are no messages on stellar's profile yet.' That's all I get other than the recent few days of activity.

I can't speak for everyone, but we have thousands of people in our mailing lists, the forum, sott, etc. I can't remember everyone for sure.

I don't imagine you would. I just thought that due to the nature of the message in the email it may have warranted a little bit of looking into as in, hey, this message is a little unusual maybe we can get someone to take a little closer look and attempt some clarification.
It certainly cannot all be up to the moderators to do this work. If we are truly a united network I would imagine one or more members may question, even in passing, member such and such hasn't been around for awhile, has anyone noticed or heard anything.

On the contrary. We would like to be able to "personalize" things a bit more, but please understand that, as it is, we have our plates quite full, and people come and go all the time. We can't go "after them" if they don't give any news, don't post, etc. So, we assume that they are not interested, and that if they are, they will ask. And they do, like you are doing now.

If anything happens to a forum member we sometimes may need to reach out to clarify if they are absent voluntarily or is something wrong. That's usually what a family would do. As things stand, the automaton registers prolonged absence and deletes them. That does not instil as much confidence about networking, again, from my perspective. It just adds more veracity to my view that virtual 'connections' are not as easy to maintain as physical.

We know that there is always a possibility of internet problems and this could happen to any one of our long term members. Do we do nothing because some come and go all the time? Do we see them as an expendable part of the network? Maybe we delegate a couple of people to handle a couple of extra plates when things get too busy. Maybe assuming instead of asking is not always helpful.

I never expected my email to reach you as I resorted to using a merchandise order email. Last resort. When I attempted to log in for the umpteenth time a google chrome help thing popped up. That's apparently how I managed to clear some cookies or whatever and it worked. IT technicians charge around 400 bucks to come out, way out of my budget as is a new computer, for now. And no, I don't have anyone who could have helped.

Just to be clear that nothing here was personal, although I understand why you may see it that way if you are dealing with other struggles in life. I hope you see that you are welcome to participate and network again! Our condolences on your mother's passing, and all the very best to your son. That must be very difficult.

I actually did not take it personally. I did, however, think that at some point we all just become a number. My life did not end because I could not participate although it may have been a little easier to be able to share and get another perspective. Regardless, I will, as usual dust myself off and keep putting one foot in front of the other and continue to network.

Thank you all for your condolences.

 

[Jones]

'There are no messages on stellar's profile yet.' That's all I get other than the recent few days of activity.

Stellar, can you clarify exactly what actions you're taking to get that message? It seems as though you're looking at profile messages instead of posts or something.

Here is the first post you made on the forum on Jan 3, 2010

Hi Laura, as always, I appreciate your special insights and opinions so I hoped you may have time to send me your perspective on an experience I had a while ago during meditation. I think it had something to do with changes in my vibration/perception but with a zap. I found myself in a crimson cave with what looked like an altar covered with crimson cloth and on it sat a crystal skull. Without fear or hesitation I placed my physical hands on the skull and felt such a rush that I can only compare it to placing ones head out of the window of a speeding vehicle. In that moment the cave was filled with a pastel rainbow colours,all of them, and I just floated upward slowly with a feeling of constant exhilaration but my physical body remained below with hands on skull. Later I found myself on the floor of an uncompleted white temple, big round pillars already erected, when I was struck by lightning and it was even more ecstatic and no pain at all.Again the colours all around me. I was completely aware but my physical body was totally inanimate and unresponsive to my husbands touch and indiscernible words. I relaxed more and then I opened my eyes and I was back out of the meditation. I can only guess what it all means but I have a sense that it may be significant as my meditations did not used to be so vivid and detailed. I would not like to think that it was just a dream of sorts. What would your interpretation be? Thank you, Stellar

If you click on the arrow next to your name in that post, it should take you back to the original.

In addition to the instructions that Kiet gave here, each time you work your way back through to the 10th page listed, or you can go directly to the 10th page by clicking on it, there will also be this icon to load more pages:

 

[Carl]

'There are no messages on stellar's profile yet.' That's all I get other than the recent few days of activity.

You are looking at the wrong section. When you open your profile, click "Postings", location shown in the red square below:




Then posts will show:

 

[stellar]

Stellar, can you clarify exactly what actions you're taking to get that message? It seems as though you're looking at profile messages instead of posts or something.

I was looking at profile posts and latest activity.

You are looking at the wrong section. When you open your profile, click "Postings", location shown in the red square below:

Aaand there it is. Oh, my goodness. Yes, I can see them now. I was interpreting 'go to your postings' as profile posts.
Thank you!

 

[Deliverance]

I find them here, on your profile

https://cassiopaea.org/forum/members/stellar.4706/
and "Find"

 

[Meg]

Hi Stellar,

I am glad you are back on the forum, posting and networking. I just wanted to point something out to you and it's not meant to be harsh at all, but to offer food for thought. When I read your posts above, I put myself in your shoes. I've been a member of this forum since 2007, so 17 years. And I would not let 10 months go by without taking every action I could to figure out how to get logged in to this network. My question is why did you let 10 months go by? I realize you had some computer and personal issues and it must be (have been) tough.

I think you may have taken it personally. Again, if I put myself in your shoes, that would be my state of mind. Your posts read to me like you are blaming the network for your lack of action. I'd go to the wall and annoy everyone until I got an answer. That may be extreme, but that's what I'd do.

 

[Chu]

Glad to see that you can see the posts now. And just a few things to add to what Meg wrote:

I don't imagine you would. I just thought that due to the nature of the message in the email it may have warranted a little bit of looking into as in, hey, this message is a little unusual maybe we can get someone to take a little closer look and attempt some clarification.

But we DID check, and replied suggesting that you try another browser, and you never followed up. So, I figured you had resolved it.

It certainly cannot all be up to the moderators to do this work. If we are truly a united network I would imagine one or more members may question, even in passing, member such and such hasn't been around for awhile, has anyone noticed or heard anything.

Sometimes they do, sometimes not. How many members do you follow closely in order to know how long it has been since they have posted? It's not so easy with so many people.

If anything happens to a forum member we sometimes may need to reach out to clarify if they are absent voluntarily or is something wrong. That's usually what a family would do. As things stand, the automaton registers prolonged absence and deletes them. That does not instil as much confidence about networking, again, from my perspective. It just adds more veracity to my view that virtual 'connections' are not as easy to maintain as physical.

Yes, that is true to a large extent. However, we have also tried the reach out approach, but sometimes we noticed that it wasn't a good thing. Depending on the person, they don't want to be contacted, and we need to respect that. Or they say they do, but then disappear again, showing that their interests lie somewhere else. So, we tend to let people be for the most part. Free will and all.

We know that there is always a possibility of internet problems and this could happen to any one of our long term members. Do we do nothing because some come and go all the time? Do we see them as an expendable part of the network? Maybe we delegate a couple of people to handle a couple of extra plates when things get too busy. Maybe assuming instead of asking is not always helpful.

I think you are coloring what happened a bit. See above. "Expendable" is not how I would describe it. But in a sense, yes, we ALL are. If no energy is put into the network, no energy circulates back.

I actually did not take it personally. I did, however, think that at some point we all just become a number. My life did not end because I could not participate although it may have been a little easier to be able to share and get another perspective. Regardless, I will, as usual dust myself off and keep putting one foot in front of the other and continue to network.

I'm sorry that you felt that way, stellar, but like others pointed out, there are several ways in which you yourself could have reached out. If you look at it from another perspective, we could ask the same thing about people who go away: Are we "expendable", irrelevant, just another website to visit, etc. ? I hope this helps a bit. It's better not to think it black and white terms, because things are often a bit more nuanced than that.

 

[T.C.]

As things stand, the automaton registers prolonged absence and deletes them. That does not instil as much confidence about networking

Networking is interaction with the group. Prolonged absence is lack of networking. How does deleting someone for not networking not "instil as much confidence about networking"?

Surely it's the opposite. Anyone who has been here long enough and paid a modicum of attention knows that when members stop interacting, their accounts get removed after a while. Knowing that should then provide an incentive for members to interact regularly. If they value the network, anyway. The only reason one wouldn't know that is if one isn't really interested in the other members, and so has never noticed it.

If I had a group of intimate friends IRL, and I stopped calling and meeting up with them, then I think it would be reasonable to expect them to check in on me. But a forum with thousands of members? In that case I'd say the onus is more on the member to send a message through the many different possible channels to say, "Hey, I'm taking some time away" or something like that.

 

[daddycat]

I was looking at profile posts and latest activity.

Aaand there it is. Oh, my goodness. Yes, I can see them now. I was interpreting 'go to your postings' as profile posts.
Thank you!

Perhaps you might consider apologizing?

 

[stellar]

there are several ways in which you yourself could have reached out.

Anyone who has been here long enough and paid a modicum of attention knows that when members stop interacting, their accounts get removed after a while. Knowing that should then provide an incentive for members to interact regularly. If they value the network, anyway. The only reason one wouldn't know that is if one isn't really interested in the other members, and so has never noticed it.

I don't know how much more clearly I can explain that I could not access your site to communicate, among a few other health and news sites, because they were considered unsafe according to whoever decides this. My email was not accessible for some time also. I have also said that I know very little about computers and things you may consider easy regarding this technology, is not that way for me.

If I valued the network I would find a way, yeah? Well, it took a while and I did. It came at a cost but I didn't give up.

If I had a group of intimate friends IRL, and I stopped calling and meeting up with them, then I think it would be reasonable to expect them to check in on me. But a forum with thousands of members?

In that sense, my impression of being a number is not so inaccurate, is it. I also did not notify that I would be taking any time out because that was not my intention.

But we DID check, and replied suggesting that you try another browser, and you never followed up.

Because I couldn't reply.

How many members do you follow closely

I generally follow posts and topics, not members. Am I supposed to have a clique group? I don't know. I have no social media accounts, though I understand that following is a thing on these.

Yes, that is true to a large extent. However, we have also tried the reach out approach, but sometimes we noticed that it wasn't a good thing. Depending on the person, they don't want to be contacted, and we need to respect that. Or they say they do, but then disappear again, showing that their interests lie somewhere else. So, we tend to let people be for the most part. Free will and all.

Look, I'm not upset and I am not blaming or accusing anyone. I voiced some frustration about the situation that it was so difficult, for me, to resolve and it took so long. It naturally brought up some doubts which I have worked through. Should I have said nothing and just showed up and continue like nothing happened?
I had technical issues, family issues, sorted them gradually and came back. I don't see a purpose in blowing this out of proportion. If you don't want me here just say so.

Perhaps you might consider apologizing?

For what, exactly?

 

[brandon]

If you don't want me here just say so.

Just wanted to say that I saw nothing in Chu's post that in any way suggested this. The reason I'm telling you is that, IMO if you DID see that implied in her words, possibly your "reading instrument" is off, i.e. you might be running a mental program, some kind of "people don't want me here" program which makes you interpret their words in that more negative way than they were intended. That's how it seems to me anyway! (I think I remember getting the same vibe from you in the global mud flood thread... might be something worth examining in yourself as and when you can..)

I generally follow posts and topics, not members. Am I supposed to have a clique group? I don't know. I have no social media accounts, though I understand that following is a thing on these.

Not to speak for Chu, but I think what she meant was - if some other regular forum member - anyone at all - stopped visiting, how long would it take YOU to notice, decide it was irregular & try to find out what'd happened? She's not *telling you to* closely follow more members (and she doesn't mean "follow" as in a specific thing like, clicking on a "follow" button - rather it means "regularly pay attention to").... She's illustrating that nobody can keep up with *everyone* on such a large forum.

I THINK you might have been implying that your expectation was that the forum admins (as opposed to plain old regular members) would or should try to closely follow everyone? Understandable expectation, but also understandable that that's not really possible in a thorough way, everyone has busy lives right, and we're all responsible for ourselves.... (BTW I have seen multiple times when someone stopped posting, after a while someone noticed and asked about them and followed it up if possible. So it does happen!)...

Maybe sending a letter through snail mail is the way to go when all your internets stop working :) Cassiopaea chain letter!?

 

[brandon]

PS can totally understand how incredibly frustrating it'd be when your computer won't do what you need it to do & you don't know computer stuff. A couple people in my family are like, 0% computer knowledge, and when something goes wrong - ESPECIALLY when compounded by other terrible things happening in their life at the time - the computer may as well be an alien artifact to them, they just sort of freeze even thinking about it, important emails gone unchecked, etc etc, for months sometimes.. So I do get that. If you ever have the time, energy & wish to learn some things which might help (which would require posting in great specifics about the exact problems with the computer, for diagnostics) please do ask. I've not yet found a computer problem I couldn't figure out with enough fiddling around...

 

[stellar]

Just wanted to say that I saw nothing in Chu's post that in any way suggested this.

It was a general statement, if I am creating noise or distraction. Certainly not aimed personally at Chu.

possibly your "reading instrument" is off, i.e. you might be running a mental program, some kind of "people don't want me here" program which makes you interpret their words in that more negative way than they were intended.

No. I just don't want to waste anyone's time or belabour the topic.

That's how it seems to me anyway! (I think I remember getting the same vibe from you in the global mud flood thread... might be something worth examining in yourself as and when you can..)

That topic brought some frustration in that no one showed any interest in looking into it more deeply. I continued on my own and stopped talking about it. Maybe too much is being read into it. Dunno.

She's illustrating that nobody can keep up with *everyone* on such a large forum.

Sure. I accept that. Some threads or posts are of more interest to some members while not so much to others. I guess that is where a more common interaction occurs.
Similarly, people who are in or have had personal contact with the Fellowship communities are again at another level of awareness and knowledge of one another and it trails off from there for the most part, so it stands to reason that no one can follow everyone. A sort of diluted acquaintance if you will. This is where my term 'a number' comes from. Not all students in one school know each other or every face, yeah?

I THINK you might have been implying that your expectation was that the forum admins (as opposed to plain old regular members) would or should try to closely follow everyone? Understandable expectation, but also understandable that that's not really possible in a thorough way, everyone has busy lives right, and we're all responsible for ourselves.... (BTW I have seen multiple times when someone stopped posting, after a while someone noticed and asked about them and followed it up if possible. So it does happen!)...

I have no expectations from anyone in the forum. I misunderstood how some things work or don't but other than that it's pretty much all clear.

Maybe sending a letter through snail mail is the way to go when all your internets stop working :) Cassiopaea chain letter!?

They should get it by next Xmas.

 

[stellar]

Just letting you know that it is still happening:

[Attackers might be trying to steal your information from cassiopaea.org (for example, passwords, messages, or credit cards). Learn more

NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID]

and I'm doing what I can to keep posting.