The Chat Room: A place to talk about this and that

@sunnyflower @jakedduck1 and @jesfactsmon. Here is post 2 of 3

Many of the functionalities that you are looking for on Mayo Clinic Connect exist, such as search and profiles. However, these same functionalities have limitations. That's why the tech team who develop this platform are constantly updating various features. Simple put, we are a victim of our own success. The Connect community has over 100,000 members. The system needs to adapt as the community grows and evolves. The two biggest current problem areas are:

1. Search: Work is continuing again (after a COVID stall) on improving Connect's search functionality. With so many groups (65+), expert blogs and Video Q&As, and literally thousands of discussions, we want people to find what they're looking for quickly. We've got some pretty darn smart developers and search experts working on this. More to come on that.

2. Email notifications: the original system was built for a new, inactive community to keep people up to date when there was activity. Connect has no shortage of activity. Thus many many members are increasingly frustrated by a) the overwhelming number of emails and b) the lack of relevancy to their medical conditions and the things they want to talk about. Improvements will include tailoring of the email notifications and making it easier to subscribe to only the stuff you want. This exists now, but it's clumsy.

Here are some relevant articles and helpful tips to help you get the most out of the site now even with its bumps and warts:
- How to Search on Connect - It can help you! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/search-it-can-help-you/

- How to Set Notification Preferences https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/#notification-preferences

- The Mayo Connect Digest: How to make to most of it https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/the-mayo-connect-digest-how-to-make-to-most-of-it/

- How to add Connect to your Safe Senders List https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/what-to-do-if-you-arent-getting-connect-email-notifications-anymore/

And finally the third and final installment - 3 of 3. @sunnyflower @jakedduck1 and @jesfactsmon

Mayo Clinic Connect is designed using something called "responsive design." That means that you can use the website no matter which device you are on: desktop, laptop, tablet or phone. Having said that a few things look different on a mobile device than a computer. For example the menu. See the image below to see the mobile menu.

Did you know that the 3 horizontal lines on mobile websites, the menu (☰) symbol, are referred to as the hamburger menu? Cute, eh?

Profiles
Each member has a profile. As you have all noted, the profile can provide helpful information for yourself and for others. One of the features that will be introduced to Connect early 2021 will be the ability to sort the activity (posts) within a profile: to sort by group and date. You're absolutely right that once a member has posted more than 100 posts, it is virtually impossible to scroll through to the first post. I'd like to see my first post. I wonder who was the first member I replied to? What was our conversation like? Are they still around?

In the meantime, profiles as they function today still provide valuable information. Here are some helpful articles to describe more.

- What can you learn from a profile: yours or a fellow member’s? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/what-can-you-learn-from-a-profile-yours-or-a-fellow-members/
- How to Update Your Profile https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/how-to-update-your-profile/
- Tips for Participating in an Online Community https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/tips-for-participating-in-an-online-community/

@colleenyoung

Wow, 100,000 members? Do you ever deactivate anyone, such as someone who has not posted in say ten years?

This set of 3 posts has a LOT of info in it. I have learned as much today as any day since I started back in January. For example, I had no idea so much was accessible from the BOTTOM of a page. I hardly ever payed any attention to the bottom. That was my own myopic fault! But thanks for pointing it out. Also, I am going to reread your 3 posts.

Overall I think Connect is an AMAZING utility. Pretty sophisticated in a lot of important ways. However, I think the one thing that has truly frustrated me the most is the thing which you mention as likely to be addressed early next year, i.e. the current inability to access any user's historical posts. At least I hope that is what's coming. Often I think to myself, "This person seems interesting, I wonder if they detailed their full story back early on in their time on Connect?" This functionality will reduce the number of times a user will have to repeat their full story to someone as they soon will be able to provide a link to it from an earlier post. That will actually be an exciting improvement!

Thanks Colleen, your 3 info posts are VERY appreciated. A great effort! Hank

Hello Colleen,
You are really full of knowledge. I appreciate that. What I find helpful for some info that is good knowledge is to take notes and date the notes. This way I could go back to my notes.
Being a retired bacteriologist, most of the issues people have, I never heard of in college, or the hospital setting I worked in, so much is a learning experience for me, as more conditions are recognized today then ever before.
Most doctors years ago would mostly tell the female patients, it’s all in their head. Years ago I warned my doctor cousins, do not ever say that to a patient. Their problems are real.
Funcountess

That is a good idea, @funcountess. I've never seen a feature like that on a community platform (and I know a lot of them).
I know that other members like to take notes and keep track of certain pieces of information they learned or discussions. They've shared with me that they keep a document on their computer like a Word document or a Google document, and add information to it. When they wish to reference a particular discussion or comment, they insert the discussion or comment URL (link). Each group, discussion and reply or comment has a unique URL. For example, here are the links for this discussion. It is in the
- Just Want to Talk group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/other/
- The Chat Room discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/the-chat-room-a-place-to-talk-about-this-and-that/
- Your message in the discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/the-chat-room-a-place-to-talk-about-this-and-that/?pg=3#comment-434687

@colleenyoung Is there a room for Osteoarthritis only

@lioness
Hello Linda,
This is the best I can find.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/arthritis-and-joint-conditions-268850/?utm_campaign=search
Take care,
Jake

Yes, @lioness there is here:
- Osteoarthritis: Let's connect and support each other https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/osteoarthritis-3/

@jakedduck1 is right that it is in the Bones, Joints & Muscles group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/arthritis-and-joint-conditions-268850/). Here's how I used search to find the specific discussion group for OA.

Using a desktop or laptop (not mobile device):
1. Click the search icon (magnifying glass) in the upper navigation.
2. Enter search term "Osteoarthritis"
3. Select Discussion from the filter on the right hand side.
4. Click APPLY FILTER
The search results show all discussions that have the search term in the title and/or the first post.

@colleenyoung
So the search features are more advanced using a desk/laptop?
Thank you,
Jake

Thx so much Colleen! @jesfactsmon @jakedduck1 Warm regards, Sunnyflower