Sometimes we make mistakes

Two months ago, when we launched Inspire 2.0, we added a group called 'Team Inspire'. We did this with the best intentions: we wanted the group to be a space for new members to get oriented, ask questions and make friends.

But we made a mistake about the way we introduced the group. We automatically subscribed everyone to it. This meant that you began to receive regular e-mail with updates from Team Inspire, and that resulted in a lot of confusion. Some of you told us that this extra group was distracting, and some of you said that it made the site feel less personal, because you wanted to focus on one particular subject. Some of you were angry. You told us that you that you didn't appreciate being signed up for something you didn't ask for.

And that was our mistake. Our guiding principle is to let you decide what you want to do, and how you want to participate. We should not have automatically included you in something you didn't necessarily want to receive. We always try to use our best judgment, and this time we got it wrong.

So, based on your feedback, we've unsubscribed you from the Team Inspire group if you're a member of one of our partner sponsored groups. Everything else remains the same. If you posted previously in Team Inspire, we kept you in the group so that you can follow up on your posts without hassle. If you ever wish to re-join the Team Inspire group, or if you're still a member of the group and wish to leave it, you can click here to change your membership. We're also going to give the group a new name in the future, to make its purpose clearer.

You may have noticed another change we made earlier this week. We expanded the e-mail activity summary messages that help you keep up with the conversations in your groups. We removed the limit on the number of items that appear in the message, and expanded the message to include all posts with new replies. Your activity summary message will now give you a complete picture of the activity in your groups, just like it used to. We made this change based on your feedback, and we think you'll like the new activity summary.

We strive to continuously improve this site for you, and to be supportive in every way. Please keep telling us what's important to you. Most of the ideas for improving this site come from you.

Thank you,
Brian

By Jessie3
Posted May 27, 2008 at 10:25 am
Report post

In the fall of 06 I was assaulted by a student leaving me with many issues to deal with and learn to live with. I have been left with severe pain from torticolis/ cervical dystonia, and cognitive issues. At times my brain feels like it is under water. If you didn't bring me with you, I probably wouldn't have found you. Please continue to bring me along wherever you go. Thank you for providing me with information that I couldn't find anywhere else. Jessie

By IVAMOM
Posted May 27, 2008 at 8:00 am
Report post

Brian,
Thank you for putting forth a lot of effort to make this sight possible. I am sure it is no easy task. Thogh I am interested in organic acidemias, I have a fonder appreciation for what others are going through and it has raised my awareness to just how many other groups are out there.
Thanks again !

By mery
Posted May 27, 2008 at 7:02 am
Report post

I am new here. I have joined 3 groups, and I dont have any trouble knowing which post belongs to which group as when I visit "My Groups", it tells me if there is anything new. Then I simply go to that group. I am enjoying the site alot, and just wanted to say thanks for all the hard work.

By Nikkis
Posted May 26, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Report post

Brian
If it wasn't for this site I don't know what I would have done. It has been this site that has kept me where I need to be as far as keeping it all together. I would have lost my mind long ago if it wasn't for all of your hard work. So what if we get information on some other site. Even if you don't have that illness, you can still come across some really good friends from them. Do keep up the good work and try to be easy on my feble mind when you do the changes that you have talked on. My brain only works just so fast, so please don't rush it.

Nikki

By mgraper1
Posted May 26, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Report post

Brian
yes, I do think you (Team Inspire) has made some mistakes. Our group is not very happy with the changes. What do you intend to change about it now?

I think that the confusion arose from grouping all the groups together. It is hard to tell which postings are specific to individual groups.

Surely, you will find a better way to facilitate us.

By Emily1
Posted May 26, 2008 at 11:15 am
Report post

Brian, you didn't make any mistakes. It was just trial and error. Thanks for all your hard work. I love the feature showing replies. This place just keeps getting better and better.

By MMB
Posted May 26, 2008 at 10:50 am
Report post

Hi Brian
I was confused at first because I had started with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network and we used to have a chat on Sunday nights, then that went into this website with no chats but discussion which was an adjustment but I do have to say I am grateful I got to see all the other conditions.

I now know where to look into things if ever need be, it is nice to know we are in a way all one struggling to be survivors and live life to the best quality there is.

Thank you, I don't think you made a mistake you helped to educate me. Thank you

MMB (Mariann(

By Shar815
Posted May 26, 2008 at 10:39 am
Report post

Brian, Thanks for all that you have done for all of us on this site. Keep up the great work. It has done wonders for my sanity even though I dont interact that much on the site. Shar

By loonym
Posted May 26, 2008 at 4:20 am
Report post

Bah, it's like a nothing. I still post and read the group I want. It's all good. You offer a wonderful service for multi-phobics like myself who would never go to a REAL support group :D

By LaGata
Posted May 25, 2008 at 11:41 am
Report post

How do you choose the group topics? I know there is a need for a small goup of people out there that have or had a child with SMA, Spinal Muscle Atrophy. This is a genetic disorder that steals the lives of infants and small children.

My nephew and his wife lost a beautiful little boy with this horrible condition and I was totally unaware of what it is until we learned the hard way.

I'm sure a site that could offer suggestions on how to deal with hardships that go along with caring for it's little victims would be welcomed. It's not a well known "disease" as it was only identified and named in 1996 or 97 but possibly affects more than the doctors even realize, at this point.

Thank you for all that you do. Your site is exceptional in all that it does.

By TexRose
Posted May 25, 2008 at 11:02 am
Report post

Yes, thank you Brian and Beth for all you do for Womenheart.org. But, I am still a bit confused. You received several thank you's recently but most of them were from apparently other TeamInspire sites as I recognized very little heart sister respondants. Also, I noticed one poster to the heart site that took the liberty to take posts from womenheart.org and add to his personal site without permission. I thought when joining back in 2004 (yes that is when I originally signed up) that our postings were sacred and secure. Clinicahealth saw to this. It seems everything is still mingled altogether whether you have a heart problem or a toe problem. Please enlighten me...(-: Thanks again.
TR

By kareno
Posted May 25, 2008 at 1:23 am
Report post

I did not understand what is happening now! I don't always understand and would like to know how to continue with Women's Heart. That was my original group and I would like to stay there. Kareno

By renadelrio
Posted May 24, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Report post

Thanks for this site. I really appreciate it and am learning so much about this sarcoid disease. I am relatively new here about 2months and am very happy with it.

By Jolene
Posted May 24, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Report post

Change is never easy for people. That doesn't mean it isn't good! It awakens the sleeping soul to realize there are many who suffer a multitude of issues, not just lung cancer. God Bless you for all you do for us. Jolene

By lpavey
Posted May 24, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Report post

Brian, I am so sorry you are getting negative feedback. You help me keep my sanity. I have sarcoidosis and nobody understands but people going through it. You cannot believe how much this site helps. I live in a small town and my doctors are 8 hours away and this site is a godsend. Thank you so much. Lori

By ldyblessed
Posted May 24, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Report post

my son have this disease sar.COID.YOUR websit really help me in so many way so whatever u design this site I still love u for doing this .It help me to understand what going on .and most of all knowing that I am not along.My son went for another mri today but I am just so blessed to have him here with me .So please kept the good work up THANK U SO MUCH

By balihigh
Posted May 24, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Report post

I appreciated the new format and found friends with it that I would not have known existed. I notice that I will continue to receive both as you said in your letter since I had contributed outside my area.

Remember that you usually hear from the dissatisfied more than the contented. Like Abe Lincoln, you can't please all the people all the time. You do a good job and I am happy to be a part of this site.

Thank you. Balihigh

By verlinda
Posted May 24, 2008 at 11:14 am
Report post

I can't tell you how much these websites have done for me. As I age, I have more friends with conditions I've never encountered. Not only do the websites help me with my fight against ovarian cancer, they give me a starting point for understanding my friends' needs. Equally important, they also gives me people who understand me and know exactly where I'm coming from and provide support I can get no where else.

Thanks again for all you do.

Welcome to Inspire!

Explore topics in this journal entry and replies:

34 replies

You