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hey nikki how about we delete the irrelevant ehelps (HOW DO I GET BUFF IN A WEEK) so it doesn't seem like so much

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Hah, I delete any crappy ones I come across. But most of them are genuine ones which don't need to be gotten rid of.

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.:Faut souffrir pour etre belle:.
He still gives me the butterflies - [06.07.07] ♥
She was everything beautiful and different

I know that many people here have their own lives and own problems and such. I completely sympathize with you all because things are extremely rough for me right now as well. However, something needs to be done with this eHelp system.

I mean, the amount of unanswered eHelps is just absolutely incredible. I mentioned in my topic yesterday that I am not expecting everyone to answer ten eHelps a day. I know that is impossible to do and that is not what I am expecting at all. I know that I am one of the newer Support Leaders and therefore do not know what has happened in the past in regards to eHelps but I don't know. It's just really sad when you see 25 or 30 unanswered eHelps.

I totally understand that there aren't enough dedicated members to reply to not only the eHelps but also reply to topics in the Serious Forum.  It's really unfortunate, though.  I agree with the other members who feel that the eHelp system needs to be reconsidered and maybe some minor changes would be extremely beneficial.

Like I said before, I know that many people have a lot on their plate right now, but since I've become a Support Leader, I've noticed that the same few Support Leaders are answering eHelps.  There are many Support Leaders that I've seen online regularly who haven't answered an eHelp in a long time.  I don't know, I just think that if you hold the position of a Support Leader, you should at least try to reply to at least one eHelp every once in a while.

I am currently trying my best to provide quality replies to as many eHelps as I possibly can.  I know that there are other Support Leaders who are doing exactly the same thing that I am doing and that's great.  But, we still need help.  Even one reply would help a lot.  But, the thing is, sometimes the replies that are given from some Support Leaders aren't the best when it comes to quality.

For example, I've seen many eHelp requests that are about three or four paragraphs in length and then the Support Leader who replies to it has only written a three line response.  Is that acceptable?  When I became a Support Leader, I was always told that your response has to at least be slightly longer than the actual request.  It should be substantially longer, but it isn't necessary.  I'm also not saying that quantity is better, but in order for you to truly address a situation and provide a quality response, it will take time and it would be a rather lengthy response.

Anyway, it seems like I've rambled on again.  Like I said before, I agree with the other Support Leaders when they say that topics like these only put more pressure on us, but sometimes that's what needs to be done, unfortunately.

I am probably going to get a lot of criticism for this response, so I'll favourite it, lol.

~ Sabrina

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Sabrina, I agree with you. I think if everyone answered one or even two eHelps every time they came on here, we'd not be in this situation. But we can't force people to reply to eHelp. There's a button to turn it off anyway :-/

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Right, but we can nag. In fact, I guess what we want to do by creating these topics is nag those who aren't answering. What sucks is that it makes people like you, Sabrina, Amy, and everyone else who is actually doing a great job feel unappreciated... which isn't true. You guys are AWESOME. But we're all only human, after all. The ACTIVE SL team is just so small right now...

To all mods: Can I please recommend a certain member, ehmusic? He has been PMing me for a while now asking for help on how to improve his SL application. He's really determined, and REALLY wants to help people. I think he'd be a good addition.  

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Depression support on Myspace
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Sabrina, I agree with you. I think if everyone answered one or even two eHelps every time they came on here, we'd not be in this situation. But we can't force people to reply to eHelp. There's a button to turn it off anyway :-/

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I totally agree with you.  I know that you cannot force people to reply to eHelps.  However, if a Support Leader is not doing their job (not replying to any eHelps, not replying to any topics in the Serious Forum, etc.), should they not be demoted as a Support Leader?  I mean, what's the point of being a Support Leader if they are not contributing their support and advice to people who really need it.  They are not living up to their title of being a Support Leader and therefore, I feel, that they should not hold that title.  

Yes, there is a button to turn off the eHelps.  However, I hate doing so.  Just because you click the little button that turns the green light off, it doesn't mean that the issue is solved.  I've seen some eHelps remain unanswered and eventually drift into the pile of old eHelps.  It's sad when that happens.  Even if their problem isn't that big, it means a lot to them.  Just because it doesn't seem like a big problem to us, it is a big problem to them.  I hate it when people underestimate the severity of some problems on here.  I totally understand if it's really stupid.  But, in some cases, just because the person doesn't feel that it's a big problem, they feel that they have the right to ridicule it and underestimate its severity.

I don't agree with that because no one can tell someone else that their problem is not severe and it is not important.  We all have problems and its severity is determined by our experiences in our lives.  A big problem for me could possibly seem like a small problem for you.  But due to my experiences with problems, it could really take a toll on me.  Therefore, I try to address each problem as if I were looking through the other person's eyes and try to see and understand their perspective on the situation as opposed to my own beliefs.

I know some people who refuse to reply to eHelps or topics in the Serious Forum due solely to the fact that they feel the problem is not important, which is wrong.  However, I understand what you mean when you say that you cannot force someone to reply.  However, if they fail to meet the criteria of being a Support Leader then they should be demoted.

Unfortunately, I think eHelp gets overlooked a great deal. People prefer the forums because they get a conversation going, and in that respect, it's easier to give help via the forums. The Serious forum is another place that gets overlooked. To be totally honest, I don't see it as really nescassary.

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.:Faut souffrir pour etre belle:.
He still gives me the butterflies - [06.07.07] ♥
She was everything beautiful and different

Post edited at 11:01 am on July 9, 2008 by marshmellowman

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Intelligence is the ability to avoid doing work, yet getting the work done.

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I think the problem is that eHelp and the Serious forum aren't the only support avenues on LiveWire. You're forgetting all the other support forums we have on here too. Someone might have been a support leader for say, a year and only have two eHelps to their name, but that doesn't mean they're not supportive. There are loads of ways to be supportive on here.

Unfortunately, I think eHelp gets overlooked a great deal. People prefer the forums because they get a conversation going, and in that respect, it's easier to give help via the forums. The Serious forum is another place that gets overlooked. To be totally honest, I don't see it as really nescassary.

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But, you also have to look at some of the previous replies of Support Leaders.  I mean, I've seen some Support Leaders spam and such in the forums.  Yes, many do provide quality replies.  But, that doesn't change the fact that there are still some Support Leaders who do not do their jobs.  It's really unfortunate that the eHelp system and the Serious Forum get over-looked, as they are two of the most important aspects of LiveWire.  They are really the only two places where people can go to receive quality help as opposed to some quality help and some spam.

There is a lot of spam in the regular forums and it usually takes a negative toll on the member seeking help.  I mean, there are so many LiveSecrets that members have posted which have said that they feel worse about themselves after coming to LiveWire.  Is that what LiveWire is here for?  To make people feel even worse about themselves?  I mean, it's just so sad that people actually feel this way.  It's not even the few members who have posted LiveSecrets - there are many members who feel that LiveWire has made a negative effect on their lives and regret coming here.  LiveWire is supposed to help people by supplying them with support and advice on any matters that may be of concern to them yet, there are members who regret coming here because they even feel worse about themselves due to the ignorance and rudeness on this site.

This is why I believe that Support Leaders should make more of an attempt to focus on the eHelps and the Serious Forum.

I know the supportiveness here is a bit dodgy, but it's the internet and I think we need to be realistic. LiveWire may have originated as a support site, but back when I joined, support leaders didn't even exist. Then, when they did exist, it was just...well, a title. There was no Serious forum and no eHelp. All it was was a recognition of supportiveness.

LiveWire is a lot bigger now to even a year or so ago. When eHelp originated, it was a smaller site with a much smaller ratio of support leaders: normal members.  Now, look at it. LiveWire is HUGE in comparison to what it used to be, and it's not so much about the support. I think if we want to get people posting in the support forums as much as they used to, then LiveWire would need an overhaul, of sorts.

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.:Faut souffrir pour etre belle:.
He still gives me the butterflies - [06.07.07] ♥
She was everything beautiful and different

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Thing is, Sabrina, that the Serious forum is pretty...well, worthless right now. People don't use it because they know that they'll not get replies in there. I mean, sure if you post in say, Teen Depression, you'll get spammy replies, but if you ignore those, you can get some really decent replies in there. Nobody goes to the Serious forum now. It's...dead, essentially.

I know the supportiveness here is a bit dodgy, but it's the internet and I think we need to be realistic. LiveWire may have originated as a support site, but back when I joined, support leaders didn't even exist. Then, when they did exist, it was just...well, a title. There was no Serious forum and no eHelp. All it was was a recognition of supportiveness.

LiveWire is a lot bigger now to even a year or so ago. When eHelp originated, it was a smaller site with a much smaller ratio of support leaders: normal members. Now, look at it. LiveWire is HUGE in comparison to what it used to be, and it's not so much about the support. I think if we want to get people posting in the support forums as much as they used to, then LiveWire would need an overhaul, of sorts.

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I understand what you mean.  Like I mentioned before, I have recently joined LiveWire and therefore have no idea of how it was about a year or so ago.  I can see that the Serious Forum is essentially dead and it's a shame.  I know that some replies in the TD & EI forum can be supportive but it's the other ones that stick with the member and make them feel worse about themselves.  And there comes the topics: "I hate LiveWire!" and "LiveWire doesn't even HELP!".  And then there comes the LiveSecrets saying that LiveWire has made them feel worse about themselves.  How can you say these people are receiving the help that they deserve?

I just don't see what can feasibly be done. I mean, obviously something needs to be done to sort out the eHelp and serious forum system, but what?

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.:Faut souffrir pour etre belle:.
He still gives me the butterflies - [06.07.07] ♥
She was everything beautiful and different

not that that level of participation is bad, it's just getting behind the demand.

Post edited at 12:32 pm on July 9, 2008 by hithere

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I never said they were. I know people are leaving dissatisfied but I think that's always been the case. Just, with LiveWire growing, those numbers are also growing, and with other advances (eg. fresh topics), it means people are attracted to the topics that bitch and moan about things like the lack of supportiveness here.

I just don't see what can feasibly be done. I mean, obviously something needs to be done to sort out the eHelp and serious forum system, but what?

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Maybe we should talk to David to see what can be done?  I think we should just get rid of the Serious Forum altogether and just focus on the eHelp system.  We should make it mandatory that each Support Leader provide a quality reply to at least one eHelp a week.  There could also be a three week leeway to accommodate those who have a perfectly good excuse for not responding to any eHelps in a while.  Failure to do so should result in demotion.

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Quote: from Nikki at 3:30 pm on July 9, 2008

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I never said they were. I know people are leaving dissatisfied but I think that's always been the case. Just, with LiveWire growing, those numbers are also growing, and with other advances (eg. fresh topics), it means people are attracted to the topics that bitch and moan about things like the lack of supportiveness here.  

 I just don't see what can feasibly be done. I mean, obviously something needs to be done to sort out the eHelp and serious forum system, but what?

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Maybe we should talk to David to see what can be done? I think we should just get rid of the Serious Forum altogether and just focus on the eHelp system. We should make it mandatory that each Support Leader provide a quality reply to at least one eHelp a week. There could also be a three week leeway to accommodate those who have a perfectly good excuse for not responding to any eHelps in a while. Failure to do so should result in demotion.

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I definitely agree with you on both the Serious Forum and the eHelp limit, although I think it should be a bit more lenient than once a week. Maybe 3 times a month?

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