Looking for the positive regarding the new alzconnected platform

LadyTexan

I am deflated. Navigating the new platform is wearing on me. I am frustrated.

I am 58. I consider myself a very experienced computer user. Before I left the workforce in 2020, I'd say I am proficient in evaluating information system development life cycles (SDLC).

A noteworthy positive is the new alzconnected community forum will make an excellent case study of what NOT TO DO when migrating to a new system. It is obvious that the end users were not taken into consideration when making changes. My hope is that the feedback provided by multiple members will be taken into consideration and changes will be implemented as soon as practical.

ladyzetta

Dear Lady.

Iam 77 so you can imagine how hard this is on me, and I have very little computer knowledge. I did have the other system figured out as good as I needed too, but all these birthday cakes, badges and whatever cutesy things that have been added, I am totally lost. Hopefully something will change so not so many of us are getting frustrated.

Quilting brings calm

I’m getting better at it- but still annoyed. I have tried to click on the community tour to learn things. Otherwise I just click on the three lines at the top left and drill down through the discussions, and avoid everything else. So few discussions fit on the iphone screen now and it’s annoying to scroll down too far. Plus it takes longer to flip between forums.

What I do like- staying signed in, and the threads opening at the first unread post. You can send a message to people without forming connections - but you have to click on your avatar to find out you have a message.

Give it more time and I think you will at least get far enough to read and post.

harshedbuzz

Evidently 1999 called and wanted the previous iteration back.

This isn't the best thing ever, but the longer I'm here the more I like it. Adding posts is so much faster on my laptop and phone. I haven't had a single post disappear into the ether after I'd spent 30 minutes attempting to thread the needle between validating concerns of a newbie and freaking them out.

QBC- if you have a message, there will be a notification in the upper right corner on the envelope icon.

Iris L.

HB--I have 29 points. What happens next?

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

harshedbuzz

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/168318#Comment_168318

I'm confused; I don't see your points.

Beachfan

Iris L.

I have 3 points- -??? You win! Sooooooo confusing for a senior citizen who just got rid of my i phone 5 because the kids couldn’t find me between PA and TX last week. Now I have to contend with this new format AND an i phone 13. I am weary. (My son asked me if I got a “trip-tik” from Triple A to get to the airport- - smart ass. )

harshedbuzz

Another vast improvement I have noticed is that when I open a thread with new posts that I haven't read yet-- like on Lorita's "Front porch" posts-- the site takes me to the first unread post rather than having to wade through pages of posts and find where I left off.

Iris L.

Beachfront, I still request a Trip-Tik--what's wrong with that?

HB, I saw my points on my own profile, under Analytics. Check yours, you may have points too.

When I am opened on the last post, I may not be aware of the preceding posts, so I'm at a loss for what is being discussed until I scroll up a few posts.

Quilting brings calm

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/168353#Comment_168353

The points show up on your profile under the bio.

Olly_Bake

The new format is confusing. Maybe with time! But if I could turn back the time, I would love to have the old format back. Get in and get out. See what you want to view quickly and get out. Now I have to wade it seems. The old format or agingcare.com type format which I believe is similar is better.

GothicGremlin

Uh oh. Points? What do we do with points? I found them but I don't know what they're for....

CanyonGal

Lady Texan, I have a headache already trying to navigate and find where I left off...and I only have 2 points...is that like 2 likes in Facebook terms...

😉

LadyTexan

It appears that the points field has been relabeled, more accurately, as "Visits".

M1

the fonts have been enlarged today, that's a step in the right direction. Still not quite dark enough, but better nonetheless.

Iris L.

The font may be larger but it is still gray. Why can't the font be black?

towhee

Iris, they are probably trying to maintain a contrast between the main body of the post and the information lines. Yes, it could be better but at the moment I am grateful for the improvement.

towhee

Ok, with the improved font I have cobbled together a way to use the board that at least sort of works for me. I use my phone, (without signing in) to browse. If I don't sign in, then I can use the date/time of the post to know which ones are new (like I used to) and I go right to the first post without jumping down to the last one. It is still slower to change between the different boards but it is doable. I make a note of any post I want to answer, and do that on my notebook, like I used to. Answering posts is actually easier now, I can take my time, take a break, and come back without worrying about losing the post.

My hope is that using tags does not catch on, if people start using 3 or 4 tags then one post will take up the entire phone screen and that would be too much scrolling.

Iris L.

I don't even know what the tags are.

Iris L.

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/168939#Comment_168939

I don't see any contrast. I see only gray texts.

Dutiful One

I'm trying to find the positives, too. One "plus" is that I can now use my phone to post. With the previous format, I could read but not post. I also like that I can take a while to write my post without having it disappear.

Like many others, I don't care about the cakes, points, levels, and such. I want to be able to interact with others and have no desire to keep track of how many points I've earned for doing so.

I know there are aspects of caregiving that everyone can relate to. But I sort of wish there was a space for those dealing with a loved one in the early stages, or for those whose loved ones have ongoing MCI.

I'll keep trying to adjust. I'm hoping I am motivated to post more, but am having a hard time with that. Thanks to everyone for their mutual patience as we all navigate this new system.

Quilting brings calm

Deb- storycrafter and I both have loved ones in the early stage. We are here. Plus we get great advice from those who have been there, done that.

Dutiful One

Quilting,

Thanks! I appreciate that..

LadyTexan

I am trying to keep it positive. I continue to struggle but I will keep trying. Its unfortunate it is such a challenge to acclimate to the new platform.

My goals are to focus on what I come here for:

• exchange knowledge and useful information
• support others
• learn, learn, learn
• maintain a structure of self care by networking with other caregivers
• vent
• laugh
• send love and hugs to all of you
• survive the caregiver journey I am currently on

With tremendous love and gratitude for all of you,

LT

M1

LT, i agree wholeheartedly. Thank you as always for your steady and positive perspective. I missed you and am glad you are back, though I am sorry that it is because you are again in caregiving mode.

harshedbuzz

Here’s a positive I discovered this morning. Like most message boards, I was able to quickly find another member’s previous threads by clicking on their screen name to refresh my memory and tailor my reply to be relevant to the member’s LO’s stage of dementia.

HB

LadyTexan

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/169273#Comment_169273

Thanks for the tip HB. That is a helpful feature that I was unaware of.

The new platform, I'm sure has features that I will appreciate once I figure them out. Sadly, it's not especially intuitive to me (yet).