Chat Rooms at BCO.... need your feedback

ReneeinOH

I haven't been able to access chat rooms--I get kicked to some website page.  I did look for that opportunity in the beginning (and was disappointed that I couldn't access)--when you are feeling so anxious and want to talk this out with others, especially those that have direct experience, that is quite a life line.  The boards have served this purpose too, but you can't count on immediate response.  Plus, it takes a new person a little while on how best to "operate" the boards (find communities, information, follow topics, etc.).  Have a place where people are "live" is a wonderful thing to offer, if affordable.  And, if you upgrade, you'll probably see more participation (with the assumption that more will be able to access).

Moderators

Thank you for all your insights! We're learning more about what chat means to this community with every post - whether you're there every evening, or if you've never been able to access the chat rooms.

sedosa

The BCO chat room saved me. I live alone in a small town. When I was diagnosed I knew nothing.  The kind ladies in chat accompanied me every step of the way-- though the masectomy, infections, more surgery, more infections, chemo, radiation, and the death of my sis who was diagnosed the same day as I.  Because of the generousity of some members who have hosted reunions, I have had the pleasure of meeting many of the names in real life and have made some enduring friendships. Many of us who don't come in too often have shared the idea of contributing to the cost of the new software.  Could you please give us a goal so that we can earmark our contributions?  I want to see this chat room continue to remain open so that others who arrive frightened and confused can have the opportunity to speak with real people.

marlegal

I feel the need to point something out ... the last post I read, from Sedosa, is from a woman who is retired and living on a very, very fixed income. She was a teacher. She gave her professional life to helping children, and still does. She lives in Montana and many times has to shovel her own snow because there is no one around to do it for free, and she doesn't want to be a spendthrift and pay someone to shovel the snow - from her roof!!! But, this woman is willing to donate money to a fund to keep the chat room alive. I mean, seriously, do we need to say more about how important we think this room is to women who are faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer? Personally, I think that last post said it all.

Thank you. (and Seddy, if you're reading this, I love you)

Moderators

HI All, 

We are really not ignoring you!! We promise!! 

We are trying to estimate the cost of updating, and improving the chat rooms, and that is taking a bit of time. When we get that (this week, we hope!), we'll see how and if we can pay for it (-:

Sorry, and thanks for your feedback, and patience!
Best, 

The Mods

djls

I realized another wonderful thing about the chat room.  A stage 4 woman who used to come in stopped by.  We asked how she was doing and she just found out that someone very close to her is dying of lung cancer and she just needed people to talk to and be with her for a little while.  We were able to chat and listen on the spot.  That's something the discussion boards can't do. I'm so glad we had the opportunity to give her some little bit of comfort.

marlegal

Good point DJ. Another thing along those lines - we have a lot of caregivers who come into chat. Unfortunately, sometimes their loved one dies, but they will continue to come in months/years later to bring us up-to-date on their lives. Some remarry, some will update us on their kids lives, some still need support dealing with their loss. But in all cases, they know that they can come to chat because there will inevitably be some "oldies" there who remember them and welcome them, and tell their story to the new people in the room so that everyone present will share in whatever it is that they might be feeling that day.

Just another example of how broad spectrum the help is from this room. It welcomes "newbies" and gives advice and an ear, it unites old friends who can just share the ongoing craziness which cancer leaves you with, and it is - in a word - home for many of us to stay in touch with loved ones.

raysnbucs

I was actually given a script by my BS for this site, and she told me, "The chatroom can be a great help." Though I really don't talk a lot, in it, I will say it has been. The women there have been wonderful, and oh so helpful when needed. They share their experiences, which help, because I have never known anyone male or female who has had breast cancer. Please don't take it down, but I also agree that the ablity to make a room would be wonderful. 

SoCalLisa

I can't believe it takes this long to tell us how much money is involved in having a chat room...

kinda loses interest

Moderators

SoCalLisa, we're surprised too! We'll continue to press for the numbers.

• The Mods

Moderators

So, crazy as it sounds, the tech team estimates $9,500 replace the existing functionality of the chat rooms. Ugh. Doesn't mean it won't happen, just that it is costly, and that we're going to need to raise the funds! 

LizLemon

I have a Mac, and the chat room thingee doesn't seem to like that, so I can't get it, though I would desperately love to have a real time conversation with others.

SoCalLisa

there is an aplet for java plugin for chat..I can get in through safari

Moderators

We are also working on getting this price lower, as we speak, knowing how important it is!

NickyJ

Wow! The opinion is quite divided, but it seems to me that the chat rooms are practically essential for those who use them. I'm a newbie, I've posted a few times, but like some others I've never been able to access the chat rooms. Have tried on the computer on a few occasions ( usually use my phone for the threads) but never had any luck



Nicky

Moderators

LizLemon, just as SoCalLisa says, with my Mac I could only get to chat with Safari; Firefox wouldn't let me connect at all. Unfortunately, when I got a new Mac even with Safari I couldn't chat (the current chat software needs to be upgraded to get around a bug in Java 7 that the new 'puter came with). So it's back to my old Mac to chat.

• Mod Judith

Anonymous

I posted some ways back and just want to re-iterate, Chat would be so much better for those who need it if there were certain features added.

I think individual rooms dedicated to a particular subject,  as well as "open" room/s available on an as needed basis for more transient subject matter would be well worth considering if it was doable.

Mods that price is OBSCENE!!!  $9.500?  Can we ask you to give us a run down on what features this would give the chat feature?

I could get onto chat no probs at all with my old non updated Windoze XP box, including but not limited to FF 3.5 which for certain reasons I didn't want to upgrade because I liked the structure of its Cache. I forgt to try my G4 on chat when this thread was new. That has Safari and FF and since Java on Macs is supposed to be tightly woven into the OS, I wouldn't uninstall it like I have my peecee.

Moderators

Musical, we don't have a rundown on features, and we have asked for more details. We'll keep everyone posted when we know more.

marlegal

Hi Mods. More and more women are commenting on Facebook that they can't get into chat anymore. So sad because some are newbies. Equally sad are the old friends I haven't seen for a while who see on FB that many are still chatting and want to come in, but cant'

The final straw was that I tried to go in tonight on a computer we only use when travelling and I can't get in either. Not that I'm any more or less important than anyone else having trouble getting to the site, but I have a bigger mouth! I updated the latest Java and the BCO site said it was refreshing, but no login/password screen comes up. Just the Java symbol spinning around and around ... which is what lots of others have complained of.

Any update on what BCO has planned to fix this problem? My heart breaks thinking that this is just a way of phasing out chat. Ironic since more and more people got interested in chat because of it being talked about on FB, but couldn't see for themselves what we all find so wonderful about it!

Moderators

marlegal, we are sorry for the delay in addressing the needed upgrade to chat, and we recognize its importance to you, and to the overall BCO community. The technical team does have plans to implement changes, but we don't yet have a timetable for those changes.

marlegal

Hi Mods. Any update for us? More and moreI find women on FB saying how they wish they could take advantage of chat but can't get in for one reason or another, especially on iPads. And some of these are newly dx'd women looking for the resource that's listed on BCO's website. I shudder to think what I would have done without access to the chat rooms and it makes me very sad to know that others aren't able to reap the benefits I did.

Moderators

Marlegal, we wish we had an update for you and all the chatters and would-be chatters, but so far we still don't have a timetable for upgrades.

marlegal

I'm very sorry to hear that. There are many who have expressed the opinion that the Chat Rooms have gotten lost in the expansion by BCO and would just be left to fade away. I have always tried to counter those sentiments by saying I was sure the problems were being investigated vigorously. I'm starting to think my optimism was not grounded in fact and that just makes me sad.

SoCalLisa

Wow it has been six months now...no end in sight...

the chat room should also be highlighted on the top...

Patty7

I need chat so very badly. I am lonely and very isolated. It truly helps to talk to my sisters that are going through this too. I have tried so many times to get in.

Love,

Patty

SoCalLisa

try to get in on internet explorer ..you need java...

marlegal

Moderators, any update? We are losing so many women who want our help, it breaks my heart. We're not just losing them in chat, it turns them off to BCO all together. Hurts that they might get wrong info and answers, not to mention they aren't able to share the feeling of community this organization was built upon, but which is seriously suffering. You know I have deep ties with BCO, and I still sing your praises, but it's hard to defend what seems to be a total lack of interest on BCO's part in making the chat rooms accessible.

Mary

Moderators

Mary, I wish we could report progress, but unfortunately there is nothing new to tell you about updates to chat at this time. We appreciate your concern for the chatters and potential chatters who can't access this resource, and it will be raised once again.

marlegal

Well, I guess I've been a pollyanna, believing that anything at all was being done to upgrade chat, since that is what we were originally told. Obviously nothing is being done or it would have been fixed by now. Even with members offering to offset the cost. I'm 58 yrs old and still feel sad when it turns out I've believed in people without cause. Not trying for drama, just so disappointed.

SoCalLisa

and so It goes