Gout-Pal.com Question and Answer
I have revamped the Question & Answer features on GoutPal Interactive (aka Gout-Pal.com).
The main reason is to provide a better alternative to the current gout forum. The software that runs it is very resource hungry and over-complicated for the job it is supposed to do.
GoutPal Interactive is first and foremost a resource to improve the information on GoutPal.com. This website is the main source of gout help and explanations. Using the feedback from GoutPal Interactive, I improve this site month by month to give gout sufferers a reliable source of unbiased well-researched gout information. The forum has provided many opportunities and prompts for me to improve pages here.
However, the secondary purpose of Gout-Pal.com is to give gout sufferers a service where they can get fast help to gout problems. This is important for the gout sufferer who needs immediate advice on how and where to get help. It is also important for me, as it highlights where information on this site is not as good as it should be. Unfortunately, the forum tends to promote wide-reaching discussion, and the answers can get lost in the discussion.
The new Question & Answer service is tightly focused on answering specific questions. I will keep the forums open for general discussion during the transition period, but the forums will eventually be replaced.
The new gout support service will only work if it is used properly. It is open to all, but some features are restricted to registered users, and some of these require that users have gained sufficient experience to use them. I will clarify this in specific instructions for the Question & Answer service, but for now, I want to concentrate on what the new service should and should not be used for.
Gout-Pal.com Question and Answer Guidelines
What to ask
Ask about your gout, gout in general, or how to use any of my gout support services. The more specific the better. You ask a one-line question, then back it up with some explanations that will help me, and other contributors, understand why you are asking the question, and why you need an answer.
What NOT to ask
Do not ask open ended questions such as “What do you think about…” or “Is something good or bad for gout.”
Seeking opinions and starting discussions is covered in the gout forum and discussion/debating pages.
The second example is simply too general – gout varies from person to person, so what might be good for one is bad for another. If you do not know how to ask a specific question, then join a relevant discussion. You can search for a discussion by entering the topic of your question in the search box.
How to ask
Think about your question before you start writing. It is a good idea to jot down a few notes, then search for the keywords using the search box at the top of the page. This will show existing questions and discussions. If that discussion does not answer your question, then you have some good terms of reference to explain your question better.
If your question is about something you have read on this website (or any other) please quote the relevant text, and supply the link.
If it is about your gout, remember that we are not here to replace your doctor. We are here to help you understand your doctor and learn what questions to ask. Be sure to frame your question in those terms.
Gout-Pal.com Question and Answer Next Steps
Please ask your gouty questions now.
Tags: Gout Forum