How to Use OVdialogue
SET UP
Do I need to create an account?
- The posts on OVdialogue are public, so you do not need an account to read discussions. However, to participate and interact with members of OVdialogue you will need to register and sign in with an account.
- Registering also enables you to see the activities and profiles of other members.
- Register here and you will receive an email with a link that you must click to validate your address.
What about privacy?
- Your username is how you will be identified on OVdialogue, publicly and to other members. Protect your identity by selecting an alias as your username.
- For your username, you can use letters, numbers or a combination of both.
- Rest assured that your name, email address and province/territory will be hidden entirely.
- For further details, read our Privacy Policy.
Can I change my username?
- Please choose your username carefully as it can only be changed by contacting a moderator.
- Changing your username will break links in @ mentions tagging your previous username. As a result, members seeking to connect with you based on these tagged posts would be unable to find you as easily.
- If you require assistance, please email [email protected] or call 1 877 413-7970.
How do I recover my username or password?
- Click “Sign in” and press “Forgot” when you are prompted for your username and password.
- For further assistance, or if you cannot remember the email address attached to your OVdialogue account, please email [email protected] or call 1 877 413-7970.
How do I change my account information?
- You can make changes to your account profile at any time. Go to the wheel icon above the main menu and click “Edit profile.” From here you will be able to make changes as you wish. Additional details, such as your notification preferences, password and profile photo, can be edited in the sidebar. Mobile users may have to scroll down a bit.
How do I change my profile picture?
Profile pictures are public. If you wish to protect your identity, do not use a photo of yourself.Go to the wheel icon above the main menu and click “Edit profile.” From here, press “Change my picture,” which will be in the sidebar if you are on a desktop or towards to bottom of the page if you are using a mobile device. Click “Upload new picture” and make your selection. Please note that square photos work best.
How do I complete the “My story” section of my profile?
- The “My story” section of your profile is an opportunity to share a bit about yourself.
- As part of your profile, “My Story” can only be seen by other members.
- Consider including what you would like to say to others living with ovarian cancer.
WRITING
How do I start a new discussion?
- Press “New discussion” on the sidebar menu. You may have to scroll down a bit if you are using a mobile device.
- Make the discussion title as descriptive as possible to let people know what your post is about. This will inspire interest from other members, as well as help search engines find your post and bring more people into the discussion.
- Choose an appropriate category, either one with a relevant category name or one where similar posts are often made.
- Ask for responses if you are looking for them. If you’d like others to comment, invite them to do so. One way to do this is by ending your post with a question.
- You will receive a notification if someone comments on your discussion in accordance with your notification preferences. Be sure to check your preferences to be kept informed of activity.
How do I help others to get the most from my posts?
- Proofread your posts to prevent typos and errors that can get in the way of people understanding your message. This is particularly important when auto-correct is enabled on a mobile device.
- Formatting can make your posts visually interesting. Use the icons in the format bar to assist with layout or to add files and emoticons. But remember, sometimes less is more. Avoid over formatting to keep users focused on your message.
Can I use content from social media?
- Absolutely. To embed a YouTube video, Pinterest pin or Tweet, simply cut and paste a link and OVdialogue will embed it for you.
How can I ensure specific members see my posts?
- You can tag specific members when you see posts that would be of interest.
- In the text field, type @ immediately followed by the username of the member you have in mind. There should be no spaces between @ and the username. A dropbox will appear for you to select the member you wish to mention.
- You can do this for as many members as you wish, typing @ immediately before each username.
- The members you’ve tagged will receive notifications in accordance with the notification preferences they’ve selected.
- The tags will also become clickable to enable other members to see related profiles, and potentially reach out.
How do I send a member a private message?
- Open sharing is encouraged on OVdialogue. However, if there is a private matter, you can send a direct message to one or several members. Moderators can be included, if necessary.
- Above the main menu, click the mailbox icon and select “New message.” From there, start typing usernames in the Recipients field.
- If there is just one member you wish to contact, you can go to their profile page and click “Message.”
Where are my drafts?
- Drafts are automatically saved and can be accessed here.
How do I edit or delete something that has already been posted?
- Once a post is published, OVdialogue only allows 15 minutes for edits. Beyond this time, you must contact a moderator to have something deleted.
WHAT’S WHAT
What is a bookmark?
- Bookmarks are used to mark discussions for future reference.
- If you find a discussion particularly helpful, you can use a bookmark to easily return to the discussion at any time.
How do I use bookmarks?
- To the top right of every discussion title, you will find a star icon. Press the icon to bookmark the discussion.
- Access your bookmarked discussions by clicking on the star icon above the main menu.
- Remove a discussion from your bookmarks by clicking the star icon of a bookmarked discussion.
- If someone comments on one of your bookmarked discussions, you will receive a notification in accordance with the notification preferences you’ve selected.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you have additional questions about OVdialogue, please email [email protected] or call 1 877 413-7970.
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Comments
In BC we can register online to get our lab reports within a day and CT scan results in a week so there is no agonizing wait. In fact it's helpful for the next appointment with my oncologist. I go in with another set of questions and have had time to think about my results. This week I have appointments with my family doctor, my oncologist, the oncology unit for an infusion, and a comprehensive blood and urine test at our local Lab. Sooooo - back in the medical bubble again!
Can you let me know how I unsubscribe and delete my account? I couldn't find this in account settings.
Other than anxious, how are you feeling? I'll also private message you.
Thank you
Lesley1955
Here is the link for the support resource
http://ovariancanada.org/living-with-ovarian-cancer/support-resources
I hope you find it very helpful
Seems that the cooler weather is starting to appear. At least here in Edmonton AB. Odd though cause last night it was 23 above until about 10 pm and then it started to rain. And today it seems it is not going to get much over 15 above. All the same is is still nice enough to enjoy.
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but if anyone can help that would be appreciated... See below....
I wanted to ask a quick question. When I go into some of the conversations, it seems that the oldest date/conversation appears first. Is there a way to change it so the newest date/conversation appears first. I don't clam to be computer savvy but I do know my way around and generally there is a tab that you can select, but I am not seeing anything here.
If anyone can help that would be great.
@jobo I did go back into my own profile and notification settings and also couldn't see where you can pick a category to be notified about. That could be an enhancement to suggest to OVdialogue.
@KiwiChick it's interesting the overall discussion list starts at 1, with 1 being the most current questions, while the discussions I could find that went beyond a single page open up to the most current comments being the last page number to be used (i.e. if there are 9 pages of comments, the initiating comments are on page 1 but the most current at on page 9 which is the page that the discussion opens to when you click on it.)...gosh that sounds confusing!
Perhaps @Flowergirl, our moderator or @MarilynOCC could answer your questions, so copying them on this comment. I do know we're always looking to make the site more user friendly so suggestions are always welcomed.
If you do not log in, the default goes to the very first page and you'll need to scroll or page through.
If you do log in, the most current comment or discussion should be at the top, unless there is still room at the bottom of the page to post comments - you may need to scroll down... hope that helps you out.