Purpose of WrongPlanet

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Is it still a support site, or is it moving on to something new? I ask because of the recurring push for social media integration that seems to be actively opposed by the majority of members, and the questions surrounding the reasoning for adding such functionality in the first place.

Exposing a bunch of Autistics who are seeking support in a semi-secluded patch of the web to the harsh glare of Facebook and Twitter doesn't make a whole lot of sense from a support site angle, but it makes perfect sense for transitioning WP from a small time support site into part of a greater media campaign and fund raising tool. I'm just not sure which way the winds are blowing, and as can be seen the last few times the Facebook issue has come up, that uncertainty is very stressful for a number of members both veteran and new.

Now WP isn't exactly doctor's office or anything like that, but a lot of people do use it as a therapy tool and reveal quite about themselves that they may not have disclosed elsewhere because of the small community feel. Sure, putting that info on the web in the first place made it findable, but usually required knowing enough about that person to come up with a username or email account to trace to WP, and then manually going through posts was a laborious process. By instantly linking WP to the hundreds of millions of Facebook users through the "like" button or god knows where through Twitter, we lose a lot of our practical anonymity, especially considering how easy it is to connect users to real names via Facebook. I don't see anything for WP's users to gain by such linkages, but I see a whole lot of potential gain for WP the brand and whoever owns and controls it.

It would probably lead to faster growth of WP, which would lead to more potential add revenue and more potential opportunities for expanding the brand, offering additional services, or worst case making the brand more valuable for potential sale. I'm not going to try and mind read what's going on here, but I'm just confused and concerned by some of these ongoing issues, especially the social networking stuff that the membership clearly doesn't want and has said so repeatedly.

you ask some good questions here, and i am interested to see the answers.

^^^

I don't know, myself.

Support site? Well ... that may be the stated purpose, but the most support people are likely to get are words of comfort and advice. Of course, that's what keeps some people coming back again and again with their "Poor, pathetic, pitifully worthless me" posts. While that may be all well and good for the 1%, the 99% seem to simply enjoy this as a social website without the ever-present NT's bagging on them for being different.

I am one of the 99%.

People don't have to tweet this place or share it on Facebook and when you click on the share button, it asks for you to confirm it. No way you can confirm on accident. Sure there have been links I would like to share but if I do that, then I be airing out what I do online and I don't need my old school mates or my family members or relatives seeing what I post here and then looking up my user name and finding me on other places and especially places I don't even go to or never been to because someone happens to use the name user name as me.

i dont get the problem.is anyone going to put a gun to your head make you conect on facebook or twitter.how will this put a global spotlight on this site.one must lick on facebook but there not watching us

I treat it like a support site, because I like to support people. I also like to use this as a social network. When people are constantly feeling sorry for themselves just because they have a Dx, it gets a little tiring after a while.

I wouldn't want to share this site or tweet it, either. I try to keep this site as much as a secret from my family, as I can.