Welcome, New Users, to Daily Kos. This Diary is intended to help you orient yourself to the site and ask questions about how to use it.
In the Body of this diary you will find some links intended to get you participating more effectively. Feel free to ask me any question you want. If I don't have the answers you seek I'll go out and find 'em and bring 'em back to ya (wink, wink).
In this edition we'll be introducing you to some of the health-related communities on Daily Kos that can help you maintain your balance and inner strength in between the political battles that are fought so hard here.
But first: Who are the co-hosts of this series?
Laughing Planet and I take turns hosting the revived Welcome New Users diary series. Before we begin with new material, I encourage everyone here to review some of the previously written goodness that survives here in the DKos archives.
And, if you're new, don't miss The Welcome New Users dKosopedia page.
Feel like trying to read everything on this site is like drinking from a fire hose? Is it too much to digest for your health? Are you worried about getting flamed if you step into the wrong discussion?
Finding a community is just the answer for you, then. Kossacks gather in various communities as a refuge from the raging front page storms. They gather to find like-minded people discussing topics they care about. Sometimes these communities are personal in nature, but isn't the personal also the political? So let us introduce you to some of the health-related communities, and while we're at it, bring up a point of community etiquette.
Communities are safe, flame-free zones for people to gather. If you engage in trollish behavior (including asking why this community exists on a political site) you will find that community members are quite protective of their people and their space. If you're a friendly sort, though, you will find this is one of the quickest ways to make friends, share your experiences, and even gather some mojo along the way. With that said, let us introduce you to....
KosAbility
Nurse Kelly sez: Since you're writing for new users, here's one of my favorite things about KosAbility: People start out lurking, then posting comments in threads. If I see a comment about something I'd like to have a diary on, I have no shame when it comes to asking folks to write diaries. There's been a HUGE payoff for the series, with many first-time authors writing memorable rec list diaries. It's a win-win situation for everyone!
KosAbility is a community diary series posted at 5 PM ET every Sunday and Wednesday by volunteer diarists. This is a gathering place for people who are living with disabilities, who love someone with a disability, or who want to know more about the issues surrounding this topic. There are two parts to each diary. First, a volunteer diarist will offer their specific knowledge and insight about a topic they know intimately. Then, readers are invited to comment on what they've read and/or ask general questions about disabilities, share something they've learned, tell bad jokes, post photos, or rage about the unfairness of their situation. Our only rule is to be kind; trolls will be spayed or neutered.
Macca's Meatless Monday
In this weekly series we have been discussing the benefits of a vegetarian diet including: better health, animal rights, food safety, frugal living, global food crisis and the huge contribution of meat production to climate change/depletion of resources.
I was inspired to create this series by former Beatle and vegetarian advocate Paul McCartney (Macca) who partnered with the Meatless Monday campaign to promote less consumption of meat. We not only discuss the advantages of a vegetarian diet we also do some cooking, share recipes and listen to great Beatle/McCartney music!
WHEE
WHEE (Weight, Health, Eating and Exercise) is a community support diary for Kossacks who are currently or planning to start losing, gaining or maintaining their weight through diet and exercise or fitness. Any supportive comments, suggestions or positive distractions are appreciated. If you are working on your weight or fitness, please -- join us! You can also click the WHEE tag to view all diary posts.
GUS
GUS(Gave Up Smoking) is a community support diary for Kossacks in the midst of quitting smoking. Any supportive comments, suggestions or positive distractions are appreciated. We avoid discussion of political issues. If you are quitting or even thinking about quitting, please -- join us! GUS Library at dKosopedia is organically evolving, and stocked with free-range information: quit-smoking links, helpful GUS diary writing tips, and the GUS Buddy List.
Chronic Tonic
CHRONIC TONIC posts on Thursdays at 9 p.m. EST. It is a place to share stories, advice, and information and to connect with others with chronic health conditions and those who care for them. Our diarists will report on research, alternative treatments, clinical trials, and health insurance issues through personal stories. You are invited to share in comments (and note if you'd like to be a future diarist).
Ok, now it's your turn!
Ask us a question, tell us no lies, or share your own favorite community with us in the comments.