What Is the Topic?

[Jenn! 918]

This discussion has been brought up many times, and I don't think there are any plans to change the structure of the regional forums.

So does that mean we can't bring up the subject again?

No feel free.

[rebeccajo 14]

This discussion has been brought up many times, and I don't think there are any plans to change the structure of the regional forums.

So does that mean we can't bring up the subject again?

No feel free.

Feel free but it's pointless?

[Jenn! 918]

This discussion has been brought up many times, and I don't think there are any plans to change the structure of the regional forums.

So does that mean we can't bring up the subject again?

No feel free.

Feel free but it's pointless?

I think so. I don't make the decisions - your argument has been made before and nothing has changed. I don't see why it would be any different now.

[rebeccajo 14]

This discussion has been brought up many times, and I don't think there are any plans to change the structure of the regional forums.

So does that mean we can't bring up the subject again?

No feel free.

Feel free but it's pointless?

I think so. I don't make the decisions - your argument has been made before and nothing has changed. I don't see why it would be any different now.

Well, as to why it MIGHT change:

Because others are starting to see the problem?

As to why it MIGHT NOT change:

Because it would be unpopular?

At this point you need to ask yourself what the purpose of VJ is - an immigration community or a social club.

[Ban Hammer 13,283]

Yes this is correct. Unless something immigration related is very specific to that region it should go in the appropriate main immigration forum.

from what i've seen in that forum, it's a one stop for everything place: aos questions, ssn questions, you name it. and unfortunately, the amount of advice one can get is limited as it's not in the correct forum. i can only hope that forum posters realize they are shorting themselves by posting questions in there rather than in the appropriate forums for topics like that.

while ot discussions centered around pi are understandable, some threads (like the one about the cowboys football team) don't make much sense to me being in the pi forum.

"Only hoping" isn't moderating and it isn't going to solve the problem.

Look, I realize I rant about dissolving these forums all the time. But in the year (or better) since I began talking about this problem, more and more members are realizing what I am talking about (read what Charles writes above).

Here's what's SUPPOSED to go in these forums (per the description written by our Captain).....

"Regional Discussion

This Forum is dedicated to discussion on the major regions around the world. Topics of discussion may include travel, moving, what to eat and any other experience you may wish to share or inquire about. Have fun! "

The forums are clearly not being used for the intended purpose. Unless, of course, immigration evidence and advice falls under the category of "any other experience you may wish to share".

case in point about stuff not really belonging......... http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=152584

in the past i tried my hand at helping clean up the pi forum by moving topics unrelated to the region to other forums but got into hot water over it. it took intervention by mags to calm things down over there. i've refrained from moving anything again except in the most dire of cases to prevent more angry mobs.

Edited September 23, 2008 by charles!

[sunandmoon 450]

I agree that immigration questions are best posted in the appropriate immigration forum. when it comes to applying for a visa, there are many differences at the Embassy in Manila from other Embassys. There is no packet 3 and 4 per se ,

issues involving single mom and child custody, the way document varification is done, which DS forms are used, questions about the medical, etc... if a Philippine member asks questions about the mentioned issues in the Foreign Embassy Forum, they might receive confusing advise from members going thru another Embassy. these questions would best be asked in the Philippine subforum

I agree that immigration questions, besides the process at the Embassy in Manila, are best asked in the appropriate immigration forum.

[Marilyn. 340]

the gangs will still be there.. the gangs existed before the regional forums appeared..

I would not want to lose the Canadian forum.. it is a safe haven for a lot of us....

I really don't 'get' the safe haven philosophy.

I LOVED the way people mingled before the Regionals took hold. I never felt 'more safe' when I was clustered with other UK/US posters.

because a lot of people don't feel comfortable posting in the Off Topic... people seem to be friendly in the regional forum, well at least the Canada forum, I have not really ventured into the other forums...

there were the gangs as you call them before the regional forums came about.. people would start these threads and if someone outside of the group tired to post in there they were made to feel very unwelcome...

Edited September 23, 2008 by *Marilyn*

[Otto 83]

[Mags 112]

The Regional Forums were originally designed to allow people to find new friends with similar backgrounds based on their immigration path (and specifically their country w.r.t. immigration). Some topics of discussion are clearly easier to talk about with people that understand the cultural context (hence regional discussion areas). I think that people also need to remember that general immigration issues should always go in the right main immigration forum. Also they should remember that this is a great community and meeting people outside the Regional Forums will be enlightening for everyone.

So, that means that people CAN post general interest threads in their country specific forums without fear of them being locked or moved into a "one thread suits all" kind of thing? For example, food that you miss, weight loss threads specific to that area of the world, travel tips, funny country specific jokes etc

That's exactly what I thought the regionals were for. Good call, Captain.

Edited September 24, 2008 by Magenta

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

Yes this is correct. Unless something immigration related is very specific to that region it should go in the appropriate main immigration forum.

from what i've seen in that forum, it's a one stop for everything place: aos questions, ssn questions, you name it. and unfortunately, the amount of advice one can get is limited as it's not in the correct forum. i can only hope that forum posters realize they are shorting themselves by posting questions in there rather than in the appropriate forums for topics like that.

while ot discussions centered around pi are understandable, some threads (like the one about the cowboys football team) don't make much sense to me being in the pi forum.

"Only hoping" isn't moderating and it isn't going to solve the problem.

Look, I realize I rant about dissolving these forums all the time. But in the year (or better) since I began talking about this problem, more and more members are realizing what I am talking about (read what Charles writes above).

Here's what's SUPPOSED to go in these forums (per the description written by our Captain).....

"Regional Discussion

This Forum is dedicated to discussion on the major regions around the world. Topics of discussion may include travel, moving, what to eat and any other experience you may wish to share or inquire about. Have fun! "

The forums are clearly not being used for the intended purpose. Unless, of course, immigration evidence and advice falls under the category of "any other experience you may wish to share".

I agree that it is much better to take the majority of immigration topics and have them in the main immigration forums. The regional areas can contain (and it would be hard not to) a little of this in cases of very unique items.

[rebeccajo 14]

Pardon us while we try to have a discussion around you then.

I realize not everybody on VJ is interested in really understanding this process. They don't want to become immersed in all the 'ins and outs' of immigration. Maybe most folks are only interested in their case, and don't care about anyone elses. BUT - if they AREN'T learning at least a LITTLE something about others, then they will probably always feel they are being persecuted by the service and are the only ones who ever had to wait and suffer.

In other words - learning about what goes on at other consulates PROMOTES unity around here. It makes an impatient UK poster understand that they don't have it bad at all compared to someone going through Manila, HCMC or Middle Eastern Consulates.

It's hard to learn all this stuff if it's stuffed into a Regional Forum that newer members likely won't go in, and likely wouldn't be welcome into if they did.

Edited September 24, 2008 by rebeccajo

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I realize not everybody on VJ is interested in really understanding this process. They don't want to become immersed in all the 'ins and outs' of immigration. Maybe most folks are only interested in their case, and don't care about anyone elses. BUT - if they AREN'T learning at least a LITTLE something about others, then they will probably always feel they are being persecuted by the service and are the only ones who ever had to wait and suffer.

In other words - learning about what goes on at other consulates PROMOTES unity around here. It makes an impatient UK poster understand that they don't have it bad at all compared to someone going through Manila, HCMC or Middle Eastern Consulates.

It's hard to learn all this stuff if it's stuffed into a Regional Forum that newer members likely won't go in, and likely wouldn't be welcome into if they did.

I agree.

[Completely 3]

Yes this is correct. Unless something immigration related is very specific to that region it should go in the appropriate main immigration forum.

from what i've seen in that forum, it's a one stop for everything place: aos questions, ssn questions, you name it. and unfortunately, the amount of advice one can get is limited as it's not in the correct forum. i can only hope that forum posters realize they are shorting themselves by posting questions in there rather than in the appropriate forums for topics like that.

while ot discussions centered around pi are understandable, some threads (like the one about the cowboys football team) don't make much sense to me being in the pi forum.

"Only hoping" isn't moderating and it isn't going to solve the problem.

Look, I realize I rant about dissolving these forums all the time. But in the year (or better) since I began talking about this problem, more and more members are realizing what I am talking about (read what Charles writes above).

Here's what's SUPPOSED to go in these forums (per the description written by our Captain).....

"Regional Discussion

This Forum is dedicated to discussion on the major regions around the world. Topics of discussion may include travel, moving, what to eat and any other experience you may wish to share or inquire about. Have fun! "

The forums are clearly not being used for the intended purpose. Unless, of course, immigration evidence and advice falls under the category of "any other experience you may wish to share".

I agree that it is much better to take the majority of immigration topics and have them in the main immigration forums. The regional areas can contain (and it would be hard not to) a little of this in cases of very unique items.

I certainly agree.. post threads in an appropriate forum..

[KimandRuss 0]

Just my .02 ...but I can't tell you how many times I've had to answer questions about CFO / Document verification...."is this something I need to do?"..etc in the K1 General info forum. And how about how different the Consulates really are...the advice that applies to some is not the same advice that would apply to others. The differences in the process once it reaches Embassy level is far too great to simply have one forum for all. Do you really think people are going to travel to the Embassy forum and weed through hundreds of posts for the info they're looking for? Nope. We already know that doesn't happen. Can you imagine how many times a day that question would be asked ...and moved.... if we didn't have a specific place with the info ?

I agree that it's up to each of us to find the information need on our own but unfortunately, not everyone is as pro-active as some of us.

The sherriff's thread unique to PI and the immigration process once it reaches that level has helped SO many people and i've referred loads of couples to that information. IMO it's a huge asset to this site and right where it needs to be!

Many times people are afraid to ask in the open forums for fear of sounding stupid or being publicly embarrassed...(which they are sometimes for doing so). And you know they're not going to look through hundreds of posts made every day to find the same thing answered 200 times. It's much easier to share this information with the smaller group of people going through the same Consulate and then point others to that section if asked. This way they are also pointed to the other answers that are sure to come up regarding that Consulate as well.... making them more self-sufficient and not needing to be spoon fed the information....over and over and over again.

I understand we can all do without the drama...afterall, this process is hard enough. But isn't referring to groups of people who stick together as 'gangs' just add to the BS we're trying to avoid? Why can't it be considered comaraderie between folks from the same parts of the world? Clicks happen every where... every day.

We should surely all remember to treat everyone with dignity and respect regardless of their opinion and/or level of 'authority' here...and no matter how stupid their questions may seem. Just because you/I/anyone may know the answer or have an opinion about something doesn't give us the right to be rude to others and it doesn't make our opinion that more important than anyone else's. We were all newbies with the same questions once.

I think that's a much bigger problem than regional sub-forums.

Oh and for the record, we talk a lot of immigration in the NZ thread and it's been invaluable to us as there are certainly things unique to that Consulate that other NZ couples should know about. I would hate to see that change. I realize we are a smaller group and perhaps easier managed and without the soap operal antics, but all the same... the thread is of great help to new arrivals. They would not find the information specific to NZ Consulate if it was not there...this is why we started it....there's just not enough room on the Embassy info page to explain it all or note the little details and I can't imagine having to search through thousands of posts for info specific to NZ. We learned all we needed to know from other NZ couples and there is not a doubt in my mind it saved us time in the process.

I vote to keep the Regional forums... if you don't like the drama, don't read. It's that simple really. The fact that other couples can get invaluable information to make their process smoother is worth putting up with a few off color posts sometimes.

again, attack at will, but it's just an opinion...one im entitled to.

Edited September 24, 2008 by KimandRuss

[Zee Bee 61]

Pardon us while we try to have a discussion around you then.

I realize not everybody on VJ is interested in really understanding this process. They don't want to become immersed in all the 'ins and outs' of immigration. Maybe most folks are only interested in their case, and don't care about anyone elses. BUT - if they AREN'T learning at least a LITTLE something about others, then they will probably always feel they are being persecuted by the service and are the only ones who ever had to wait and suffer.

In other words - learning about what goes on at other consulates PROMOTES unity around here. It makes an impatient UK poster understand that they don't have it bad at all compared to someone going through Manila, HCMC or Middle Eastern Consulates.

It's hard to learn all this stuff if it's stuffed into a Regional Forum that newer members likely won't go in, and likely wouldn't be welcome into if they did.

I agree.

Sometimes I read postings and laugh because the OP obviously has no idea that they have it easy compared to some other consulates. I think it all boils down to people sticking to their region and not venturing out and learning about the process in other countries.

I especially feel this way when someone is getting a petition returned. I always refer them to the pinned post in MENA that has helped so many people but why can't this be posted in the embassy forum? Granted it probably happens more in MENA than any other region, but for a new person who is looking for info, unless they are from MENA they are probably not going to look for answers there. And how many other people on VJ know about that post in MENA?

I think it would be beneficial if we could have some kind of organization in the foreign embassy forum to make it easier to navigate. I don't know how best to do that.