Posting grievances publicly

[Mags 112]

Is no one going to address the issue about the postal service, either? It's incredibly important to us Brits.

You are on hold... your call is important to us; please remain on the line....

Excellent stuff! At least I know my concerns are a top priority!

Is no one going to address the issue about the postal service, either? It's incredibly important to us Brits.

Is it? I'd rather hand deliver my mail then trust Royal Mail lol.

I meant it being addressed is incredibly important.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Please remain on the line.... all our operators are busy.... we will tend to your call in the order received...

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The Post Office was closed today.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Please remain on the line.... all our operators are busy.... we will tend to your call in the order received...

lol stop that line gives me heart palpitations

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

I would be interested in hearing from Ewok about this. Mox brings up a very interesting point, and so does becca.

But we aren't hearing anything but crickets now - are we?

You are not hearing anything (at the time you posted this) because I am not sitting at my PC 24/7 (reality check). I am more than happy to reply but please understand that cyborg Ewok does have to sleep, eat and do other work to take care of the Ewok family . I will reply to the above once I read all the posts in this thread.

[Darnell 8,479]

Is no one going to address the issue about the postal service, either? It's incredibly important to us Brits.

Sure - I'll address it.

For anyone living in the UK - they have grown up with excellent postal service. 2 to 3 deliveries per day, even.

That's not the case in the USA.

If you want BETTER service at your local address in the USA, you must do 2 things:

1. make some weed brownies, give to your local postal carrier that's assigned to your route and

2. complain twice a week to the supervisor back at the station, in writing. Complaint letters are accepted free without the need for postage.

The Post Office was closed today.

Not in the UK !!

Edited November 12, 2009 by Darnell

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Is no one going to address the issue about the postal service, either? It's incredibly important to us Brits.

Sure - I'll address it.

For one living in the UK - they have grown up with excellent postal service.

That's not the case in the USA.

If you want BETTER service at your local address in the USA, you must do 2 things:

1. make some weed brownies, give to your local postal carrier that's assigned to your route and

2. complain twice a week to the supervisor back at the station, in writing. Complaint letters are accepted free without the need for postage.

The Post Office was closed today.

Not in the UK !!

Heathens! They don't celebrate Armistice Day?

It's true!

In 2009, these days will fall on the following dates:

New Years Day – Thursday 1 January

Good Friday – Friday 10 April

Easter Monday – Monday 13 April (Except Scotland)

May Day – Monday 4 May

Spring Bank Holiday – Monday 25 May

Monday 3 August (Scotland Only)

August Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 30 August

Christmas Day – Friday 25 December

Boxing Day – Saturday 26 December

Edited November 12, 2009 by Lone Ranger

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

I agree with RJ (and I don't do that often, organizationally anyway) that the upper forums need help BADLY (and this has been pointed out over and over and over for many many months, with many many promises of change),

To this point, like was said before, I have been getting a feel for how the Deputy Mod position has worked out in the Regional Area. So far (despite the initial comments) I have had a great response with gaining valuable feedback on local issues that I did not have visibility into. MENA and other regional forums are certainly in the middle of some "house keeping" to stem some "bad behavior" by a few select members and I think that overall the concept of the Deputy Mod should be extended (as planned) to the upper forums. I know that it has taken time to get to this level, but as Charles would tell you, there has been many tweaks in just getting the Deputy Mod account set up properly and defining the role of that new moderation position. Getting to the point, I think the Deputy Moderation position(s) being extended to the upper forums are a godo first step to address many of the concerns raised. We will need to select a "diplomatic", centered, rational, well spoken and respectful/polite person for that job. Those forums especially contain very emotional and stressful topics that need a special touch when moderating.

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

Part 2 of a good "keep dirty laundry inside" policy is: Ewok, how about answering your pm's? I don't care if it's a one-sentence reply where you just say "sorry, I'm backing the mod on this one" or whatever. Just give me and others the courtesy of a few milliseconds of your time.

I get about 40 PMs a day and you are right, some do slip through the cracks. If you are serious that I did not reply (I have not checked my PM records to be sure, but I somehow feel like I have -- I may be wrong) to any of your PMs then that is a mistake. I will try to not let any slip by again, but please realize that I can not have to 10 back and forths for every PM I get or I would be typing all day long.

And Ewok, you are the escalation process. If we don't feel like you are listening, then we don't feel like we are being heard. I shouldn't have to be saying this, this is all "Forum Moderation 101" stuff. But there it is. Heed it or ignore it as you like, just please stop telling us to take grievances to private chat unless you're willing to change how you handle them.

This forum here was for this type of thing. I do not mind this topic however I always prefer constructive, non inflammatory statement / positions to be made. It makes the items in question easier to discuss and make actionable changes if required. As for PM issues, I would prefer "less diplomatic" messages to be sent there -- i.e. "The mods suck, they are unfair, this is why". I have a constant feedback loop going with mods when there is a mistake made (I may not post things publicly but I do let them know when they made a mistake and how trhey should change their decision making process in the future, or how to better handle something, or even for them to pass the buck with regards to certain situations to another mod or myself for future events).

[john & jean 37]

I agree with RJ (and I don't do that often, organizationally anyway) that the upper forums need help BADLY (and this has been pointed out over and over and over for many many months, with many many promises of change),

To this point, like was said before, I have been getting a feel for how the Deputy Mod position has worked out in the Regional Area. So far (despite the initial comments) I have had a great response with gaining valuable feedback on local issues that I did not have visibility into. MENA and other regional forums are certainly in the middle of some "house keeping" to stem some "bad behavior" by a few select members and I think that overall the concept of the Deputy Mod should be extended (as planned) to the upper forums. I know that it has taken time to get to this level, but as Charles would tell you, there has been many tweaks in just getting the Deputy Mod account set up properly and defining the role of that new moderation position. Getting to the point, I think the Deputy Moderation position(s) being extended to the upper forums are a godo first step to address many of the concerns raised. We will need to select a "diplomatic", centered, rational, well spoken and respectful/polite person for that job. Those forums especially contain very emotional and stressful topics that need a special touch when moderating.

SURELY YOU DO NOT INSINUATE THAT CHARLES! FITS THAT DESCRIPTION KIDDING !!!!

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

I agree with RJ (and I don't do that often, organizationally anyway) that the upper forums need help BADLY (and this has been pointed out over and over and over for many many months, with many many promises of change),

To this point, like was said before, I have been getting a feel for how the Deputy Mod position has worked out in the Regional Area. So far (despite the initial comments) I have had a great response with gaining valuable feedback on local issues that I did not have visibility into. MENA and other regional forums are certainly in the middle of some "house keeping" to stem some "bad behavior" by a few select members and I think that overall the concept of the Deputy Mod should be extended (as planned) to the upper forums. I know that it has taken time to get to this level, but as Charles would tell you, there has been many tweaks in just getting the Deputy Mod account set up properly and defining the role of that new moderation position. Getting to the point, I think the Deputy Moderation position(s) being extended to the upper forums are a godo first step to address many of the concerns raised. We will need to select a "diplomatic", centered, rational, well spoken and respectful/polite person for that job. Those forums especially contain very emotional and stressful topics that need a special touch when moderating.

SURELY YOU DO NOT INSINUATE THAT CHARLES! FITS THAT DESCRIPTION KIDDING !!!!

Obviously I saw that comment coming, but please lets keep this on topic. The bottom line is that the upper forums are where people really do open up emotionally on some serious issues on their minds. It is important to get any local Deputy Mod decision right. We need someone who wont "force" things on people, will have a great deal of diplomacy and can help shape an atmosphere of "helping each other without being rude".

[Otto 83]

:::Quietly adding::: I've sent Capt. PMs (not a lot; like 3 in over 3 years), even replied back to one sent to me, and never heard back (I just figured 'he's busy' or 'his mailbox is broken').. :::exiting quietly:::

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

:::Quietly adding::: I've sent Capt. PMs (not a lot; like 3 in over 3 years), even replied back to one sent to me, and never heard back (I just figured 'he's busy' or 'his mailbox is broken').. :::exiting quietly:::

Do I really miss this many? The biggest issue is that when you get lots of PM's in the forums there is no way for me to "mark" to reply later. Once I read something it shows read and I may miss a follow up. Also in many cases I do read the PM but simply do not reply with a "I got it" PM. The sure fire way to get a hold of me if you need something is via the contact us section (see bottom of any page on VJ pretty much). This goes directly to my Blackberry... and I am very good at following up promptly on these in most cases.

[Mags 112]

I think that if you do bring in a mod specifically for the upper forums that they have to have a working knowledge of the visa process being discussed in the appropriate forums.

I don't mean that they are there to only give advice (then you have that problem with legally giving immigration advice and not being a lawyer). But they have to be able to recognise wrong advice and correct it accordingly. They have to be up to date too. Someone who went through, say K-1, four years ago would probably find that a lot of things have changed. So, you wouldn't want outdated advice being given by a mod.

Outdated and just plain incorrect advice is what needs to be stamped out. Currently, the upper forums are a mess, filled to the brim with people wading in their tuppence when they don't know the answer.

For this job I think you would need at least 4 people. To only pick one would be overwhelming - the amount of wrong advice out there is shocking and too much work for one person.

It's a tough call to make, Captain. It's a huge job and I don't envy you.

Edited November 12, 2009 by Persephone

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Everyone in this thread probably knows I wrote a comment towards Ewok a few weeks ago regarding PMs. One thing that he mentioned to me is if its an important topic make sure to have a good subject heading that will standout. That way he is more likely to see it. I haven't spoken to him much since then but now with strong titles I get replies.

Just a thought.