A Way to Identify Misinformation in Upper Forums

[twowls 217]

I know the -1 button has been debated already. But I was wondering if it or something like it could be implemented selectively for the regular information-based forums so that misinformation could be highlighted in an efficient way.

I get that adding a -1 in off topic areas might start a bunch of silliness but, as it stands in some other forums, misinformation must be argued out of a place of attention for the OP, clogging up threads with back-and-forth: "No, what so and so is incorrect, let's start over..."

If we could tag a post with a little "Um no" sort of indicator, OPs could easily identify helpful information while ignoring stuff that threatens to throw them off course.

The tagging privilege could be reserved for those with a great deal of experience, like "platinum members" or higher or whatever. I notice it's usually newer members who casually toss out utterly false info. I've done it myself once or twice, cringe.

It takes time and energy to physically go in and post corrective info, so it doesn't always happen right away, as it should. An easy button click would resolve this. As it is now, the OP must rely on their own judgment as to who is most trustworthy. When you're already wracked with uncertainty regarding the process, this simple act of discernment can be much harder.

This would also preclude the need to overtly call someone out on their mistakes, by name, and alienate or embarrass them. Most mistakes are innocent ones.

Has this already been covered? Sorry if so. It comes up for me because of a recent post in K1 that's riddled with random bad advice and subsequent attempts at correction, threatening to cause the OP added stress and confusion. We sit at the computer screen shaking our heads "no," but feel sort of helpless to catch all the riffraff. A No-button would be a solution, in my opinion.

[Pooky 3,825]

The tagging privilege could be reserved for those with a great deal of experience, like "platinum members" or higher or whatever. I notice it's usually newer members who casually toss out utterly false info. I've done it myself once or twice, cringe.

Just because people are platinum members or higher doesn't mean they actually know what they are doing. On the contrary, rules and legislation may have changed somewhat since these members made their visajourney, rendering their "expertise" less than useful.

I'm not sure anyone could administer the kind of function you're envisaging with 100% accuracy. Perhaps reporting conflicting information to the moderators, who are in a position to enlist the aid of known members who are up-to-date on matters, might be a solution?

P.S. I wouldn't trust me to correct anything to do with immigration now.

[twowls 217]

Just because people are platinum members or higher doesn't mean they actually know what they are doing. On the contrary, rules and legislation may have changed somewhat since these members made their visajourney, rendering their "expertise" less than useful.

I'm not sure anyone could administer the kind of function you're envisaging with 100% accuracy. Perhaps reporting conflicting information to the moderators, who are in a position to enlist the aid of known members who are up-to-date on matters, might be a solution?

P.S. I wouldn't trust me to correct anything to do with immigration now.

Yep, that's a snag. Would require a certain level of faith that people who would posit themselves as qualified to use the No button would be right about their qualification to do so. I kind of have that faith.

As a forum lurker, I get a pretty clear sense of who knows what they're talking about. I do not know the forms and processes well enough to give a whole lot of detailed unassailable advice, but I can identify good information as it resonates with my understanding. Likewise, I have very little trouble identifying #######. There are those among us who want to help, and are specifically capable of doing so. Then there's everybody else. The line is not too terribly fuzzy, in my experience.

Certainly this wouldn't be a perfect function. But the status quo is a tedious, inefficient mess.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Solution: Bring back the -1 for the upper fora. You KNOW it's the right thing to do.

[Pooky 3,825]

Solution: Bring back the -1 for the upper fora. You KNOW it's the right thing to do.

I'll give your "-1" a "+1"

On second thoughts ...

Just bring it back!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I don't rely on any information posted here without verifying the source, whether in the upper forums, or in the off topic areas. Much of what has been accepted as fact here is purely anecdotal. I know I have streamlined our process by actually reading the material provided on the DHS websites, and following the instructions there.

[sheenaspapi 18]

Solution. Never, ever accept an answer here or any other forum as gospel. This is an important process. Always confirm everything you get answered here from the correct source(USCIS,ETC).

When I met my fiance in Nov. 2009, I started reading every goverment website and forums available so that I would know and understand what is required as I can. There are way too many repeat posts about the same simple question that could be easily found if people would just read!! Ok. I'm off my soapbox.

[TBoneTX 45,866]

There are way too many repeat posts about the same simple question that could be easily found if people would just read!

Si, man. Perhaps there should be more pinned threads that are designed to contain the complete, truthful information about common topics and are then LOCKED (important). These threads could be unlocked only by a moderator or Admiral Ewok and modified with updated information as it occurs.

Grizzled members here tell newbies to "read the Guides." Si man, the Guides SHOULD be read, but a newer member may not think of doing that as standard procedure before posting a question, or (more likely?) may be so overwhelmed by the volume of information that it's easier simply to post.

In recent weeks, it has seemed to me that the number of partially correct or incorrect responses from newer members is greater than the ability of knowledgeable members to keep up with. Anyone else feel the same, huh man?

[sheenaspapi 18]

I think your right but it is due to the overwhelming number of identical questions posted. " I just got my NOA1 a week ago but nothing has happen since. How long until my petition is approved"? Or " I just received my NOA2, what do I do next?" Really????

All these questions, you should have known the answers to BEFORE you ever filed the I-129f people. This process isn't difficult, it just requires detail. If somebody is here posting a common simple question with a simple, common and widely available answer, then they haven't done their homework.

One word. GOOGLE.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I think your right but it is due to the overwhelming number of identical questions posted. " I just got my NOA1 a week ago but nothing has happen since. How long until my petition is approved"? Or " I just received my NOA2, what do I do next?" Really????

All these questions, you should have known the answers to BEFORE you ever filed the I-129f people. This process isn't difficult, it just requires detail. If somebody is here posting a common simple question with a simple, common and widely available answer, then they haven't done their homework.

One word. GOOGLE.

My favourite is "My wife arrived on a K1, now what?"... seriously? You didn't even think to worry about what you'll need? What if something you need you could have easily got from the home country and now you've gotta find a way to get it... drives me nuts.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

In recent weeks, it has seemed to me that the number of partially correct or incorrect responses from newer members is greater than the ability of knowledgeable members to keep up with. Anyone else feel the same, huh man?

Agreed

[candn 17]

In recent weeks, it has seemed to me that the number of partially correct or incorrect responses from newer members is greater than the ability of knowledgeable members to keep up with. Anyone else feel the same, huh man?

I think the "newer members" responses will be short-lived. I have been following this board for a while and it seems that once most people get what they want from it, they just leave or stop posting. The so-called "knowledgeable members" have been posting on this board for years and don't seem to be going anywhere. There appears to be an increase in new member activity only because of the inconsistent and sporadic way the USCIS has been processing (in addition to recent changes with fees and laws) lately thus a lot of people are sitting around waiting and discussing it on VJ. I know once the process starts flowing again and we are approved, I for one, will probably leave VJ until I need the knowledge of the senior members again. Your advice is priceless and truly appreciated for us newer members but many of us only find this as a temporary resource. Not something to be on longer than needed.

[twowls 217]

Si, man. Perhaps there should be more pinned threads that are designed to contain the complete, truthful information about common topics and are then LOCKED (important). These threads could be unlocked only by a moderator or Admiral Ewok and modified with updated information as it occurs.

Grizzled members here tell newbies to "read the Guides." Si man, the Guides SHOULD be read, but a newer member may not think of doing that as standard procedure before posting a question, or (more likely?) may be so overwhelmed by the volume of information that it's easier simply to post.

In recent weeks, it has seemed to me that the number of partially correct or incorrect responses from newer members is greater than the ability of knowledgeable members to keep up with. Anyone else feel the same, huh man?

This is the issue. Locked authoritative threads are a great idea. But the deal with new members asking "obvious" questions is that at the beginning of the process, everything looks like Greek. So sometimes people read the guides and are still worried. That's human. My basic point is that at this stage, when people are confused and porous, the misinformation is particularly harmful and there's no efficient way to address those bad posts. Frustration.

[twowls 217]

Solution. Never, ever accept an answer here or any other forum as gospel. This is an important process. Always confirm everything you get answered here from the correct source(USCIS,ETC).

When I met my fiance in Nov. 2009, I started reading every goverment website and forums available so that I would know and understand what is required as I can. There are way too many repeat posts about the same simple question that could be easily found if people would just read!! Ok. I'm off my soapbox.

Well yeah. But not everyone is going to pore over everything so thoroughly, and the fact that they "should" doesn't change that. The site exists to assist people beyond the source material. If examining the source material were enough, there'd be no need for this website.

[sheenaspapi 18]

If anyone doesn't pore over it so thoroughly, they are lazy. I understand some will have a language issue, but if they are petioning a K visa, they are American and should understand english.

This site like other forum is here to help, true. So is every other forum. But a lot of questions asked could simply be found here.

Example. I filed my K-1 visa, what do I do next??? That's like going to a cooking forum, pick this simple recipe and then ask " I just turned on my stove. What do I do next?" Really??