Restrict Regional forums to flag bearers

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I was thinking of a topic last night that I would like to post in the Aussie sub-forum however I do NOT want people from other countries to read it (because I have a closer relationship to my country-men). Is it possible to enable a feature where you can select that option? As in it only shows up to people that have the flag (or country set) of that country/sub-forum (except mods of course).. people without a flag would also be excluded (which should mean more people will set up their profiles)?

It sounds ominous but I've found there are a couple of members that are quite rude who like to belittle people and their opinions (sometimes not technically a "personal attack" so their comment can't be removed). They aren't from Australia, they don't understand our ways, our manner of speaking and take offense. There are also certain members who like to stalk certain members and be mean or rude and given the delicate nature of the post I want to make (mods/Ewok please PM if you want to know what it's about) I don't want to open myself, or those that reply, to the ridicule of these members. I want to be able to post "Things I miss about Aus" (that's not actually the topic but for example) without having those kinds of people coming in and derailing the topic by picking apart anything they don't understand or agree with. I've found that between country-men even when they disagree they do it in a manner we're "use to" and it isn't as grating or offensive.

I also understand that the USC might be the one with the flag set, but they're marrying an Aussie so they tend to be on the same wavelength (might not understand words but have similar values that attracted them to their SO), or it opens up a topic for them to talk to "their Aussie" about.

I don't know if that makes any sense. If it's not possible I will of course just post in the the chat thread, or I'll just post it in another media and link it to them (which is messy but an option).

Anyway just an idea Thanks in advance for considering it

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Some of the RUB members would like the same sort of set up so they can talk about guns, boobs, their sexual exploits and how women from other parts of the world don't measure up.

[EAbbas 213]

Nice one Vanessa&Tony... Totally understand your point.. so that when a person needs general info they can post wherever but when it's specific to the country/culture then those members are the only ones to see/be able to make comments. And they would understand what's being said with the slang etc without any issues.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Does this mean Vanessa will stop trolling the Philippines forum?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Many of us from the Philippines forum have been asking for this, at least as long as me and my wife have been posting here.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

You know, all snarkiness aside, I'd really hate to see this and I'll tell you why.

And it all goes back to the day before VJ had regional forums.

Before the regional forums, just by the very nature of the community you learned a lot about other cultures. I personally very much enjoyed that part of coming to VJ.

The Regional Forums were set up because VJ Admin preferred to isolate the communities rather than moderate them. One particular ethnic/religious group was getting a lot of venom. Presto, we make a place for them to hide so others won't intrude.

As we can see, this has not worked.

What VJ needs is more moderation. And not the bully in the school-yard variety. But rather the kind where racial, sexual, ethnic and religious hatred IS NOT TOLERATED.

[The_Dude 1,142]

You must not be familiar with how internet forums work Vanessa. If you want private conversation with only those you like, then perhaps you should either start your own forum, or find another medium (PM, or facebook).

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Does this mean Vanessa will stop trolling the Philippines forum?

Lol. I didn't realise you felt this way I just click "New Content" and read topics where the titles appear interesting. I rarely check for where it's posted (one of the reasons I asked about this because if I don't look, others probably don't). I will try and pay more attention

[The_Dude 1,142]

Lol. I didn't realise you felt this way I just click "New Content" and read topics where the titles appear interesting. I rarely check for where it's posted (one of the reasons I asked about this because if I don't look, others probably don't). I will try and pay more attention

So you like to check out all the new content, but somehow want to restrict others from doing the same, to your posts?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

So you like to check out all the new content, but somehow want to restrict others from doing the same, to your posts?

Of course I include myself in the restriction. Currently there's no way to block people from seeing a topic and I don't check. THAT'S what I'm saying. I forget to check, I'm sure others forget as well. Also thinking about the topic I want to post I thought about how it must feel so I'm going to attempt to change that and try and make sure I avoid replying to regional forum topics (unless someone quotes something I've already written) but of course I can change myself, it doesn't stop others who couldn't give a #######.

I go through the New Content because sometimes people post questions in the wrong spot (like AOS qns in the K1 forum). I read "my" typical forums first then rather than keep those tabs open I just hit New Content to see if there's any updates since I was there last.

**Edit - Also, I don't mean ALL topics in Regional blocked, I mean when you posted in the regional forum could there be an option "Open to All" and "Regional members only" so people can post sensitive topics restricted, or regional specific qns like "Police certs in Aus" wouldn't matter if it's open to all.

Edited January 9, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

I certainly understand the request but I also think better moderation would be a better answer to the problem.

I like how Mods can now Thread-Ban a member for repeated violations in a single thread. It would be great of Mods could also Sub-forum-Ban a member for repeating violations in a particular Regional Sub-forum.

This would allow the multicultural exposure that we've become accustomed to on VJ but allow Mods to spare the "Regionals" from the wrath of a few idiots.

Allow the sub-forum's Moderators this ability and make sure that those Mods are from that region/active in that sub-forum for most effective execution.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I like the inclusiveness of the current site arrangement. A "No outsiders allowed" approach to regionals seems unwelcoming and fussy. And easy to get around if someone was so inclined. There will always be disagreement, troublemaking, and misunderstandings no matter how you try to separate or exclude people.

I agree that moderation is the key addressing problems as they arise.

All are welcome in the UK subforum to discuss spotted ####### in a can (tin), among other things.

[Darnell 8,478]

maybe it's just time for a 24 to 48 hour 'read only mode', time-out so to speark, in all but the immigration forums?

[^_^ 5,021]

maybe it's just time for a 24 to 48 hour 'read only mode', time-out so to speark, in all but the immigration forums?

maybe that's the worst idea ever proposed?

[The_Dude 1,142]

maybe that's the worst idea ever proposed?

Worse than when he tried to run off everyone who didn't at that exact moment have some pending application with USCIS?