Possible New Subforums: Police Certificates, & Canceling Petitions?

[TBoneTX 45,288]

What's your feedback on the possible creation (and viability) of two potential subforums?

Police Certificates, Reports, & Checks

These queries come rather frequently. I speculate that having a place for them (rather than scattered through the various Process forums) would be appreciated, and that such a subforum would enjoy decent traffic.

Canceling Petitions in Progress (chiefly I-129F)

The justification for a subforum for this topic is somewhat weaker than for the first; however, the questions arise frequently. A pinned thread in an existing forum would seem logical, but pinned threads can be overlooked. People might not look for Wiki-type answers, either, before posting their query.

Thanks, si man.

Edited June 27, 2013 by TBoneTX

[Darnell 8,478]

instead, I posit -

send out an email every two weeks to those members who are using the mobile skin here,

and invite them to come back on a PC, where the 'advanced search tool' is exposed.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

What's your feedback on the possible creation (and viability) of two potential subforums?

Police Certificates, Reports, & Checks

These queries come rather frequently. I speculate that having a place for them (rather than scattered through the various Process forums) would be appreciated, and that such a subforum would enjoy decent traffic.

Canceling Petitions in Progress (chiefly I-129F)

The justification for a subforum for this topic is somewhat weaker than for the first; however, the questions arise frequently. A pinned thread in an existing forum would seem logical, but pinned threads can be overlooked. People might not look for Wiki-type answers, either, before posting their query.

Thanks, si man.

Bump, si man.

[Marilyn. 340]

instead, I posit -

send out an email every two weeks to those members who are using the mobile skin here,

and invite them to come back on a PC, where the 'advanced search tool' is exposed.

I am not sure if you realize it but you can access the "advanced search tool" on your phone..

[d3adc0d3 186]

May I also suggest "Transfers" for the K1 section?

[NikLR 13,227]

I agree with Tbone - I tend to move the police check subjects to the regional forums but it would be helpful to have a spot all their own

Transfers are fairly new and really don't need their own sub-forum however it would be handy to have a sticky explaining it at the top of the K1 process and procedures forum

Same goes with the CR1/IR1 forum, we should have a sticky explaining the NBC and the MSC numbers along with the local office transfer.

[Lemonslice 4,841]

Police Certificates, Reports, & Checks All the documents are described in the Reciprocity table... there is no need to "discuss" it, people should just be directed to the correct document, no? http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html It really says exactly what you should get...

[NikLR 13,227]

Most people don't even SEARCH on VJ to find out if someone has had a similar problem, let alone do the reading on the NVC website. I'll be honest, I searched there quite a bit and never remembered the reciprocity tables and the immigrant docs at the bottom of it. But I will now for when people ask questions so I can direct them there.

Maybe we spoon feed too much?

Edited July 12, 2013 by NikiR

[d3adc0d3 186]

I'll be honest as a user and as a web dev/programmer...

The google search function on this site leaves much to be desired. Plus, how it's being presented doesn't make people want to search (looks like you're searching google, not the forum).

I've used it and I often don't find what I'm looking for. You should go in the google custom search and make sure you're caching threads based on patterns, and that you have the meta set up properly on threads, I would make sure the first post that is written contains the description in the meta tags that google uses to search. People often don't tag their posts right and if you're going based on that, you won't get accurate results.

I searched and it looks too much like a google search. I had to double check to see if I was being sent off site!

Edited July 12, 2013 by d3adc0d3

[NikLR 13,227]

Did you try the "advanced search" not just the search box?

[Lemonslice 4,841]

Most people don't even SEARCH on VJ to find out if someone has had a similar problem, let alone do the reading on the NVC website. I'll be honest, I searched there quite a bit and never remembered the reciprocity tables and the immigrant docs at the bottom of it. But I will now for when people ask questions so I can direct them there.

Maybe we spoon feed too much?

Since it's common to refer users to the guides, maybe they would see it there?

Police Certificates

1. Determine the countries from which a police certificate is required.

2. Consult the Reciprocity table to find how to obtain a police certificate for this/these countries

I don't know... it's true that some users are a little lazy or do enjoy the spoon feeding... but others certainly take the time to search and use the resources provided.

[d3adc0d3 186]

Did you try the "advanced search" not just the search box?

How many users will notice that and use it? Yes it's there, but it's not a menu option, nor is it something someone would notice off the bat.

I'm just talking about how people use the website (any website really). Less about my personal experience -- which I've used the advanced search with some better results.

On the websites I've built or worked on the Advanced Search is only used about 7-10% of the time. Some see as much as 20% of the search activity but it's a prominent and permanent feature on their pages.

I would suggest the following as a professional:

1. Remove the "google custom search" text in the search box
2. Add "Advanced Search" next to the search bar (left or right, doesn't matter)
3. Highlight the "Advanced Search" text/background for visual interest so it captures people's attention.

There are other forum visual edits that can be done, but I understand that this is not a paid site, so it's hard to make those kind of tweaks when it's all volunteer work.

[NikLR 13,227]

Darnell plugs the "use the advanced search tool" enough that they do it. I agree it should be highlighted more. When used it is effective.

[Darnell 8,478]

How many users will notice that and use it? Yes it's there, but it's not a menu option, nor is it something someone would notice off the bat.

aha ! It is a menu option, when logged in from a PC using a real web browser.

Using a phone or feckless pad, you say? turn em off, yank the batteries, come back on a PC...

And you'll see the 'advanced search' clickitie click thingie.

[d3adc0d3 186]

I am on a PC.

I only see it below the log out button, and that's more in the "header" in web dev language than the "menu" the menu I mean the blue menu that the search tool is currently located. I suggest that Advanced Search should be next to that.