Have Certain VJ Members Designated As Guides

[Fandango 1,440]

Unfortunately, I know of several long time members who have consistently provided reliable information that have all but given up helping people because of the amount of disinformation and bad advice by those who have yet to prove their reliability, and that's a shame to both this forum as well to those who come here seeking help and support.

There do seem to be a lot of the 'old-timers' showing up less frequently on the board, but I don't feel its because of the reason Steven mentions. From my perspective it's the rudeness and hostility of some people that is making this board a less-attractive place to hang out.

I'd rather see the hammer put down on fire-starters. I've seen the comment that we shouldn't have a heavier-handed Admin because 'we are all adults here'. As adults, some are making the decision to leave the board rather than have to justify every word or comment we make to those with nothing better to do than stir up trouble.

Well, let's not forget 'real life' also has a way of taking up time. Let's face it...this is a somewhat transient site...we all have plenty of time cos most of us start out separated from our loved ones> but the goal that they get here finally dos come to fruition and then there's less time. Not to mention, how many times can you answer the same question without 'passing the torch' so to speak.

Let's face it...the couples who have met their goal spend less time here than those who don't.

And also...as far as the 'we're all adults' here thing, I totally believe that 100%. You can't control other people, but each of us can control ourselves.

[Fandango 1,440]

I think that none of us here are lawyers, and to label someone a guide kinda is in grey area.

But here's a novel thought...how bout this for a Guide?

[sophyie 0]

I think that none of us here are lawyers, and to label someone a guide kinda is in grey area.

But here's a novel thought...how bout this for a Guide?

[Chris-n-Veronica 0]

I think that none of us here are lawyers, and to label someone a guide kinda is in grey area.

But here's a novel thought...how bout this for a Guide?

Yea in fact I was just going there to Make sure I'm sending everything listed from the consulate and from the guides here..

"Better Safe Then Sorry"

[ladykelia 0]

Speaking as someone pretty new to the forums, I don't think I would have found it particularly helpful if some people were marked as "guides". You can determine people's veracity based on their join date, their membership designation and their attitude. But still each case is very individual. The veterans may have a lot of knowledge and experience in a certain area, but no amount of personal experience makes anyone else an expert on *my* case.

I think this is a wonderful site. The FAQ and Guides section here provides lot of seemingly good information that the USCIS leaves out for whatever reason. But I value everyone's opinion and attempt to help (when it isn't rude), even if they haven't been around very long. Still, everyone should take anyone's advice with a grain of salt. I try to help people where I can, usually with things regarding things I *have* experienced (not much yet), things that require an opinion, or things that have been answered so many times before that I know them by heart already.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Good idea. However, even the 'veterans' sometimes disagree with each other and prove each other wrong, from time to time. It would be dangerous, IMO, to give the impression to n00bs that anything coming from a "Guide" must be correct. Sometimes, they too, are wrong.

This is a message board and anyone coming on here should understand that it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney or official guidance from USCIS/Dept of State.

I agree too. Good suggestion though. I often read stories here about lawyers giving bad info. So even 'experts' can get it wrong. Even bad advice from well intended members gets pushed aside by the right answers coming to the surface.

Even if we all filed perfect there would errors (RFE) because the reviewers/interviewers are human too.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

There do seem to be a lot of the 'old-timers' showing up less frequently on the board, but I don't feel its because of the reason Steven mentions. From my perspective it's the rudeness and hostility of some people that is making this board a less-attractive place to hang out.

I'd rather see the hammer put down on fire-starters. I've seen the comment that we shouldn't have a heavier-handed Admin because 'we are all adults here'. As adults, some are making the decision to leave the board rather than have to justify every word or comment we make to those with nothing better to do than stir up trouble.

Amen!!!

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

I think that none of us here are lawyers, and to label someone a guide kinda is in grey area.

But here's a novel thought...how bout this for a Guide?

I think it's a given that none of us here are immigration lawyers - but you don't need to consult a lawyer for many of the questions asked regarding the immigration process...you just need someone to point you in the right direction. We already have regulars here who tirelessly answer people's questions and help point them in the right direction. Where the problem exists is when someone who is rather new here or hasn't gone through the process decides they can confidently point someone in the right direction, regardless if one or more of the regulars is pointing them in a different direction.

I just thought it would help the newer members to sort out those with more experience and knowledge from those who are fairly new themselves.

Edited January 23, 2007 by Steven_and_Jinky

[rebeccajo 14]

Steven, it's a nice idea. But it creates too much liability for Admin, as well as anybody who might be designated. Plus every other point that's been mentioned is another reason that your well-intentioned idea will probably never come to pass.

You can't stop people from being careless. And that includes the readers as well as the posters. When I first found VJ, I lurked for several weeks. I read for facts, but I also read the threads and I got to know the 'players'. It didn't take too long to figure out who had some experience under their belt from who was new. And that included learning who the 'eager beavers' were - the nice people trying to help but who were still - well, clueless.

If somebody wants a pat, quick answer - well there's nothing we can do about that. If that pat answer happens to be wrong - oh well - anybody in that big of hurry probably will muck up their 'visajourney' in about a dozen other ways as well.

And as for the well-intentioned newbies - hopefully they'll learn from their mistakes and stick around once they are more seasoned. This whole journey consists of 'torch passing' - some or us stay around longer than others, but at some point we all move on.

Sort of like life. Which is really what this is all about, isn't it?

[Caladan 19]

Steven, in theory, the idea is great. In practice, though, it's better for newbies to get a sense of whom to trust by thoroughly acquainting themselves with the forum and its folkways, so to speak.

A site like VJ should be about advice for 'consensus building' types of things, not specific questions. That's where the groupthink is useful, and where getting several different *opinions* can be useful.

Plus, a longtime 'guide' could get it wrong, or disagree with another guide. If we've got a culture that says 'listen to the guides, they know best', that could be detrimental in the long run.

[Fandango 1,440]

I think that none of us here are lawyers, and to label someone a guide kinda is in grey area.

But here's a novel thought...how bout this for a Guide?

I think it's a given that none of us here are immigration lawyers - but you don't need to consult a lawyer for many of the questions asked regarding the immigration process...you just need someone to point you in the right direction. We already have regulars here who tirelessly answer people's questions and help point them in the right direction. Where the problem exists is when someone who is rather new here or hasn't gone through the process decides they can confidently point someone in the right direction, regardless if one or more of the regulars is pointing them in a different direction.

I just thought it would help the newer members to sort out those with more experience and knowledge from those who are fairly new themselves.

You were new once and you've apparantly figured out what's what. So have the majority of others here. Why we would even need a labeling system is kinda pointless and redundant imo.

No one here needs to be a 'guide'....if someone cannot figure out their own way to the GUIDE section, the search function, let alone google, uscis, and simply taking on ALL opinion here and figuring out for yourself what's what....well, I dunno what to tell ya.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

....if someone cannot figure out their own way to the GUIDE section, the search function, let alone google, uscis, and simply taking on ALL opinion here and figuring out for yourself what's what....well, I dunno what to tell ya.

(if you don't watch Carlos Mencia, you won't get that.)

[Fandango 1,440]

....if someone cannot figure out their own way to the GUIDE section, the search function, let alone google, uscis, and simply taking on ALL opinion here and figuring out for yourself what's what....well, I dunno what to tell ya.

(if you don't watch Carlos Mencia, you won't get that.)

I got it, lol

Yanno, the more I think about this, the more it annoys me because it's based on the assumption that the newer people are thicker than sh!t and cannot function without people being labeled as 'swammies' to guide them with long sticks or summat.

Is it more about the 'prestige' of 'oooh look I have a title'? Cos I mean really. 2007 and we're having a discussion on how to keep people co-dependant? #######?

WWTGD?

LOL

Edited January 23, 2007 by LisaD

[Fandango 1,440]

dupe!

someone get me a guide!

Edited January 23, 2007 by LisaD

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

This debate reflects the political divide. Do you want a nanny or don't you?

ETA: Or more accurately, do you think 'they' need a nanny or do you think more highly of them?

Edited January 23, 2007 by Gupt