New K1 subforums?

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

I think that your suggested fixes here will calm everything down for awhile, but I don't think it's going to solve anyone's 'problem' with VJ. A handful of people is not enough to keep this machine running, and I see very few new recruits who want to contribute in what I think is the appropriate way.

What is your definition of he problem as you see it and what type of recruits are you looking for in your example above? Maybe we can brain storm. I know I can never make everyone happy but I can try!

Mo,

Perhaps you should suggest those contributors that can make a difference, in a PM to Captain Ewok?

It is all about integrity, commitment and the willingness to give up the time to the effort of improving this site.

I hope that I can do what it takes as everyones help to maintain the integrity of this site for everyone . I want people to take a sense of pride in the site and what it stands for. If anything today you have reminded me that it is important to promote that feeling out on the site more. I am very proud to be here on the site with so many people and I want to let you know my ears are open to what you think.

Let me know if I can do more and be honest. I will try.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

I think the new plan 'not all power to one person' sounds like a good one. I'm sure M will have some great ideas to offer you...sorry I missed the chat as well. At least the issues are being looked at/worked on...it's a good step forward. M.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

I think the new plan 'not all power to one person' sounds like a good one. I'm sure M will have some great ideas to offer you...sorry I missed the chat as well. At least the issues are being looked at/worked on...it's a good step forward. M.

I am glad. I may indeed at some point soon actually have member moderators in the title but they would be far and few between. The member features above that do basically the same thing would be for a broader group of people. I am glad you think that it might be a feasible idea!

[David-and-Mae 15]

Wow, where on earth was I to miss this thread? I was surprised to see the new changes in K1 forum but I didn't have a hard time navigating through it. Being a newbie back in December, I was guilty of not reading the GUIDES. Now, I have learned a lot from being here for almost four months. I just want to thank everyone for their endless support and helpful advices and also, to congratulate whoever are responsible (aside from the Captain) for much organized K1 forum. Keep up the good work everyone!

I know I'm off topic but can't help but post, sorry.

Mae

[rebeccajo 14]

Captain, I believe mo summed up what our bottom line should be with one word.

CARING.

Caring about the site having a useful purpose beyond members being able to come on for a snap answer or a quick glimpse of the Guides or FAQ. Caring about whether we are able to help each other by virtue of our experience and common goal.

*sigh*

One thing I have a great deal of trouble articulating to newer members is how the visajourney is just a small yet important part of the rest of their lives. In some cases, the blush of love, coupled with the romance of a long distance relationship with a partner from a different and fascinating culture impedes the thought processes of the couple.

Immigration becomes an enigma then - an enemy and a tyrant to be battled. If we can help people find the simpler path, then we can alleviate the stress - we can help take away the 'battle'.

When an immigrant comes to this nation, there are heaps of issues for them personally. In a marriage based petition, the goal was re-unification of the couple or family. But after that - what next? What about 'real life'? What about adjusting and assimilating? What about the normal adjustments of marriage? What about that immigrant's individual personal happiness? Their personal satisfaction with a career; making new friendships; adapting to different foods or weather - the list is endless.

And what about the responsibility of the USC to see to it that their foreign spouse has all the tools to make those transitions? I am so firmly convinced that many members here, in their rush to be with the loved one, forget that once that person is here, the immigration journey is not over. There are still more papers to process to insure the family STAYS together. I'm not exactly sure why, but I will never forget the admonishment by our Consular Officer during my husband's interview that I make sure I adjust my husband's status once we got married. Perhaps I can't forget that because just a few days later in Dublin, the CBP officer who admitted my husband to the US said the exact same thing.

I feel a responsibility to my husband to make sure all his papers are processed. So he can live a full and happy life here - with me. And for some weird and unknown reason, I feel that same responsibility to members here. Less heavily of course, but to me the members here are more than 'words on a screen'. They are real people who have either brought someone to this country, or they are the immigrant themselves who have packed up their lives and moved around the world.

If we can offer some help to those who want to take responsibility for their loved one, then I feel that's our purpose here. We have to care enough about each other to realize that 'moderation' of the site isn't policing or legislating. As adults, we realize that rules exist. We realize that courtesy and common sense aid in communication. And we realize that differing communication styles - when coupled with adult rules, courtesy and common sense - make for a well rounded environment.

The journey of a couple through life is winding and long. Immigration need not rule it or govern it. But it is a part of the story of each couple here. If we can somehow make that small portion of every couples story less painful, then we have served our purpose.

[Mags 112]

*nods* Excellent post Becca.

I post simply because if I can help make the process easier for just one person, then that's great. I can look back and see where I possibly made mistakes, where I worried needlessly, where things could have been done a little differently...and I see others doing similar things. I can now say to them "actually, if you try it this way, it'll be easier". If they take no notice then fair enough. If they do take notice, and it helps them, then it's a great feeling.

This process is hard enough as it is without others making it harder for you, just because THEY had to go the hard way themselves. I see that quite a bit on here.

[no name 1]

I realize it's a bit of Monday morning quarterbacking as we say here and I'm sorry I couldn't join the chat at that time, but I do have a comment about the above.

I think that you are trying to piecemeal solve the individual complaints that come along, with pieces of solutions. What I still see missing is a definition of this 'community'.

Depending on my mood, I could see 50 threads a day that should be locked, or one. This is nothing to do with my ego, it's to do with how I am perceiving the role of VJ on that given day.

We don't really know what is acceptable behavior here (other than the blatently obvious) and we have very different ideas of it. Rob thinks he should be able to post about Jesus all day and no one should mock him. Andy doesn't like the term 'post #######' and finds it borderline anti-TOS. Lisa thinks there should be as little interference as possible because we're all adults. People make fun of a woman using babelfish to translate her serious question, and it becomes a VJ classic, and I was on the sticking-up-for-her side getting trashed along with her. Members *consistantly* join with false aliases to have fun with made-up posts. Those posts take answers away from people in genuine need. Polite requests are replied to with a STFU (look it up if need be).

One thing you've got to give to the Usenet groups--at least there is a standardized code of behavior, and most people follow it. Silly ####### like the above gets pruned out and no one complains. The group is for information. We still make friends, but we keep the group on topic.

My impression of this site is:

1.) A place to get immigration suggestions, support and anecdotal, yet skilled experience. This will fall short of legal advice though, be sure of that!

2.) A place with integrity, which has the members respecting each other. Yet disagreement is fully acceptable and appreciated, but with some level of respect. As we all know, this frequently does not happen, and tends to digress into name calling and bashing.

THe line is almost NEVER drawn here unless a thread goes way, way OT. That Jesus thread got to like 30 pages before it was stopped? Why, I ask you?????

3.) A place where, "out of control threads" are shut down. As this is once again, an immigration forum. Over the top comments and threads are not needed, and do not promote the intent of the site.

see above reply. OT has become a place to post anything you want. How does that help us being an immigration community? There seems to be no point to 99% of the stuff posted there. That is also the place where there is almost no respect or CONTROL.

I simply offer that additional admin help, limited to the final discretion of the good Captain, would be appropriate.

For those that feel the need to post any freaking thing they want, well, is it really benefiting those immigrating? No, it is not.

And yet no one is ever criticized for it. This should be a place for immigration, first & foremost. It doesn't seem like it to me. The regional forums are what an OT section should be. Why do we have an OT? It serves no purpose other than as place to boost post counts.

Agreed, I have posted a few off topic items, yet I always try to see both sides. If the site will benefit from restraint, why not promote it?

EXACTLY.

I alos want to say that yesterday there was a noob thread asking about something BASIC from the giudes. I posted a link AND ONCE AGAIN got yelled at by a relatively new member saying people don't want a phone operator, they want a person. I posted to the answer, yet that is not acceptable???? WHY? I am so frustrated with this kind of behavior & how it's allowed to carry on - when older members who post correct links or 'read the guides' are yelled at.

The spoonfed noobs are 90% of the new members here - I'd like to address how to tell people to read the guides SO WE DON'T GET YELLED AT.

Edited March 31, 2007 by devilette

[Mags 112]

Although I understand why some people dislike OT, it is just that OFF TOPIC. I thought it was a place for people to relax and get away from the Immigration process. If people don't like OT then surely they could stay away...

I actually see some interesting topics in there and would hate for it to go away myself. Yes, there is a good share of post boosting going on, but that tends to stay within the game threads. I think that despite the disagreements there is a pretty good sense of community in there too. People don't seem to hold grudges IMO.

With regards to the Regional Forums, the UK one has really come along wonderfully lately. There is a real sense of community in there AND everyone is pretty nice (bar one thread which just naturally died a death thank goodness). Again, I think this is important. It lends support to people and can build friendships. Why is that silly?

I also want to say that yesterday there was a noob thread asking about something BASIC from the giudes. I posted a link AND ONCE AGAIN got yelled at by a relatively new member saying people don't want a phone operator, they want a person. I posted to the answer, yet that is not acceptable???? WHY? I am so frustrated with this kind of behavior & how it's allowed to carry on - when older members who post correct answers are yelled at.

D, does this happen with any other members that you know of? Not implying anything here, just wondering and thinking out loud cause this happens to you ALOT.

The spoonfed noobs are 90% of the new members here - I'd like to address how to tell people to read the guides SO WE DON'T GET YELLED AT.

See my post before yours. Just because WE had a harder time...why do they have to? If we can help them then surely that is the whole point of VJ?

Edited March 31, 2007 by mags

[TracyTN 237]

I sure am sorry I missed all this last night. The ONE night I decide to go out and this happens.

Sounds like you all came up w/ some good ideas. I'm willing to help if need be, as you all know.

Maybe when I've had food and caffeine, I can come back and add something more worthwhile but for now, it sounds all good to me!

Edited March 31, 2007 by TracyTN

[no name 1]

Although I understand why some people dislike OT, it is just that OFF TOPIC. I thought it was a place for people to relax and get away from the Immigration process. If people don't like OT then surely they could stay away...

I actually see some interesting topics in there and would hate for it to go away myself. Yes, there is a good share of post boosting going on, but that tends to stay within the game threads. I think that despite the disagreements there is a pretty good sense of community in there too. People don't seem to hold grudges IMO.

OT is fine, whatever. There is no control in there though. That should be addressed I think.

I also want to say that yesterday there was a noob thread asking about something BASIC from the giudes. I posted a link AND ONCE AGAIN got yelled at by a relatively new member saying people don't want a phone operator, they want a person. I posted to the answer, yet that is not acceptable???? WHY? I am so frustrated with this kind of behavior & how it's allowed to carry on - when older members who post correct answers are yelled at.

D, does this happen with any other members that you know of? Not implying anything here, just wondering and thinking out loud.

OUCH. Yeah, you are most definitely implying something.

You know I'm not all rainbows but why on easrth does that mean I can't post a link to guides??????

Since WHEN is this kind of reply unwelcome?

Anyone else that came to the US have any problems with a one way ticket? Im getting the feeling my fiancee might get some grief if she doesnt have a return ticket, but she is not planning to go back. We will get married and she will live here.

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-ap...ation.html#4.10

Forget it, I'm leaving VJ for awhile. I can't deal with this absolute bullsh*t & name calling anymore.

[rebeccajo 14]

Regarding the Guides and FAQ.....my opinion only....

One thing that concerns me is that by pointing to the Guide and FAQ, we give the impression that VJ is THE AUTHORITY. It concerns me from the point of the ugly animal we mentioned last evening...unauthorized practice of law.

It's my tactic to ask a poster to please read the Guide, FAQ, or some other point of reference, and then come back with questions after they've had some time to ponder it all.

In my opinion, this opens up dialogue and hopefully we achieve what I believe the purpose of the site to be - self-accountability for their case.

Edited March 31, 2007 by rebeccajo

[Mags 112]

OUCH. Yeah, you are most definitely implying something.

Nope, just saying that if it is happening to other members perhaps they could step forward (or if you are aware of it), mention what has happened to them and then the problem could be addressed. That's all.

Edited March 31, 2007 by mags

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

damn, ladies, what is with all the drama?

[Mags 112]

Regarding the Guides and FAQ.....my opinion only....

One thing that concerns me is that by pointing to the Guide and FAQ, we give the impression that VJ is THE AUTHORITY. It concerns me from the point of the ugly animal we mentioned last evening...unauthorized practice of law.

Good point actually Becca, hadn't thought of it quite like that.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Yes, I have said many times that VJ Guides need to be treated as a SECONDARY resource. Primary resources are and should always be - USCIS.GOV, STATE.GOV and official consular websites. This point needs to be pounded home.

And if someone complains that they have to be a lawyer to read those sites (I have heard that before)... tell them, no you don't. Try again. And if you can't read that sort of material independently without assistance, then consider getting legal representation. DIY isn't for everyone.