Embassy/Consulate Subforums?

[Dan&Tiffany 0]

Well I was away while the topic of where to put consulate/embassy information was being discussed. At the risk of starting up debate again, I really did think the suggestion of adding subforums to the consulate/embassy forum was a good idea. I know it may not necessarily promote community atmosphere as much - which is regretful. However, I do think if we are going to be asked to keep consulate/embassy info in that forum, it would be helpful to have a specific place to look. I think Leney best illustrated this by her own personal experience

This was actually the case when I had a thread moved out of the UK discussion and into the embassy discussion. Everyone and their mother gave me WRONG information, so much so I was in tears, and my husband was on the extortion line to the embassy, which incidentally caused more drama, because the people on the phone line had the wrong information as well, and told us they had never received our packet 3 and we had no interview scheduled and at the time, our interview was scheduled and less than a week away. (not saying this is all the forum mod's fault, it was just an unfortunately chain of events that left us in a panic). And then I was told by the people in the Embassy forum "why the hell didn't you post this in the UK forum?" I told them I did, and it was moved. I actually had to go to another web site like VJ called British Ex-Pats to get the proper information, and eventually the Embassy did email my husband and I and confirm the actual information we needed 2-3 days later. Maybe not a big deal to you (err that's the general you, I'm not speaking to anyone in specific tongue.gif), but it was to us. *shrug*

While we all agree that, yes, you can go to other sites - we also all want THIS site to be the best it can be. All of us know how stressful the whole process is; we can all appreciate that sometimes you just want answers to your questions - not to broaden our realm of general knowledge of the process - in as timely a manner as possible. Yes, it's fantastic to read about the other countries. I do enjoy lurking around and reading others' experiences. It makes me appreciate the process more. However, when we finally get to the embassy stage of our journey, and I come across something that I can't figure out (as I'm sure will happen) I do hope that I can get answers to my questions quickly so we can keep the process moving as quickly as possible. To be honest - I really have much less cause for concern that people in countries less represented. There are currently 46 pending K1 visas from the UK per the timeline statistics. There are only 11 pending K1 visas from Mexico (just as a random example.) It seems to me, with only 11 people searching for answers specifically related to Mexico - those threads are going to get shifted back to page 2 or 3 in no time by those of us asking/answering questions related to the UK, Philippines, and Russia.

I don't think anything in this post can be construed as offensive, but due to the sensitive nature of this topic, I'll just start off with my disclaimer that none of it was intended to offend in any way. I know most of you guys that have been around for a while seem to like the pre-regional format. Personally, I love the subforums, but I wasn't around before so I have nothing to compare to.

I guess my reason for posting is A) to ask if there is any plan to reinforce the subforums as cultural/regional banter only areas? B) If so, would it be possible/useful to implement subforums in the embassy/consulate forum

[no name 1]

It was discussed at length here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...0&start=120

[Dan&Tiffany 0]

It was discussed at length here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...0&start=120

Yes, I realize that. That's why I started the post off stating that "...I was away while the topic of where to put consulate/embassy information was being discussed." Also - the quote mentioned is from that thread. I read the whole thing.

I guess my reason for posting is A) to ask if there is any plan to reinforce the subforums as cultural/regional banter only areas? cool.gif If so, would it be possible/useful to implement subforums in the embassy/consulate forum

There were no answers to either of these questions, but thanks for your reply.

Edited May 29, 2007 by Dan&Tiffany

[Yodrak 7]

Dan&Tiffany,

My thoughts are these:

1. The idea that the regional forums are 'consulate specific' is true for only a handful (literally) of consulates.

2. The people who use the regional forums can post whatever they want to in those forums (as long as the TOS are not violated). My feeling is that the topics discussed in those forums can be as wide-ranging as the participants want them to be.

3. If VJ were to have consulate-specific forums that would be a lot of forums!

4. The 11 visas pending from Mexico, and the 1 visa pending from Neverland, are every bit as important as 46 visas pending from the UK. Numbers do not make 1 US consulate more important than another.

5. No matter what the topic, no matter what the forum, every VJer has to be diligent to separate the good information from the bad, the appropriate information from the inappropriate.

Yodrak

Well I was away while the topic of where to put consulate/embassy information was being discussed. At the risk of starting up debate again, I really did think the suggestion of adding subforums to the consulate/embassy forum was a good idea. I know it may not necessarily promote community atmosphere as much - which is regretful. However, I do think if we are going to be asked to keep consulate/embassy info in that forum, it would be helpful to have a specific place to look. I think Leney best illustrated this by her own personal experience

This was actually the case when I had a thread moved out of the UK discussion and into the embassy discussion. Everyone and their mother gave me WRONG information, ......

...... All of us know how stressful the whole process is; we can all appreciate that sometimes you just want answers to your questions - not to broaden our realm of general knowledge of the process - in as timely a manner as possible. Yes, it's fantastic to read about the other countries. I do enjoy lurking around and reading others' experiences. It makes me appreciate the process more. However, when we finally get to the embassy stage of our journey, and I come across something that I can't figure out (as I'm sure will happen) I do hope that I can get answers to my questions quickly so we can keep the process moving as quickly as possible. To be honest - I really have much less cause for concern that people in countries less represented. There are currently 46 pending K1 visas from the UK per the timeline statistics. There are only 11 pending K1 visas from Mexico (just as a random example.) It seems to me, with only 11 people searching for answers specifically related to Mexico - those threads are going to get shifted back to page 2 or 3 in no time by those of us asking/answering questions related to the UK, Philippines, and Russia.

I don't think anything in this post can be construed as offensive, but due to the sensitive nature of this topic, I'll just start off with my disclaimer that none of it was intended to offend in any way. I know most of you guys that have been around for a while seem to like the pre-regional format. Personally, I love the subforums, but I wasn't around before so I have nothing to compare to.

I guess my reason for posting is A) to ask if there is any plan to reinforce the subforums as cultural/regional banter only areas? B) If so, would it be possible/useful to implement subforums in the embassy/consulate forum

[no name 1]

Dan&Tiffany,

My thoughts are these:

1. The idea that the regional forums are 'consulate specific' is true for only a handful (literally) of consulates.

2. The people who use the regional forums can post whatever they want to in those forums (as long as the TOS are not violated). My feeling is that the topics discussed in those forums can be as wide-ranging as the participants want them to be.

3. If VJ were to have consulate-specific forums that would be a lot of forums!

4. The 11 visas pending from Mexico, and the 1 visa pending from Neverland, are every bit as important as 46 visas pending from the UK. Numbers do not make 1 US consulate more important than another.

5. No matter what the topic, no matter what the forum, every VJer has to be diligent to separate the good information from the bad, the appropriate information from the inappropriate.

Yodrak

well said Y.

[rebeccajo 14]

We went through the consular phase of our journey 2 years ago. I don't think VJ even had Regional Forums then. If it did, nobody was in there chatting about the London consulate. We were all hanging out in the Consular Forum.

Never once did I find it difficult to locate the answer to a query. There's probably several reasons for that.

First of all, there isn't that much consular specific stuff I couldn't pick up from the London website. If the website confused me, then the answer wasn't buried THAT deep in VJ threads. Interview accounts churn daily. Consulate procedures change from time to time. I found it to be in our best interest to stay on top of things and not rely on an old thread or (for that matter) the answer of one person to my query.

You know those big 'monthly filer' threads in the K1 forum? We used to have those in the Consular Forum - divided by country. So you hung out in the thread with your buddies.

Tiffany, you state that you sometimes needed an answer quickly. I'm wondering why. What is there about the consulate phase that requires a speedy answer? Perhaps my approach to my husband's visa was different than other folks, but I doubt it. One of the best ways to kill the 'alone' time we face when separated is to read ahead and prepare for the next phase of the journey. If you're prepared, there's not much about the interview phase that can come as a surprise - other than a late train to London.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I'm kind of confused by all this controversy - I was at embassy stage a few months after Rebecca (and there were regional forums then) and like her found the London Embassy thread in the Embassy and Consulate section to be an absolute lifeline, with the best and most accurate info and provided a good indication of what the timings would be for packet 3, interview, etc.

I'm kind of surprised UK people don't maintain that thread any more as everyone who used was either about to, in the process of or had just finished consulate stage and were far better placed to offer advice than people in the regional forums, who are all in different stages of immigration.

[TimsDaisy 0]

I saw on another site which-will-remain-nameless that the forums had an extra column where the origin of the poster was noted. Would it be possible to have a teeny flag emblem pop up next to the poster's name? Something that could, visually, indicate what a post might be most relevant too. Everything in the consulate section would still be wide open and in one place, but those looking for anything specific to their own region/embassy/consulate could scan to see what's available.

and - side note - I think on your point 4, Yodrak, you misunderstand D&T's concern. (or I do.) it seems that the point isn't that the 1 lone filer from country x is less important, it's that because there are fewer of them, they might get pushed down the board. so maybe a separation would keep them from being forgotten. i think that was the concern. it isn't a matter of wanting them out of the way, it's a matter of making sure they don't get run over.

It seems like there might be some sort of way to ID things without creating new subforums - since many seem against that idea.

I'm kind of confused by all this controversy - I was at embassy stage a few months after Rebecca (and there were regional forums then) and like her found the London Embassy thread in the Embassy and Consulate section to be an absolute lifeline, with the best and most accurate info and provided a good indication of what the timings would be for packet 3, interview, etc.

I'm kind of surprised UK people don't maintain that thread any more as everyone who used was either about to, in the process of or had just finished consulate stage and were far better placed to offer advice than people in the regional forums, who are all in different stages of immigration.

i'm confused - was there once a london embassy sub-thread within the general consulate section? or do you mean the UK regional thread generally?

[LaL 418]

Would it be possible to have a teeny flag emblem pop up next to the poster's name? Something that could, visually, indicate what a post might be most relevant too.

how are the flags used on VJ not indicating country of intending immigrant/relevancy? I realize some do not fill it out - and thats a choice on has to make, but overall many people DO utlize them. Isn't that a visual cue just like you are suggesting?

Edited May 29, 2007 by lal_brandow

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

i'm confused - was there once a london embassy sub-thread within the general consulate section? or do you mean the UK regional thread generally?

yes there was -- and it was great! Someone needs to start it up again, there's clearly a need for it. It was much like the Bogota, Islamabad, Juarez threads that I can see near the top in the Embassy section. To be honest, when I was going through K-1 I'm not sure I would have found the info as readily outside the embassy section - the regional sections are more "chatty" and I think important info can get lost too easily. It's best to have it all in one place, I think, that way the everyone's experiences are pooled together in one place.

[rebeccajo 14]

Daisy, the thread in Consulates has disappeared because for some unknown reason, most everybody who presently POSTS has decided to do so in the UK regional forum.

A great disservice, I believe, to those many READERS who don't post or who don't travel down to the General Discussion area. I'm sure they outnumber the more boisterous of us, and if I were one of them, by the Forum General Page description of that board area, I wouldn't enter the forum looking for immigration info.

As lal mentions, there already are flags in our profiles. I mentioned that the other day as it being a good tool to use when reading, especially if one is nervous about getting information that doesn't pertain to their consulate.

Honestly, I think the 'controversy' is simply nervousness on the part of newer members to venture out of the Regional Forum for some fear of getting 'wrong' information. And I don't refer just to UK members.

Brotherhood and sharing is good, people.

Edited May 29, 2007 by rebeccajo

[Mags 112]

I think the old London Embassy thread was excellent. All the information was in one place and in ONE forum (the Consulate forum) only. You knew exactly where to look and important information wasn't scattered between the four corners of the earth.

I for one would be HUGELY supportive of a thread such as that being started up again AND pinned.

[Dan&Tiffany 0]

Never once did I find it difficult to locate the answer to a query.

Of course, most of us know how to search for information needed. Just a bit more helpful when things are all nice and tidy. I know you organizers can appreciate that.

Tiffany, you state that you sometimes needed an answer quickly. I'm wondering why. What is there about the consulate phase that requires a speedy answer? Perhaps my approach to my husband's visa was different than other folks, but I doubt it. One of the best ways to kill the 'alone' time we face when separated is to read ahead and prepare for the next phase of the journey. If you're prepared, there's not much about the interview phase that can come as a surprise - other than a late train to London.

Don't plan on any last minute surprises. Of course, I didn't plan on trains running late and missing my flight on Sunday either. Stuff happens. I hope to be as prepared as possible, but sometimes details do slip past me. Unfortunately I'm far from perfect, so I miss things from time to time. I don't want a little oversight to delay this already-long process.

I'm kind of confused by all this controversy - I was at embassy stage a few months after Rebecca (and there were regional forums then) and like her found the London Embassy thread in the Embassy and Consulate section to be an absolute lifeline, with the best and most accurate info and provided a good indication of what the timings would be for packet 3, interview, etc.

I'm kind of surprised UK people don't maintain that thread any more as everyone who used was either about to, in the process of or had just finished consulate stage and were far better placed to offer advice than people in the regional forums, who are all in different stages of immigration.

It is a good idea. Thing is, the ones that are at that at that stage now weren't around back when. Can't really maintain something you didn't know anything about to begin with. Now we know - this was kinda my point for posting this thread - get some ideas of what worked in the past, etc. I'd like to be able to help make this site better albeit a tiny amount while going through this process. No "controversy" intended.

and - side note - I think on your point 4, Yodrak, you misunderstand D&T's concern. (or I do.) it seems that the point isn't that the 1 lone filer from country x is less important, it's that because there are fewer of them, they might get pushed down the board. so maybe a separation would keep them from being forgotten. i think that was the concern. it isn't a matter of wanting them out of the way, it's a matter of making sure they don't get run over.

Yes, Daisy! Thanks for translating - got to it before me! I think you definitely misread me there, Yodrak. No visa or group of visas is any more important that another.

Daisy, the thread in Consulates has disappeared because for some unknown reason, most everybody who presently POSTS has decided to do so in the UK regional forum.

There again, no decision made. Just following suit from what was going on when we got here, I think.

A great disservice, I believe, to those many READERS who don't post or who don't travel down to the General Discussion area. I'm sure they outnumber the more boisterous of us, and if I were one of them, by the Forum General Page description of that board area, I wouldn't enter the forum looking for immigration info.

Very good point.

Honestly, I think the 'controversy' is simply nervousness on the part of newer members to venture out of the Regional Forum for some fear of getting 'wrong' information. And I don't refer just to UK members.

Maybe so. Personally, I tend to wander around on all of the forums. But, correct me if I'm wrong (don't mean this offensively in any way) the members that stand to benefit the most by the information in the embassy/consular threads are those of us that haven't been around all that long - annoying, maybe to some, but perhaps simplifying a little is a good thing for the community as a whole.

[no name 1]

I just went to the consulate forum & went to the last page (p.387), a random page (p.231, p.161), etc. All have London questions on them. Not hard to search, but always easier to ask, isn't it?

[Yodrak 7]

Dan&Tiffany,

I didn't misread you at all. I simply stated my thought on the issue, which is the same as what you have just said.

Yodrak

and - side note - I think on your point 4, Yodrak, you misunderstand D&T's concern. (or I do.) it seems that the point isn't that the 1 lone filer from country x is less important, it's that because there are fewer of them, they might get pushed down the board. so maybe a separation would keep them from being forgotten. i think that was the concern. it isn't a matter of wanting them out of the way, it's a matter of making sure they don't get run over.

Yes, Daisy! Thanks for translating - got to it before me! I think you definitely misread me there, Yodrak. No visa or group of visas is any more important that another.