"Filer" threads

[rebeccajo 14]

Maybe that's my main concern with the filer threads - the focus of the case becomes 'how quick can it happen'. IMO that is such an ambiguous goal for anyone trapped in immigration to set for themselves. About all any of us can do is prepare our case file as completely as we can, attach a check for the correct fees, put the right amount of postage on an envelope mailed to the appropriate office, then hold our nose and pray.

Well I believe pretty much everyone would like to know how quick it can all happen. Or conversley how long can this take. Timelines are a "helper" but what I was trying to touch upon was if there is a shift to utilizing filer threads vs. timleline data. All of its a crutch. Its a climate, we saw it years ago, we see it now. I just think the fact that there is a shorter wait now does make the whole thing a little "exciting". A flurry of changes creates a climate of excitement. Seasoned members in AOS do it as well, maybe not to the extent that we see in other forums, but it's there.

Sure. I wanted to know how long our case might take also. I would hate to think I was relying on inaccurate information to console myself.

But at the end of the day I knew that all the data in the world wouldn't affect our case.

I've almost gotten to the point where I equate case approvals with pregnancy. It won't happen till the time is right!

[*julez* 124]

The thing is, people will stress about how long the journey takes, whether or not filer threads exist. It has always been the way! That's why I think the filer threads do have value. You find others going through the same thing as you at around the same time who are there to bolster you at times when the journey becomes arduous and overwhelmingly long. I don't see mass hysteria in the threads. And even if I did, I'm not going to allow that to stress me out. What I do see is people building friendships, and I don't see how that's a bad thing. Furthermore, I am a proud poster in the July filer thread in the K1 subforum. Please don't kill me or the thread I enjoy!

[Arazia 0]

Arazia, if you have time to read more of the thread, you'll see we are most concerned about the data being false. The month a K1 files has little to do with the speed they will be approved.

That may be true, as I was never involved in a 'filer' thread during the time I was part of the K-1 process, I wouldn't know. I do remember tracking people who filed in the same month/time period as me, however, mostly through the use of the thread that I believe Steven and Jinky maintained.

However, there seems to be a decent correlation between filing date and certain processing steps in the AOS forum. For instance, most people get their interview dates/transfers at around the same period after NOA with a few rare exceptions. No one can predict the effect certain name/security checks can have on processing, so some people do wait longer than others.

[^KK^ 3]

Someone has way too much time on their hand....to be annoyed by too many threads... Just don't read them.

[Fandango 1,440]

I'll hold you to that 'it's not personal' thing.

Now on topic - if good info was split out - what would it hurt?

PS - I don't have 'peeps'. My opinions are my own - just like Dev's, Tracy's, Stina's, or anyone else's is theirs.

I think a split is a bit of a superfluous effort because the same information can be easily found elsewhere. So imo that diminishes the value of the information, since it's not the only time the answer is given. Whether people will freak out or not is not for us to try to regulate....some people are going to, others won't. No matter what's done to prevent it, it's a stressful time, and people deal with that stress differently. I don't mind at all helping newbies when I can...that thread of mine you mentioned was done kinda tongue in cheek though, because it's not going to change whether people read the guides and educate themselves to the process. Although Ewok, that was tres cool to put it in your sticky

I think the focus needs to be on educating posters to the process, and how vj works....and stressing the point that this is not a help desk. Answers can be found if one looks for them. We're not lawyers, we're not USCIS caseworkers. If someone's looking for a 'quick fix' and is not interested in putting in the time to educate him/herself, then more fool him/her.

There's a fine line between helping and spoon feeding. And I don't see the worth in truncating a thread because it JUST MIGHT have value to someone too lazy to use the search box.

Oh, and 'peeps' was meant as a general term for 'friends', nothing more.

And Stina, thanks for your post.

[rebeccajo 14]

I'll hold you to that 'it's not personal' thing.

Now on topic - if good info was split out - what would it hurt?

PS - I don't have 'peeps'. My opinions are my own - just like Dev's, Tracy's, Stina's, or anyone else's is theirs.

I think a split is a bit of a superfluous effort because the same information can be easily found elsewhere. So imo that diminishes the value of the information, since it's not the only time the answer is given. Whether people will freak out or not is not for us to try to regulate....some people are going to, others won't. No matter what's done to prevent it, it's a stressful time, and people deal with that stress differently. I don't mind at all helping newbies when I can...that thread of mine you mentioned was done kinda tongue in cheek though, because it's not going to change whether people read the guides and educate themselves to the process. Although Ewok, that was tres cool to put it in your sticky

I think the focus needs to be on educating posters to the process, and how vj works....and stressing the point that this is not a help desk. Answers can be found if one looks for them. We're not lawyers, we're not USCIS caseworkers. If someone's looking for a 'quick fix' and is not interested in putting in the time to educate him/herself, then more fool him/her.

There's a fine line between helping and spoon feeding. And I don't see the worth in truncating a thread because it JUST MIGHT have value to someone too lazy to use the search box.

Oh, and 'peeps' was meant as a general term for 'friends', nothing more.

And Stina, thanks for your post.

I agree there's no need to pull out every little thing other than the 'hi how are you doing today' posts.

I'm speaking of something new and relevant - something that readers outside that months 'filers' could benefit from.

[no name 1]

It might be a great idea to update timelines with a lil button link that says something to the effect of: "who are my filing buddies?" and the return would be everyone who filed within a set perameter (no necessarily in a "month" but maybe 2 weeks either way, etc. etc.).

Great idea!

I have found, as being part of a semi-lengthy namecheck thread that many many people did not have timelines filled out.

That is why we track progress of namecheck in our thread.

And over time, some of the original peeps in the monthly threads, don't come to VJ often. The same skew everyone says about the timelines ot being updated happens in the monthly threads as well.

Namecheck is it's own beast , it needs it's own thread.

you'll see we are most concerned about the data being false. The month a K1 files has little to do with the speed they will be approved.

There was a joke about making a post office specific thread & after this mid-July thread It can't be far off!

[diadromous mermaid 36]

What's going on on VJ is about people realizing that Ewok, and not them, own this site.

OMG, LisaD!!! So, you're publicly announcing that Ewok is Steve then? Some can't help but gush!

[diadromous mermaid 36]

What's going on on VJ is about people realizing that Ewok, and not them, own this site.

Thanks for the emphasis, woman! You're right, it does bear repeating!

Wow! and Again!

Edited July 31, 2007 by diadromous mermaid

[Caladan 19]

Is there a way to duplicate helpful information while not pulling it from the thread? Frankly, when searching for information, I tend to ignore the filer threads as the search hit is going to, say, hit any time someone mentions an I-864, which might be in a different context than the information I'm searching for. (Post titles can be really helpful in sorting out a search.)

If mods could pull out duplicate information, that would preserve the integrity of the thread better than a cut.

[The_dip_sticks 0]

Basically not many people had an "issue" per say with the filer threads before this topic was even posted. I mean things change, people come and go and we can’t expect for an online community to be as it was way back when each of us started our own personal VJ. Neither can we expect for people to use this site in the same manner based on our own personal experiences and preferences and on what we perceived was better. What worked for one does not necessarily work for others because we all have a unique way of doing things. If people really had an issue with the filer threads they would have complained long ago about them or simply would not even bother posting in them if they found them useless or not worth while. If that were the case they would have died out long time ago. Essentially these so called filer threads benefit people on VJ because they offer a point of reference for VJer’s that are all in the same exact boat. They come together to share specific processing data, experiences, and frustrations, all in one place with out having to visit multiple threads for those purposes. This in essence is good, because it gives people a sense of belonging, commoderie, and real understanding on a specific situation.

We must recognize that not every one is the same and while it is suggested that people look at the timelines and charts, not all users can process data by looking at information in boxes and rows and sorting it out. Some people are more visual while other others are not. Users posting in those threads can relate better to one another because they are all living and experiencing the same situation and can share similar frustrations by being in the same stage of their visa process.

I would not expect some one that is at another stage of the immigration process to understand my PRESENT frustrations better than the people that are currently in the same stage that I am experiencing. Granted people who were here before us can relate their experiences but their intake of the situation would not weigh in as much, mainly because someone’s stats and or experience from the past will not relate as closely to the current processing trend. People often look for understanding and support from those that are in the same situation at the same point in time. In these threads VJrs ride the wave together and help each get to the next stage.

Bottom line is if you like the filer threads use them for your advantage and if they don’t help or they bother you then my all means carry on with your own little life and let others be. Don’t ruin other people’s positive experiences whom benefit from such threads simply because they don’t appease to you in some way. Where there is a will there is a way, and if people really want to find an answer to somethig thing they will. Thats why God gaves us a a set of eyes a mouth and a brain. Who knows maybe the next wave of VJ newbie’s might use other ways of doing things. The way they choose to assemble and participate on VJ will make their own experince. Maybe they won’t even be interested in or feel a need for filer threads. Perhaps they will start a whole new concept. To all their own.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I don't see any issue. We are clever enough to find what we are looking for.

[Fandango 1,440]

What's going on on VJ is about people realizing that Ewok, and not them, own this site.

OMG, LisaD!!! So, you're publicly announcing that Ewok is Steve then? Some can't help but gush!

It's this kind of childishness that detracts from the site.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

This thread is going no where...

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

I know I will get teased for this but we have soo many features that I forgot that we already had a tool to find similar timelines to yourself automatically. lol.

For example LisaD here are your similar timeline buddies:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profil...2&similar=1

The tool is listed on the main timeline page. What is scary is that I coded this tool myself and forgot that I did it! lol.