Foreign Embassy forum is misnamed

[Sinergy 3]

I just choked on my own saliva.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

(Seriously for a fleeting moment, folks) The U.S. consulate in Guayaquil, Ecuador needs to be regionally subdivided into Hell, and perhaps further than that, depending on Dante's levels. And septuple for all of its personnel.

Returning to our regularly scheduled programming, Mox should be charged with death-by-saliva, si man.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Captain -

I do believe mox is making a 'funny' because he knows I advocate placing regional sub-forums under the Embassy/Consulate forum and doing away with the Regionals..............

Because it's my contention that the slight differences you mention above are the only real reason that VJ needs regional references of any kind..........

Fire away!

I will have to disagree with you Rebeccajo,

I know that in the Canada forum we discuss a lot of specific details that have nothing to do with the Consulates or the Embassy - such as Canadian taxation in your first year as an emigrant, dealing with Canadian based pensions and government benefits; notifying government agencies that you are no longer a resident (Provincial and Federal), where to find Canadian foods in the US, recognizing Canadian holiday events; how to relocate your belongings and pets to the US (do it yourself/hire a mover/etc.) as well as sharing good news or visits from/to back 'home'. None of that would fit in a "US Consulates and Embassys in Canada" forum.

Edited January 14, 2009 by Kathryn41

[mox 298]

This is better than I could have ever hoped for in 3...2...1...

[rebeccajo 14]

This is better than I could have ever hoped for in 3...2...1...

What were you hoping for, mox?

[LaL 418]

Captain -

I do believe mox is making a 'funny' because he knows I advocate placing regional sub-forums under the Embassy/Consulate forum and doing away with the Regionals..............

Because it's my contention that the slight differences you mention above are the only real reason that VJ needs regional references of any kind..........

Fire away!

I will have to disagree with you Rebeccajo,

I know that in the Canada forum we discuss a lot of specific details that have nothing to do with the Consulates or the Embassy - such as Canadian taxation in your first year as an emigrant, dealing with Canadian based pensions and government benefits; notifying government agencies that you are no longer a resident (Provincial and Federal), where to find Canadian foods in the US, recognizing Canadian holiday events; how to relocate your belongings and pets to the US (do it yourself/hire a mover/etc.) as well as sharing good news or visits from/to back 'home'. None of that would fit in a "US Consulates and Embassys in Canada" forum.

Other regionals forums *are* and I think thats the crux.

[rebeccajo 14]

Captain -

I do believe mox is making a 'funny' because he knows I advocate placing regional sub-forums under the Embassy/Consulate forum and doing away with the Regionals..............

Because it's my contention that the slight differences you mention above are the only real reason that VJ needs regional references of any kind..........

Fire away!

I will have to disagree with you Rebeccajo,

I know that in the Canada forum we discuss a lot of specific details that have nothing to do with the Consulates or the Embassy - such as Canadian taxation in your first year as an emigrant, dealing with Canadian based pensions and government benefits; notifying government agencies that you are no longer a resident (Provincial and Federal), where to find Canadian foods in the US, recognizing Canadian holiday events; how to relocate your belongings and pets to the US (do it yourself/hire a mover/etc.) as well as sharing good news or visits from/to back 'home'. None of that would fit in a "US Consulates and Embassys in Canada" forum.

Kathryn -

Do you think you couldn't have these discussions elsewhere on the board?

When I've talked before about doing away with the Regionals, my alternative suggestion was to create a forum called 'around the world' or somthing like that. In my imagination I saw such a forum as a place people could gather to discuss the type of things you mention, but in a more global sense.

I know mox and others like to make fun of my suggestion. They enjoy the Regionals - that's fine. Myself - I enjoyed the former atmosphere of VJ where topics from other countries were easier to spot. I like learning about other cultures. I guess some people are just - how shall I say it - more comfortable in their own little spheres. The more adventourous of us find it difficult to enter Regional Forums where we aren't part of the 'culture'.

But hey - it's not going to change and I've accepted that.

[mox 298]

I know mox and others like to make fun of my suggestion.

I don't like to make fun of your suggestion RJ, I just like to have fun with it. I'm really not out to bust your chops, I just enjoy a bit of levity is all.

[KGSodie 0]

Captain -

I do believe mox is making a 'funny' because he knows I advocate placing regional sub-forums under the Embassy/Consulate forum and doing away with the Regionals..............

Because it's my contention that the slight differences you mention above are the only real reason that VJ needs regional references of any kind..........

Fire away!

I will have to disagree with you Rebeccajo,

I know that in the Canada forum we discuss a lot of specific details that have nothing to do with the Consulates or the Embassy - such as Canadian taxation in your first year as an emigrant, dealing with Canadian based pensions and government benefits; notifying government agencies that you are no longer a resident (Provincial and Federal), where to find Canadian foods in the US, recognizing Canadian holiday events; how to relocate your belongings and pets to the US (do it yourself/hire a mover/etc.) as well as sharing good news or visits from/to back 'home'. None of that would fit in a "US Consulates and Embassys in Canada" forum.

Kathryn -

Do you think you couldn't have these discussions elsewhere on the board?

When I've talked before about doing away with the Regionals, my alternative suggestion was to create a forum called 'around the world' or somthing like that. In my imagination I saw such a forum as a place people could gather to discuss the type of things you mention, but in a more global sense.

I know mox and others like to make fun of my suggestion. They enjoy the Regionals - that's fine. Myself - I enjoyed the former atmosphere of VJ where topics from other countries were easier to spot. I like learning about other cultures. I guess some people are just - how shall I say it - more comfortable in their own little spheres. The more adventourous of us find it difficult to enter Regional Forums where we aren't part of the 'culture'.

But hey - it's not going to change and I've accepted that.

I don't get it. If you have one forum for 'international' topics instead of regional forums, how is that easier? It's only one place, and I guess the search engine would then be your best friend, but if I'm interested in Russian topics, or German topics, or whatever topics, with Regional forums I know exactly where to go to immerse myself in discussions (presumably) from denizens of that area. Heck, we get posters in the Russian forum from all over the globe anyway, I assume because they either 1) like to learn about the region or 2) find the particular topic they post on interesting. You know, like every other section within VJ.

[rebeccajo 14]

Captain -

I do believe mox is making a 'funny' because he knows I advocate placing regional sub-forums under the Embassy/Consulate forum and doing away with the Regionals..............

Because it's my contention that the slight differences you mention above are the only real reason that VJ needs regional references of any kind..........

Fire away!

I will have to disagree with you Rebeccajo,

I know that in the Canada forum we discuss a lot of specific details that have nothing to do with the Consulates or the Embassy - such as Canadian taxation in your first year as an emigrant, dealing with Canadian based pensions and government benefits; notifying government agencies that you are no longer a resident (Provincial and Federal), where to find Canadian foods in the US, recognizing Canadian holiday events; how to relocate your belongings and pets to the US (do it yourself/hire a mover/etc.) as well as sharing good news or visits from/to back 'home'. None of that would fit in a "US Consulates and Embassys in Canada" forum.

Kathryn -

Do you think you couldn't have these discussions elsewhere on the board?

When I've talked before about doing away with the Regionals, my alternative suggestion was to create a forum called 'around the world' or somthing like that. In my imagination I saw such a forum as a place people could gather to discuss the type of things you mention, but in a more global sense.

I know mox and others like to make fun of my suggestion. They enjoy the Regionals - that's fine. Myself - I enjoyed the former atmosphere of VJ where topics from other countries were easier to spot. I like learning about other cultures. I guess some people are just - how shall I say it - more comfortable in their own little spheres. The more adventourous of us find it difficult to enter Regional Forums where we aren't part of the 'culture'.

But hey - it's not going to change and I've accepted that.

I don't get it. If you have one forum for 'international' topics instead of regional forums, how is that easier? It's only one place, and I guess the search engine would then be your best friend, but if I'm interested in Russian topics, or German topics, or whatever topics, with Regional forums I know exactly where to go to immerse myself in discussions (presumably) from denizens of that area. Heck, we get posters in the Russian forum from all over the globe anyway, I assume because they either 1) like to learn about the region or 2) find the particular topic they post on interesting. You know, like every other section within VJ.

LOL.

First of all, let's not get bent out of shape about it because nobody is going to do away with the Regionals.

I've talked at length in the past about why I think these Forums are bad in the long run for the VJ community. I'm sort of tired of defending the idea. And I'm also getting a bit tired of people thinking it's 'funny'.

Bottom line - most of the 'cesspool' behavior on VJ starts in the Regionals. Personally, I think that outweighs any 'good' these individual forums serve.

But that's just my opinion. It's really not worth having an argument over. Ewok likes the Forums because they increase site traffic. Some users like the Forums for the reasons you've listed. Other users like the Forums for the Jerry Springer factor they bring to the board.

Segregate and sub-divide. Just not the way I would run a board that has such rich international potential.

My two cents. Not worth war.

[Ban Hammer 13,336]

aj for organizer!

Edited January 14, 2009 by charles!

[mox 298]

First of all, let's not get bent out of shape about it because nobody is going to do away with the Regionals.

Is someone getting bent out of shape?

I've talked at length in the past about why I think these Forums are bad in the long run for the VJ community. I'm sort of tired of defending the idea. And I'm also getting a bit tired of people thinking it's 'funny'.

By 'people' I think you mean me. I don't think you've quite understood the nature of the jest then. It's in the same spirit of my "you wouldn't understand because your timeline is too short" jests, which is meant as a parody of the kind of ####### you've endured for your timeline. I'm sorry if it rubbed you the wrong way, but I really think you're taking offense when none was intended.

Bottom line - most of the 'cesspool' behavior on VJ starts in the Regionals. Personally, I think that outweighs any 'good' these individual forums serve.

Maybe in some of the regionals, but certainly not in the regional I hang out in, and that probably goes for most of them. The regional I hang out in is probably the most drama-free forum here. Yes it has its share of drama from time-to-time, but it's very infrequent. I agree that there are some regionals that need the swamp drained though. Such as PI and MENA.

[rebeccajo 14]

First of all, let's not get bent out of shape about it because nobody is going to do away with the Regionals.

Is someone getting bent out of shape?

I've talked at length in the past about why I think these Forums are bad in the long run for the VJ community. I'm sort of tired of defending the idea. And I'm also getting a bit tired of people thinking it's 'funny'.

By 'people' I think you mean me. I don't think you've quite understood the nature of the jest then. It's in the same spirit of my "you wouldn't understand because your timeline is too short" jests, which is meant as a parody of the kind of ####### you've endured for your timeline. I'm sorry if it rubbed you the wrong way, but I really think you're taking offense when none was intended.

Bottom line - most of the 'cesspool' behavior on VJ starts in the Regionals. Personally, I think that outweighs any 'good' these individual forums serve.

Maybe in some of the regionals, but certainly not in the regional I hang out in, and that probably goes for most of them. The regional I hang out in is probably the most drama-free forum here. Yes it has its share of drama from time-to-time, but it's very infrequent. I agree that there are some regionals that need the swamp drained though. Such as PI and MENA.

*sigh*

I know none of our discussions about this matter, because the Forums aren't going to be dissolved.

From my perspective, though, it would be refreshing if folks could stand back from the reasons they like the forums and really hear what I have been saying.

To be really honest, it seems to me everybody is stuck in their little world and refuse to look out beyond it for the good of the community. I don't look at VJ as little bits and pieces. I look at the whole picture. I believe we are missing out on a lot of knowledge about other parts of the world and knowledge about the process when we segregate ourselves.

I know we disagree on this and I also know it's a dead horse. I really am tired of beating the dead horse, especially since he's deaf by choice.

Edited January 14, 2009 by rebeccajo

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

In the future we are looking to have a feature that would allow members (in the regional forums) to "cross post" topics (the topic would show up in additional forums (other than the regional one)... for example K1, K3, etc.. This would keep the topic in the regional area for "regional organization" but have the topic show up in the correctly associated immigration forum as well. Members could reply to the topic in either forum and the topic is updated in both.

[rebeccajo 14]

In the future we are looking to have a feature that would allow members (in the regional forums) to "cross post" topics (the topic would show up in additional forums (other than the regional one)... for example K1, K3, etc.. This would keep the topic in the regional area for "regional organization" but have the topic show up in the correctly associated immigration forum as well. Members could reply to the topic in either forum and the topic is updated in both.

That would be wonderful.

Is this something the writer would have to choose doing when they post?

If so, I'd like to suggest that there be a 'prompt' above the post window asking the writer to please 'cross post' if the question or answer is immigration related.