Forum warning

[TayRivers 4]

The whole OFF TOPIC forum should have a very large warning on the front page. People looking for a place to have a non immigration chat should be made aware that if you post in off topic forum that makes you fair game for the OT gang to insult you, belittle your beliefs and generally made fun of you.

Yes there should be a more lax approach to OT with regards to TOS, but it has become the domain of a few who love nothing better than to inflict themselves on anyone who dares to post in OT.

Is this really what VJ OT is for???

[trailmix 77]

The whole OFF TOPIC forum should have a very large warning on the front page. People looking for a place to have a non immigration chat should be made aware that if you post in off topic forum that makes you fair game for the OT gang to insult you, belittle your beliefs and generally made fun of you.

Yes there should be a more lax approach to OT with regards to TOS, but it has become the domain of a few who love nothing better than to inflict themselves on anyone who dares to post in OT.

Is this really what VJ OT is for???

I think so?

It would, of course, be nice if as a community we could go and talk with people from different countries with different view points in some intelligent manner, I mean that would be fun and was probably the original intention.

As you have noted, it is really just a place for a very few to act...strangely and alienate anyone that happens in to their domain.

However, there are lots of friendly sub-forums at VJ - just try to think of OT as a place where some people are corralled for their own good (and ours) lol

[Nagishkaw 510]

[Jenn! 918]

While there does exit some moderation in OT, it has been largely treated as an anything goes forum. The atmosphere is determined by the people who post there. Those who post the most have decided that the current environment is the one that they prefer. The only way this is going to change is if they decide to go somewhere else, but VJ is not going to push them away. Basically you have two options - find a friendlier site for off-topic discussions or stand your ground in OT and try to change the atmosphere. Good luck if you choose the second.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Exactly. And there was a sort of warning posted -pinned- in the OT section; warning to behave ourselves in the 'upper forums'.

OT is indeed both a place where pretty much anything goes; as well as the place where really strong friendships have been formed. It is not for everyone.

As for taking to heart what anyone says about you over the internet.... well, nothing we can do about that.

Peace out.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

While there does exit some moderation in OT, it has been largely treated as an anything goes forum. The atmosphere is determined by the people who post there. Those who post the most have decided that the current environment is the one that they prefer. The only way this is going to change is if they decide to go somewhere else, but VJ is not going to push them away. Basically you have two options - find a friendlier site for off-topic discussions or stand your ground in OT and try to change the atmosphere. Good luck if you choose the second.

This is true. I like OT the way it is today, but there was a time when I did not. Many months and years of trolling by yours truly has contributed to turning it into what it is today. I still remember the days when OT was dominated by a bunch of women exchanging cat pictures and talking about their babies

Peace out.

I hope you don't say that in real life. It's so 1990s

[Lansbury 19]

but it has become the domain of a few who love nothing better than to inflict themselves on anyone who dares to post in OT.

Is this really what VJ OT is for???

why do you worry about a few people. I have pretty much the same opinion of them as yourself. Just ignore them they really are quite inconsequential to VJ as a whole.

Most of the sections for the countries in which we live have a forum for general discussions which is where you will find the more intelligent conversations taking place.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

While there does exit some moderation in OT, it has been largely treated as an anything goes forum. The atmosphere is determined by the people who post there. Those who post the most have decided that the current environment is the one that they prefer. The only way this is going to change is if they decide to go somewhere else, but VJ is not going to push them away. Basically you have two options - find a friendlier site for off-topic discussions or stand your ground in OT and try to change the atmosphere. Good luck if you choose the second.

This is true. I like OT the way it is today, but there was a time when I did not. Many months and years of trolling by yours truly has contributed to turning it into what it is today. I still remember the days when OT was dominated by a bunch of women exchanging cat pictures and talking about their babies

Peace out.

I hope you don't say that in real life. It's so 1990s

You know I don't

[lgg 2]

Well, the truth of the matter is... most of the country-specific forums alienate anyone that happens in to their domain as well - even my own country! A small group of people chit-chatting about non-immigration related topics that don't invite anyone else to participate unless you are one of the chosen few...

So, don't chastise OT for being that way when that is from whence you all came...

The only difference is, OT invites everyone in, makes fun of them and teases, taunts and hair pulls everyone equally and if you CHOOSE to go there and get all uppity, then you get a little more taunted....

I try not to step on toes in forums such as this but the normal day to day of humanity and its inherent stupidity is way more glaring on an online forum where it's too easy to bully and too easy to take offense, you know?

This is a great site, every forum should have a OT where people get their yah-yahs out and if you don't want to play, don't but don't be hypocritical about it and call out those for things that you yourselves are doing...

Peace.

Edited August 26, 2009 by lgg

[NArocks 13]

Well, the truth of the matter is... most of the country-specific forums alienate anyone that happens in to their domain as well - even my own country! A small group of people chit-chatting about non-immigration related topics that don't invite anyone else to participate unless you are one of the chosen few...

So, don't chastise OT for being that way when that is from whence you all came...

The only difference is, OT invites everyone in, makes fun of them and teases, taunts and hair pulls everyone equally and if you CHOOSE to go there and get all uppity, then you get a little more taunted....

I try not to step on toes in forums such as this but the normal day to day of humanity and its inherent stupidity is way more glaring on an online forum where it's too easy to bully and too easy to take offense, you know?

This is a great site, every forum should have a OT where people get their yah-yahs out and if you don't want to play, don't but don't be hypocritical about it and call out those for things that you yourselves are doing...

Peace.

Very nice for a nOOB

[TayRivers 4]

I very rarely go to OT for the very reason that I do not wish to be involved in the behavour that goes on there. There are occations when something has been posted that is of an important topic as in the death of Ted Kennedy, I think it is very sad that this topic was used as a platform for the usual childish nonesense that goes on.

I know thare are others who would use the OT forum for normal discussions but wont because of the risk of their posts being turned into another avenue for the few who take great delight in derailing every post they can..

I have been around the internet long enough to know that people say and do things on forums that they would not otherwise do in the real world, I also know that there are very few moderated forum where the sort of behavour that goes on her on our OT would be tolerated.

I also agree about some of the regional forums not being welcoming to some people, some of us would like to have somewhere to talk to others where the same TOS rules apply as in the other forums and is not dedicated to just one area/country.

As for saying "well if you dont like it then dont go there" that is just giving a green light to those who choose to have "FUN" at others expence.

[Donna A 4]

i need to get to the off topic more often as i still havent see to this day anything offensive there. how can i be missing all this stuff?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

i need to get to the off topic more often as i still havent see to this day anything offensive there. how can i be missing all this stuff?

I am willing to offend you any day. Please send me a PM with sore spots and stuff that bugs you. kthxbai

[Malrothien 6]

I very rarely go to OT for the very reason that I do not wish to be involved in the behavour that goes on there. There are occations when something has been posted that is of an important topic as in the death of Ted Kennedy, I think it is very sad that this topic was used as a platform for the usual childish nonesense that goes on.

I know thare are others who would use the OT forum for normal discussions but wont because of the risk of their posts being turned into another avenue for the few who take great delight in derailing every post they can..

I have been around the internet long enough to know that people say and do things on forums that they would not otherwise do in the real world, I also know that there are very few moderated forum where the sort of behavour that goes on her on our OT would be tolerated.

I also agree about some of the regional forums not being welcoming to some people, some of us would like to have somewhere to talk to others where the same TOS rules apply as in the other forums and is not dedicated to just one area/country.

As for saying "well if you dont like it then dont go there" that is just giving a green light to those who choose to have "FUN" at others expence.

While there is some childish stuff (you will find this on any forum online), you have to pick and choose where you go. I only really go to OT for C4C, no other reason.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I used to think like you , OP, when I first joined VJ, but soon realized if your not part of the hard fought solution, then become part of the hard fought problem. Earn your right to skip to the head of the pecking order and never forget the First Commandment of OT self-promotion: EXPLOIT THYSELF.