New K1 subforums?

[TracyTN 237]

Another member and I have had a discussion offline about this. I realize we are sort of 'sub forum-ing' all over the place - but hear me out.

The K1 forum is largely becoming the 'I got my NOA2!' forum. As a noob, I can see where it would be incredibly confusing to have to weed through all of those type of posts to find posts that might be relevant to you. Hence a possible reason for all the repetitive posts/question we get -- its hard to find an answer to your question when all you see is posts about timelines, NOAs and VSC and CSC.

We were thinking of K1 subforums - one for VSC filers and one for CSC (TSC/NSC) filers. This way, you could go to the exact forum that is relevant to you and your situation, and not have to filter through all the other 'noise'. Part of this comes from my frustration in the last few weeks before my NOA2, and what kept me from coming to VJ all together. I'm not sure if this would need to be applied to other visa types - but I suspect not (just because of the nature of the process for them).

I don't mind helping people navigate the K1 waters, but I literally couldn't do that without having everyone's timelines shoved in my face and down my throat - particularly difficult for me was VSC filers who were aghast when after TWO WHOLE WEEKS, they still had not received their NOA2. Frankly, I had to wrestle with myself not to post something rude and untoward in such a thread - I'm sure I'm not the only one, and in fact, we're probably lucky that there's not been all out flame wars started over such things. People's nerves are on edge as they wait and wait -- it could get very ugly.

During that time, I started to call VJ more of a curse than a blessing - and I think that's just wrong. And I think it doesn't need to be that way.

[J&D_anon 0]

Another member and I have had a discussion offline about this. I realize we are sort of 'sub forum-ing' all over the place - but hear me out.

The K1 forum is largely becoming the 'I got my NOA2!' forum. As a noob, I can see where it would be incredibly confusing to have to weed through all of those type of posts to find posts that might be relevant to you. Hence a possible reason for all the repetitive posts/question we get -- its hard to find an answer to your question when all you see is posts about timelines, NOAs and VSC and CSC.

We were thinking of K1 subforums - one for VSC filers and one for CSC (TSC/NSC) filers. This way, you could go to the exact forum that is relevant to you and your situation, and not have to filter through all the other 'noise'. Part of this comes from my frustration in the last few weeks before my NOA2, and what kept me from coming to VJ all together. I'm not sure if this would need to be applied to other visa types - but I suspect not (just because of the nature of the process for them).

I don't mind helping people navigate the K1 waters, but I literally couldn't do that without having everyone's timelines shoved in my face and down my throat - particularly difficult for me was VSC filers who were aghast when after TWO WHOLE WEEKS, they still had not received their NOA2. Frankly, I had to wrestle with myself not to post something rude and untoward in such a thread - I'm sure I'm not the only one, and in fact, we're probably lucky that there's not been all out flame wars started over such things. People's nerves are on edge as they wait and wait -- it could get very ugly.

During that time, I started to call VJ more of a curse than a blessing - and I think that's just wrong. And I think it doesn't need to be that way.

I totally support that thought!

My fiance doesn't like to come to VJ anymore either, because he can't handle all the VSC filers who throw in your face, that they received their NOA2 before they even received their NOA1. Or that they have to wait soooooooooo long.

I mean it's not their 'fault' that they live in the VSC area, but they should think about the rest of us too. The ones who have to wait MONTHS for a sign of life. After 2 months we are already happy for a touch or even a RFE, to see, that they work on our file. NOA2 seems to be so far away and seeing the VSC filers in the bus passing you by and waving at you and party, it just gets frustrating.

I am sure a lot of VJ members feel the same way, but just decide to not say anything, becase as Tracy already stated: it would turn into a big war and get very ugly.

So I suggest a own forum for VSC filers!!! That would make life easier for all the CSC (TSC/NSC) filer on here!!!

Diana & John

[Alex+R 0]

I completely sympathize, having gone through CSC myself and waited more than 4 months for the NOA2. But I think two K1 forums would just be confusing. Since the issues people who file at those two places are the same, each side would lose the help and support of the other side, you know what I mean? What if the one person who can answer your question (or was in a similar situation) posted to the VSC forum and you're at CSC? Also, what if they reorganize their processing system again? This one is pretty new. etc. etc.

In addition, those forums are really for practical immigration help. The frustration of not getting approved is more or less "off topic" and there will always be other CSCers there to support you in feeling like the wait takes forever.

How about INSTEAD, creating a forum for congratulations. A forum for visa granted/NOA2 received/visa arrived in the mail/EAD granted/etc.

I think that would go a long way farther in making the forum less confusing.

[Otto 83]

My oh-so-favorite posts (from VSC filers - and no offense to them) are the:

"Should I Be Worried? - It's Been 2 weeks since my NOA1"

I don't have a solution - just a mini-rant..

~Otto

Edited March 26, 2007 by Karin und Otto

[TracyTN 237]

I completely sympathize, having gone through CSC myself and waited more than 4 months for the NOA2. But I think two K1 forums would just be confusing. Since the issues people who file at those two places are the same, each side would lose the help and support of the other side, you know what I mean? What if the one person who can answer your question (or was in a similar situation) posted to the VSC forum and you're at CSC? Also, what if they reorganize their processing system again? This one is pretty new. etc. etc.

In addition, those forums are really for practical immigration help. The frustration of not getting approved is more or less "off topic" and there will always be other CSCers there to support you in feeling like the wait takes forever.

How about INSTEAD, creating a forum for congratulations. A forum for visa granted/NOA2 received/visa arrived in the mail/EAD granted/etc.

I think that would go a long way farther in making the forum less confusing.

I wasn't suggesting 'two' K1 forums. I was suggesting that the forum that exists now stays in tact, and that we add two 'sub forums' - for VSC filers and CSC filers once they have submitted their petition - where they could go compare timelines, give congratulations, etc. The current forum would be the place for ALL the other questions; how do I do this, do I include that, etc. etc Or perhaps your suggestion of some other type of forum, where you could at least help and seek help to questions in the 'main' K1 forum without being battered over the head with all the NOA2 timelines, congratulations, etc.

FWIW, I DON'T see how the issues for VSC and CSC posters are the same - at least not once you've sent in the petition and are waiting. Frankly, although I know that the VSCers are sincere in their support, its still frustrating nonetheless to be told to 'hang in there' and 'be patient' from someone who got their NOA2 in 2 weeks.

I do agree that the NOAs and all the congratulations thereafter are essentially 'off topic' - which really just proves my point. Why make those seeking answers to unrelated questions filter through all these off topic threads to find the answers they need?

I know this probably isn't going to happen - change comes slowly around here. But I think its at least worth discussing. We all know the emotions involved with this process, and it just seems like the K1 forum has become more about 'look what I got today!' than (as you stated) 'practical immigration help'.

Edited March 26, 2007 by TracyTN

[rebeccajo 14]

You can try it but I don't think it would help. I'm not sure people would stick to 'their' sub-forum.

*shrugs*

There seems to be more and more 'categorizing' of issues and situations on VJ. Frankly I feel it creates more division among the members.

True it's not as easy to find answers as it used to be. The community is much larger. The more you try to narrow the areas to go for answers, the more people have the perception an answer should 'be' in a certain forum. New members aren't taking responsibility for their own cases. They want spoonfed.

[payxibka 10,045]

You can try it but I don't think it would help. I'm not sure people would stick to 'their' sub-forum.

*shrugs*

There seems to be more and more 'categorizing' of issues and situations on VJ. Frankly I feel it creates more division among the members.

True it's not as easy to find answers as it used to be. The community is much larger. The more you try to narrow the areas to go for answers, the more people have the perception an answer should 'be' in a certain forum. New members aren't taking responsibility for their own cases. They want spoonfed.

And forbid you respond to a newbie with "RTFM" because your post will be labeled insensitive by all the "spoonfeed" enablers.

[TracyTN 237]

You can try it but I don't think it would help. I'm not sure people would stick to 'their' sub-forum.

*shrugs*

There seems to be more and more 'categorizing' of issues and situations on VJ. Frankly I feel it creates more division among the members.

True it's not as easy to find answers as it used to be. The community is much larger. The more you try to narrow the areas to go for answers, the more people have the perception an answer should 'be' in a certain forum. New members aren't taking responsibility for their own cases. They want spoonfed.

We have mods now who move threads around - it'd just be more moving. I'd be happy to mod and move if we thought it was going to be too heady a task. Also, the groups are pretty good about having one thread for themselves - 'January VSC filers' and 'January CSC filers', so hopefully it wouldn't be tons and tons of threads.

Personally, I feel like half the categorizing anymore comes from the 'haves' (fast NOA2s) and 'have nots' (slow NOA2s). At least from a K1 standpoint.

[LaL 418]

isnt this what the USCIS service centers are for? to discuss VSC/CSC/TSC/NSC etc... maybe I have gotten unfamiliar with the climate of the K1 forum, I must admit I am pretty perplexed by the *month* threads I see popping up everywhere. Regardless, although the VSC'ers may be high fiving each other in front of those having a more difficult journey, its no different that say, the Forgein Embassy forum and even the AOS forum. It can be pretty difficult to ignore, but sub-foruming simply because of unfairness of the system does not provide a solution necessarily to all the congrats going around.

LOL the AOS forum is pretty bad - members post at times several different threads for their same approval! imagine the mess in the K1 forum if that happened

- i had my interview!

- i got a welcome letter!

- i got an email advising of creation of the card!

- i got my card!

its pretty funny, but can be irritating

[rebeccajo 14]

Personally, I think those 'monthly filers' threads are crazy. IMO all it does is promote hysteria and ill-will.

[TracyTN 237]

I forgot about the Service Centers forum. Quite honestly, I never really knew what it was meant for! But maybe it does make more sense to use that than creating new forums.

I don't have a problem with people congratulating each other; I think that's half of what makes VJ nice - that we can understand how the people feel and are happy for them.

Maybe me and John&Diana are the only ones who felt that the K1 forum was 'ruined' for us simply because we didn't want to see all the approvals zinging past us while we were/are stuck. But I have had a few other members tell me (via PM) that they found it hard to be here, too, while they waited - for the same reason. Perhaps I'm just the big mouth.

Yeah I know - don't read the forum. Well, if I have filed a K1, I likely can help people who are about to file -- isn't that partially why VJ was established? It just seems a shame that the entire board is ruined for people during the time they might need it the most.

[Rae's_lover 0]

Another member and I have had a discussion offline about this. I realize we are sort of 'sub forum-ing' all over the place - but hear me out.

The K1 forum is largely becoming the 'I got my NOA2!' forum. As a noob, I can see where it would be incredibly confusing to have to weed through all of those type of posts to find posts that might be relevant to you. Hence a possible reason for all the repetitive posts/question we get -- its hard to find an answer to your question when all you see is posts about timelines, NOAs and VSC and CSC.

We were thinking of K1 subforums - one for VSC filers and one for CSC (TSC/NSC) filers. This way, you could go to the exact forum that is relevant to you and your situation, and not have to filter through all the other 'noise'. Part of this comes from my frustration in the last few weeks before my NOA2, and what kept me from coming to VJ all together. I'm not sure if this would need to be applied to other visa types - but I suspect not (just because of the nature of the process for them).

I don't mind helping people navigate the K1 waters, but I literally couldn't do that without having everyone's timelines shoved in my face and down my throat - particularly difficult for me was VSC filers who were aghast when after TWO WHOLE WEEKS, they still had not received their NOA2. Frankly, I had to wrestle with myself not to post something rude and untoward in such a thread - I'm sure I'm not the only one, and in fact, we're probably lucky that there's not been all out flame wars started over such things. People's nerves are on edge as they wait and wait -- it could get very ugly.

During that time, I started to call VJ more of a curse than a blessing - and I think that's just wrong. And I think it doesn't need to be that way.

plz any body tell me how to post something caz i have to tell something very very importatn about my interview which held today at London embassy.....plz send me in email (epapeshawar2003@yahoo.com)

[TracyTN 237]

Personally, I think those 'monthly filers' threads are crazy. IMO all it does is promote hysteria and ill-will.

EXACTLY. I'm not saying that we shouldn't promote those sorts of 'friendships' from developing, or that there isn't SOME benefit from tracking in such a manner; but they have a whole other effect for anyone who falls outside the norm. Hysteria and ill-will - perfect descriptions!

[Andy 2]

I've never been keen on the increasingly segregated areas of VJ, because I really don't think they're a wise direction to develop the site further. They increase the complexity of the site and make it much less friendly because by segregating discussions they help induce greater impatience with those who post in the wrong place or post content that others don't like or agree with. They also increase the risk that a post can be made in the wrong area and get missed.

Personally I'd like to see VJ as easy to use as possible with the fewest possible navigations required to reach the place where questions need to be asked. If there's a problem with an abundance of non-essential/non-question threads being started, namely the 'got my NOA2' type posts that clutter it all up, then I'd look at ways to fix that, rather than fixing what isn't the problem, namely the right place to post genuine questions and answers.

I think to deal with Tracy's entirely valid point about the nature of contribution in the K-1 area, a little more active moderation might be a better approach, though (and with all due respect to Captain Ewok since running the whole site isn't a simple business by any means) expecting more participatory moderation seems like a rather futile hope. However, there was talk not so long ago about increasing the number of moderators by one means or another - this might be the right moment to revisit that issue.

I certainly don't think that there should be any sub-forums off K-1 that are service center related, simply because aside from the timescales, there are no location-related differences in the process or requirements, thus creating such would largely encourage posts of interest to everyone to be hidden one level further down where they would be very easy to miss entirely.

If there were to be such a sub-forum, it might better be one for 'Whoopee!! Got my NOA2!!' where such posts can be made, or moved!

Edited March 26, 2007 by Andy

[no name 1]

And forbid you respond to a newbie with "RTFM" because your post will be labeled insensitive by all the "spoonfeed" enablers.

See this thread where I posted a link TO THE ANSWER & was yelled at.

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