Absurd

[Rob and Jill 82]

Small rant attached...

There seems to be a certain amount of trolling going on involving the UK forums to the point where nearly every thread, including threads that ARE viable and helpful to others are being shut down because of a few members who consistently harass people.

So, I have a few questions...

Why are these threads being removed instead of warnings going out to the violators of the thread?

Why is an entire thread full of potentially GOOD information being wisked away to lala land because of few people who are allowed to run rampant on that forum instead of the "offenders" being "punished"?

Why are the threads completely gone instead of just removing the offending posts and removing non-relevant information? Is there not a rule in place that keeps people from posting the same harassing junk if their posts are removed?

What makes a thread get locked versus removed?

I realize the moderators on these forums do this work on a volunteer basis, and obviously they cannot be everywhere at once, but for crying out loud, this is getting absolutely out of hand and beyond absurd. EVERYONE should not be punished by losing information because a few people are being trolls...

Edited August 12, 2010 by Rob and Jill

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

I know you're pointing your finger at me, Jill, and that's fine. I was not "running rampant", nor were the others who were genuinely trying to advise the OP in that case that she needed to calm down and put things in perspective. The language got emotive, as it tends to at times, but by no means was this a calculated effort to harass the OP.

I call total and utter BS on the fact that I was somehow making trouble. I was imparting the same information I was given and others have been given over the years. There's a reason why it keeps getting repeated: it's true. If the OP didn't like what she was being told, frankly, that's tough. There were NO TOS violations in that thread. Not a one. There was tough love being handed down for the sake of the OP and the sub-forum. But she was not being victimised. We were trying to help, because obsessing about the date is NOT going to make it come any faster. I agree that the thread should not have been invisibilised; now no one can see that what I am saying is actually the case in point.

Edit to add: And I resent being called a troll. I do not participate in such behaviour on the UK forum. Some of my best IRL friends post there, and I make it a point not to do such things there.

Edited August 12, 2010 by elmcitymaven

[sachinky 464]

Oooh, this sounds interesting. Care to post a summary of sorts?

What's with all the attacks, and reports and bans and violations and lock-downs and invisibilizings--this is the interwebz for *ucks sake! Why do people take it so effin' seriously!?

While we are on the subject of rants, here's mine for the day --

Frankly, I also find VJ becoming a lot more mamby-pamby lately. I've started avoiding the upper forums mostly because it is now crawling with testy, aggressive noobs without a sense of humor. I remember when I first started posting here, and god knows, I have had my share of noobs threads--I mean I was ready to neck myself over the I864 but I was so grateful for any nugget of information, any helpful suggestion or tip that I was happy if even one poster responded. Not like the noobs nowadays who will actively ignore your experienced suggestions and continue to demand only answers that they want to hear, attack you for suggesting or posting something that might not have been asked for yet but you know, will come up soon. Oh and don't get me started on the SO's who will jump in to defend their beloved's honor time and time again. I've had PMs from random noob members calling me 'self-righteous' and 'critical' and 'judgemental' in response to posts I've made to (different) OPs. Had absolutely nothing to do with them. Nada. Frankly, I couldn't care less about the fact that they've 'lost all respect for me' but I just can't figure out where they find the time to PM me to write lengthy posts in order to inform me, that they were, from now on, going to ignore me.

How does that even make sense? Would you call someone to tell them that they were now on your ignore-list? #######.

Edited August 12, 2010 by sachinky

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

Oooh, this sounds interesting. Care to post a summary of sorts?

What's with all the attacks, and reports and bans and violations and lock-downs and invisibilizings--this is the interwebz for *ucks sake! Why do people take it so seriously!?

While we are on the subject of rants--

Frankly, I also find VJ becoming more mamby-pamby lately. I've started avoiding the upper forums mostly because it is now crawling with testy, aggressive noobs without a sense of humor. I remember when I first started posting here, and god knows, I have had my share of noobs threads--I mean I was ready to neck myself over the I864 but I was so grateful for any nugget of information, any helpful suggestion or tip that I was happy if even one poster responded. Not like the noobs nowadays who will actively ignore your experienced suggestions and continue to demand only answers that they want to hear, attack you for suggesting or posting something that might not have been asked for yet but you know, will come up soon. Oh and don't get me started on the SO's who will jump in to defend their beloved's honor time and time again. I've had PMs from random noob members calling me 'self-righteous' and 'critical' and 'judgemental' in response to posts I've made to (different) OPs. Had absolutely nothing to do with them. Nada. Frankly, I couldn't care less but I just can't figure out where they find the time to PM me to write lengthy posts in order to inform me, that they were, from now on, going to ignore me.

How does that even make sense? Would you call someone to tell them that they were now on your ignore-list? #######.

I think I'm falling in love with you a little, sachinky, and I'm most definitely straight.

I'm not going to post a summary since it might be a TOS violation (restarting a thread). Suffice to say it was the classic noob v legacy members showdown. I'm outta the upper forums for the very reasons you state. Noobs who try to tell those of us who have literally seen it all and been through it all that their case is somehow Special and Unique and won't take any criticism (and round up squadrons of similarly situated noobs) stick in my craw. Yes, they ignore experience and go with conjecture of people who have only read about what happens next. (And I wish I'd known you were having problems with the I-864 -- one of my specialties!)

And yeah, the UK forum is not an effing buttercups and daisies place at the moment, but who gives a flying fig? If people can't take a little criticism here and there when it is well-meant and constructive they should get off the internet.

[HappyRs 8]

I'm honestly disappointed sometimes with how aggressive some posts are. VJ is like a huge family...We all have our different personalities or traits that make us at times lovable, at times annoying...but we need to keep showing respect. I read posts where people get so rude to fellow visajourners that cannot write "properly" in English... Come on people, we come from such different backgrounds, from all over the world; instead of appreciating those who make an effort to express themselves in a foreign language (and not all of them had the chance to study abroad to improve their skills), some prefer to pick on them because of their English instead of actually trying to help...

I somehow agree to all the posts in this thread. Man, some can surely whine ; I do my best to support them, but if they don't want to get out of that state of mind...I let them be. Same with ones who ask for advice, but would never take it unless it's something they wanted to hear...let them be. Give people the dignity to make their own choices (from the ocean of advice) and live with the consequences. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't...but, at the end of the day, it's their lives, their choices...

Hugs from Romania... and wishes for smooth journeys to everyone!

[Brad and Vika 129]

As you all know, when a thread gets too far off track, and the insults and TOS violations start flying - sometimes a thread does get shut down. If you disagree with a lock, or removal of information you can request that it be reopened.

[^_^ 5,021]

If you disagree with a lock, or removal of information you can request that it be reopened.

yes, you can request it........

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

yes, you can request it........

I love, "Posts removed pending further review..."

[Mags 112]

As you all know, when a thread gets too far off track, and the insults and TOS violations start flying - sometimes a thread does get shut down. If you disagree with a lock, or removal of information you can request that it be reopened.

Are you new here?

Seriously, threads NEVER get reopened.

[^_^ 5,021]

Seriously, threads NEVER get reopened.

I'm pretty sure I've seen it a few times.

[Mags 112]

Small rant attached...

There seems to be a certain amount of trolling going on involving the UK forums to the point where nearly every thread, including threads that ARE viable and helpful to others are being shut down because of a few members who consistently harass people.

First of all, Jill, have you ever thought that maybe the info that the "trolls" are repeating is GOOD advice? Just because it isn't all hearts and flowers and what you want to hear doesn't make it wrong, nor does it make it "troll-like".

What they give is SENSIBLE information that I hope, one day, you'll be able to appreciate. The whole immigration process is one of the most stressful going and they have the benefit of experience. They've gone through it, they've realised their own mistakes and are now passing it on. Don't shoot it down just because it's not the virtual hug or molly-coddling that you desire.

What the UK forum is is LUCKY to have is some pretty level headed and experienced members. However, they are pretty forthright and don't beat around the bush when it comes to saying what they mean. I'd take ten of them over some person going "oooh, poor you, call the DOS line again!"

Although I, myself, don't post in there often, I think we are damn lucky to have members who aren't scared to tell it how it is. To label them as trolls is pretty rude, in my opinion, and I think you actually owe them an apology.

Edited August 12, 2010 by Mags

[Mags 112]

I'm pretty sure I've seen it a few times.

Normally they are ones labelled "closed for review". In my experience, anyway. I could be wrong. I need a beer.

[^_^ 5,021]

Normally they are ones labelled "closed for review".

Ok, well I don't get the mod labeling minutia

[Mags 112]

Ok, well I don't get the mod labeling minutia

Pay attention!

There'll be a quiz later on.

[Rob and Jill 82]

I know you're pointing your finger at me, Jill, and that's fine.

No, actually, I am not. The only reason I even know what you said to me is because it came to my email. Your points are vaild although I do not agree. Your opinion and my opinion do not always have to match, and that is ok.

First of all, Jill, have you ever thought that maybe the info that the "trolls" are repeating is GOOD advice? Just because it isn't all hearts and flowers and what you want to hear doesn't make it wrong, nor does it make it "troll-like".

What they give is SENSIBLE information that I hope, one day, you'll be able to appreciate. The whole immigration process is one of the most stressful going and they have the benefit of experience. They've gone through it, they've realised their own mistakes and are now passing it on. Don't shoot it down just because it's not the virtual hug or molly-coddling that you desire.

Mags,

Have you ever heard the phrase that to assume makes an #### out of U and ME? (See the caps spell assume? XD)

I am talking about the people who ARE TROLLING. People who do nothing but wait on certain people to open threads so they can harass and insult them. I don't owe them an apology for calling a troll a troll, but I do feel like the ADMIN owes them a kick in the rear.

You are making the assumption that I am annoyed over the virtual smack downs that tend to go out, and that is not at all what I am annoyed over. While I do not feel people should be rude just "because they can" when the whole purpose is to help people out, there is a difference between being a jacka$$ and starting fights just for giggles and virtual "tough love".

Lately, there is more of the "just for giggles" variety going on.