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Post by holaola on Jan 10, 2008 2:49:32 GMT -7
I’ve just left, for good, PolishForums.com which I had joined a few months ago.
When I first registered with them I hadn’t realized that they attract an extraordinary number of truly psychotic people – not only those with a personal axe to grind (generally against Poles and Poland) but also those in search of any available axe (so why not one against the Poles and Poland?).
PolishForums is one of the more vibrant forums on the net and not all of it is bad. Its “quote” facility, for example, is simpler to use than the one here – though, of course, I’m a technophobe so my word with regard to technical matters doesn’t count for much.
However it was precisely because of this “easy to use” quote system that I left PF: there was some little Gremlin in there that attributed quotes to the wrong people and in that way a poisonous remark made by another poster was attributed to me!
The reply to my complaint which I received from Admin was a perfect demonstration that in spite of it being obligatory to communicate exclusively in English, few people actually understood the language!! Including members of Admin and about 90% of the people claiming British or American origins! So instead of resolving the issue of wrong attributions, they laboriously (and irritatedly) explained to me what the purpose of the quote system was!
So I thought to myself that perhaps life is complicated enough without any extra hassle, and left.
That said, have any of you had any difficulties with other Forums?
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Post by livia on Jan 10, 2008 3:38:52 GMT -7
Hola Ola!
I haven't had difficulties with other forums, as I never joined one before PCF . Apart from a private mailing list. I was warned in 'real life' the public forums are as you've decribed. This one seems to be an exception then. Nonetheless even here unpleasant things happen I slowly realize and I too didn't have a smooth start here. One of the moderators scolded me right from the start and in the language other than the forum's official one (in German). I was later told that is the way the newcomers are sometimes 'tested'. The internet is great isn't it? ;D ;D ;D
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joyce
Full Pole
Posts: 394
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Post by joyce on Jan 10, 2008 4:58:13 GMT -7
My comment(s) pertains to forums/groups in general. Forums/on line groups will have their rules. Some have long lists of rules, some have no rules at all. There are groups that are moderated and there are groups that are considered "free for all" where there is a list owner, but he/she doesn't care what is being said.
I used to belong to a Yahoo group where the members came from different countries. The list owner was there, moderating most of the time. But when certain French people would start bashing the United States people for their involvement in worldly affairs, the moderator would ignore the "flaming" remarks that were being said. But yet when us few Americans tried to defend our selves/our country, god forbid say an evil word against the French-we were immediately moderated(messages held until read and edited for comments) for being rude.
I left that group rather quickly for there was a lot of favoritism for the French.
When one joins a new group, there are certain people who will welcome you to the group and accept you. There are other group members that will ignore new members because you are invading in their comfort zone. They are not sure who you are, why you are there even tho you have something in common with them. There are some people who join groups to collect email addresses and then either spam them or invite them to join their group.(group building) Then there are "trolls." Trolls are people who join groups to cause fights to break out amongst group members.
I have been a moderator for a few Yahoo groups. It's not an easy job trying to keep peace amongst all the different personalities of the members. If one does not feel comfortable in a group, one should leave. There are plenty of other groups where one can be accepted for who you are and what you say. For we all have our own opinions, and that's what makes us individuals.
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Post by holaola on Jan 10, 2008 6:15:20 GMT -7
With PF I kept on getting the feeling that they, the Admin themselves, were what you call "trolls." There were moments when the discussion went a bit limp and immediately some "guest" would appear with a very provocative issue - some sort of insult - then the discussion would get heated and the Forum was back on line.
What is the official language of this Forum, by the way? And what do "chickadee" and "robin" stand for?
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Post by rdywenur on Jan 10, 2008 7:02:43 GMT -7
Hola Ola...the official language of this forum is English. Chickadee and robin basically stand for a level of the posts . So a new poster will start as a robin and maybe after 25 or 50 post change to a chickadee. It is just the way the program is written and I'm not sure anyone ever pays attention to it...just your screen name. What may be helpful to you should you have a few minutes is to click on the help button at the top of the page of this site and it will show you a little animated video of how to post , quote and any other questions for this forum.
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Post by holaola on Jan 10, 2008 8:24:25 GMT -7
Hi rdywenur! Yes, I've been looking at the help page - and so far so good - apart from the avatar, that is. I've been trying to put my own avatar in, but it won't take. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. Never mind. I'll ask my daughter to figure it out for me.  Thanks for the info. about the chickadee. |
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Post by bescheid on Jan 10, 2008 11:56:10 GMT -7
Hola Ola! I haven't had difficulties with other forums, as I never joined one before PCF . Apart from a private mailing list. I was warned in 'real life' the public forums are as you've decribed. This one seems to be an exception then. Nonetheless even here unpleasant things happen I slowly realize and I too didn't have a smooth start here. One of the moderators scolded me right from the start and in the language other than the forum's official one (in German). I was later told that is the way the newcomers are sometimes 'tested'. The internet is great isn't it? ;D ;D ;D Livia I have always felt very badly for my conduct with upon our initial meeting. For some how, I misunderstood the entirety of your situation and my treatment of you was simply not reasonable. For this, I am very deeply sorry.. It was not a test, just my misundertanding... Charles |
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Post by livia on Jan 10, 2008 12:42:48 GMT -7
Charles,
Do you remember how nicely you have welcomed me knocking on my door? And I have said 'come in please, haven't I? What was before the knocking is not personal anymore. It just adds to my knowledge of life, people, different circumstances but is not personal. I hope this makes sense to you.
Liwia
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Post by Jaga on Jan 10, 2008 15:08:29 GMT -7
Hello Ola,
welcome to the forum! I saw your message earlier, but I have problems to access the internet today and i could not respond. Actually, I was kicked off the internet when I was trying to access the "polishforums", so I am not going to try again, at least today.
Unfortuntely, any forum member needs to grow a thick skin. Sometimes, the issue is also misunderstanding. We can only communicate by writing and there is not any way to add any other non-written communication. Sometimes people do not understand each other.
For instance Livia here talks about the difficulties to communicate with Charles. I did not really remember their exchange, but Charles is one of the nicest people I ever knew, so I think, there was probably some miscommunication going on.
But this happens.
We try to be open, not cliquich and we welcome all new members, especially if they want to be constructive in our exchange of information about Poland, polishness, the word and everything else.
If you have problems to understand the forum rules, you may ask us in any time.
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Post by bescheid on Jan 10, 2008 15:44:26 GMT -7
Charles, Do you remember how nicely you have welcomed me knocking on my door? And I have said 'come in please, haven't I? What was before the knocking is not personal anymore. It just adds to my knowledge of life, people, different circumstances but is not personal. I hope this makes sense to you. Liwia Thank you  Charles |
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piwo
Citizen of the World
Co Słychać?
Posts: 1,189
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Post by piwo on Jan 10, 2008 21:14:30 GMT -7
Well, English may be the official language of this forum, but I believe Polish is certainly welcome as well. While my Polish language skills are not great, I try to read all posts and stories in English and Polish. It seems this forum is attended by more folks of "polskiego pochodzenia" then native Poles, but it matters not. Several key contributers here are not Poles, or of Polish roots. If you post in Polish, you will probably not get the amount of response then if you post in English, but that should not be the deciding factor.
That's my take............
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Post by holaola on Jan 11, 2008 8:53:22 GMT -7
I'm fine with English, it was just that Livia mentioned her "little German test" so I wondered whether perhaps I'd registered with the wrong language group!
I'm not thick skinned but I'm not one to faint in a corner either if confronted with some aggressive poster - however PolishForums.com was all about aggression - a bit too much even for my stomach. I have a feeling that this forum will be nicer, at least I hope so.
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Mary
Cosmopolitan
Posts: 934
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Post by Mary on Jan 11, 2008 9:00:26 GMT -7
I'm fine with English, it was just that Livia mentioned her "little German test" so I wondered whether perhaps I'd registered with the wrong language group! I'm not thick skinned but I'm not one to faint in a corner either if confronted with some aggressive poster - however PolishForums.com was all about aggression - a bit too much even for my stomach. I have a feeling that this forum will be nicer, at least I hope so. Holaola, I think you will find this forum enjoyable most of the time.  Early on, I let myself get all balled up once or twice. But when I analyzed the situation I decided that if it was that upsetting I could gracefully leave the conversation. No need to argue to that point of aggravation and give myself a stroke... I'm sure you will fit right in and have fun here! Mary |
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Post by freetobe on Jan 11, 2008 21:56:39 GMT -7
Holaola,
You are right in your observations of pyschosis on this site. I agree with your take on admins "trolls" We forum chatters are some of the most opinionated people on the planet and the role of moderator is not easy. On the other hand, the admins are the owners of the site( yes, it is bought and paid for) and they can and often do, manipulate it to suit themselves. Checkout the increased amount of and types of ad sites on PCF. Makes you wonder. But cyber space is a medium that exists with little regualation and less scruples by it's web site owners. Over all there is information to be gleaned at PCF. Check out the latest post from Just John. Happy you are here and find your posts honest and well informed.
FTB
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Post by holaola on Jan 12, 2008 3:01:33 GMT -7
freetobe! I wasn't referring to Polish Culture Forum at all! I've just joined here! I was referring to PolishForums.com which is another completely different forum which I have now left! Of course the owners pay for the Forums and all things considered, this can come to quite a bit of money annually. I do realize all that, just as I realize that moderating in itself takes time. And I daresay a good deal of patience! However I left the other forum because it seemed to be based solely on aggression. Obviously if a forum is too bland, perhaps even too polite, it can become boring and lose its members. But there is a limit to everything. I've always considered the Polish Issue a very delicate one. The defeat suffered by Poland was total, and weighed down by betrayals, etc. and very, very complicated. There has never been any real, healthy discussion about it especially as very many, perhaps even too many, of those concerned were sprayed out world wide and there was no technology for this diaspora to have their say. Only in recent years has this become possible. Now, all this pent up tension can come out in a rancorous way and too much rancour is not a good thing. It takes away the rationality and the possibility of healing and moving on - not to mention real understanding of the person/s on the other side of the monitor. That is why in Forums which deal with such touchy, fragile issues it is imperative to moderate with greater care and greater respect. And that didn't happen on PolishForums.com which again I underline is not the same thing as Polish Culture Forum. So far on this Forum I get the feeling that perhaps there is generally more care about the other members - this place is more respectful - at least I hope so. The general attitude seems more smiling - which is why I am here! By the way I hope you won't all abandon my emigrant children thread which is somewhere around. I'll have to present it a bit better I think. I'll be disappearing for a week from Monday - have to go to London, but I'll be back. |
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