Job Discussion Forums

[Shaman]

The past few weeks have proven very interesting indeed. Some spirited (depreciating to mean-spirited) debates have arisen over a certain issue - it need not even be named. Dave himself came down from on high to decry the wasteful use of his bandwidth.

That being written, what is the appropriate use of bandwidth? If the W. threads were such a waste of space and obviously non-teaching related, where is the merit in the "Capergirl" thread? Why is it still alive? Moreover, why have any of the threads that bash other posters survived? Surely these types of threads don't merit the use of your bandwidth, Dave.

Better yet, where are the moderators? They seem to be as invisible as the never-present canine that is advertised in many Beware of Dog signs. In the past, there have been many complaints about the Thought Police regulating the forum. However, I'm sure that many would agree with me that the supervision on this site is less than moderate. It's virtually non-existent.

Let's not forget the trolls. Snickering, hunched over their computers, they rub their hands in malevolent glee as they anticipate the chaos they will bring. The joke of the matter is that every dog is bravest on its own porch. Inflammatory remarks from afar bespeak cowardice. They bring nothing of value to a thread. The saving grace is that other posters only have to put up with them for a couple moments at a time, whereas they have to live with their own miserable existences 24/7. Trolling obviously is another acceptable use of bandwidth.

I started posting on this site, often with the intent to add humour to it. There are many out there who need a smile. Perhaps it's a newbie who is on his/her first assignment and getting overwhelmed by culture shock. Maybe it's someone who is having a terrible time with contractual, administrative problems etc. I figured I could (hopefully) provide a joke or anecdote that would help. Perhaps this style of posting may be deemed a waste of bandwidth as well.

Awaiting the slings and arrows,

Shaman

[dmb]

No slings and arrows from my direction. Well said. In sayig that I have had a warning from Dave. I thought I was being funny with the comment that I had made. Maybe many trolls don't mean to troll. THey just have a different sense of humour

[Gordon]

Shaman, take off ya hoser

Actually, I agree with you and think this is an interesting post. I too would like to hear what others have to say on the matter. I admit I was a little surprised at what some have gotten away with here and wondered if the moderators were asleep at the wheel. Last year, they seemed to be quite jumpy and deleted quite a few posts. Perhaps the moderators want to lay off a bit.
Maybe Dave can give us his version of what he feels is a waste of bandwith.

[gingermeggs]

This is why many of the more intelligent, FORMER posters on the China forums have left for greener pastures. Some have been "booted" for twitting the trolls. I feel that some of the moderators have more tolerance for the obvious trolls than for the regular posters.
We all know who the trolls are, and which re-incarnation they are currently using.
To kill a troll, you have to starve it.
There is a better forum out there....you just have to find it.

[denise]

Some of us, myself unfortunately included, are still a bit naive about the whole trolling business, and get all riled up when we shouldn't.

I am happy that the moderators have left some of the controversial/contentious topics alone, but I would like to see them take some action to stop some of the personal name-calling and attacks.

d

[johnslat]

Having been a "coordinator" (which, I think, is about the same as a Director of Studies, as it's called in many other places), I strongly suspect that moderators and coordinators have, at a minimum, one thing in common:

Not being able to make everyone happy.


No matter how hard I tried as a coordinator (until I learned the futility of it all), I was sure to make at least one person, though usually more than that, dissatisfied whenever I had to perform most of my duties.
And I've noticed that some posters think the moderators are being too lax while others believe they're being too strict.
Now that brings back memories - no way to make everybody happy.
Having been there, done that (to borrow the user-name of one of our posters), I can feel a certain amount of empathy - which, however, is not enough to stop me from also complaining:

Hey, moderators - make everyone happy! And do it RIGHT NOW!!

Regards,
John

[khmerhit]

Remember John--everything in moderation--even moderators...
kh

[once again]

I seemed to have missed something here..what were the "W" threads and what is this about Dave complaining about bandwidth? Please let me know..I am worried I will not sleep....

[anthyp]

[once again]

That did the trick..I feel sleepy all ready......

[Stephen Jones]

In my experience the quality of a forum is in inverse proportion to the amount of moderation.

[Gordon]

[ls650]

[stillnosheep]

Sorry Gordon,

I'm with SJ on this one - which I don't always find (to be) the case(!?!)

(thanx for all the Shikoku advice tho').

Teacher Forums full of abuse can be dealt with like rooms full of abuse. Ignore the minor infractions, comeback on the major infractions and build up a body of intellligent users thus driving away the idiots (a bit like TEFL in general really).

Yes, it's easier to troll a site than a room. But even trolls are amusing sometimes, and perhaps it does us good to know that there exists a place where we can release our inner troll into its natural habitat now and again.

Thanks, Dave, for providing the forum; the lighter the hand at the tiller, the more chance of reaching the coast.

[stillnosheep]

'cept of course when the weather gets up a bit!