Korean Job Discussion Forums

Rumple · Joined: 19 Sep 2007

Dave, your forum is used by thousands of ESL teachers all over the world.

...but there are thousands more who don't use it, because basic standards of decency aren't enforced by the moderators. I know TONS of people who say "I think Dave's ESL Cafe is cool, but I'd never post an opinion there, because people are really mean." And I think that's a shame.

Wikipedia is a great example of a large community that argues and debates many issues with a minuscule amount of acrimony or rancor. They have a blanket "No personal attacks" rule that takes care of most of that.

There is simply no reason why a forum like this needs to allow personal attacks. Setting up a "no personal attacks" rule would require a lot of housecleaning up front as the users adjusted to the new rule, but then you'd finally have a situation where everyone felt comfortable posting here. How many times have people posted questions and gotten 30 replies not answering it, but telling them what a tool they are for asking, or not knowing already? That's BS, and YOU and YOUR moderators are allowing it to happen. It is so bad that now people post "I have a question, and spare me your judgements," because they already know it is coming.

I do not think that this is the kind of environment you aim to have on your forum. I think you've got something special here, and it could be even better if there was a policy change in this area.

I'm not laying this at the feet of the moderators, nor implying that they aren't doing their jobs. They certainly are, within the parameters you have set. YOU need to change the parameters, because you have a culture of intolerance and bad faith here.

Newcomers are both needed by and are of value to the community. By empowering newcomers, we improve the diversity of knowledge, opinions and ideals on Dave's ESL Cafe, enhance its value and preserve its integrity as a resource

lastat06513 · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 2:50 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, this is the power of having a forum site originating from the US- which is to give people the power to anonymously bash people who want to get or to give useful information.

Trust me, this is not the only site with the same problem; The china daily website has the same problems too and so did the Korean Herald forum site until they cracked down on it.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

Hmm, ... has "Bramble" changed her avatar name again? Razz

Bramble · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Location: National treasures need homes

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

I'm of in two minds about this.

Yes, some stuff goes unchecked particularly certain anti-Semite garbage and conspiracy theory nonsense.

However there seems to be a feeling among many if not most posters that Dave's is actually OVER-moderated (look at all the posts complaining that a certain word is "beeped" out) Were the mods to really crack down...there wouldn't be that many posters left...they'd all head over to other greener fields and ultimately the people that post jobs here would notice and start using other boards for their ads.

Either that or people would just create a sock and go back to re-ignite the flame war on the thread(s) in question. And so it goes...

BTW OP are you talking about the ENTIRE ESLcafe or just the Korean forums...?

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject:

canuckistan · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:39 pm Post subject:

People make hundreds of posts here every day in real time. The mods can't be everywhere--unless everyone wants to go back to the old format of submitting a post, having it vetted by mods, then posted on the boards later.

If you think there's something objectionable, please hit the post report button!

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

dogshed · Joined: 28 Apr 2006

Bramble · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Location: National treasures need homes

Treefarmer · Joined: 29 May 2007

a good idea would maybe to be have a couple of the forums moderated, i can't see the harm in having the teaching discussion forum with a no flaming rule for example. but keep the offtopic forum pretty much unmoderated. that way people have the option to use the site for useful discussion or just general chat/drunken abuse

i also know that there is an ignore function can be installed onto this type of bb, if the admins added that, people could ignore those who they see as unpleasant

mole · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Act III

BaH! Why change anything? I was miffed in '97 when I got here seeing how hostile people can be.
I just was desperate for advice from veterans. I'ts a dog eat dog world, especially on an internet board like this.
And in Korea, in general. Eat or be eaten.

I think the change to PhPbbHH, or whatever it is now, was good. I certainly changed my name and attiude.
Of course age and my vast wisdom (LOL) have played a part. And I owe some of that wisdom to the Dave's folks.

Anyone else a Meerkat Manor fan?