Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VanIslander]

first knew about in early 2002, first real lurking by late 2002

got a major sunburn on my summer vacation after eight or so months here, so got a Dave's account to chat while I recovered one weekend away from the sun in 2003

[csvfa]

Here's how Dave's looked in '96

The internet archive is great.

[rapier]

My first post: March 14 2003

3 years in Korea....

[jaderedux]

6+ years remember the old format too.

[JongnoGuru]

[Ya-ta Boy]

csvfa,

Is there a way to look at old posts in the Archive? I tried but couldn't figure out how to do it.

[csvfa]

[schwa]

[quote="JongnoGuru"}

EDIT: Yeah, as Ya-ta asks (below), were are the actual posts from those wacky old nutjob Korea Davers?[/quote]
Lost in the ether. Posting here back when was pretty ephemeral -- threads just scrolled off into nothingness. There was a country-by-country "journal" you could post in that was meant to be a bit more permanent but that was expunged last year. Its format encouraged one-sided diatribes that stood unrefuted & it had also become sorely out of date.

When I see gripes about the modding here I reflect back to the old days when every post was vetted & would only appear online some hours later. Led to some fairly disjointed discussions. Oh, & there was no posting on weekends -- just read-only.

Then there was the fun week where Dave decided to let the board run unmodded to see what would happen. Holy *beep*! Civil discourse didnt stand a chance.

I dont blame the other country teachers for wanting Korean posters exiled. If you asked a question about Kazakhstan tonight it would be on page 6 tomorrow, unanswered & unnoticed, while the stalwarts yammered on about hagwons, K-chicks, & kimchi. Now they can post on their own Kazakhstan forum. Too bad their question still gets no response, or maybe a month later.

They split up the China forum now so they can talk off-topic stuff, but they seem to have a limited cast of characters. Surprising -- there must be plenty of teachers there. Theres a few blowhards on the Japan forum. A few genuinely nice-sounding folks scattered on the international forums, emphasis on "few." I just think Daves isnt so much on the radar for efl folk around the world.

I think Daves esl cafe found its niche & success as a result of being on the spot just as teaching & internet access pinnacled in Korea. I've been hanging around on here since 1999 & its been fun & useful & I've enjoyed making my modest presence. Made some friends too.

But the format is stale. Internet sites have evolved exponentially in the last 5 years but Daves has remained dimensionally flat. Its still the first place I'd send a newbie for information about teaching here, but just barely. The searchability & faq's are a joke, not to mention the other features outside the forums & job boards.

Not enough vision to stay on top of the game. This site will be quietly eclipsed altogether by someplace more modern before long, I think. Nevertheless, it chugs along. It is a community, of sorts.

[Tiger Beer]

[ajuma]

csvfawrote:

[OiGirl]

[OiGirl]

[desultude]

[schwa]

I researched & landed my first job in Korea on an XT that had been upgraded to a 286. Monochrome monitor (green!), no windows (ran on dos commands), no mouse. Couldnt display any images whatsoever. Ran through a local dial-up freenet.

But I loved that old machine. Wonder of wonders. it landed me here.

[uber1024]

I guess I found Dave's about 3 years ago. I taught English about 2 years ago, and I'll be moving back to study Korean one day (hopefully next fall/winter).

I won't be teaching English again. You guys are crazy, and it's a tough job that you do.