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Who is your favorite poster on here?
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Feloria



Joined: 02 Sep 2006

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 3:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There was also that Marsavalanche guy--who had quite the interesting take on things Smile
Very active over the summer.....
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Plume D'ella Plumeria



Joined: 10 Jan 2005
Location: The Lost Horizon

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 4:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Carbon wrote:
Litebear is talking about Grotto, from perhaps 4 or more years ago, I believe.


No, I think he's talking about zackback as another poster mentioned.

Eamo gets my vote, along with the user who's name sounds like zipper but is spelled something like zyz-something-or-another.

Lots of respect as well for Nathan and JR White (hope I got the names right) along with some others I can't quite remember at the moment.

And as always, TTP who should probably be called Saint ttom of Patz.
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World Traveler



Joined: 29 May 2009

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For me, I consider these to be qualities of good poster:
1) Doesn't engage in petty personal attacks.
2) Contributes new and insightful information.

Unposter and Sallymonster are examples of this.

Unposter writes interesting posts, and he never flames other posters or insults them. He is a smart guy which is why I like reading his stuff, and he is dignified in the way he writes as well.

Sallymonster is also cool in that she also doesn't engage in e-beef, and I really respect that she made and runs a free tour group. I would imagine that requires a lot of work. Her writings about her life on here have been interesting as well.

Of course, we all can't thank Ttompatz enough. His posts are great (insightful and relevant), for example, this:

ttompatz wrote:
The ESL/EFL market is hot; just not in Korea - flooded with US refugees.

As always in EFL the best way to stay one step ahead is to follow the money and don't get too fussed over staying and putting roots in any one country.

In the 90's Japan was hot. It was the place to be and there was excellent money to be made.

Then came the "Asian flu" in the late 90s and it has been downhill for Japan ever since.

Korea came out of it in pretty good shape after the IMF shake-out and quickly became the "next Asian tiger". It was a crappy place to work however and the ONLY way they could get "bright, white, faces was to offer the perks that you are complaining about losing today (air, housing, etc.).

As Korea takes its turn falling from the top of the heap and the numbers of US refugees take hold the value of the remuneration packages will continue to fall.

It makes places like China and Thailand look pretty good.

In China, if you take the time to look around, any one who is qualified for an E2 can usually find a pretty good position with a package that approaches what you would get in Korea (10-12k RMB - 1.8-2.2 million KRW) and with a cost of living at about 1/2 what it is here. End result is a NET SAVINGS of about $800/mo. with better holidays and easier/cheaper travel options.

The same can be said for Thailand. There will always be jobs on offer at 30k baht with no benefits and there will always be backpackers with no qualifications or credentials to take them (but they also don't have visas and work permits either).

For those who qualify for an E2 there are lots of entry level positions starting in the 35-40k baht range with 6-10 weeks of vacation (paid unless you work for some crap agency)

and the opportunity to take on extra work (both legally (on campus) and illegally (off campus or a 2nd job)) giving you a net savings package that can actually exceed what you can make in Korea (unless of course the bright lights and distractions of BKK draw you like a moth to a flame and chew through your earnings faster than you can make them).

Anyone who is capable in the classroom can quickly get into a 50-60k THB/mo job (1.8 - 2.2 million KRW) and have virtually no expenses by comparison.

Bottom line:
Is Korea past its prime = yes.

Is ESL still a profitable venture = yes, but you may have to move to where the opportunity is.

Is there job security in ESL = most definitely yes. There will be a demand for more than 1 million EFL teachers in Asia over the next 10 years.

Will the requirements for entry into the job continue to rise = yes. The days of the backpacker with a 30-day cert and a high school diploma are clearly numbered.

Will there be decent opportunities for those with qualifications = YES, and they continue to increase and improve over time.

.
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PatrickGHBusan



Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ttompatz, TJ, Captain Corea and a few others.
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World Traveler



Joined: 29 May 2009

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree. All three are great posters whose wisdom makes these forums a better place. Thank you guys for your posts.
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ricochet



Joined: 04 Sep 2011
Location: carpetbagging...

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

week 1. Dave Sperling Cool
week 2. blurgalurgalurga Cool
week 3. Fat_Elvis Cool

more to be named in the coming weeks... LOL Laughing
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litebear



Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Holland

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry for late reply lads I was at work. To all those who were asking about it, yeah it was ZackBlack. I'm sure he was an sock but he was actually quite sharp with the quips. I take it he has been banned now? Ramen, too? No great loss.

I'd also add TJ and anyone else who contributes to the Korean language thread, top work!
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raewon



Joined: 16 Jun 2009

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:31 pm    Post subject: TCH Reply with quote

The Cosmic Hum

Always offers invaluable assistance with grammar questions anyone posts.
Always spot on.

Thanks for all of your help and best wishes for a happy and healthy
2012!
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cj1976



Joined: 26 Oct 2005

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I liked that Calendar guy who was only here for a short while but managed to wind up everyone from the Korea Bashers to the Hardcore Apologists, by posting classic threads such as "Why are FTs afraid of the moral way of doing things?"
Incredible stuff indeed and was only bettered by his "Conversation with a friend" article in the KT. The fact that the 'friend' was himself made it all the more fascinating - in a tin-foil hat wearing, smelling of your own urine way.
This forum needs someone like that to spice things up.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2011/10/137_97152.html
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Captain Corea



Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think a lot of good ones have been mentioned already. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I've really enjoyed the Kyopo posters of late... Yaya, SteelRails, Pkang.

Jvalmer and a few others would make my short list as well. Basically, anyone who I feel gives off the impression that they are an actual person, not just playing at posting as a character.
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kabrams



Joined: 15 Mar 2008
Location: your Dad's house

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Steelrails, Captain Corea, Ttompatz.

I miss ImNoPicasso though.
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Zyzyfer



Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

flakfizer and +1 for The Cosmic Hum. I like their sense of humor.

I like Steelrails in a general sense but when I do try to debate something with him, he pretends I don't exist.

Mr.BlackCat is a bit verbose but worth the read normally.

Stout's usually worth a read. crescent as well.

PaperTiger. But I know the guy in person. And barely ever get to see him.

Mind, I'm only referring to current posters. There were far more personalities here in the past.
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The Floating World



Joined: 01 Oct 2011
Location: Here

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Who's the guy who recently left the Korean millitary and posted about his exeriences? Fermentation, I think. Seems like someone on an even keel in that he's neither basher or apologist and is civil, and a decent enough chap.

Last edited by The Floating World on Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:06 pm; edited 1 time in total
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pkang0202



Joined: 09 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like my own posts.

Does that make me a narcissist?
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NYC_Gal 2.0



Joined: 10 Dec 2010

PostPosted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

TTompatz, of course.
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