Tenerife forum

[makum101]

... Maybe the admins should restrict her posts to the "General Chat" area???



Come on then sara,give me some more words of wisdom ...

[rob]

OK That's enough mud slinging. We live in a democratic world (fortunately) and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Some people manage to string sentences together better than others, some people say nothing much apart from odd comments here and there, some people ask intelligent questions, some people .......within reason it's a free world.

This was probably my fault. Go back to the beginning of this thread and you'll see that the man asked some questions to which I answered as well as I could without ringing the department of health to check. I then added a facetious remark which was added to by seagull. I believe that this was and is acceptable, life is not all seriousness.

[Boab]

Makum has it bang on Rob. restrict Sara to general chit chat and let the rest of us get on with asking relevant questions, giving sensible opinions, and trying to help others where possible. You must admit Rob that she butts in on everything and has nothing of any use to say, I'm more that sure it's not just Makum and myself who hold this opinion of her, we all have rights to post if we are members of a forum but Sara goes way too far. The advice you gave at the start of this thread did have an element of humour as did seagulls, but then in came Sara with her usual silly nothing to say graphics, shes says she has a housekeeper , that would imply that she had money but even if she only had a penny to her name she would still have more money than sense.

[makum101]

The man at the start of this thread has been led by the so called experts on this site from one disaster to another. he came to me and after hearing his wild stories about the advice he has been given on here made me sick. Many people who are considering risking it all to move here with their families look to forums that have a subject content connected to their questions. However once on this forum they are replied to in such a manner that leaves them confused to say the least.

I frequent many forums and the moderation on here is non existent. I know of no other subjectal forum that allows text speak, off topic chat, hijacking of threads, multiple cross topic posting etc etc.

As someone who witnessed far too frequently people who come here ill prepared, with bad or no advice, i feel it irresponsible of the admins and moderators to allow this continued babble of verbal rubbish to continue especially when innocent people are actually believing what is peddled here.

OK I understand the words "laid back" and "fun" but until this site lives up to its responsibilities and operates with care and moderation people will continue to be misled into failure and misery.

Now to bring the topic back on track....
I have helped the man in question personally with his fears, and questions. I have pointed him in the right direction, given advice accordingly without bias. He's currently taking a break back in the UK but will be returning next week to continue with laying the foundations of his family's new life. At lease now he is armed with real information that can help, and knows there ARE people here who don't just want put their own words on the internet - how ever irrelevant - and actually are there to help.

[Boab]

Makum
You live in Tenerife (not the reef) and I feel you would make an ideal moderator on this forum. As you say there are a lot of people such as myself who are risking it all and coming across to Tenerife to live, my house is up for sale and we are at the point where an offer could come in at any time so it won't be too long till we are there and we will rely heavily on the assistance of people who know what they are talking about and a lot of questions will be asked via this forum. Rob and others have already given me sound advice of which I am extremley grateful, but again as you have said this forum allows far too much babble and total nonsense to go on and the answer may be more moderators who will edit out the crap. I feel a moderator on this forum should at the very least live on Tenerife, it should also be decided if this is a forum for holidaymakers telling of their wonderful experiences or should it be strictly for people who live in Tenerife and also for people who seriously plan to do so. What do you think Rob, is there a place for Makum as a moderator, I think this forum could be a fantastic resource for people living in or moving to Tenerife if the crap could be cut out.

[sara]

..right boab, makum, whoever....

...i was not under the impression when i joined this forum, that it was only for people who live on the island , or for "holiday makers telling of their wonderful experiences". why does it have to be one or the other?? there are loads of people who love the island, have been many times ( myself included) and loads of people who want to go and live there at some stage in their life ( myself included), just because we can't all be at the stage that boab is at doesn't mean we can't be on the forum does it? yes, i think makum would be a good moderator... he lives there , knows the areas etc, but he needs to lose the sarcasm and narky comments...

... i admit i do post a lot. so what? i have a debilitating illness, that , at times, makes it impossible for me to leave my home and go out to do the mundane everyday things that people do like; shopping, going to the cinema , the pub etc. ...i am fortunate enough to be able to visit the "reef" a few times a year if all is well, so i like to keep up with what is going on and happening there. i found that this forum kept me up to date on everything and , most importantly, had friendly people that i could have a banter with at the same time.... if i am so bad wanting to be involved with a good forum that this is, then sorry, but i enjoy being able to log on and read what other people have to say about a place that i love, and also to talk with the friends that i have made...


...so , there you go, now you know why i post a lot....obviously some people don't like it, so rather than be a pain and ruin what they want i'll find another forum with postees that don't take themselves so seriously. and no, before you decide that this is for a sympathy vote , you are wrong... this is life.

[rob]

I am considering all the opinions expressed and will reply more fully later. Just a couple of points...The answers on here are generally opinions given in good faith but are not the work of experts. For expert legal advice one must use a lawyer as in any country.

[makum101]

There's loads of stuff needed such as 'stickies' in certain sections. Eg a sticky in the jobs section detailing NIE's and Social Security payments details etc. If this was posted by someone who knows (such as people living here with real experiences) it would help eradicate repeat questions like "What do i need to do to get a proper job in Tenerife?" that pop up every week!

Again in Cars we could provide a sticky post detailing the matriculation process, but it would only be lost if it were not made a 'sticky' and remain at the top! And thats just for starters. All of this would need updating by someone with the time and knowledge as well as access to do so. Boab is right how can someone in the UK spot a change in local life when they are 2300 miles away and cut off from local life?

Apollo lives here and is also very knowledgeable. Although still in the learning process (aren't we all?) as she's been here less than a year this does not prevent her offering advice on here. What prevents many people with the knowledge coming here is the lack of format and respect. To be blunt this forum's reputation amongst some established expats is laughable. (and i don't mean to be nasty with that comment). this site neednt be like it is. Apollo on her own admission knows little about successful moderation of forums. So we have the Bard, nice chap, but i have not seen him moderate. sara is also a mod. but the subject of this member has recently been made off limits by site admin so i will refrain from commenting. Also where are the Forum T&C's? Without them any knacker abusing the forum has an instant get out clause!

I already moderate other forums and by far the hardest task i have is to moderate the second biggest Big Brother (UK) forum. As you can imagine we get our fair share of yoof's posting in da txt meswje format and more sinister. It takes time to create a self moderating forum and you have to at least point it in the right direction. The direction must start at the top.

Much as id like the opportunity to involve myself in what i see as a potentially successful forum, I fear Rob will not trust me do carry out the task for a number of reasons. I feel Rob likes the current format. I even think hes frightened I'll damage the status quo, which is a shame as this forum has far more potential that it currently achieves. However there are other more aptly named forums springing up and i fear that this one may ultimately suffer if it continues to slide into a "general chat" area for the chosen few.


D minus.... Could try harder!

[Boab]

No Sara I don't think you are after a sympathy vote but what you have done is put your point across in a well written, articulate manner. It is far better than the usual graphics you churn out, at the end of the day in my opionion it's really a case of if you or anyone else has something constructive to post then post it, otherwise do what the rest of us do...read the posts. If we all replied to each post with nothing more than smileys or with nothing constuctive to say then it would be sheer chaos on this forum. The last thing I want to do is offend you, but I felt that the guy really needed important advice and sometimes humour can go too far..........Sara when you say "the Reef" you do mean Tenerife yeah ........joking honest!

[rob]

There's an ever increasing flow of opinions and information to answer!
Makum you give me the impression that I'm 'anti Makum'. This is far from the truth I respect your knowledge of the IT world and know that I'll never be on the same level as you. I have no experience of running a forum but do realise that this one stumbles along with far too many irrelevant posts. However we do carry a jokes section to encourage the lighter side of life and I have no objection to some lighthearted banter being part of normal forum life.
I do try to give relevant information where I'm able or at least to pass on my experiences. We have disagreed before but this is allowable in life. Apart from the forum I receive many e-mails and pms asking for personal help and information, these as you'll know take up a considerable amount of my time and yes, I do sometimes become irritable with the inanity of some of the questions. Mea Culpa!
Perhaps we should meet and have a beer or two to carry this discussion further, if nothing else it'll save the wear and tear on two of my fingers! (one on each hand, not two on the same hand).

[dazz robson]

just thought that not in a million years did i think i could have caused so much discussion with a question
i think i may post a few more questions as it seems to bring the togetherness out in folk
i am now living in tenerife and i may be a little self critical at times but this is a pretty daunting time for not only myself but my family too
after a long think looking back the remark made about just needing to be pregnant rather amused me

i will make this move to tenerife work if its the last thing i do
regards darren from tenerife
_________________
keeping on

[apollo]

Ok, I will just qive my 2 penny worth quickly before this thread gets out of control.

I have to say that on everything Makum and boab have said, I agree.....entirely.

I also frequent many forums and this one is certainly not in the top 10 good ones.
I am not saying it should turn into a "serious posts only" place as that would be extremely dull but I find the mindless posts unbelivably irritating, stupid flirting etc which always finds its way into the important threads where people actually come on to get and give advice.
Sara, with respect, your posts do dominate the board. I am not saying dont post, far from it, but you do tend to stick your oar in and turn subjects to a completely different direction.
Endless smileys etc are just wastes of space. A lot of other forums have limits or in some cases dont allow "smiley only posts"

Text talk MUST be banned. It is just pathetic, this is not a school messageboard, its for adults.

I realise that over the past few days there have been a lot sarcy posts from various people but I think that is because they have just had enough of coming on here and getting faced with complete and utter drivvel.

I dont agree with personal insults, but we are all human and do get annoyed and we should be allowed to express out point of view.

Off my soap box now.
_________________
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- Currently in the UK

[Boab]

Although I stand by everything I've said to Sara re smiley only posts and butting in on every post with no constructive agendas, I do apologise for any personal remarks I have made to her, I got carried away and got angry when I saw the graphics posted by her when important advice was asked for. This forum has the potential to be a first class resource, I think Rob is a very helpful chap who would go out of his way to help anyone and as I said earlier "I think Makum would make an excellent moderator" and would help ensure things were tightend up but still keep a sense of fun about the place, I think we all agree that it would be a very dull forum if it were 100% serious but lines still have to be drawn, I think all childish text talk should be mod edited, also anyone straying off the subject on a thread should be mod edited. The general chit chat section can accomodate the funsters (is that a word) and the rest of the forum can be used as the resource which I'm sure Rob intended it to be. Apart from the apology to Sara the rest is just my humble opinion to be agreed with or disagreed with as anyone sees fit.

[Juum]

[makum101]