New Discussion Board Needed for Residents

not a bad idea

I concur!

But it too should be moderated to an extent (like all good boards must be).

The site is called VI Moving Center and was created for the purpose of helping people make the move here..

I think it works just fine the way it is.

Anyone can start a new board on a number of websites and moderate them as they like. Yahoo groups is an easy one. I imagine Islander would have no issue with someone starting one and then having a thread here saying, "hey, for locals who want to discuss local issues, go to this board...[address]." I think creating a board in the moving center for that probably wouldn't happen since this site is about moving to the VI, not local issues, and it wouldn't drive any revenue. But why don't you start one somewhere? It's easy to do!

USVI topics can be found in the US Territory section of City-Data

http://www.city-data.com/forum/u-s-territories/

Here's where you can go to create a Yahoo group. It's a pretty simple process:

http://groups.yahoo.com/

🙂

ETA: Here's another free "create your own forum" site:

http://www.proboards.com/

I have about 10 dual 3Ghz Xeon servers with 12GB ram sitting around collecting dust and more hard drives than I know what to do with. If there is any serious interest, I could whip up a phpbb msg board and get a domain registered, no problem. I don't see how having a seperate forum on VIMC is going to help with most peoples' main gripe which is moderation.

I would join, trainwreck. 🙂

I like things just the way they are -- a nice balance, IMO.

This topic has been brought up before: Having a board for "topics relevant to residents" and another for "topics relevant to those considering moving".

The general consensus from board users in the past was that topics relevant to residents are of some interest to those considering moving... because if they move... they become residents... and those topics will then be important.

As the idea has been proposed before we certainly are not opposed to hearing input on this idea again.

But, please be clear as to whether the motivation for this sub-board is for topics related to residents (which I would suggest include topics like VI politics, health-care, improving roads, starting a running group, condition of schools, etc)

Or, whether board users are looking for more of a free-for-all board or a social board, for discussing or debating topics that are not quite VI related or not at all related.

Wrapping up, please share your opinion on whether you'd like to see changes in the set up of the board: specifically having sub-boards for Residents Topics vs. Prospective Residents Topics. Right now there are three sub-boards: General, Classifieds and Community.

I too like things just the way they presently are.
I think it less confusing for those wishing to relocate and there doesn't seem to me to be any reason to stray so far off the beaten track with non relevant subjects. As juliekay mentioned those wishing to do so can crete their own group or forum.

I think the conflicts happen when there is a difference of opinion about what is appropriate for discussion, or appropriate methods of discussion. Moderation is key in those situations, and not everyone will agree with the moderation. Personally I'm very happy with the way things are, and if anyone wants to have a board moderated differently to discuss topics that are moderated "off" here, I encourage creating a new group or forum. I would join that forum as well (if it were open to me), as I think it would be right to show support in both discussion groups.

I do think this board provides a valuable service to people moving or considering a move to the VI. Before I even considered leaving Texas to come be with my now-husband, I spent a LOT of time just reading these boards, not posting. It is one of the first pages (if not the first) page to show up in a search engine for "move to the USVI." I'm passionate for that reason.

I'm more than happy with the status quo. If I want to contribute to a forum which discusses general issues not particularly relevant to the USVI I have tons of options.

We had a stx today comments, thread started by trw that was extremely popular. Just before he left the message board I started a new thread called Virgin Islands today comments. It was no where near as popular as trw's thread, but still, for about 20 pages people posted about their lives here in the VI.

I don't think setting up a sub board for VI residents would stop the arguing and bickering among the board members. It might make it worse. Better those people who like to argue about politics, religion our lack of start their own forum. I hope that they do.

I'm perfectly happy with the moderation on this forum.

Tam

Tam, So glad you mentioned the late Troy Wiess. I loved reading TRW's thread--all of it--his simple, hilarious observations; his disturbing struggles; the outragous responses, other posters little comments. I must admit that sometimes (especially toward the end) I didn't "like" him, but I always respected his raw and honest posts. The whole thread is so "true to life" in the VI. Back then I only read. After Tory's death, I started posting. When reading the posts about his ambush and stabbing, I was saddened to see some of the regulars labeling his awful brutal murder as somehow "justified".

You may disagree but....I think a definite group of contributors would rather control the VIs "internet image" then work to fix the problems at hand (crime in particular). If I were relocating my family to new area, I would want a raw and honest look at everyday life form a varIty of viewpoints. I truly believe that most folks have the ability to absorb a contrasting opinions and make independent choices. If this board only allows one segment of the populations viewpoint , then it risks loosing all credibility. (or becoming monotiously boaring)
Peace.

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,76206,page=1

https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,166673,166944#msg-166944

I'm good with the way things are. I enjoy the questions from re locators, newbies and the regulars. I think diversity is important, so is the good, bad and ugly. The forum tends to ebb and flow, sometime very positive and sometimes snarky, like life. The VI is an amalgamation of people, so is the forum. Let's keep it the real slice of life that it is and not relegate controversial issues to a sub forum. We all have the choice of what to read and the choice to respond, or not.. It is sad when intelligent conversation gets deleted

good response bombi

Too many people here who want to control what other people talk about. Better to take intelligent conversation elsewhere.

I've been following this board for about three years - one before moving here and two since I got here. I don't always agree with comments or even whether topics get deleted but I would keep it the way it is. It's very informative and often fun.

Islander: just moderate the ugly and inflammatory, and the un-VI topics (such as religion or lack thereof). If you don't have the time, appoint someone.

Since this board has become the defacto grapevine and sounding board for many of us local residents, is it time for Islander to open up a new tab at the top of the page for discussions pertaining to residents rather than those considering a move here?

Perhaps Islander would be less likely to censor and delete posts he/she finds scary or objectionable to potential newbies to the islands.

It would probably generate more ad revenue too.

How about it Islander?

Thank you Mike for bringing up the discussion although I suspect nothing will change. It would be nice to have a place where people who live here could discuss things that have nothing to do with moving here and in some cases nothing to do with living here. In many cases the idea of discussing things with people who live around you is to get to know the people around you.

We already have many threads which have nothing to do with moving here but they are not considered "controversial". Lost dogs and cats have nothing to do with moving here but we have quite a few of those threads. Which planets are visible in the sky has little to do with living here and applies to a much wider audience than simply the VI. This topic is also discussed on many other boards. So let's not pretend that some topics are off limits because they have nothing to do with moving here, they are off limits because some people consider them controversial. And the people who consider them controversial raise such a fuss that the thread invariable degrades to an argument rather than a discussion.

I have started a number of threads, all closed or deleted now, which became controversial. They did not start out that way but some people like to control what is discussed and not participating in the discussion is not an option for them. So yes, it might be nice to have a place where people could discuss topics which some might consider controversial and the only thing that these people have in common is that they live in the VI or might move to the VI. Moderation would be limited to controlling people who attack other people or try to disrupt the discussion. Reasonable people should be able to discuss a wide variety of topics without arguing like children. And without immature people telling you to shut up and go away.

Why should you consider this? Because people get to know each other through an exchange of ideas and all of those ideas aren't related to moving to or living in the VI. As Mike points out, this board has become so popular that it is a meeting place of sorts for the people who live here. I would be willing to bet that there are more regular posters who live here than there are posters planning to move here. I have met more local Freethinkers through the closed and deleted threads than any other way since I have moved here.

I know this probably won't happen because certain topics cannot be discussed. You should see the hatemail on some of the Freethinker sights.

So, in lieu of that, if there is anyone who would like to start a mailing list to talk about Freethought issues please PM me. We can start our own side discussion, I have been here 14 years and have a few stories to tell, both about this board and these islands. I even have excerpts from a few of the deleted threads to share.

John

Islander: just moderate the ugly and inflammatory, and the un-VI topics (such as religion or lack thereof). If you don't have the time, appoint someone.

Yes, it would be horrible if we were allowed to talk about religion or lack thereof. Violence is occurring all over the world because of this topic so we must not discuss this in the VI, better we talk about stray dogs and cats.

Thank you Mike for bringing up the discussion although I suspect nothing will change. It would be nice to have a place where people who live here could discuss things that have nothing to do with moving here and in some cases nothing to do with living here. In many cases the idea of discussing things with people who live around you is to get to know the people around you.

Then John, why won't you consider starting your own discussion board, or taking up trainwreck on the offer of creating a new one? It doesn't have to be a mailing list, that's a bit clunky and outdated. I would join in the discussion on an outside board, it would be fun.

[
Then John, why won't you consider starting your own discussion board, or taking up trainwreck on the offer of creating a new one? It doesn't have to be a mailing list, that's a bit clunky and outdated. I would join in the discussion on an outside board, it would be fun.

The truthful answer is because I am too lazy. I am not really interested in running a website. I am interested in the discussion. The exchange of ideas. I have decided to simply go away and leave you alone. No more reason to delete threads because of me.

But let me ask you this. What would be wrong with doing what Islander suggested above?

Or, whether board users are looking for more of a free-for-all board or a social board, for discussing or debating topics that are not quite VI related or not at all related.

Topics. Right now there are three sub-boards: General, Classifieds and Community.

What would be wrong with a fourth sub-board labeled "Misc Topics" which allowed much more latitude in what was discussed? There could be a warning. "Beware you are entering a free speech zone."

If Islander is willing to do that who would it hurt? It would just be another opportunity for more traffic. Did you notice how quickly the view counts went up on those deleted threads?

Or if Islander is opposed to that I will happily participate on trainwreck's forum.