Forum Usage Guidelines - READ BEFORE POSTING!
 

The Marriage Based forum is an "information exchange" for members to discuss and share their immigration experiences. Moving abroad is a serious, and sometimes complicated endeavour, and we ask that members (in addition to our site rules) adhere to the following guidelines in order that this section can remain an important and useful discussion resource:

1. Thread Topic - Use a descriptive title when posting a new thread. Titles such as "Help" or "Advice Needed" will get overlooked, and do not offer any hint as to your intended discussion. Try and give brief details of your topic. For example "Marrying US citizen" or "Looking for info on L1 visas" etc.
2. Search first, wiki second, discuss later - Before posting a new thread it might be beneficial to use our search function, or read the wiki, prior to posting your topic. New members frequently ask the same questions over and over again, so by searching first you may find the issue has recently been discussed.
3. Things don't always go as planned - Often we get members who become frustrated when they discover that their "plan of action" is not feasible. In those instances please do not "shoot the messenger" by turning belligerent and argumentative.
4. Thank you goes a long way - If someone has taken the time to discuss, and share their experiences with you then please be appreciative of that and thank them accordingly.
5. Stay on topic - If you wish to participate in off-topic banter/chit-chat please do so in the other forums that are offered for that purpose on this site.
6. We don't walk in their shoes - If someone is offering to share their experiences please do not belittle them, or make personal comments, or judgments, about their situation. It is not helpful to anyone, and only detracts from the discussion at hand.
7. Be respectful - We ask that at all times you treat every member with respect and courtesy.
8. And finally - Any member not adhering to these guidelines will be asked to stop participating in the Marriage Based section of this forum, and if you continue, may be asked to leave the site entirely.

Thank you for reading.

Re: Forum Usage Guidelines - READ BEFORE POSTING!
 

This wiki entry for the Canadian forums applies here as well; have a read!
Tips on using the forum

Re: Forum Usage Guidelines - READ BEFORE POSTING!
 

Some excellent resources for old members and new alike. Please consider reading these:

The Help Vampire: A Spotter’s Guide

Help Vampires are found in every public online community, from those nearest to our hearts to those furthest from our principles.

Instead of consuming of ill-gotten hemoglobin, these vampires suck the very life and energy out of people. By nature they feed on generous individuals who tend towards helping others, and leave their victims exhausted, bitter and dispirited.
..
#2: Cease Enabling Behavior
Enforce autonomy.
Foster thinking.
Reward self-help and helping others.
Be friendly. People and Help Vampires are much more likely to become useful members of the community if they’re met with kindness and encouragement rather than condescension and spite.
(Thanks, Sue, for this find!)


Thanks to nettlebed for this contribution:

How to ask a question
SUMMARY
When posting questions to a professional forum or newsgroup it is vital to format the question and it's content in a proper way in order to greatly increase the possibility for quickly receiving a good answer, and thus saving you time and frustration.