Originally Posted by The Dean (Post 5859382)

......... I've lost count of the number of completely new threads we keep getting which ask the same old 'expat package info please' questions.

No offence, though......... but..........

Since a number of you were kind enough to say that my 'what Saudi is like' thread was "great" (Meow), "excellent" (LH), "why the f--- did you go to all that trouble, you prat?" (loads of you), etc, etc..........

......... I am prepared to take on the role of Consultant Editor to the ultimate thread which answers all questions about packages, perks, allowances, etc.

Obviously loads of you know more about your own experiences than I do (and I'm aware that different cities will have different circumstances) so........

....... if any of you can be bothered, send me a PM with all relevant details in and I'll try to compile some sort of coherent posting out of it.

Obviously different salaries in different fields make that particular angle of attack irrelevant, but I'll compile some sort of 'the least your package must include' list if it would help.......

Any volunteers?

Or shall I just crawl back under my rock? :confused:

Originally Posted by Madam Medusa (Post 5859898)

please do take this all on your own back the dean...cos me for one is getting peed off by the newbies coming on and asking loads of questions...getting loads of advice...then never even having the common decency to say thank you, despite the fact that they lurk constantly...that's just weird...

MM, xx

Originally Posted by The Dean (Post 5860019)

Thanks for the endorsement - but it occurs to me that even an all-purpose thread like the one I was suggesting might not stop all the other posts still coming in.......... there's always going to be someone who says 'yes, but I have a particular concern.....'

........ maybe we all need to rehearse a one-liner reply - or get bumping.....

Originally Posted by Sue (Post 5860073)

Add stuff to the wiki, it was added to the site especially for situations such as this, then if a new member asks the same sort of questions that have been asked before they can be directed to the wiki.

Originally Posted by IrishColleen (Post 5860328)

Hi All- I understand it must be so frustrating to get new posts asking similar questions, I guess each person has different queries. I appreciate the help I have gotten here, and if I do make the move I will post my experience on here for further viewers who are in similar position as me. If all the newbies who make the move did this it would ease the pressure on the regulars

Thanks again all

Originally Posted by t19hlr (Post 5862893)

Great idea Dean. I've been looking for information myself and have been able to find most of the answers in previous threads, but having all information collated would be very helpful. I think many people can't be bothered to search through the threads and just ask repeated questions.

Also, it seems most members in this forum are from Dubai, would be good if members from other countries can do the same (especially Bahrain as I'll be moving there in a few weeks).

Originally Posted by Blue Cat (Post 5862990)

I think we should do one thread and have it made into a sticky with approx costs for rents, different areas etc, approximate school fees - with this link ... http://www.bsme.org.uk/schools/ - takes you straight to list of all schools here. Then a bit about grocery shopping/cost of living etc. I am pretty sure that most people don't bother with the wiki :(

Originally Posted by Sue (Post 5863488)

No not a thread, put it in the wiki, that way anyone can add or edit stuff. :)

Originally Posted by Sue (Post 5860073)

Add stuff to the wiki, it was added to the site especially for situations such as this, then if a new member asks the same sort of questions that have been asked before they can be directed to the wiki.

Originally Posted by Blue Cat (Post 5862990)

I think we should do one thread and have it made into a sticky with approx costs for rents, different areas etc, approximate school fees - with this link ... http://www.bsme.org.uk/schools/ - takes you straight to list of all schools here. Then a bit about grocery shopping/cost of living etc. I am pretty sure that most people don't bother with the wiki :(

Originally Posted by The Dean (Post 5864906)

Sue - Does that mean ANYONE can edit/alter/etc the thing I spent a whole weekend writing about life in Saudi?

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 5864976)

in the wiki, yes, but it can easily be reverted.

Originally Posted by The Dean (Post 5864906)

Just do it then - I have NO interest in writing something for the 'wiki' (crazy name, crazy facility...!!!)....... my ego insists on being top of the bill.

Sue - Does that mean ANYONE can edit/alter/etc the thing I spent a whole weekend writing about life in Saudi?

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 5864976)

in the wiki, yes, but it can easily be reverted.

Originally Posted by t19hlr (Post 5868414)

Why not create a sub-forum for topics related to specific "moving abroad" questions? That way people can't edit something Dean or anyone else will write, and it will be easier for people to search previous postings.

Originally Posted by Sue (Post 5869435)

We already have one

Originally Posted by Blue Cat (Post 5869793)

:rofl::rofl: we know Sue but the newbies don't and when we say check the wiki it sounds like we aren't interested in helping them :(:(:(

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 5864958)

perhaps if they were directed to the wiki after registration.... :lol:

Originally Posted by shiftdelete (Post 5870742)

Most newbies are really just looking for comfort- if you just direct them to a table full of data, they'll probably come back and ask exactly the same questions.

Its one on one they want :wub:

but not saying it won't help- maybe they can't post until they've acknowledged the wiki/ faq

after the faq they can one on one?

Originally Posted by NickJudith (Post 6435226)

...would it be possible to put links to the threads containing lots of info that newbies would find useful in the wiki?

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 6435423)

It would be better if people could put the useful information they find in the wiki directly, it's what the wiki is for and allows the info to be updated...

Originally Posted by Slingshot (Post 6436436)

I regularly chat to people away from the board whether it be about salaries, career opportunites, putting them in touch with relevant contacts and so on. if you don’t want to help a newbie you don’t have to – just ignore the thread. I just read about 30-40% of the posts on here. Shift Delete summed it up – some people just want that personal touch. some just want to chat to someone in the same industry and know what it is like and so on. I have met up with a few very nice people from here and have only ever felt that one in particular took advantage of my knowledge base

Originally Posted by madferrit (Post 6440146)

Why can't we have a sticky as the top topic in the ME forum which answers all those annoying questions. The wiki, although good is a little obscure. As most forums of this format work with "Stickys" it would just make sense to work in the same way.

Example:
Sticky is titled "FAQ's about moving to the UAE"
Inside you can have a link to the Wiki, and any other relevant and informative threads or articles.

There is a wealth of information here, and most people really don't bother with the search function.

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 6439515)

I don't think people mind helping people out, but it does get annoying when someone is planning a life changing move and can't even be arsed to search the forum for some basic info first, especially when you don't even have to go past page one for a lot of the queries.

If someone then wants to know something a bit more specific or whatever that has been posted, it goes a long way to show they've bothered, because why should someone else bother help when the person asking questions couldn't in the first place?

It's why there was a faq, which became the wiki and why so much of the info has been put together for people.