Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

When ever I log on all I see is people selling their unwanted goods, and estate agents trying to unload property. Surely there must be matters TRNC and the world in general that people are interested in.

Of course there is -but someone had to write it. So What are your opinions on 'everything'. Get the discussion going.

Marions wrote:Of course there is -but someone had to write it. So What are your opinions on 'everything'. Get the discussion going.

Do not really see where you are coming from.

Think that there quiet daysand busy days on the forum. Sometimes not a lot is being disucssed but on other days there are topics that are more than just selling items etc.

As has been suggested, please feel free to start a thread on a subject of interest and see who joins in.

I think that the forum and maybe forums in general are now being killed off by Facebook. I took Face Book on simply as away of keeping in touch with our estranged grandson about 7 years ago. But it seems to have taken over peoples lives.

One example , events etc. at one time in the days of Cyprus 44 were big on the forum, now there is hardly any response or interest in them because most people bars and organisers splash them all over FB. Cyprus 44 was busy and active. This is not meant with any disrespect to Kibkom, but just the way times have changed.

Also many of the active good posters have not returned (or maybe banned). But yes it does seem rather uninteresting.

And can I say also topics that are repeated over and over again for example:- what is wrong with NTV I can't get the BBC on, as anyone else lost there internet? which internet provider is the best. There is loose dog in Lapta, can anyone tell me where I can get sprouts from? Please if you cannot find anything interesting don't post, and yes, I know I don't have to read them but, how would I know where to buy sprouts from.

Some interesting replies,and all near the mark.My thought is of now,we are living here,enjoying a quıet docile life,a bit like hibernation.....Who wants to know I have a new budgy?Planted my first attempt at growing parsnips today?Only of interest to my household !!Maybe it is the 'swallows'here soon,after a few beers in the local bars,and then post, that will waken us up !!!
But İ love this 'nothing' happens life !!!!

Gosh Topten, where to start with your post?

what is wrong with NTV I can't get the BBC on, as anyone else lost there internet? which internet provider is the best

Questions about NTV and BBC IPlayer are relevant to people who are experiencing problems and wish to resolve them, and to those trying to find an internet provider.

There is loose dog in Lapta

Information on loose dogs is of interest to anyone who has a dog missing.

can anyone tell me where I can get sprouts from?

Availability of sprouts would be of interest to those who are searching without success for said vegetable.

how would I know where to buy sprouts from

The question is not aimed at you but to forum readers, some of whom may have the information requested.

Please if you cannot find anything interesting don't post

Something of no interest to you could be very interesting to others.
And finally,

I know I don't have to read them but,

.... Don't!

Well this is interesting.

http://www.lgcnews.com/work-besparmak-m ... el-begins/

Hope the build three lanes each way, Two for us and one for Taxi's.

And this.

http://www.lgcnews.com/north-south-coop ... -disposal/

To be sure there is plenty of builders rubble knocking around here.

Look ! you have me made do it again read this post, but I like many others have looked for sprouts etc and not bored the pants off you lot that are in " hibernation" I have gone and found them, likewise if my TV is playing up the provider is called or seen and its dealt with, as for internet providers just troll through back posts if you have a day or two free. I agree there are some requests that are of use when asking recommendation's for joiners builders etc. See! this is a good post it shows who are awake and those that just go through the motions and love to be led by the hand.

Over moderation in my opinion...

Every subject that gets the juices flowing get the plug pulled on it everytime.
Yes people who are prepared to debate don't come on here as no real debate takes place, as soon as people start disagreeing and squabbling the switch is flicked and that's the end of that.
Yes I appreciate sometimes it gets out of hand but with careful moderation things can be kept on track without it being allowed to get out of control.
If people don't want this type of debate then simply don't click on the topic, with C44 you could see what was being said as all posts were open to view but that is not the case on here so there is no reason people should get upset if a topic is getting a bit heated.

I would suggest some kind of "flag" on the topic title to warn that it may not be to everyone's liking and to warn to stay off ?

Certain subjects will get people attracted to it simply because they disagree with it,... what is wrong with that? and yes if people disagree then sometimes the discussion may get a bit heated so what?

If you want a forum that you can just pop in from time to time to see who's lost a dog or what the price of fish is today that's fine but less and less people will use it,.. just look at how many boards have started up over the last 10yrs and failed because they get strangled with over moderation and banning.
One thing I don't see on here is any South supporting posters,... are they winckled out ?... where are they who knows? ... they have a right to their views on the cyprob and that should not be a reason to ban them from here.
For me the only reason something should be stopped is if it is illegal or slanderous or in very poor taste everything else should be fair topics for discussion....

Just my opinion that's all.

Bought fabulous sprouts in Ileli today. Best I've had anywhere, ever.

Spot on Turtle. But I did not like to say it in case It got pulled ha. ha. or even worse I got a ban.

I just spent 15 mins concocting a polite, literature and intelligent argument - mainly in support of Turtle's views. Unforunately my words of wisdom are lost to to the forum and posterity because of a quirk in the mechanics of the forum that others have reported, that if one happens to send a reply at the precise time as someone else, it tends to disappear into cyberspace! Perhaps a little more respect for the time of those posting wouldnhave a beneficial affect.

Marions wrote:Of course there is -but someone had to write it. So What are your opinions on 'everything'. Get the discussion going.

There you go, did not take much to get a discussion going.

What I find interesting...and quite sad, is that there are over 5000 users. and a handful really, of members, that actually say anything at all.....

"....Maybe it is the 'swallows' here soon,after a few beers in the local bars,and then post, that will waken us up !!!" (mikelapta)....
As a 'swallow' counting the days to my flight from UK, I'm looking forward to the relaxed, laid-back way of life there.....
"...maybe forums in general are now being killed off by Facebook... (Johnny Lee)....
- this does seem to be the case; sadly/unfortunately - IMO - (as on a couple of forums that I frequent) some owners/operators/moderators actively encourage their members to move over to Facebook.
I can't say exactly why, but I feel that Facebook is more a place where people who actually know each other 'merely' exchange details of what they're doing for mutual approvement or 'one-upmanship' - and also to acquire multitudes of 'friends' as a 'status' symbol... I joined a couple of years ago, I now have three friends - and a considerable number of total strangers who asked to be friends - and were ignored!
Forums - to me - are much better and more like real family/friends/neighbours; frequently questions are asked by one that are of interest to some but not others - and helpful information is forthcoming.
Discussions (and gossip!) take place between some, while others are not interested and ignore it - the important thing is that folk are being pleasant and helping each other..... which then comes to -
"......as no real debate takes place, as soon as people start disagreeing and squabbling..." (turtle)....
Debate and reasonable discussion is one (?) thing, but 'squabbling' and becoming argumentative is another - where people are face to face (again, friends/family/neighbours), quite often (thankfully) some cooler person calms things down before they go too far - calming - or moderation - is, IMO, very necessary - too many times, I have been tempted (in other places/on other forums) to 'shoot from the lip' without thinking; fortunately, I've always re-read before posting or speaking...
I just hope I've not upset too many here now!

Thank you. You have started this moderators day with a smile

Lol, good thread, thanks for starting it.

The forum needs to be moderated and is done as fair as possible. Can you imagine it without moderators, there would be total chaos. Once a thread goes sour, someone has to deal with the complaints and the occasional silly threats, not nice at times, really.

As mentioned, as long as people can have a healthy debate without attacking one another then there is no problem, but sometime attacks are deliberate to sabotage the forum, sometimes they are the cause of a member having one too many, but it happens and always will happen so we need to deal with these issues one way or another.

As for members being banned and great topics being lost, well that is nonsense, since starting the forum you can probably count the number of people banned on just one hand.

Facebook is a totally different experience, we also have a Kibkom facebook account but many still prefer to use the forum just simply for the reasons Jofra has described. Some of the posts on this thread, made by long standing members, has somewhat shocked me. What is the point running the forum down, if you like the forum then you should show support, if you do not like it then why are you posting here?

So far the forum is going strong with many new members joining daily, whether they wish to post or just read through threads. Although we only have 5000+ members there are tens of thousands visiting the site on a daily basis....so all in all the forum is still successful. As for interesting threads and debates, well not much goes on everyday on our small island so to expect a constant high level of activity on the forum would be asking a little too much. Activity does peak and dip at times, depending on what is happening and the time of year, but this is quite normal.

In the meantime try and enjoy, and be nice to each other.

I see that someone has just posted, asking about Easter Eggs!

Easter Eggs!

Don't get me started about Easter Eggs!

I do not think people have run the forum down , the topic has been discussed in a sensible manner, we appreciate this is a well run forum and of course you must moderate. But from time to time some of us are going to rile other members with our views and comments. Especially if we are a bit outspoken. :


I seem to be pretty good at it. Without meaning to.

This Forum seems healthy and well run. However, as Johnny Lee originally pointed out, forums in general are losing out in favour of FaceBook. I have just closed my Sussex village Forum after 11 years as a result of fast diminishing contributors and older software and protocols that are struggling to work with the latest browsers. The village FB page (not mine) has over 2500 members and is doing well

Forums, and their topic constructions, are ideal for people who wish to take a little time to put forward a cogent view/argument, and who have time to browse and contribute to individual topics. FB pages, on the other hand, are very transitory by nature and comments effectively disappear off the bottom within a couple of days with few contributions after that. It also appears to be a generational thing. Younger members do not seem to have the time to put more than a couple of sentences together in a posting - just a quick remark (and often in abbreviated text lingo) - which may be ideal for FB. Older and possibly retired members, generally have the time to spent on expressing their views and generally are able to articulate their comments.

Anyway, well done to Soner and the moderators for maintaining a high standard with the Kibkom Forum. This is so refreshing after the nastiness of C44. However, I do miss the old Glencoe Forum that was very much specific to the Esentepe area.

Thank goodness for forum, I have had help in many ways from this. I have no idea how to Facebook and I see people sitting looking at their phones on Facebook just in case "something" comes through. Kibkom I can look once in morning and once of an evening. Thank you Soner and moderators. T
With the stuff for sale there is quite a lot and should be put into the correct slot.

So, if the EU agree that Turks can travel in Europe without visas, does that mean that settlers here from the mainland can cross over to the South of the island.

Elizabeth,

So, if the EU agree that Turks can travel in Europe without visas, does that mean that settlers here from the mainland can cross over to the South of the island.

I would imagine so, as the South is part of Europe and the EU.
My question is: can we who live in the TRNC now travel to Turkey without purchasing a visa?

Elizabeth, are you on the right thread or am I going doolally?

Just thought it might be a subject of general interest, but, where can I buy sprouts ?

Iunderstand the need for moderation ; I also appreciate that mods give of their free time, have a difficult balance to strike and have to be constantly looking over their shoulders at legislation with regard to libel etc. nor that they cant read every thread. However I have been distressed on a number of occasions by somewhat perverse decisions by the moderators * (see below) and their failure to explain the reasons for closing a useful thread : sometimes one feels like a member of the fourth form being threatened with being kept in after school for talking in class. Sometimes people go a little too far when they feel strongly about a subject and the thread is closed when all that was needed was to delete one post or even just a few words from one post, I was beginning to suspect that the recent silence that prompted this thread was because of a post (which unfortunately I now cant find) threatening banning of posters.


Quite often different people have genuinely different takes on a subject and airing the effect an action can have on others actually does a public service: such threads need to be kept open(and in some cases on the main board) until everyone has had a chance to have their say. Most threads fade away naturally in the course of time.

Some people take a lot of time and trouble over their posts, and maybe are not too computer literature (or in some cases even normally literate) and struggle to express themselves. It does not help to treat them like naughty children.

*as an exampl*A post about "town dogs" was bringing out several different aspects of the problem which could and should be usefully discussed. People were being very restrained and despite obviously strong feelings respecting others views and even some form of consensus and compromise looked possible. Then out of the blue amoderator decided to close the thread on the grounds that it was a private conversation , even though several people had been involved in the thread. Requests for an explanation and which rule had been broken were ignored. Admin and mods also need to have some respect for posters and their efforts to keep the forum alive and lively.

And actually I would rather like to know where I can buy Easter Eggs inmy area!

Ragged Robin wrote:And actually I would rather like to know where I can buy Easter Eggs inmy area!

Asda, Tesco, Morrisons etc

Oops, wrong geography! Maybe Lemar, Sah etc etc. Anyone know? And of course this is definitely 'off topic'

Ragged Robin wrote:Iunderstand the need for moderation ; I also appreciate that mods give of their free time, have a difficult balance to strike and have to be constantly looking over their shoulders at legislation with regard to libel etc. nor that they cant read every thread. However I have been distressed on a number of occasions by somewhat perverse decisions by the moderators * (see below) and their failure to explain the reasons for closing a useful thread : sometimes one feels like a member of the fourth form being threatened with being kept in after school for talking in class. Sometimes people go a little too far when they feel strongly about a subject and the thread is closed when all that was needed was to delete one post or even just a few words from one post, I was beginning to suspect that the recent silence that prompted this thread was because of a post (which unfortunately I now cant find) threatening banning of posters.


Quite often different people have genuinely different takes on a subject and airing the effect an action can have on others actually does a public service: such threads need to be kept open(and in some cases on the main board) until everyone has had a chance to have their say. Most threads fade away naturally in the course of time.

Some people take a lot of time and trouble over their posts, and maybe are not too computer literature (or in some cases even normally literate) and struggle to express themselves. It does not help to treat them like naughty children.

*as an exampl*A post about "town dogs" was bringing out several different aspects of the problem which could and should be usefully discussed. People were being very restrained and despite obviously strong feelings respecting others views and even some form of consensus and compromise looked possible. Then out of the blue amoderator decided to close the thread on the grounds that it was a private conversation , even though several people had been involved in the thread. Requests for an explanation and which rule had been broken were ignored. Admin and mods also need to have some respect for posters and their efforts to keep the forum alive and lively.

Couldn't agree more RR,.... Why should a mod have the say whether a thread is at an end or not....what harm does it do if it is just left to die naturally ?
and you are right if two people are having a discussion on a particular topic... so what.... its a forum for people to air their views whether its 2 people or 10 it simply does not matter.

elizabeth wrote:Just thought it might be a subject of general interest, but, where can I buy sprouts ?

This is the type of subject that should be discussed, as opposed to sprouts, easter eggs and the price of Efes.

ardstrawray wrote:

elizabeth wrote:Just thought it might be a subject of general interest, but, where can I buy sprouts ?

This is the type of subject that should be discussed, as opposed to sprouts, easter eggs and the price of Efes.

Methinks you've quoted the wrong post...

However on the general subject of the thread - One man's meat is another man's poison...

It's not acceptable to berate other members for posting things you don't find interesting... it's for you, the uninterested member, to decide not to read it.

But if some people do wish to discuss sprouts, easter egs and the price of Efes - why not? Perhaps there are two people who are interested in these (seemingly) important matters; so that should justify the continuation of these posts...
There have been posts about football, laptop batteries, water pressure and leaf blowers - for me, most had at least a little interest, but football? No way!
Now, watching paint dry is so much more intellectualy stimulating - consider the vast difference between the drying speed of oil-based gloss compared with waterbased emulsion; the effect of different viscosities of different types of paint on the tendency to drip or "run"..... and this is even before taking into account the composition and condition of the surface to which the paint is applied i.e. porous or non-porous, polished or otherwise, primed or unprimed - the variations are endless....
I'm sure there must be at least one other person who is similarly interested, and would be /should be discussing this with me....

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

If it is good enough for Lewis Carol, it is good enough for me!

And you have forgotten to take account, Jofra of the affect climatic conditions and whether the application is interior or exterior on the velocity of the dehymidication process on decorative finishes.

It is good to have some serious discussions, but a little light relief is also welcome sometimes, even sprouts, egg and effes - though prefereably not all inthe same glass.

Sprouts, eggs and efes..... Must be Cyprus's natural laxative....

I would love to stay here and discuss the merits of paint drying however i am far too busy watching my kettle boil .

Ragged Robin, I am in Cyprus next week and will meet up with my moderators, maybe we can improve on how we moderate, will discuss and se what we can do.

Members should read our forum rule, we do sometimes get members asking for other members to get in touch with them, or just passing a message on to them, email or PM should be used rather than creating a post.

Turtle, this forum is open to all and we do have members from the South. To be honest I am quite surprised that they do not air their views on the Cyprob, rest assured they would not be banned for doing so.

Now, can anyone tell me where I can find Christmas Cards at this time of year? BTW, Happy St Patrick's Day!

jofra wrote:But if some people do wish to discuss sprouts, easter egs and the price of Efes - why not? Perhaps there are two people who are interested in these (seemingly) important matters; so that should justify the continuation of these posts...
There have been posts about football, laptop batteries, water pressure and leaf blowers - for me, most had at least a little interest, but football? No way!
Now, watching paint dry is so much more intellectualy stimulating - consider the vast difference between the drying speed of oil-based gloss compared with waterbased emulsion; the effect of different viscosities of different types of paint on the tendency to drip or "run"..... and this is even before taking into account the composition and condition of the surface to which the paint is applied i.e. porous or non-porous, polished or otherwise, primed or unprimed - the variations are endless....
I'm sure there must be at least one other person who is similarly interested, and would be /should be discussing this with me....

For me its not the fact that these topics are raised, its the repetition of them being raised, it seems that every day someone looks in their pantry ,fridge or whatever and see they have no sea salt, so without going to the supermarket the first step is to put it on here. Or where do they sell beds aargh get off your backsides and on your way to the bar LOOK in SHOPS and who knows they might sell what your looking for and I know some of you will say to ask on here would save you going to the wrong supermarket but please most of you shop at least once a week.

Soner: good luck with your meeting. I know decisions on moderation are always difficult.

As regards the "conversation" the whole point is it wasnt : it was s just that the last two or three posts on a very useful thread to which many had contributed happened to have been by two people and the mod concerned presumably did not look any further than that : both posters concerned knew how to contact each other if we had wanted a private conversation but if the mod has bothered to read the thread they would have seen it was a continuation of a public discussion.t I actually started a new thread on the same topic and several people came in in support,

As has been said by others above, in any case if the topic is of general interest it does not really matter how many or how few posters there are - please point me to the rule that says otherwise.

Joffra: It is the "get off your backside and look in the shops" attitude of so many people on this forum that irritates me most. Dont the lucky ones realise that not everyone CAN. For a number of reasons: not everyone can drive, some cannot afford a car, some cant cope with the nighttime illuminations and traffic, or cannot afford the petrol for visiting other parts of the island or insurance to "go South"; others have temporary or permement walking problems and need to know about nearby parking; some are caring for children, animals are other dependents and cant be away for long; and some are just too old and frail to go on long treks round the shops. For the many who are temporarily or permanently housebound and have very restricted lives a forum such as this can be a great benefit , evena lifesaver. Cant those who are well off and./or active and able to dash about in fast large cars at least have the understanding and compassion to make allowances for those who need to "let their fingers do the walking"".

I totally agree; as I said -"....Perhaps there are two people who are interested ..... so that should justify the continuation of these posts... "
- and that's exactly why I'm about to post a request for people's experiences (if any) with a car hire company that I am pondering over....because I'm not there to view the company myself!

Last two postings are very true, some one used to do a price watch. I don.t know if Kibcom or 44. It was useful. Because quite often the difference in price on certain items can be considerable between Supermarkets. But like I mentioned early on in this Topic I fear that F.B, as affected Forums very badly.

I was looking last night and the amount of people who once used the forum, but now use F.B. is very noticeable . People asking were to get something or for instance Car Hire etc. I think is relevant. I do find it very annoying when some one asks for advice and then they don't take the time or trouble to thank people is rather bad.

Ragged Robin anx others......Read your comments with interest. Personally I never caught the "town dogs" posting, it was one I missed.

For me, locking or deleting a thread or comments is a last resort. It does not happen often and it is usually because things are getting out of hand and the discussion is restricted to 2 or 3 people who sometimes get a little heated. In this instance I always suggest using the pm option. If I do take any action, I do try to post on the thread the reason why or if this is not appropriate I will usually pm or email those involved. In the main the moderators do discuss or inform the other mods when they have or are about to take some action, just to make sure we are all in agreement. Sometimes we disagree on what the best course of action is and do get it wrong!

I am sure when the mods meet up we will discuss all things kibkom and see if we can improve or do things better. Time now to search for the elusive easter eggs.

PapaBravo wrote:Elizabeth,

So, if the EU agree that Turks can travel in Europe without visas, does that mean that settlers here from the mainland can cross over to the South of the island.

I would imagine so, as the South is part of Europe and the EU.
My question is: can we who live in the TRNC now travel to Turkey without purchasing a visa?

The 'no visa' deal is for Turkish citizens travelling to Schengen area countries, not all EU countries. Currently the RoC is not a Schengen member, though it is due to join eventually. So even if the no visa deal goes ahead with Turkey (it self a pretty big if imo) it still will not change crossing at the Green line, until such time as the RoC also joins Schengen.

And currently ROC would consider they had entered illegally if coming through the North.

Posh: If you do a search (not easy I admit) under "Kyrenia Town Dogs" and then "Feral dogs, strays and town dogs" which I started after the former was so inexplicably closed, you will see why I feel I was insulted and continue to be by the suggestion that "pm" should be used for discussions which are intended to be general and of interest to a lot of people. I think the problem is (by nomeans confined to KIbcom) that moderators feel that they must have a constant noticeable presence and if there is no good reason to "crack the whip" and assert theirpresence they must find one. In fact the opposit e is really the case, a good well run forum is one where the mods very rarely need to interfere! The other posterand I did not want or need a private conversation, an intellligent unprejudiced reading of the posts would have shown they were part of a general discussion!

Whil you are having a meeting could you look at the following

These threads also demonstrate the problems of categorising. One a quick glance they are about animals and should go in an unimals hread - in fact that problem of what to do a about strays impacts on the lives of everyone who lives, works, eats, shops, drives or walks on Kyrenia regardless of whether they care about the animals!

On several other occasions when post has been moved from the main forum I have spent hours searching for where it has been moved to , as it is not always obvious. If posts are "moved" could not the notice say where to instead of just "moved" leaving the poster with a guessing game where to!!!

Thanks RR

RR,

Thanks for your comments.

The mods are all volunteers, there are only a few and are not constantly on line so I dont agree that we are trying to have a noticeable presence when we log in.

Speaking personally most of the time on line is spent approving new users postings, moving posts to the correct category and skim reading threads just to keep up to date. Very little time is spent deleting posts or communicating with those who may have overstepped the rules as the forum in the main operates without to much intervention.

If anyone does have concerns they can pm any or all the moderators who will investigate further. Sometimes we do get it wrong and sometimes we disagree on the best course of action but in the main we try to be consistant.

Comments appreciated and they will be discussed further.

Thanks

Could I just add that comments intended for the Moderators are best communicated by using the 'PM' or 'Report Post' buttons in my opinion, as the Moderators have frequently pointed out that they simply do not have the time to read every post!