Question for Soner

[cambridge]

why has the BRS been classified as a business when it patently isn't but other , rather more obvious businesses, are allowed free rein on the forum?

[sophie]

Slightly off topic I know, but here does appear to be a number of businesses who seem to slip under the wire. The most obvious being Bargainboozeandwines which is always on the general forum rather than Business and Black Olive seem to be on General a lot rather than Events, which is mostly what they are advertising, be it a charity or whatever. General seems to becoming more and more cluttered with messages which really should be elsewhere. If I'm looking for an event at a café/restaurant I would rather go on the Restaurant section to find out details.

[topten]

why has the BRS been classified as a business when it patently isn't but other , rather more obvious businesses, are allowed free rein on the forum?

Hear Hear, probably the old adage its not what you know but who you know.

[turtle]

You are absolutely right Cambridge, there are business's on here that have a free reign in promoting their business (I don't have a problem with that) but certain other posts that shall we say don't "fit" get deleted at the drop of a hat. ?

I suppose its a case of ...er....... no I better not

[Soner]

Sorry, not a BRS fan, had threats from a particular member about a year or so ago. As to other businesses advertising Willy Nilly, will deal with them soon. Have been busy dealing with over 80 of my hacked sites for the past 4 weeks only to keep the Kibkom Forum up and running.

Hope that answers your question. No need to make everything public, if you have any queries then feel free to PM or email me.

[bigbadbob]

Well said Soner!
We both appreciate there being a Kibkom Forum and would hate to see the hackers close it down .
Little niggles do not help the situation but then you can't please everyone!
May the Kibkom Forum continue! Cheers to it !

BBB and BBB' other half.

[Bertie]

Personal prejudice aside, the BRS help many people.

[tomsteel]

Bertie, having witnessed the debacle at the BRS AGM 2 years ago and walked out in disgust, my view is the organisation is a self-protection mechanism with its own 'hidden' agenda. You, of course, are entitled to your opinion and I respect that.

[tomsteel]

Sooner, post 5/8 - name and shame, it's your forum.

[Bertie]

Since the AGM you mentioned, a new committee has been formed!!! No point in discussing this further, as you say everyone has their own opinions.

[WotNoDeeds]

Soner, sorry to hear your sites have been hacked. I’m sure all users appreciate that you work very hard to keep Kibkom up- and- running and provide a great service to the TRNC community.
However, perhaps events of two years ago shouldn't colour your present day judgement of posts about the BRS as a whole. In my opinion, since President Akinci’s election, the BRS have been very pro-active on behalf of British residents and it was this that prompted me to recently join and to urge other British residents to join. The post was of general interest. The BRS is non-profit making and, to my mind not a business and didn’t deserve to be relegated to “Unverified Businesses” for the wrong reasons.

[tomsteel]

Whatever your views, the BRS Committee was hijacked 2 years ago by a pre-organised coup. The current BRS/Presidential talks on expat rights is confined to expat title deed holders, not the bigger problem of expat being denied their right to deeds because of property fraud. The current Committee is merely a re-elected bunch of the old.

[turtle]

Sorry, not a BRS fan, had threats from a particular member about a year or so ago. As to other businesses advertising Willy Nilly, will deal with them soon. Have been busy dealing with over 80 of my hacked sites for the past 4 weeks only to keep the Kibkom Forum up and running.

Hope that answers your question. No need to make everything public, if you have any queries then feel free to PM or email me.

Just as I thought... if it doesn't "fit" ?

[Soner]

They are a Society and that is all, they should not be entitled to voice for all Brits in the TRNC, I for one would not like them to talk on my behalf - also, why do you have to be a paid member to get any advice. How many are members out of the 10,000 expats in TRNC? If only an handful, then what gives them the right to talk on behalf of the majority? And, finally, do you really think that any TRNC president or government official really takes any serious notice of them??? It's just a game of "say something nice so that they will go away".

I have spoken with several expats who feel very strongly that they have no wish for the BRS to be their mouthpiece. Furthermore, there is a strong feeling of respect towards the current government that they will make the right decisions for this country and all who live within its shores.

As for still having a grudge after 2 years, well I'm built like an elephant and have a memory like one, and the thick skin to protect myself, so it is not so easy.

[silverfir]

Soner, sorry, I don't want to pm this. I think it needs to be in the open. In the general forum section there are posts about sales, finance, tv and sat, restaurants, property, pets, bars, medical, need I go on? However, one post about the BRS and you decide to shift it for what you admit are personal reasons. You need to be fair and open handed about all the other stuff that is posted under general forum.

I love the forum and the work you do to keep it going, but have to disagree with your view on the BRS. I think they will represent my interests more than a local solicitor will. You see, here I go talking about solicitors on the general forum!

[Soner]

OK hands up - I have now moved it to Charity and Society category. Will deal with other posts when I have finished dealing with hacked sites.
Must go as no time for all of this at the moment.

[Groucho]

I love the forum and the work you do to keep it going, but have to disagree with your view on the BRS. I think they will represent my interests more than a local solicitor will. You see, here I go talking about solicitors on the general forum!

Buzz!

Nicholas Parsons: "Groucho you buzzed?"
Groucho: "Deviation - they are no solicitors (other than the 'ladies of the night')"

[silverfir]

Groucho correct

[Keithcaley]

...ladies of the night...

Ahem, that would be 'Ladies of Negotiable Affection', then...

[Darzee]

Give the guy a break.

Soner is doing the best he can.

Would you rather the forum went the same way as Cyprus44 i.e. belly up?

Nothing is perfect and everyone is human.

[WotNoDeeds]

The BRS speaks for its members not all British residents in the TRNC. If you support their efforts then it is your choice to become a member. I would like to think the TRNC President does listen to the British Residents Society and far from not taking "any serious notice of them", as Soner says, I hope the current Government "will make the right decision for the country and ALL people who live here", expats included. Expats simply want to be treated equally in any property settlement. The British Residents' Society is trying to ensure this happens

[PoshinDevon]

All the moderators on this forum have a responsibility to ensure that the forum rules are followed and also to try and ensure threads, postings etc are placed in the correct categories.

Moderators are not permanently on line so sometimes things are missed but if anyone does feel something is not right please use the email or pm function and contact any moderator.

As for postings not being in the correct category this task is really a bit like pushing sand uphill. Kibkom is a very popular forum so sometimes it takes time to move postings. Sometimes it is not easy to decide which area a posting is moved to, but we try to get it right.

Guess what I am trying to say is, Soner is not the only person trying to keep the forum functioning the way we would all like so please feel free to maybe contact other moderators for any help or suggestions. That way Soner can get on with other business interests and have a life away from Kibkom.

[Ragged Robin]

As the post "The BRS deserves our support" has now been moved again to its proper place is Societies and Charities I have put my further comments there. May I very respectfully suggest that this very important discussion be continued on that thread to avoid the problems of the past where two thread on the same subject have caused confusion by running in parallel.

[Darzee]

I`m sure we are all very grateful for the thankless task that the moderators perform.

[muppet]

A big big thank you Soner and all mods they do a great job

" stop whingeing" be thankful, you don't spend a great deal of your time administering this site....

Love Kibkom so informative........

[Jonesy299]

I also think Soner and the Team do a brilliant job and provide an important service - it's pretty much my first point of contact for insight and advice on day to day TRNC life.

I use this site daily and I think there is no issue whatsoever with posts appearing in the General area which may subsequently get moved to a more appropriate area but the initial appearance gives a good 'heads up' on what may be an interesting or useful post before it gets tucked away on another board.

Keep up the good work guys and gals!

[jofra]

Another vote of thanks and support for the team and all that they do - but I do sometimes wonder (from this and all the other forums I read) whether an alternative dictionary definition for "moderator" could be "masochist"..?
I don't think I could keep going like so many (around the world) do with all the aggro - but I'm glad they do!