Posted by CaliNotary on 1/19/05 2:51am
Msg #17293

Grand Total for today

2 new threads about "how do I calculate fees?"

2 new threads about "how do I get started in this business?"

At the time I wrote this post, all four threads were still on the first page of messages. Which means that the second person who started each thread didn't even scroll down the first page to read any of the messages before asking their question.

And people wonder why we get upset about this?

Reply by unknown on 1/19/05 9:17am
Msg #17311

Don't reply to the questions then if they upset you. Such a small thing to be upset about. Maybe starting a new thread would bring up new answers.

Reply by Charm_AL on 1/19/05 9:51am
Msg #17314

I agree! a LOT of the negativity would disappear if arrogant/cocky posts were curtailed. This forum could use a little more professionalism and courtesy. There is a more respectful way to guide people around and give advice when asked.
I don't believe anyone has the right to be the board police, and constantly put others down, although I do think there should be a moderator so that people don't have to hide behind annon/unknown for fear of retribution (imo)
just my 2 cents

Reply by CaliNotary on 1/19/05 1:16pm
Msg #17338

I didn't respond to the questions. I just posted this as an observation.

Reply by unknown on 1/19/05 1:22pm
Msg #17340

Questions never hurt, even if it's been posted before. I just can't believe something this little would UPSET you. Lighten up.

Reply by exactly on 1/19/05 1:45pm
Msg #17343

don't read or respond to posts that bother you - relax - if you feel like helping others out - do it - if not - then don't - new people will continue to post on this board and not follow the unwritten 'rules' - read posts that you are interested in and pass on the ones that don't -- it will save you a ton of time....

Reply by Loretta Reed on 1/19/05 2:23pm
Msg #17346

There are a few arrogant people that like to put others down on here. We do have notary board police on this site. I use to read this site every day because I keep track of who pays and who doesn't when someone posts a company on this site and I learn alot, but the attitude of some in very negative. It's a shame.

Reply by Mary Pierce on 1/19/05 2:37pm
Msg #17347

Actually I agree with Loretta. I have been reading messages on this forum for about a week and I am kind of disappointed at the attitudes some of you have. We are not perfect. I first got on here trying to figure out how to get to the first message. I still haven't. I am a busy person and when I see someone on here complaining about a posting, or stupid question or look at message # such and such it is sad. You are all suppose to be professionals and some of you are not acting like it. Enough said! Release it and press on.

Reply by Shane_IN on 1/19/05 2:58pm
Msg #17349

This board would be so much better with a different message board system as I think Paul-CA stated?
I'd also love to see the ability to get rid of the Anonymous names.... Make whoever posts have to post with their login name.... We'd cut out some of the clutter.

That or break the board into sub-boards...(Newbie Questions), (Non-Notary), (Equipment Questions), and other subtopics....

Reply by Paul-CA on 1/19/05 3:20pm
Msg #17352

Having brought a "fresh pair of eyes" to this forum recently, and having slogged through a ton of messages trying to get the most from everyone's collective experience, I'd have to say that comments such as this one look like "spittin' into the wind" to me. What's the point here, CaliNotary? Maybe you'll win a few battles but the war just keeps going on and on (and "the enemy" has a never-ending supply of new recruits). Having read more than a few of your "why does this keep happening" posts (usually followed by more "you're rude, " "no I'm not," "yes you are" ... type posts), I half suspect that you just enjoy the "smell of napalm in the morning." ;)

Should you actually be interested in ending the war, I'd like to suggest an alternative approach.

There are a few issues here. First, the NR site is an easily found source of information about being a Notary Public and Signing Agent. This forum has a wealth of information in it (as you frequently point out). It is going to attract people new to the business. This is a good thing.

Second, the community that creates this forum includes a lot of people that care deeply about the profession and are honestly glad to be of service to both new and not-so-new notaries. This, too, is a good thing; a very good thing.

Third, this site is using an extremely poor version of forum software. It's difficult to, as you frequently suggest, read all the messages. This is not a good thing. It makes it difficult to "exract the value" from the messages posted here. It also increases the probability that a newcomer is going to attempt navigating it for awhile and quickly surmise that it's just easier to post a new question.

There are a number of ways in which it can be improved. Probably the easiest way to describe them is to just give you an example. You might take a look at http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=255570 which illustrates what a more modern version of forum software is capable of. You don't need to read the contents there, just look at how things are laid out and notice, for example, how the entire thread of a message is visible. This is a display for a particular thread. Just above the first message you'll see "Forum Index ->" and you can click on that to see what the top-level list of messages looks like. Software like this (there are others that offer similar features) makes it far easier to find what you're looking for and to read an entire thread. Some percentage of newcomers will be able to find the answers they're seeking easily enough to not reach the "it will just be easier to post my question as a new thread" decision. No, this won't win the war, but it will turn the volume down a bit.

More effective would be the addition of a FAQ for newcomers. Building it can be accomplished and maintained by the community in a "moderated discussion" forum (meaning 1: not just anybody can post new messages in it, and 2: NR doesn't have to create it all by themselves). This is a very effective way to reduce the "newbie" questions. It turns this war you've been fighting into a managable set of occassional border skirmishes.


So, here's my suggestion to you. Take the time you're currently spending on reporting "question violations" and use it to organize a petition to NotaryRotary that asks them to fix this problem (as described above). It shouldn't be hard to convince them. This forum is what keeps people coming to their web site. The better it is, the more it gets used. The more it gets used, the more income it will produce for them.

But it's better than that. The real winners here will be the people who have spent so much time making this forum and community such an invaluable source of information and encouragement for the professional notary.

Reply by Becca/FL on 1/19/05 5:35pm
Msg #17374

Paul, you may want to post your opinions of this board to the owner, Harry. You may do this if you are logged in; just click on Notary Talk then Feedback to send a post to Harry. Although, I'm sure he has seen your posts re: his antiquainted board. Personally, I rather like the set up. It sure does beat what is was 9mos-1year ago.

Reply by BrendaTX on 1/19/05 5:41pm
Msg #17377

Each to his own - I love the set up of the board! I'd be disappointed to see it change.

Reply by ab-MI on 1/19/05 7:48pm
Msg #17395

Thanks Paul and a few others who commented on the negativity on the board. I am a new NSA and stopped coming to the board a while ago after feeling like many of the members seemed too caught up in very trivial things such as what they viewed as a cool enough author name for posting a question.

I was initially so excited to find the site because it is such a great resource. I thought having access to so many experienced notaries was an unbelievable benefit, but after getting a bit of feedback I felt like I wasnt cool or experienced enough yet to be apart of the 'club'. I didnt return to the board until tonight and was encouraged to see a few people addressing the decorum of how everyone communicates. I hope there are many others out there that share your views and welcome questions & comments from notaries of all experience levels.