In Reply to: what a load of crap posted by Shazwayne on Tuesday, 25. April 2006 at 20:29 Bali Time:
This is what the forum owners would like to see happening - a quote from the top of the forum:
"Benefit from up-to-date and straightforward information and experiences reported by residents and visitors to Bali - as many others did since 1997. Share your views and give recommendations and/or warnings to others. Don't be shy to ask anything you wish to know, and speak up if you have anything to say."
Hang about a bit longer, and take a closer look, and you will see that this is a 'home', an online community for people who love Bali and those who would like to go see why other people love Bali so much. Many of us have actually met others who post here, either in Bali or at gatherings in our own countries to support Bali, and some just communicate by email, as well as on the board itself. Some post from their homes in Bali too.
Yes, like any extended family, there are a few people who drift into the family and stir for their own amusement, and yes, there are the ones who will speak out with strong (and often valid) opinions, and those who speak with little fact or compassion behind their words. You will get that in any forum that is open to all.
However, you have to look beyond those little irritations to what has kept this forum alive all these years (a big thank-you to Forum Administrator here too) and that is that the vast majority of us have fallen in love with Bali. For some it is a fresh infatuation, for others it is an occasional fling, but for most of us it is a long-term love affair.
You may have seen some people get some strong negative comment, yes. The regulars are quick to pick the 'trolls' - these are people who post inflamamatory or derogatory comments deliberately to see how many people will take the bait and answer their threads. It is a sick kind of attention-seeking entertainment, and every message board forum gets them from time to time. (They often move from one message board to another as they tire of being identified and eventually ignored, or get disabled by Administration).
Exclude those instances and I think you will find any negativity on the board posts is usually just people disagreeing with another's opinion (permitted in a free world) or reporting that an experience was not enjoyable for them. For example, one person might find the river-rafting tame and a waste of funds, while another may find it brilliant because it is 'tamer' than in other countries and therefore enjoyable for them.
There is room for comment that is negative, if it is constructive, and based on fact. One example is the warnings about the locations of money changers who are dishonest.
You can either be a troll who posts something for your own amusement to stir people up, or you can be a contributing member of the community. As the others say, if you have indeed been to Bali, your reflections on your experiences there would be appreciated. Just Back Reports are the honey for this hive!
If you want information or advice, ask in a friendly and polite way, (as you would of any gathering of people) and you will find others more than happy to share their knowledge with you. It would pay to check the archives first, though, as there is a wealth of info there to access before you become the tenth person this month who asks
Is it safe?/visa on arrival options?/where is Geneva?/prices to pay for goods/ has anyone stayed at XXXXXXXX hotel?
Salam hangat (warm regards)
Carol