Dumaguete Info Search


Suggestion Prefix name for "Must Read" Threads

Discussion in 'Forum Announcements & User Feedback' started by Rye83, Mar 18, 2016.

  1. Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    Need some advice on what you guys think would be an appropriate prefix for threads. There are certain topics on the forum that we discuss/complain about ad nauseam. Nothing wrong with constantly posting our opinions on these topics and tourists/new expats certainly should be reading up on them before making a trip/move to the Philippines. I would just like a way of making these topics a bit more visible and searchable and it might be best to have some sticky threads on this popular topics so that the information, opinions and advice can all be found in one place.

    Topics that would be deserving of such a prefix might include: Driving, "Buying" Property, Dealing with Spouses/SOs, Dating, Local Food, Local Culture, and other similar and commonly discussed topics. Threads that deserve/earn this prefix will likely become sticky threads and the prefix will likely only be allowed to be set by admins/moderators (much the way that sticky threads are).

    FYI: Prefixes are these things:
    Screenshot from 2016-03-18 20:08:26.png

    So what do you guys think a good prefix name/title would be for these types of topics. Just off the top of my head I have came up with:
    • Must Read
    • Must Know
    • Expat FYI (or vice versa)
    • Foregner FYI (or vice versa)
    • Expat Guide
    • Foreigner Guide
    • Need to Know
    My brain isn't in the most creative mode at the moment so sorry if these are sh*t but I it shows what I am going for here.

    FYI: This prefix will be used to help with the research and linking on the "resources articles" that I asked you guys for advice on topics about a while back.

    And no, I haven't forgotten about that. I've just been busy with getting another project (that will not rely on ad revenue) going...which is forcing me to learn and practice with the HTML, CSS and (:banghead2: my least favorite) PHP languages along with WordPress and OpenCart functions, hooks, classes and the best practices for building custom themes/pages for that software. (This is extremely time consuming, fries my brain by the end of the day and leaves little time for the forum.
     
  2. Dave_Hounddriver

    Dave_Hounddriver DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster

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    KEY threads
    [​IMG]
     
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  3. OP
    OP
    Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    I like that one a lot! :woot:

    FYI: I very well might select more than one prefix for sticky threads. One for topics that have a lot of opinions (like the ones mentioned in the OP) and one for topics that are just informational in nature and can't really be debated in any way (such as the "Tidal Charts" thread).
     
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  4. okiebound

    okiebound DI Forum Adept Showcase Reviewer

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    BUSINESS DIRECTORY I know I don't live there anymore, but when I DID live there it would have been nice to have a business directory of sorts with type of business/name & contact numbers. Perhaps the members could submit the info for you to add. I always felt like I was at a loss when I needed work done or needed something. It would be nice to have a list here from people we trust and would normally ask for references from.
     
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  5. nwlivewire

    nwlivewire DI Senior Member Showcase Reviewer Blood Donor Veteran Army Navy

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    As a person coming to Duma for a stay of three years, I know I'll be wanting to access "How To" Info - like how to open a bank account, how to get around as I won't have a car for awhile -- that kind of stuff. Cost to travel on the local public transports would be good to know.

    Also "Where To" info - like where to buy certain types of groceries, where to go for paying utility bills, how to get cable/internet/telephone/drinking water, how to get regular mail (P.O. Box?) -- just everyday living stuff. What to expect, where to go, how to get there, and costs (deposits), etc. Maybe a list of these providers and a POC/phone number?

    Where to go to find a decent place to rent for a year at a time? What is this process like? What should I know/beware/be aware of as a foreigner about this renting process? What are my options? -- do I look for a place on my own, or do I hire and pay for a rental realtor or what?

    It would be nice if the articles answered the who, what, when, where, why, and how much (if possible) on that topic so a new person can avoid any common "rooking" that locals can do to newcomers (like that luggage-portage fee thing I read about on this forum).

    What is the proper way to tip for different services? What are those services as I may not know to tip when I should tip. And how much is the tip for that particular service so I am solidly fair and square with that person/service and not being under or over-generous or being taken advantage of?

    Do people negotiate on everything or just some things? If so, are there any specific items that are generally up for negotiation? How to set up delivery (if possible) and standard delivery fees for things too heavy to hand-carry home or if no car to get it to home. Which businesses offer delivery as part of their sales and service? Or, if I find something, do I arrange with a different company for home delivery - if so, who do I call?

    This website is already my primary "GO TO" place for reading about my stay for a few years in Duma. I have learned ALOT from this forum. The members here are an absolute boatload of knowledge and willingly share what they know.

    A member's wife has offered to help me with my getting settled in after I find a place to rent -- for which I am so VERY grateful in advance of such an offer as this. I will learn much from this lady on how to get around and where to go and what to do. Mrs. P will assist me in finding furniture as I kinda have a "brown thumb" in the decor department. The furniture won't be too fancy (I do have a budget), but I want stuff that will look nice together, be practical, and last for awhile. Mrs. P will be my "point man" at helping me coordinate these items and at negotiating these big ticket items for a fair price. I cannot thank Mrs. P enough for her "eyes" on color and her pocketbook skills . We'll have a fun time doing this!

    But what if I were not so fortunate as to have Mrs. P on the furnishing piece and had to do this this piece by myself? I'd probably make a good many "brown thumb"errors, I'd not know where to find anything and take days and days to find something. I'd probably settle for alot less through my own not knowing where anything is, and I'd probably pay that "long nose" price on everything and not know it until months afterwards.

    So I think the direction you're going is a good thing for us soon-to-be newcomers.

    I know after I'm in Duma for about a year, I'll want my own little USED car/PU truck of some sort (if I think I can drive one with all the "crazies" on the road). Won't buy new -- but want a decent used one. I'll need to learn more about this after I get there. But the basics on "What to know about foreigner vehicle ownership" would be nice.

    Tourists and short-term visitors may not have a need to know some of these things as it won't be part of their world. But renting a vehicle, motorcycle, etc., might come in handy for everyone.

    Recreational activities in the area like boat fishing, snorkeling, scuba ("Where to go?" "Where to find?") might be nice, too. Do I need a fishing license to fish from land or when on a boat?

    Parks and outdoor recreation -- where are they? what to see and do there -- plus are there any hot tubs, spas, massages, sweat lodges/steam baths?

    Good doctors of all kinds -- dentists, denturists, pharmacy -- all the medical stuff. PLUS Insurance/Payment policies.

    For those with animals -- good Vets -- and "Where to find?" animal/pet supplies & pet meds.

    For those with kids -- good schools, costs and options. Usually families with kids locate to the area the schools are in. Where are those schools and areas?

    Can a foreigner volunteer their time anywhere? If so, where? Under what conditions?

    Hobbiest clubs or informal groups that share an interest in something. Where/What hobby/Language spoken/Point of Contact.

    Laws that a foreighner needs to know, like being around kids under a certain age who are NOT your own?

    GEEZ! This information sounds like something the local US Chamber of Commerce used to do back in the day when folks moved into a new neighborhood.

    But this kind of information listed on your website would be so very welcome and useful to many foreigners coming to Duma -- short and long-term.

    V/R,
    nwlivewire
     
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  6. robert k

    robert k DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster Veteran Army

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    For the things that people need to know to stay out of trouble I would label it "Ignore at Your Own Risk" as the forum is going out of it's way to prominently display it, if someone falls afoul of something the forum tried to warn them about, I wouldn't have much sympathy for them.

    I had a friend who used to complain that he didn't know where to find X, Y and Z. I had told him repeatedly to go on the forum and search and if he couldn't find it, post. Occasionally I would search for him and when he asked how did you know that? I would tell him I got it from the DI forum. It didn't help. Some people refuse to learn to fish for themselves.
     
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  7. OP
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    Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    This one exists....it just needs more businesses (and perhaps categories) added to it. However, I can't do it all on my own. Showcase | Dumaguete Info

    Note: I got my hands on a bunch of content/business listings from a from a website that closed a while back ago (Dumaguete Review). The business listings have been imported into the main DI website but the layout is sloppy and they haven't been sorted through yet. Most are likely still open....there are probably quite a few that aren't. I would like for those still open to make their way over to the Showcase page eventually.
    DrImport - Dumaguete Info
    In the right sidebar of that page under "DrImport" is a long list of businesses in Dumaguete and the surrounding area. Perhaps if someone were feeling motivated they could have a look through those businesses and let me know if they are still in business? :shamefullyembarrased: (I'll open another thread for that in a bit to keep that info in one location.

    This prefix exists but currently it can only be selected in a select few forums and only by admins and mods. I will change it so that it will be available in the appropriate forums and so that anyone can select it. (Just in case anyone else would like to give some "How to" type posts and share their knowledge with everyone. :wink: There is a whole lot I don't know about Dumaguete; unless it involves alcohol, motorcycles or how to get somewhere I can't really help anyone out much.)

    Where to Find... | Dumaguete Info
    This one is already available in the "Where to Find" sub-forum. Maybe the sub-forum is a bit to broad and needs to be narrowed down a bit. Perhaps through more specific prefixes? Instead of having a "where to find" prefix in the "where to find" sub-forum (that's kinda redundant isn't it? :rolleyes:) maybe the prefixes could be more specific such as "Physician", "Bank", "Tradesman", "Food Item", "Business", "Accommodation", "Government", "Rental", "Parks and Recreation".......perhaps you guys could give me a few more examples of things you would like to know "where to find". (These types of prefixes would only be available in the "Where to Find" sub-forum.

    :wideyed: Whoa now. Pull those reins in a bit. These are going to be used to help with writing articles later on. lol
     
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  8. Jack Peterson

    Jack Peterson DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Air Force

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    Well Dustin, I am not sure you are as mind Fuzzed as you think :whistling: You seem to have got this by the handle and personally I can't see much to add at this time. However, When I was a Kid and had Kids of my own + the School years and then my Military Career, One question that always seemed to Pop up was WHY? Why should I take out Insurance ( When we hear they don't Pay out) why, must I go to BI every two months? Yes on face value it may seem a Silly/Stupid thing to bring up but if we sat and thought about it Explaining why we must/could do things, will go a long way to answering the Original Question asked.
    JMHO:wink:
     
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  9. OP
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    Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    Not sure I follow......:hmmm: Maybe you are asking why go through the trouble? If that was the point then the answer is......
    Screenshot from 2016-03-19 09:00:39.png

    Because it's not any trouble. Only takes a couple clicks to make it happen. :wink:
     
  10. robert k

    robert k DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster Veteran Army

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    I can help with some of this. The steam room is outside 2pm the day after the sun comes out after rainfall and is provided free of charge. The cold plunge is mislabeled as "Shower".:eek:

    It appears that we are not allowed to do anything that a Filipino might do to get paid. If I wanted to do some kind of assisting, I might consider paying them a small amount to be allowed to help, get a receipt. Call it an apprenticeship or something.
     
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