Should we let foreigners in as members?

[jaydisc]

I can't imagine why a foreigner would want to join rather than hang out at seibertron, tfw2005, etc., but also I can't see how it would hurt us either... again, unless it's an issue of spamming, which I'm pretty sure we're not too into regardless of origin.

[GoktimusPrime]

Or let them in.. maybe with a flag of where they're from?

They already do that on other international forums. OzFormers is meant to be an Australasian forum for Australasian fans, and I don't see any problem with keeping it that way.

There are plenty of other board communities which are regionally exclusive such as for Nordic fans, Dutch fans, Transformers New Zealand, Transformers Hong Kong etc. - most Japanese boards have a policy stating that users can only post in Japanese (posts in other languages are expressly disallowed).

If people want to go on a more international community, then there are plenty of international boards out there for them to join.

[jaydisc]

I'd love to hear why this person wanted to join.

[springah]

They already do that on other international forums. OzFormers is meant to be an Australasian forum for Australasian fans, and I don't see any problem with keeping it that way.

There are plenty of other board communities which are regionally exclusive such as for Nordic fans, Dutch fans, Transformers New Zealand, Transformers Hong Kong etc. - most Japanese boards have a policy stating that users can only post in Japanese (posts in other languages are expressly disallowed).

If people want to go on a more international community, then there are plenty of international boards out there for them to join.

So what happens if i move to the US for a few years? :P
Or i might just like Aussie fans better? I dunno, just seems dumb to say "no foreigners allowed!"

[griffin]

What about if it is allowed, but it is recommended against or discouraged unless they really really want to?
And maybe have a maximum quota as well to make sure we keep the discussion local (like 5 or 10% non-local fans)?

What do you think, a quota system, or a vote on each applicant?

[springah]

Both good ideas, Griff.

I say just get the mods to keep an eye on the new guys..

[Bartrim]

What about a trial period for the applicants? Let them join but for the first 3 months they can be booted if the moderators see fit. Thats how my industry works. You get hired on a 3 month trial during which the management can say at anytime "Nah it's not working" and send you on your way. However once you pass that trial period you can't be fired unless you've had 3 warnings for the same offence.

Ideally I would like to keep this forum local, however I feel kinda bad not letting someone who has something worthy to contribute join based solely on the fact they are from overseas. Plus I feel the trial period is a good way to get rid of spammers or inactive users.

Just a thought...thats all. Now back to work before my boss catches me

[GoktimusPrime]

I think there needs to be a compelling reason, and that reason should be relevant to the Australasian preamble/theme of this board.

For example, if you're an Australian living overseas, or a non-Australian living in Australia, or if you formerly lived in Australia etc. In other words, you need to have some relevance to Australia/Australasia.

What about a trial period for the applicants? Let them join but for the first 3 months they can be booted if the moderators see fit. Thats how my industry works. You get hired on a 3 month trial during which the management can say at anytime "Nah it's not working" and send you on your way. However once you pass that trial period you can't be fired unless you've had 3 warnings for the same offence.

Yes, but at the same time employees also look for certain attributes amongst applicants when they're being screened before they even get into the probationary trial stage period - usually you need appropriate qualifications.

I say that "Australasian relevance" would be a required "qualification" for people applying to be members here.

For example, many of us would remember Tiger Convoy, a Japanese Transformer fan whom I met on a Japanese TF board (on Japanese boards he's known as 怪軍三等兵) who later decided to come live in Sydney for a year on a working holiday Visa. During that time he became an active member of the Australian Transformers (and animé/manga) fandom. He befriended several fans, attended numerous fan meets in Sydney and Melbourne, and also assisted with the OzFormers convention project. And although he's not a registered member of the OzFormers forum, he still privately liases with OzFormer members whom he met during his stay here. excelonzero visited him during his trip to Japan - so he still actively interacts with Australian fans.

I would support Tiger Convoy's registration on this board if he ever decided to do so because although he's not Australian, he has had a history of interaction with Australian fandom and continues to privately interact with Australian fans. In other words, he can demonstrate "Australasian relevance."

If people outside Australasia want to join, I say that they should present some case demonstrating Australasian relevance. If a person's case appears ambiguous, then confer with us (members/community) and we can collectively decide then - I imagine that in most cases it would be reasonably clear cut though.

Tiger Convoy at a Sydney fan meet (front row left)


Tiger Convoy at a Melbourne fan meet (back row centre)


Cover art for the OzFormers 2003 convention exclusive comic, as drawn by Tiger Convoy

[jaydisc]

I don't see why the burden of impressiveness should lie with them. If they get outta line, like anyone from anywhere, boot 'em.

Can you explain what negative aspects you think we/anyone might incur if they do join?

[dirge]

If people want to go on a more international community, then there are plenty of international boards out there for them to join.

As Gok said, there are international board. The reason for this boards existance is an Australian focus.

If someone from (say) Canada has a specific reason for joining a forum with an Australian focus, ie they're looking to migrate, they're an expat or they lived here for a while and have a lot of friends within the Australian fandom, that's different to someone who just wants to join our board.

The person who is joining specifically because of the Australian focus has a case - because their inclusion wont dilute the local content.

I don't think we should say "lets allow 5%". What if that 5% are vocal troublemakers banned from international boards?

As for a vote, I'm happy to leave griffin to make the call. I don't know that calling public vote and having someone publicly voted against is the way to go