What is it about this Forum?

I'm a relative newcomer to the DL world and have been reading this forum and a few others over the past few weeks. I've been reading past posts (and current ones) and have come to realize that this forum tends to have A LOT of detractors on other forums.

Any "old-timers" on this forum want to fill me in on the history of the forum and why there seems to be so much hatred for the "DI forum" (as it is called elsewhere).

Personally, I like the forum and have found many of the posts to be very informative on the subject of DL. What's up with all the "DI Haters" out there?

 

Truth, Eric. We tell it. They fear it. Welcome aboard.

 

We tend not to accept millspeak in place of reason and evidence.

Yes, I know I've been pilloried elsewhere. Why would someone launch such pointless attacks? Because I stand with people who are willing to call a fraud when they see it. And since the attackers can't refute the evidence, they attack me and others personally.

Actually, some months ago, the last time I checked, someone on the "other" board actually undertook a rather flattering defense of me.. I don't know who that person was, but the skillful use of irony and the language reminds me of some folks around here...

A belated thanks!

 

If you feell bad....

Nosborne, if you are felling bad we could pillory you here as well.

 

For a long time, the place to be to discuss distance learning was the alt.education.distance usenet newsgroup... which still exists, but is a wasteland (as is the case with nearly all unmoderated usenet newsgroups these days). In time, it became too difficult to separate the idiots, trolls, millists and just plain psychotic abusers from those trying to make the sort of informed and helpful posts that one tends to find around here. So a few forward-thinking folks got together and launched these forums... and booted-out the trolls, millists and psychotics as quickly as they signed-up. That's still pretty much the trend here.

This place's detractors tend to be diploma/degree mill operators; or those with "degrees" or "diplomas" therefrom; or those who support such places; or those who support, attend or have credentials from unaccredited institutions where, as is the case with all unaccredited institutions, it's difficult, without the benefit of accreditation standards, to determine if the unaccredited institution's coursework is either adequate or rigorous without the person to whom an unaccredited credential is presented having to perform their own due diligence. Fair or not, it's simply easier to summarily reject anything that isn't accredited because at least with accreditation there's a minimum standard below which everyone knows the degree's overall quality cannot slide... at least not without there being consequences for the institutuion that issued it.

Those in the other fora to which you refer are this place's detractors... most of them bitter and angry on account of their having been banned from DegreeInfo at one time or another. The lengths to which some of them will go to hurt -- or even to harm -- people who are members here boggles the mind... and offends the sensibilities of most any person with even an ounce of decency and humanity in them. Of course they say much the same about us in their little fora, too... but for vastly different and, usually, untenable reasons. It is for the reader to decide, therefore -- after reading what they post in those places, and then comparing it with what's posted here -- which group seems more mature, reasoned, intelligent, humane, dignified, fair-minded, and more likely to be of help to the degree-seeker.

Speaking of dignified... did anyone see that booger-flicking contest on ESPN2 the other night? Man! The US team could get gold (pun intended) in the Olympics!

(kidding)

Yeah! We can pillory with the best of 'em... whether you're feeling bad, or felling bad... we're here to serve.

 

Thanks for the responses folks....I assumed the reasoning behind everyone hating DI is due to these reasons.

So...I can assume that from time to time we'll see new users come in and "clam" things up like we saw today? I'll never understand people that troll boards looking to start arguments and berate people. Thank goodness for the "ignore" feature

 

There's another reason, too...

People who post here, many of them, are genuinely considering Distance Learning, are presently enrolled in D/L courses, have completed D/L programs, or, in a few cases, have conducted peer reviewed academic research on D/L at a level that is nationally recognized.

Others are interesting just because they ARE interesting. People who have done things with their lives, lots of people with advanced (accredited) degrees and a passion to explain things without condescension.

DI is a lot like the Student Union common area at a large University. It's stimulating and rewarding just to hang out!

 

And a lot more fun than actually working.....speaking of which, off to my exams....

 

Welcome, Eric. Thanks for asking your question. I've been participating for about a year, but wasn't fully clued into the history of the detractors.

Tom

 

Oh, and I failed to mention...

We ALSO receive occasional visits from presidents of well-known D/L institutions such as Taft University's David Boyd, government officials involved with the regulation of D/L and higher education in general, such as Oregon's ODA chief, Alan Contreras, and prominant authors such as you-know-who.

Where ELSE in cyberspace do you get that kind of opportunity for interaction with people who matter in the D/L world?

 

Same

Eric,
I lucked out finding this forum. The folks here are very helpful and knowledgeable. We argue often, but never hold grudges. The members here consist of the DL investigators, authors, and students seeking the most current data on accredited DL schools.

No mills are accepted and the information is checked by numerous educational, computer, and legal professionals. They are a good mix and want visitors and members to accomplish their goals through Regional or National accreditation.

This allows for more acceptance in all employment fields and licensure where needed. Legitimate DL schools have grown considerably and are accepted more readily. With the proliferation of accredited schools came the mills (bogus). DI spends countless hours investigating schools to determine validity so students are not hoodwinked and waste money.

We have the top investigator/writers as members, do not advertise unaccredited schools, and supply what sources are needed to complete accredited degrees within reasonable time frames. They are not compensated,

All win/win without false, misleading, expensive, useless information. Most members have graduate degrees or are currently working toward degrees.

DI members are straight shooters and usually accomplished in their fields. Without shills, there is no incentive for mill operators to join. They become fodder quickly. The members know all the tricks of the crooks and several have been involved in exposing frauds.

I think this is the only forum major universities pay attention to when a school is on the cusp or opening shop. Dr. John Bear and his team have worked with the Feds to close 10's-100's of bogus schools and helped in the prosecution of the operators.

I cannot see why anyone would want to be involved in questionable forums. This forum has credibility where others have crudability. Seems obvious, with logic on top.

Our folks will show their credentials, the others won't. We have differing political, religious and many other views. The common denominator is honesty and acceptance within in legitimate educational institutions.

The members also have diverse occupations and esoteric knowledge they share to assist anyone with about any problem. It's like a real-live encyclopedia at your finger tips.

Pick your poison, and realize how much you don't know, then pick your antidote and go for an information brain-rush. It's impossible not to learn something new every day.

Some members are show-offs, but have credentials. And all you need to do is ask. You will get the most current and sometimes intricate information available. Along with opposing ideas requiring some thought and exercising the brain, rather than a pat answer.

Think he bought it? Or overkill? I need a cookie.

 

In my own opinion they fall into two categories (there may be more but I like to keep things tidy).

1) They are the purveyors of bad paper and so any threat to their claims is a threat to their wallets/pocketbooks. In short, it's about money.

2) They have bought some of that bad paper and
a) they can not allow themselves to believe that they were swindled or
b) they believe that because they "tried hard" that their degree must be good or
3) they know that their degree sucks but they'll never say it out loud.

In short, it's either about money or it's about ego.
Jack
(I'm making an open invitation for people to add to my list)

 

I kinda think that there's one other, more disturbing, category:

Those who have serious issues with ANYONE who accomplishes ANYTHING, understands ANYTHING, speaks with genuine authority about ANYTHING...

Those, in short, who resent mightily any CHALLENGE to their preconceived views of the world and their place in it. Those who cannot bear the idea that someone, somewhere, is actually accomplishing something positive while they sit at home and feel sorry for themselves. Since these folks never bestir themselves in any legitimate way, they seek to elevate themselves by tearing down what others build.

It's a kind of mental condition, I think. Damned unpleasant for all concerned.

 

You're right. I forgot that one.
Jack

 

I have now been enlightened about this forum from all the posts (Thanks everyone) and reading the "About Us " page on this website and learning about the "Gang of Six."

I wanna be in a gang.....

 

Fine. Would you like to be beaten in, or sexed in?

(A joke, of course... and, perhaps, a light-hearted test of your street gang cultural knowledge... what with Tookie being all up in the news and that.)

 

Those are my only options? If the "sexed in" part is done by attractive females, I'm there....if not....I'll take the beating.

 

Joining the Gang

Hey, DesElms...the ladies on duty are the winner and runners up in the Lorena Bobbit Impersonation Contest, aren't they?