From: davidg@aegis.or.jp (Dave McLane)
Newsgroups: fj.misc
Subject: Re: [English] Info Wanted: Have you been kicked out of NG?
Date: 28 Jul 92 15:47:25 GMT
Organization: Aegis Society, Kyoto Japan

ishikawa@ds5200.personal-media.co.jp (Chiaki Ishikawa) writes:

>Recently, the creation (to be?) of a NG for foreigners visiting Japan
>has attracted much attention. If you were not hibernating for the last
>several weeks, you know fj.life.in-japan discussion in fj.news.group,
>don't you?

Yes.

>During the course of the discussion in fj.news.group, someone
>mentioned that he doubts if the response to the foreign posters have
>been so bad as they are purpoted to be. He is talking about the
>pre-"fj.misc" postings that have taken place. I think he has a valid
>point here.  I can't argue him without much evidence on my hands, also
>I got curious.

Sorry, I guess I missed something. How bad are they perported to be?

>So, would you like to post your experience as to 
>your experience when you posted something in non-Japanese language before?:
>- Yes, I posted, but nobody ever answered (BTW, REMEMBER, this can
>  happen to JAPANESE POSTERS, too! myself included! Tough luck, eh?)

Yes. But as you say, it happens to Japanese posters and it has happened
to me in non-fj newsgroups so no big thing.

>- Yes, I posted, but nobody ever answered, and some people
>  pointed out that I should post in Japanese to get better response
>  since your chance of getting replys will be higher (worth noting, 
>  isn't it?)

No, nobody ever said that.

>- Yes, I posted, but nobody ever answered, and some people
>  pointed out that I should post in Japanese (as if it were
>  the official language of fj newsgroup, which is incorrect), 

No, no nobody ever said that either.

>- Yes, I posted, but nobody ever answered, and some people
>  even suggested that posting in non-Japanese languages such
>  as English/French/Latin/Portugese/Spanish/Icelandic/Klingon
>  are ignored with silence unfortunately (with sympathy),
>- the same though the responses to you had nasty undertone.

Yes to both. Not so many times, maybe about five or six.

>As a Japannese born and grew up in Honsyu island, I hope the last was
>NOT your case, but imagine the reaction if I post in comp.sys.unix or
>some groups in Japanese. What would happen?

I don't know what would have happened in your case, but in my case
in the beginning I tried to find out what the person though I should
do but they only kept on with their curious language so I ceased
replying. 

>Btw, if I see a posting in German in computer related newsgroup, I
>simply ignore it although I spent two years studying German as a college
>student. Don't flame me on this. I had so much time on my hands.

I can understand. I studied French for two years :-)

>Anyway, I think the comments will be helpful for the future course of
>discussion. Well, at least, it will give us some food for thought (and
>future postings.)

As a general comment, I think that there are probably only a few
(but vocal) people who don't want to let fj.life.in-japan happen.
And while they are free to voice their opinions we are not forced to
reply. My main interest is in using fj.misc and/or the new newsgroup
when if and when it passes the vote.

Dave

--
Dave McLane                                       davidg@aegis.or.jp
You're free to copy/quote/translate this as long as credit is given. 
Nagaokakyoshi, Kyoto Japan Tel: +81-75-951-1168 Fax: +81-75-957-1087



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