Your community, your forum

[mark]

Hi all,

For about the last 18 months I've always thought that the "Ausländer" community in Switzerland should have a nice comfortable home where they can discuss whatever they like, arrange events etc. I've been in Switzerland now for five years, and have only really looked into such things in the last couple of years.

Switzerland has one of the highest percentage of "foreigners" in the world - yet why are the resources available to this community so poor in comparison with other countries? So rather than complaining about such things (as I usually do) I decided to do something about it.

I looked around at what was available - a few web sites with information, some places to place classified advertisments, a great paper based magazine, some mailing lists such as Yahoo! groups and some informal clubs which use email as their primary communication tool. But there was no really great forum website offering people the tools to build their own community. Now hopefully we can change all that.

Why did I choose the name English Forum? Well I had to think about who the target market was. What is the one thing that unites us? Usually (though not always) foreigners will communicate with each other in English, as this seems to be the most common second language among them. For many of us, it is our native tongue. So this site is not just for English people, or even native speakers - it's for anyone who is living in (or interested in) Switzerland and would like to communicate in English. And since we don't believe in discrimination or excluding anyone, even the Swiss are welcome too!

Some of you may be wondering why I've done this, and what my motivation is. It's a fair question and a simple answer. I have no commercial interest, and cover the costs (and time) involved with this site myself. How many times have you heard people say "I wonder why someone doesn't do this or that idea". It's a good question - have you ever asked yourself why that person isn't you?

So the site has been launched - you now have the tools. The rest is up to all of you. Remember - it is your community, and your forum, let's build it together.

Regards,
Mark

[BLF]

Hi Mark,
Great to see the forum you setup!
Just to tell you, 2 years ago I had similar thoughts as you expressed above.
I was actually thinking about the virtual place for Polish community in Switzerland. And, similarly to you, I decided to go ahead. Now our forum (http://forum.polacy.ch) is the leading web place for Poles living in Switzerland.
I am happy I have found your forum.
All the best Mark!

[jamaicanRUM]

Yes great forum! Where is Mark?

Edit- Oh and very bad for time wasting :-)

[ChrisW]

I wonder how many of these forums there are? Here is the one for Dutch-speaking people in Switzerland: http://www.zwitserlandforum.nl/. Anyone got others to add to the list?

I've been wondering whether there are similar things for local people, in French, German or Italian. Maybe there isn't because they generally have loads of people to ask about stuff / discuss issues with in their own language.

[Zug bound]

I think you have done me a great diservice. Our house is pit like because I have no self control and tend to spend most of the day here.
Joking. I love your site and think you are very philanthropopic (not sure that is a word!) and will be donating once Mr Man gets paid.

[Sutter]

This forum as changed my life i have met and made so many new friends and learnt so much information here its unbelievable so mark a big thankyou to you and all the other guys here

[jobfin]

Totally agree with the above messages, thank you Mark you have enabled us to relocate to Switzerland and made the move from the UK alot easier. I am so thankful to the EF, I understand that I could have been very isolated over here (no lang, two young children no friends) your community has helped me to make new friends, offered great advice on children,schools etc and kept my chin up at the end of the day. So thank you for throwing the stone, I'm swimming in the ripples.

[rhythmical remedy]

This forum is awesome. I have had my run ins with the mods but overall it's a swell place. Also I discovered that Gooner is a female so I will definitely get on better with her I would also like to take this opportunity to thank people like me who make this place little bit more interesting. I mean how would you appreciate good if there was not some bad around?

	Quote:	mark
	How many times have you heard people say "I wonder why someone doesn't do this or that idea". It's a good question - have you ever asked yourself why that person isn't you? Regards, Mark

A lesson for us all in life.

[Uncle Max]

I'd like to remind everyone that this resource was funded entirely out of Mark's pocket and member donations

If you feel the Forum has helped you in some way and would like to acknowledge the work Mark did for us all, then consider making a donation to allow the Forum to continue it's purpose. It never made a financial profit, but its value is priceless.

Any amount will be 100% dedicated to the upkeep of the platform.

Please be generous.

[Sada]

	Quote:	rhythmical remedy
	This forum is awesome. I have had my run ins with the mods but overall it's a swell place. Also I discovered that Gooner is a female so I will definitely get on better with her I would also like to take this opportunity to thank people like me who make this place little bit more interesting. I mean how would you appreciate good if there was not some bad around?

This is a very nice thread and the few posts on it are fantastic !!!!

[Ouchboy]

	Quote:	Sada
	This is a very nice thread and the few posts on it are fantastic !!!!

I agree.............