If You're still using the forum, let us know your alive

Matt,

Yes, I'm still here using the forum and following everyone's travels - enjoyed your recent pictures from Parfuri & Mala Mala by the way. We're not going anywhere this year while my wife recovers from her knee surgery. I'm trying to talk her into a return trip to Mala Mala for 2010!

Bob

Matt,
I wondered the same thing about the drop in activity. Glad you posted this. Maybe the toppinng of an ancient Roccco post an attempt to get people going...
Leslie

I'm still here, no trip this year but still reading the forums.

yep I'm still here.

I'm gradually getting used to what they've done.

the most irritating thing is the lack of the left-hand column when you first log-on.

but we're getting there.

regards, ann

I am still using the forum, but not so often. It is not as easy nor as fast to navigate as the old one was. Which makes it not as much fun.

Yes I am here but not as often and intense as earlier. I joined recently so I have not been THAT used to the earlier design.
Spending not so much time here has also its advantages

SV

I'm here. I've been lurking for the last long-time, as I only post if I'm planning a trip or have a helpful insight for a question.

Am still here but visiting a LOT less often than I used to...

I think the number of posts varies naturally, and did so even before the new changes. It does seem to me that many of the posts are so specfic that I have little to add, nor do I find them as interesting.

Funny though that the most controversial posters (like Rocco) did incite a lot more activity.

Hi folks, I'm still here too in Sri Lanka, and remember my beautiful trips to Africa but nothing new is in the offing. I yearn to go back to Africa soon....

Meantime the Sri Lankan wildlife scene keeps me busy. Other than birds and leopards and elephants and rain forests we also have recently discovered probably the best place to see blue whales.

I'm still here. I don't post very often because after 8 trips I still can't answer most questions. I'll keep going anyway.

Matt, I've tried to look at your pictures twice and they took too long to load so I gave up. My computer at work is slow so I'll have to try at home.

I'm still here too. Check in almost daily but hardly ever post anymore. All that being said, leaving for Africa again on March 10th. Climbing Kili then heading to Bots for 2 weeks. Scared to death about Kili but excited about Bots.

Here and, like others, posting less frequently.

I wish that I could say that I'm warming up to the new design, but that's not the case.

Sundowner
I hear you on the pictures, they work well with a fast connection. I know you can resize them to work faster, but DW works hard enough and I'm not about to mention another task for her.
Matt

I'm here and enjoying reading about trips. Gotta unload toxic assets before we venture to Africa again...

still around
Mohammed Thanks for the info about the Blue Whale
http://www.eturbonews.com/3185/is-southern-sri-lanka-worlds-top-spot-seeing-

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=138737483

I am still here, but I have been posting MUCH LESS FREQUENTLY since the changeover. I find the new system a lot less visitor friendly. Frankly, I'm at a loss to find a single, valuable improvement or enhancement.

PS if this is the case (guys and gals abandoning their duties & shifts @ Fodor's) i have a few provocative ideas to stir up the place... aby

I still check in, but no trips planned this year--maybe next, I hope. Reading other's plans and trip reports keeps me connected.

aby: don't hesitate to "stir up the place."

It would be hard for me to post less often since I almost never post anything. Everyone here knows way more than I do, even about places I've been! I still lurk about fairly regularly and like others am having trouble getting used to the new format. I actually liked the old format . . .

I check in on the Forum far less than previously. The new format is just not friendly or inviting enough for my taste. The search capability seems no better and the need to check by specific day is a terrible idea. Even the color scheme and layout are offputting. I like the layout on Trip Advisor far more but activity on that forum is low. Perhaps the Fodors organization has accomplished what they were after, perhaps not. My guess is that many of the regulars will hang around but post less often. Interesting posts have all but died up, perhaps as a result of the new format but also in response to the failing world economy.
Cheers-Chuck

I am here too. No posts from me (even though I am going to Africa later this year), but I have been spending every waking minute processing pictures from Antarctica. Almost done though!

Chris

As a newbie to this site, and having not yet gone on my first safari, I check out the site daily. I have posted numerous questions from which I benefit from your expertise. I guess I would say I have a mild addiction to it. While I prefer the old format (as I really don't like the color scheme on the new one), I can "live" with it.

amy

I lurk daily but don't really post since I am planning my first trip to Tanzania in July. I miss all of the regular posters.

I don't like the new format either. And I can't figure out why they changed it because I hsven't figured out any benefit. However, it is what it is and I've figured out how I will use it.

I don't use the "Recent Activity" list on the left. I go to "View more activity" and I can see more topics and it's easy to go "Older". If you start with "recent Activity" and then go to "view more activity" you have to scroll through the same ones again to get to the ones that don't show up on the first page.

Then, any topic I want to read I right/click and open in a new tab (or window). Once I've read it (and replied if I wanted to) I close the tab (or window). My original window is still open and it's in the same place where I left off.

(I hope I don't have any mistakes because we can't preview and edit.)

I'm still here too though posting less often and am on the Asia board frequently. Hope to go to Africa again in Sept. but waiting to see what new specials open up.

Still here.

yup, still here also.

I find the new forum too visually busy, but I like profiles (as I have posted) and I like when you click on View more activity, you can see the whole days worth of posts. handy when you only check in once a day, as I do during the week. And, really handy in the Lounge and Europe, which are really busy.

I'm still here and check posts daily.

I don't know if I can say this but there's several of us Africa lovers joking around and playing on Facebook too.

Guess I said it anyway. Duh!

I am still checking posts but finding anything with the search feature is impossible.

cj

Divewop, since I wasn't one of the Facebookers, I just found out about your Kili climb and Botswana trip. Wow!

Still use this forum but my usage had dropped off before they made the change. And i've always been much more of a lurker than a poster

Lynn, believe it not, I just got it all finalized today. And I leave next week (10th). Doing the climb first, then on to Bots. Just like me, to wait until the last minute! And your earlier post was right. The accommodations in Bots were less expensive than Kenya. And both are off season rates. Go figure!

I'll post my itinerary in a new thread so as to not hijack this one.

Still alive but not kicking much.
My old eyes can only look at the new format for short periods. That and the fact it's a PIA to maneuver around the forum keeps me away more and more.
Getting close to enough miles, though to go back. So as soon as the economy turns around.......

I'm still here and welcome every day of life! ZZ

divewop, how do I (we) find you on FB?
--rickmck

rickmck-
If you're a member, you can type in my email addy with the email friend finder:

divewop@hotmail.com

and it should bring up my profile. There's quite a few Fodor's Africa forum regulars on there.

Still here.

I don't check quite as often and never posted much anyway. I didn't post last year's trip report as it was open season on WS for a while there and didn't want to get into that fray.
Going back in June and am using WS again because they offer family tents and we a traveling with our nephew.

divewop - thanks for the info on FB - I'm there and have joined a few groups. gonna send you a friend request.

Yeah, I have checked a few times. This is nothing more than a facelift on the same technology in the background. Just my opinion. The search functionality just doesn't work, but it is returning the same results as before (inaccurate or incomplete data).

There are very very many fully capable and *free* forum software items on the market that are easy to modify the look and feel. Migrating the data is another thing altogether, but we do know that something else is out there.

I am also not very active at the moment because of the mountain of work sitting in front of me. I hope to contribute again soon, but it may not happen.

Certainly reflects poorly for this forum that there are more postings about how rotten this setup is then anything else.

I'm still here, but only when I really want info, then I may see a thread that takes my interest and will post a reply. I used to just stop by every day and read the posts just for the joy of it, but there's not much joy in navigating here anymore.

I do like the profiles. I love the fact that I can very quickly find out where someone is from, etc.

Still lurking daily, agree with the comments regarding unfriendly nature of the new format.


Cheers,


Pol

Still lurking daily and gradually becoming used to the new layout.Thanks for 'jump to last post' and 'greying' of read posts. Topics don't seem as interesting for some reason - navigation?

I meant 'jump to last reply'. Sorry.

Pop in occasionally, but am not a happy camper with the new format.

I’m still alive and check posts every day, but probably miss a lot when checking for something new when I really don’t have the time to read. I used to be more active, but got tired long before the new design, which I really don’t have a problem with. The only thing that annoys me is the lack of preview and that my latest trip report got messed up when sent for tagging. ‘ and – have been changed to '.

I’m definitely going to Africa this year.

Still here - BUT FEEZING my butt off in Winnipeg - it was a balmy 35 BELOW the other day (farenheit or celius, dosen't matter much at 40 below, they are the same). I now know why we don't live here any more. We're just about to head back to Vancouver today, at least it's above freezing there!

Brrrrrr.

We should have taken a side trip up to the polar bears in Churchill while here - didn't think of it though, it was a quick decision last minute trip as my stepdad is in the hospital, no time to think of polar bears at the time!

Next time though - if I ever thaw out from this time. And if my hair ever becomes normal again after 'toque' hair syndrome (hat hair for all the people who are not familiar with the word 'toque').

I noticed someone asking for trip advise tagged it as a trip report - looks like I haven't lost my job after all as trip indexer - I'd like to try to get it, and the South Africa index, as a sticky as the top ones in the Trip Report section - please Katie?

Lynda, it might be better to email Katie directly via the "Send us feedback" link at the top of the page. I don't know if she follows every thread looking for comments directed at her...

I know Katie does look at these because she has addressed my questions, but let's email that request for a sticky index.

I visit the forum at least once a day. One nice way to get thru the days 'til our trip to East Africa in Nov 2009. I try to go with the flow in regards to change but I think I like the old format much better. IMO the new page is too cluttered. Dick

I agree that the new format is too cluttered - that's why I have been clicking on View all
of today's activity » at the top of the page - and you get a list, straight out, of all the threads for that day. Very handy

hmmm, that pink is light - let's try this View all of today's activity »

I'm with Sandi; not a happy camper. My old tired eyes just can't adjust and I'm NOT a web guru, so any formatting isn't going to happen here.
I'm off to Botswana and Zambia for a month and will check back for improvements in mid April.

I want to check out more E. Africa info as I think that is our next trip but find as you all mentioned this to be a real pain. I am pushing through it only because I have to get moving on planning the next trip. If I was not bitten by the next Vacation bug I would abandon being here for just the sake of it. I hope they make some sort of change to bring the experts back so I can gleam some ongoing advice to my questions.

Is anyone from Fodor's listening - I hear my fellow travelers loud and clear.

One thing I'm amazed about is that this new layout was partially introduced with the motivation of making site navigation _easier_ for newbies!

I can't see how that could possibly be the result!

Whilst one can now use older and newer links to work backwards through threads (thank goodness they brought that in fast) the entire left side of the screen is just dead space.

It's all so cluttered and messy.

And by now that feeling can no longer be down to simply not being used to it.

Still here. Just returned from successful tiger safari (talk about dirt. even a day later in your ears) and now entertaining gorilla venture. Surprised by new format.

Visiting but much less.

Is anyone else really annoyed that if you are in a forum and want to change to the Europe forum that when you click the "Change Forum" drop down, the View by Tag overlays the Europe link? I have to click VERY CAREFULLY to access the Europe forum. Awful.

I'm still here and lurking

I don't log on as often either. Kind of annoying the way it is laid out now. For instance, searching by the day-topics are the best search tool-like they were before the changes. After all, who ever remembers the date they searched for something?? Please hear us someone...

Still here checking in once in a while. Changing plans and am going to hang out in the US for 2009. There is an adventurous but laid back Cowgirl Bootcamp at Alisal Ranch in Santa Ynez early May if anyone is interested. Probably move our Africa trip to end 2010. I happen to lov the colors blue and peach/lt pink but not on a Forum mixed with Fodor's Gold/Black.

I'm still alive but haven't been "active" for a year or more. The new format is just another barrier to becoming more active again, but in reality the less I visit, the less informed I am, the less I want to visit.

Fodors editors and designers - pause for thought here.

Here every day, plotting a third safari. Botswana or maybe southern TZ? Disappointed in the bashing that still goes on, but I guess that will never change. Still trying to grasp what was gained in the Big Upgrade to the site. Wish I could preview, but you work with what you gots. JW

Hello..... Yes, check in every now and then. Lack of interesting threads/topics/trip reports at the moment is another reason for slow action on the forums, perhaps? in addition to the forum re-design?

I'm a newby, but I'm getting all my planning info for Kili climb and safari here. Best real-life, candid info I've found. Planning for Feb-2010. And the links to your pics give an added realism to the trip.

Just about to use my FF miles to book MSP-JRO on NWA/KLM once it opens up.

ALSO thanks for all the feedback for those of you that I've contacted about SENE!

As with many others, I'm still here but far less frequently. As with many others, I feel the new format of the forum is less user friendly and I can't be bothered (in particular) with searching around for posts by date posted = ridiculous.

<<Lack of interesting threads/topics/trip reports at the moment>>

Hari, its self-fulfilling. The difficulty in navigating the site has meant less posts, at least from me. I've been posting on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree -- a much better designed site. Although I prefer, or at least preferred, the content on Fodors.

I'm still reading the posts which interest me. I don't care so much for the new style, but I suppose I shall get used to it. I'm off to Botswana on 18 March, and I can't wait. I expect I'll post a trip report when I get back at the beginning of April. I'm going to my very favourite place,Jack's, with tree days fishing in the middle.

Jan

Still here, but like others less often.

Hey Botsfan(Jan)
I'll be in Bots from Mar 25-April 8. Will you still be there and if so whereabouts are you going to be?

It hurts my eyes to look at this for long and I am not that old. So I've given up surfing for pleasure, reading trip reports that strike my fancy, thus seeing folks' photos, getting more ideas for the future. I'm sure I've missed some great stuff. I am actively planning non-Africa trips (no safari for me in this economy) and look more carefully there.

I have to say the there's less and less on this board for me anyway. I don't suffer from lens-envy.

To those who stick around, Safari njema!

divewop- don't know if your up for something like this, but the Maun Carnival is on when you are there.

www.maunfestival.com

No...looks like it's happening at the end of April after I leave. Bummer...it looks like it would be fun.

I'll be in Botswana & Zambia March 15-April 9. Any chance meeting any Fodorites along the way???

Here's my schedule:

15-Mar Deception Valley Lodge Deception Valley
16-Mar Deception Valley Lodge Deception Valley
17-Mar Xakanaxa Camp Moremi Game Reserve
18-Mar Xakanaxa Camp Moremi Game Reserve
19-Mar Kwara Camp Okavango Delta
20-Mar Kwara Camp Okavango Delta
21-Mar Kwando Lebala Kwando Reserve, Linyanti
22-Mar Kwando Lebala Kwando Reserve, Linyanti
23-Mar Kwando Lagoon Kwando Reserve, Linyanti
24-Mar Kwando Lagoon Kwando Reserve, Linyanti
25-Mar Susuwe Island Caprivi Strip, Namibia
26-Mar Susuwe Island Caprivi Strip, Namibia
27-Mar Susuwe Island Caprivi Strip, Namibia
28-Mar Ntwala Island Mambova Rapids
29-Mar Ntwala Island Mambova Rapids
30-Mar Ntwala Island Mambova Rapids
31-Mar Kapani Lodge South Luangwa NP
1-Apr Kakuli Camp South Luangwa NP
2-Apr Kakuli Camp South Luangwa NP
3-Apr Kapani Lodge South Luangwa NP
4-Apr Sausage Tree Lower Zambezi NP
5-Apr Sausage Tree Lower Zambezi NP
6-Apr Tongabezi Vic Falls, Zambia
7-Apr Tongabezi Vic Falls, Zambia
8-Apr Tongabezi Lunar Rainbow
9-Apr Return back to Seattle April 10

No pre-view, sorry about the formatting! You get the picture,

Safarimama-
I'll be at both Kwara and Lagoon about a week or so after you.

I would've loved to see you there. Better planning next time.

I hear that the water flowing in front of Savuti Lodge is amazing: the fish, the birds, everything. A friend was there last week!

Divewop,

Jack's--19-22 March
Nxamaseri--23-25 March
Jack's--26-31 March

Can you guess my favourite camp in Botswana ?

Jan

WOW! You sure found your place, like Kaye at Mala Mala. I love Jack's too. Say hi to the meerkats for me and to Ralph. He's such a character. I wonder if there's water in the pans?

I guess, we will all miss each other, yet so close.
Kristina

I'm still here! Still planning a trip to South Africa in July and still trying to decide between two companies 1) Africa Adventure Company and 2) Wild Wings Safaris. Wild Wings Safaris is significantly cheaper which helps as I'm on a budget!

Advice anyone??

Lots of trip reports due soon? Jan, Kristina, Dive Wop!!! Good times for sure........

Still check in occasionally, but not everyday like I did before the format change.

I'm still here, just too busy with work and life lately to do much more than skim through a few interesting-looking posts and see if anyone's replied to mine.

I'm getting used to the new format, I guess. But it's harder to just look quickly at what's new and fun, and so I do it less often. It does seem a bit easier to just check in on my own posts.

I do like seeing people's profiles, though! And I like Lynda's idea of having a button for the trip report index.

I'm still here.... but I haven't been to Africa in a couple of years and don't plan to go again for a while. I still pop over for a quick read every now and again.

Km00, Could you post the itineraries?

Kristina,

Will give your regards to Ralph if he's there -- I last saw him a year ago.
There's water in the pans and plenty of zebras about.There are meerkats just a few hhundred metres from the camp . Very relaxed, so could be ones who have broken away from the main habituated group.
I just can't wait to get there!

Jan

Still here, but this format isn't as inviting. Preparing for a trip to Israel and Jordan in April! Patty

Still here, haven't any trips planned currently.

Still here, but not a fan of the new format!

Marc

Also awaiting our 23 day Delta/Chobe/Kalahari -Botswana sojourn
in Sept. Will of course post a report when we return.
Being unable to even review/edit is a MAJOR pain!

Marc

Hi Matt

Yep, I am still here also - although I wish I wasn't as I would rather be at MalaMala or Mashatu! I now have to wait until mid December before I return. Shame!

Kind regards

Kaye

OK I logged in today to find a weird problem, my Recent Topics list of three in my profile shows two threads from 2004. Both list the latest activity as March 3rd 2009 but when I view the threads the last post is from several years ago.
This is NOT impressive.

Ralph most probably will do ITB/Berlin next week followed by a sales trip thru Europe...

SV

Don't like the new format either. But, everyone is so helpful when I need a question answered! So, I will keep coming back!

Kavey,

I've had just the same problem. weird or what?

but we do now have a preview button!

regards, ann

annhig, I posted the problem in the Help forum and they seem to have resolved it now!

I'm still visiting FAR less often than I used to. I appreciate Katie is responding as best she can to all the complaints (and has already addressed some of them to some extent) BUT it doesn't change the fact that I find the new layout unpleasant to use and it seriously impacts on my enjoyment of the site.

Whilst I doubt I'd stop visiting entirely, unless activity drop TOO low, I will remain less active unless the layout/ navigation improves a heck of a lot more.

Kavey, I agree 100% with your comment and feel the same. I'm not sure how closely they monitor these threads but unless they do a fair amount or revision, I will not be participating very much in the future. This is perhaps the least inviting and attractive forum I have seen in recent years. I have noticed that a decline in interesting threads due in part to the economy but also to older participants who are put off by the new format.
FODORS TAKE NOTE

Regards-Chuck

I'm still here too, but just been very busy at work.

I still like this place far more than "Nyamatalk". On both sites one can find it hard to make out who's in the business and who's not. There's dishonesty about this on both fora. But at least here you get kicked off when you break the rules.

About the new layout; I agree with Andy. I run an SMF forum myself (local photo club). That software is free, and 1000 times better than this. You can add images in a post, to name but one thing.

Is getting the current data from this forum to an SMF or phpBB the problem? I'll gladly help, if I can. What soft is this forum anyway? Custom built?

Ciao,

J.

SafariChuck, You're right, we're all getting old (except for Leely who is not that old) and now we're all poor. At least we can preview.

Kavey and Annhig, maybe Fodor's just found a time warp or entered the Twilight Zone. Don't be so quick to blame the software when these other plausible explanations exist for the problems you encounter.

Pixelpower, Is fora the plural of forum? Or is it some kind of flora-fauna hybrid, such as carnivorous plants? You could stick in a link to your new photos every now and then over here and we could enjoy them on your SMF, phpBB forum. Where are you off to next?

Momliz, Can you share your talent in getting the different shades of pink? pink magenta I'm testing my own theory here. The preview works well enough to let me test drive magenta. <periwinkle>periwinkle</periwinkle> Ok, periwinkle is beyond its reach.

LALeslie, Since topping the Rocco post did not work, I suggest Fodors should give away free trips to Africa. We'd all glady endure the horrid peach colors and the irritating new scrolling limitations for free trips. We'd flock here like Lappet-faced vultures on a fresh Cape Buffalo kill. I'll even trade the new preview for a standard Tanzanian Northern Circuit itinerary, just don't make me climb Kili. Sorry Divewop and Vgroten.

Africaddict, Botsfan and Safarimama, I am too jealous of your upcoming lengthy trips to offer you any comments.

Sundowner, You're just a slow learner. I think you need another 8 trips to become proficient in your answering techniques. I am assuming you are neither old nor poor.

RickMck, I hope you found Divewop in Facebook land. If not, check Kilimanjaro.

Spassvogel, Did you see Safarimama is doing the lunar rainbow thing?

Pula, maybe everyone knows more than you, but you picked the best name.

Marija, sorry to hear about your toxic assets. If Pepto and Imodium don't work, you may need some Cipro.

If I left out others who have commented, I will blame it on the inability to edit after posting.

aby--Cw and I believe you need to follow through on your threat to become provocative because Mazj is losing interest. If aby doesn't come through, we'll have to use the inept search engine to find Nyamera's thread about the sex life of topis.

That's how we scroll.

LOL, pixelpower...good one!

Lynn-
Can always count on you for comic relief!

Sex life of the topi: http://www.fodors.com/community/africa-the-middle-east/sex-life-of-the-topi.cfm

The search worked!

atravelynn
YES - and I am sure she will beat the heck out of the "Activities Officer" at Tonga to get her to LIV in time !

SV

You bet yah!!!

No matter what, I'm off to the Falls at 18h30 at the very latest. Shooting for 18h00 to be safe. What are we paying $40 for if the taxi is only $10???? Sundowners? Aren't those included at Tonga? hmmmm .....

atravelynn, I love it "We'd flock here like Lappet-faced vultures on a fresh Cape Buffalo kill". What a visual, I din't mean to imply any of us were old, rather former participants and contributors-WEW
Regards-Chuck

safarimama

1800hrs is perfect! You can hang around the market stalls negotiating.......
Bring some G+T and a glass and wait.............it's absolutely marvelous when these rainbows appear! You won't forget it! The PICS (remember: just the pics!) we saw were so wonderful......And the atmosphere is supposed to be great....

Don't ask me what the sundowners were that night! Don't PLEASE get me started on that wasted chance!
I think he offered something but I was tooooooooooooooooo upset to take anything! I was nearly killing that guy despite he was only the driver! Poor guy in retroperspective! He had to swallow quite some statements...

I am really looking forward to reading your post!

Please keep in mind: I am back on 29 April so I won't find it IF posted much earlier!
Give it a really good name so that the search function functions!

Enjoy your trip - I am almost going over the top looking forward to ours

Safe travels! Enjoy every second!

SV

I saw your other post, great itin.

I won't pay if they don't leave on time; I will make that puuuuurfectly clear in advance!!! Dinner can wait until we return or forget it! I'll take my sundowner at The Falls before dinner.

PS. Not good with trip reports, so ask me when you return.

this new design is horrible. I'm about to leave permanently, having been addicted to the old forum that was indispensible for planning our first Africa trip.

I still stop by and read posts, but not as often as before. Like others, the new format was prohibitive for me at first, but it's getting better.

I'm not planning a trip to Africa this year as my parents wanted to go to Italy and I decided to join them, but I am planning South Africa (Mala Mala and Capetown), Zimbabwe (Victoria falls with day trip to Chobe), and Botswana (Mashatu) for October of 2010.

Sadly for me, I have been told I might have to suffer a reduction in hours at work which may put all plans off. I'm looking into a transfer, but have heard horror stories about the supervisor I'd be working for - how she is "stingy" with vacation time. That doesn't bode well for me since the trip I'm planning next year is 3 weeks.

I've been very depressed about this for the last couple weeks since I've already decided to go and started planning! Ugh! Many of my friends just said, "So what. You've already been to Africa." I've given up trying to make them understand how exciting Africa is for me and why traveling to visit building and such just doesn't cut it anymore. But I know you all understand how horrible it would be to never be able to get vacation time approved to go to Africa. As I said, depressing!

I hope you all continue to post experiences and photos - they were invaluable when I was planning my first safari last year and I know many new folks will really benefit from your knowledge and vast experience. And those of us who can't go can live vicariously through your trips!

CJ

I still check in from time to time, but not as often as I did in the past. I don't like the new format at all.

Carrie, Your Africa plans may be delayed for awhile. That gives you more time to save up. You will go again. Maybe not as soon as you'd like, but eventually.

Raelond, You'll have to post your scouting reports for me at least.

>>atravelynn:
>>Pixelpower, Is fora the plural of forum? Or is it some kind of
>>flora-fauna hybrid, such as carnivorous plants? You could
>>stick in a link to your new photos every now and then over
>>here and we could enjoy them on your SMF, phpBB forum. Where
>>are you off to next?

Soory for a late reply, Lynn

I used "fora" in Flemisch by I actually don't know if it's good English. (blush)

This year's a quiet year for us. We have to buy a new car, so we got a smaller budget to spend on travel. So, we'll be spending 2 weeks at my parents house (see www.villaninia.be) (this may look like advertising but it's not as the house is only rented out during july & august, and it's already fully booked). An then we're going 2 weeks to Madeira island in September.

Next year... big plans!

Ciao,

J.

I'm still here too. Been trying to catch up on the last 2 weeks threads and am starting to get used to the old threads being organized day by day.

Good for you, Nyamera! Do you know when?

Pixelpower, Fora is better English than any Flemsich I may know, which at the moment is probably none. Have a nice summer and Sept and good luck on those big plans next year!

Just noticed my ghastly spelling in the thread title - apologies to all for butchering the English language.

I've decided I like the daily archive better than the old format. It's easier to remember where I left off and go straight to that day the next time I come back.

I still lurk, but like many others, don't find the new functionality that user-friendly. I had hoped search would be more robust and faster, but even when narrowing advanced search to a couple of days and a specific forum, it seems to take a long time to present results.

I'm finding the 'Last 30 Archives' confusing. If I understand the logic correctly, a discussion moves from date to date depending on when the last reply was. Is that how everyone else understands it?

star - that's what I understand too. but it's not as good as the old function where you could easily trace the threads you'd contributed to by following them in the left-hand column. I'm finding that threads disappear only to reappear days later with loads of contributions that I've missed.

perhaps there's a black hole in fodors?

regards, ann

That's how I understand it too, star.

Ann,
What do you mean by threads disappear and reappear days later?

Ann, I'm with you. I found it much easier to find and follow threads in the old format since all I had to do was move from page to page. I also don't like that when you click on a thread in a date archive, the left-hand navigation reverts to the current day. Yes, I know I can use my browser's back button to return to the date archive list, but it's not as intuitive, IMHO.

Btw, there seems to be a lot more activity on the middle East threads on the forum these days compared to before? Or maybe, a wrong observation on my part....... who knows!!!!

I must admit, I wish they give the Middle East threads their own forum........

I've made the same observation Hari.

No problem Napmatt, as long as you capitalize.

Napamatt, wondered about the 'your' spelling but thought it might be American English!

And I just called you Napmatt.

Over in the Lounge, frequent poster Robespierre has created a Google map where people can "pin themselves down" on a world map. Here's the link: http://www.fodors.com/community/fodorite-lounge/put-yourself-on-the-map.cfm

Hari, I too wish the Middle East would be broken off into its own forum. I too have noticed more ME threads, and that seems to go along with the fact that the ME is supposedly a hot destination these days.
Patty, I just can't get my brain around the dated archive. I'd also rather see the topics listed on the left to keep track of threads I've read. I'm kinda lazy, and find I don't go past the threads on the recent activity 1st page as often. Maybe it's a reason more "older" threads don't get bumped ttt as often these days.

I would also encourage folks to put yourself on the map! If you have trouble, Robespierre has included instructions.

Hi there from the Asia Forum of Fodor's - we have been talking about this too:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/number-of-posts.cfm


I also agree Middle East/Gulf should be on it's own forum

With us now limited to 25 thread topics in left column, I also think a Africa-Middle East separation is required.

regards - tom

As LAL says ". . . .find I don't go past the threads on the recent activity 1st page as often. Maybe it's a reason more "older" threads don't get bumped ttt as often these days."

I'm same way and have wondered if the "disappearing" topics won't cut down on activity and usefulness here. Again, reason to separate the forum.

regards - tom

Too much screen wastage is what bothers me. For example, if I'm looking at Africa forum and listing threads by a date, the list shows in the centre panel, with the left one wasted with list of dates until I click to view a thread, when it rearranges itself to show thread titles in the left pane and the thread itself in the centre. How this is meant to be LESS confusing for new members, on of the stated aims of this whole change, is beyond me.

Not to mention that having the threads panel scroll down with the main content panel drives me nuts. Uuggh.

Patty, I know approximately when, but I’m having planning problems, as I don’t want to be as transparent as I usually am, but still need planning help. I can almost say that I don’t know at all what I’ll do in East Africa.

Now that there is a preview I don’t have any more problems with this format than with the old one. I have the same problem with keeping up with threads. The format is of very little importance compared to the importance of the posters. Patty has to post more, and it’s just not any fun when Leely and Kimburu are so inactive.

Kavey = >>Not to mention that having the threads panel scroll down with the main content panel drives me nuts. Uuggh.<<

Me too, still! Nuts, nuts and more nuts

And, I rarely go past first page of threads.

As to Middle East being separate from Africa, then where do we put Egypt? Many visiting Israel/Jordan also visit Egypt. And, there are lots of those visiting Kenya/Tanzania who also visit Egypt.

Believe the appearance of more Middle East threads is just seasonnal and in a few weeks there might be more actual African threads. All things change. This doesn't phase me.

One forum for mid east and northern Africa, another for Africa south of the Sahara?

Yikes !!! I've just dropped by after a long absence and I can tell it's going to take me a while to get used to this new format. If feels a lot busier than the old format.

If you update and improve a website the response 'should be' -

Wow, great, fantastic, so much better, so much easier, so glad this happened !

I am no expert but I have read that what appeals to viewers in fast load, clear, easy to navigate, easy to understand, easy to find what you are looking for.

Look at Google, most reports I have seen has said one of the key reasons for success is that it is clear and simple.

Before having to touch the mouse and scroll down you should on that first page load see within that area all the key points.
Forums should be listed as easy links along the top, a simple search box. I think Fodor's is a superb forum made up by great people - sure improve but I don't see many people aving about how 'fantastic' the new format is.
We are lucky to have fast load times from where we are in Thailand but a lot of people around the world do not have high speed internet.

I check in once a month to see if the search feature has improved. My test is consistent: I go to my own profile, cut and paste a heading from "Your Recent Topic Activity" (select the three same topics) paste them into the Advanced Search function and ask it to search "Full Topics topics and replies." To date, here are my results:

No results found for "Pete's Pond Sightings " in Africa & the Middle East between 12/31/2007 and 03/16/2009 by user " " .

No results found for "I wish I had seen..." in Africa & the Middle East between 12/31/2007 and 03/16/2009 by user " " .

No results found for "Favorite Guides" in Africa & the Middle East between 12/31/2007 and 03/16/2009 by user " " .

It will take time for Fodor's to respond to everone's needs.....so I don't want to complain too much. Instead of reading the forum postings, I've been reading alot about Africa. I took Treepol's list of 200 books, added to it, and made it a personal goal to read at elast one a week. I'ts really been rewarding, like visiting Africa every week!!

Planning next safari for 2010; will finalize the itinerary late 2009.

Khakif

Nyamera,
I miss the cheap trips gang members too! Let me know if we cross paths.

This new format just does not work. I check in every week or two but find it layout so distracting that it actually hurts. Will they fix it? I haven't seen any comment from Fodors so I doubt it. Oh well, it was helpful while it lasted.
Ted

I would like to have Fodor's post a formal survey so they can actively collect feedback and make the necessary changes to keep people from leaving this board. This site change has really given Fodor's a black eye IMO.


Bueller....Bueller....anyone....anyone???

Just got back from TZ/Kenya. Yeah, I am still here. And yeah, this new format is dizzying. It's funny how because of the dizzying format, I am less likely to check the site as often.

to the top

safaridude,
I'm looking forward to your trip report! Don't think you can use the new format as an excuse

I think they should name it the North Africa Forum, more appropriate for sure. What ever happened to "who is your favorite guide? what vehicle is best for safari?" or even a good "what's the biggest leopard pride you have ever seen?". Between the terrible and confused new format and the trivial content, this new Fodors leaves much to be desired.
Ted

Patty, I will post one in 2-3 weeks.

I'm usually a lurker, but never plan a trip without lots of time here. My fabulous private safari to Kenya last year was totlly because of the wonderful regulars on here, so it's disturbing so many are not on as much. If so many people HATE the new layout (including me), why doesn't Fodor's listen?????? Joan W.

Temba, the biggest "leopard pride" I've ever seen is 5. Technically, it was a leap, I believe.

I'm still hoping for a pride of pangolin.

I don't like the setup. Fodors is off my favorite list.

how many of you that are dissatisfied with the new format have emailed the powers that be to tell them?

I think if we keep topping this thread and lynn's, they will get the idea. Katie has come on several times to assure us they are aware but the question is; do they care enough to revise this format? The interesting content has declined dramaticaly over the past month and I suspect that it is only partly due to the economy. So keep these threads active until they are forced to act (or we are all banned).
Ted

"The interesting content has declined dramaticaly"
So now I am uninteresting as well!

I'll have to start sharing tidbits from my other pastimes such as tightrope walking, Balinese language immersion, and glacier snowboarding.

Or waders. Tell us a waders story, a thigh high waders story.

"So now I am uninteresting as well! "
I said doctor I'd like a second opinion. He said, ok, you're also ugly

regards - tom

Yes, a thigh high waders story. Any pics?

Well, I wear my thigh high waders on the tightrope.

I still pop in occasionally to read the posts, but I have to say I have not been coming here anywhere near as much as I used to. I haven't got around to posting my trip report or anything.
Still love reading other people's safari trip reports though and I DO have Fodor's saved on my favourites, I just don't check in that often.

Hi. I still check in frequently and post occasionally when I feel I have something to offer. I haven't been around much between late 2007 and recently. We're heading back to Africa in September, so the bug is biting me pretty hard right now, so I check in most days. There does seem to be a lot less information on Africa though (compared to a couple of years ago). I still enjoy being here, however, and find everyone very helpful. Like others, I'm not crazy about the new format, but where else can I go to find such reliable info?

Hi guys, I'm still here though have not been as active recently. I'm not finding the new forum layout as easy to use like before.

Try as I might, I cannot like the new forum. I don't understand why posts are listed two (or is it three?) times on the main page. I know the rationale, but it still confuses the heck out of me.

I can't find threads that I want to follow -- they disappear from the index twice as fast as they used to, or maybe it's three times as fast, given the over-display on the main page. And because people can't find threads, they don't reply to them, so they go even deeper into the black hole of "old" threads.

The pink and blue sucks the big cactus, too!

I find that the the left side column with summaries in the new forum shows only 2 message summaries now, might as well not have any. The earlier one had many many more and scrolled down you could see up to 50 summaries. This made is very easy to navigate. Its been quite a few weeks now but I still miss the old forum and find this new forum is just too cluttered.