These fixes would make the forum perfect.
 

If the sections labeled New Topics, Trip Reports, and Recent Popular Topics were removed and the running list of of posts on left the side was elongated so it spanned another couple of horizontal inches, then 50 posts would fit on one page. I liked 50 (or I suppose 40 would be ok) on one page.

Here's why I don't need New Topics: The top posts on the left are new.
Heres' why I don't need Trip Reports: They are already marked, which is an improvement. If 50 posts showed up on the left, I wouldn't lose the trip report I am following. Even if it does fall into past posts, it is easy to find with the marker.
Here's why I don't need Recent Popular Topics: Who cares what's popular? The clutter factor outweighs the popularity factor.

I think the sections at the bottom, Forum Resources and Plan Your Trip are fine. They are down there near the bottom and if I want them I go get them but otherwise they are out of the way.

Being able to group posts day by day is helpful for when you are gone for periods of time.

It would be nice to know who posted LAST in addition to who started the post.

Searching--If I check the little box in the Search Engine process, I can find what I'm looking for.

I'd like a little more room in the message composition box.

And another reason I don't need the Trip Reports section is that now there is a button specifically for them. The nice button for More Trip Reports at the top means there is no need for the clutter of a few reports in their own special section.

Great ideas Lynn.

I just noticed that More Trip Reports button only shows when you are looking at a trip report. It would be helpful to have a button that takes you to trip reports, whether you are currently looking at one or not. That button would always be there as a link to trip reports.

I thought your fixes would include "if you've got nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all". lol.....we could use that in the lounge anyway.

I think you have the right ideas here. When they did away with the frames (topics on the left and threads on the right), they kept the topics on the left--probably so people would be comfortable with a similar look.

But it just doesn't make sense without the frames. Listing all the recent threads, up to 50 or so across the page, would make navigation much much easier.

Thanks for posting this!

I'll buy what Lynn says. All of the fancy "Topic" headings don't do anything for me.

We need more than 25 topic list. Especially since this forum includes "Middle East". Separate the two forums would also work that way.

A to "Bottom/Last" of replies button might also be nice.

And, if you know of a discussion/question forum whose format you like better than this one, what is it? (Doesn't have to a travel forum).

regards - tom

I like safaritalk a lot. Bushdrums has some interesting features.

They did it for Central and South America so Africa and Middle East could be split too.

I just looked at safaritalk. The layout/format seems ok. Think I'll start following it for a while, see how I like it.

I gave TripAdvisor a brief visit a while back. Did not like its layout, very busy, overly detailed, and replying to a post was way too complicated/difficult. Not to mention that every evaluation/star rating was 4.5 (of 5). No posters there seem to have any discrimination or experience for making judgments.

regards - tom

Tom, I tried Trip Advisor for a while but it was too hard to follow and had too many suspect posters. Fodors gives a good range of posters and topics but I could do without the Middle East as well. I do wish the editors would bite the bullet and re assess their new model, especially before too many posters leave as that is its' strength. Safaritalk offers different things IMO but works well … the format is easy to navigate.

Sorry Lynn, meant to say that I agree with your proposed changes. Would be good. You have put some thought into your suggestions.

Excellent thoughts, Lynn.

I especially would like to see a "who posted last" feature -- that would be tremendously helpful.

If Fodor's wants to let use know which topics have the most recent popularity, it would save an enormous amount of room if they put an icon next to those topics. OK, that's not groundbreaking stuff -- lots and lots of other forums do the same thing -- but it does free up a lot of real estate.

And thanks again, Lynn.

Here's another vote for Lynn's suggestions.

I agree about having the last 50 posted on the left!!

I have been in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos for 3 weeks and came back to the new format....I plan to do a trip report; but right now I'm underwhelmed by the new format.
Linda

Maybe if everyone went into their account and clicked on this:

Click here to delete your screen name/account

They just might get it.

luangwablondes, I think you hit on about the only thing that will get them to change. The forum as it now stands is somewhere between useless and hopeless. Between the boring "Northern Africa posts" and the "should I wear zip off posts" there is very little reason to check in on this forum. Migt be a good example for people teaching web design on "how to get it wrong".
Ted

My 2 cents. I certainly agree with Lynn and hope Fodor's would take note of some constructive criticism. Separating Africa and the Middle East into TWO forums would go a long way to imporove it!! FODOR'S ARE YOU READING THIS THREAD?

I don't hate the forum as much as other posters, though I think it can be improved. But I wanted to point out that if you go to the Forum home page there is a link to send feedback to the editors.

I'm sure they are interested in reading suggestions. I don't necessarily think they read the posts on every forum but they make it convenient to gather comments.

And it's not the format that causes "should I wear zip off pants" questions (or what do I wear in xxxxx).

Since the start of the Forum changes, many regulars sent posts to the Editors with complaints. And, I'm sure Katie was then and is still reading these threads.

Sandi, you're absolutely right. I just thought that those that bookmark the Africa forum and don't go to the Forum home page, may have missed the feedback option.