ShayTay

The "T-Mobile" ad at the bottom of this page says, "Stick Together". Well, it's obvious that we African Fodorites are doing just that. Keep e-mailing the editors here at Fodor's and, while you're at it, think about contacting the advertisers on this site, as well. If the editors choose not to reinstate our most knowledgeable posters, perhaps we should take our business elsewhere and their advertisers should know that.

cruisinred

I agree that all those recently "banned" should be reinstated as the forum would not be the same with out them.

But I also agree with those who note that Eben and Sandi conduct themselves differnetly than Rocco. While he frequently mentions the name of his travel enterpise, I do not recall EVER seeing a single post in which Eben or Sandi mention the names of their companies. Rocco has many fine qualities but subtlety is not one of them.

Now, lets get everyone back on the Africa forum!

steeliejim

Tripster's latest rant: "For example, did you know that he tries to get discounts and when operators refuse, he badmouths their camp or just keeps silent about them.
So no matter how great those places are, you, the traveler, won't ever
know about them."

Hmmm, I'd be very interested in some substantiation of that claim. Seems that to make it--falsely IMO--tripster must be in the business himself and must have caught some criticism, which,if Rocco did the criticizing had all to do with what he found out first hand rather than some bias.

There was one place we stayed in our trip to Zambia, Sausage Tree, purported to be a high end camp, that did not live up to its billing,at least compared with other places we stayed at, Chiawa, Luangwa River Lodge, and even Old Mondoro Bush Camp. At least in our opinion. I was the one who suggested it to Rocco because it is known, supposedly, for its good tigerfishing (yes, I love to fish). It was not his fault that there were new hosts who do not seem to have their act together, and a manager who was mostly unavailable because he, according to the hosts, was on the computer "marketing" rather than paying attention to details that really needed attending to.

Those were our observations, from first hand experience (and I acknowledge that there were others we talked to at Sausage Tree who had no complaints). And Rocco certainly knew none of this befroe we returned home and filled him in.

I just emailed the editor again expressing my dismay that valuable posters such as Rocco have been blocked but that tripster is still allowed to make mischief.

I originally questioned Fodor's wisdom (seems like if a poster violates rules, he/she would get a warning first, because, heck, I don't know all the rules) before being booted.

simbakubwa

Perhaps "Peterman" is really "Tripster" in disguise??

matnikstym

that could be true simbak as the majority of both of their previous posts have been on the caribbean island forum.

Nyamera

This is unbelievable! I too request the immediate reinstatement of Rocco, Sandi and Eben. What makes it even more unbelievable is that Sandi and Eben are as innocent as baby colobus monkeys.

TurnstileTraffic

There has been an incredible and varied response from our users in regards to this issue. Your suggestions are most appreciated.

For the record, Sandi and Eben's accounts are not suspended.

matnikstym

Thanks for clarifying that editor!

thit_cho

TurnstileTraffic, thank you very much for responding.

steeliejim

Now, if Turnstile Traffic will only allow Rocco back, we can return to having fun on the Africa forum.

Jim

climbhighsleeplow

Hi folks

Thank you for the support!

There was a slight misunderstanding about my personal website where I store my GE maps and images of our travels. It was agreed that the site is non-commercial - there is no selling and the GE data files and maps are free for all to download and use!

I will continue to participate on this great board. I know a thing or two about East Africa and my birthplace South Africa and this board is by far the best source of information about East and Southern Africa on the internet.
For every bit of information I provide, I learn ten times as much from everyone else here!

The Editors deserve some credit for making this board what it is today. With respect I understand what they allow us to do and not do!

Leely

Thanks for the response, Turnstile Traffic. Perhaps beating a dead horse, but I too just sent an email protesting blocking of certain posters' accounts.

I hope this board can accommodate the occasional strong opinion, even those as wrongheaded as Rocco's. After all, as Clematis noted above, he was posting his bombast well before becoming an agent. Let's give the poor guy a break. He's just so dang enthusiastic.

cooncat3

Thanks, Editor, for letting us know.

It would be helpful if you would also let us know if any other accounts have been suspended in connection with this issue.

cw

I want to thank the editor for replying and to add my voice to the chorus asking for Rocco's reinstatement.

Somehow the choices in Africa seem so overwhelming to those traveling there for the first time. This Board was/is invaluable to the planning of such trips.

The posters are curious, informative, opinionated, but friendly and helpful. Don't break this group up--it's one of Fodor's best on-line assets.

CW

Gardyloo

Thanks for responding, TurnstileTraffic.

Maybe it could be as simple as not allowing people to post any email addresses with their names. (It would cut down on spambots harvesting email addresses too, BTW.)

Many boards, including commercial ones like Fodor's, offer a private mail option. That would be a wonderful addition, would keep the boards clean, but would allow participants to share non-Fodor's IDs with each other if they choose.

Meanwhile, I'd hope you'd see Roccco including his email address as an innocent error committed in the absence of clear Fodor's rules in the matter, reinstate him with a yellow card instead of a red card, and let us all move on.

atravelynn

I'm late to this whole controversy, but the thread to this point reads like a suspense novel that I hope has culminated with no sequels in the offing.

I hope the Fodors Africa Forum has returned to a state of normalcy once more. I guess it was too much to hope that at least this little cyberspace slice of our existence could remain free of human egos, jealousies, and petty rivalries.

Glad everyone is back on the Forum so we don't have to continue the "Free Rocco and Eben campaign."

thit_cho

Lynn, Eben has been saved (never in danger, actually). Now, we have to hope Fodors tosses a lifesaver to Roccco (I don't know how long he can tread virtual water).

tripster

I'm not a troll or Peterman or in the travel biz!
I just have a different opinion from many of you guys.
That's what the site should be about -- not shilling for places (maybe very nice places) that you do business with.
If I was going on safari and had no time or energy to do my own research, Rocco would probably be my first call. Look at all the satisfied customers on this site alone.
That's not the point.
There are other places out there that Rocco will never mention even though they are just as nice if not better, simply because he doesn't see eye to eye with the operator.
They have told me this.
If you don't believe me, don't believe me. Go to the places he suggests and have a nice time.
It's your vacation!

cruisinred

Tripster-
just curious, could you give some examples of places that are purposefully not mentioned?

Thanks

sandi

Well, here I am. Got a peek early this morning and wondered what the h#$k happened in the wee hours of the morning. Like we were "sent to the corner" for misbehaving in kindergarten. Give me a break!

I warmly thank all of you for your kind and sincere support.

In all seriousness, Rocco, Eben, myself and others "in the business" who post on this board have done so in an above board manner when it comes to the information provided and questions answered in an unbiased way. And, if as a result we are contacted by a poster seeking more serious consultation, the relationship is taken off-board as a professional one.

As a private message board, Fodor's has set the rules which as intelligent adults we have followed and would hope to continue doing so.

Rocco for one, was (and continues to be) a outstanding and valued contributor to this board even before he became a travel planner. Yes, a planner, not travel agent. Above all else, he is evenhanded in his recommendations, often providing substantive information/links for those considering a visit to Africa, to decide for themselves.

Personally, there isn't a day that I don't learn something new from the contributors, whether those in the business or others simply dedicated to the interests of travel to, the people who live, the animals who wander and the political situations ion this amazing continent.

I thank you all again and hope Fodor's will see through what one individual is attempting to do to a wonderful family of friends who happen to be Africaphiles (or Africaphobic).