I think is you post on vacation , you are addicted unless you are there for more than four weeks.

But.....there are times when someone is on holiday and they post from wherever they are and those are very interesting and fun.
SeaUrchin I think posted from Italy..Ger posts sometimes on her travels..there are more but those are the ones that immediately come to mind.

When I go to Europe I take also a vacation from the PC..

Scarlett, You mention two posters who travels I enjoy reading, but I am not them and don't travel with a computer, so it's ok for them but I don't and won't waste prescious moments to find a cyber café. These two beautiful woman are computer savy and travel more than my once a year, THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.

I know Mimi. I don't carry a computer with me, nor would the Yankee be thrilled to have me posting on Fodors while on a trip LOL
I was not speaking of your remarks re: addiction so much as answering StCirqs remarks on posting while traveling.
I don't think those posters are addicted, but it is great ( to me) that they send a note from wherever they are..like postcards to friends at home.

First of all, Scarlett, anything alcoholic goes with bonbons (except maybe margaritas). And I'm hoping to post in my studio in May since it has internet connections. It's much too much trouble to find a cyber cafe (though my DH loved to do that).

Ha! Thank you Sue!

Mimi, that's so funny what you say about posters who post so often that their children don't get the attention they need. My children shake their heads at me being on Fodors "all the time" (quote/unquote). I never stop trying to get THEM interested in Fodors! I think both of them--16 and 17 years old--would contribute so much since they've both travelled to Europe since babyhood, but they steadfastly resist. I point out all the interesting questions, and even the fights, trolls, and more, hoping to lure them in, and it's not working!

What can I do to make my kids care? (Sorry to say, peeky, but even your post about saints carrying their heads around elicited no more than a quick chuckle.)

Peeky, even when we have nothing to offer, we can learn.
dln, I'm talking young kids

I know, Mimi, I was just teasing you. BTW, did Marcy tell you she's going to the Boston GT also? I'm pea green with envy!

No, she didn't!!! too bad we could have made other arrangements for the nights.

Lori...I am thinking of you and your missing your dog. I do understand. The last of our wheatens died in August..and I still am unbearably sad. I had hoped I would be less depressed over it but the sadness stays....talking about impending trips helps me a lot.

Hi ladies, thanks for the compliments. On one of my trips this year I was sort of AWOL from my office and had to keep checking in by computer so I jumped over to Fodors from time to time.

I remember one very rainy day in Amalfi I had absolutely nothing else to do so I strolled over to the internet cafe, struck up a conversation with the staff and checked mail and fodors too. Even days like that can be nice, meeting the locals, drinking coffee and hanging out with them.

I enjoyed posting live from my trips sometimes it is a nice just to sit down for a bit too.

Maybe in March Barb and I will check in from Roma and give a live report unless we decide not even to sit down!

I love when people post from exotic places. I get a huge kick out of it.

On some trips I don't get near a computer, but on others I have daily access to the internet. If I go on line, yes, I might check out what's happening on fodors. Why not?

I might be looking for a last minute restaurant recommendation, but this is not just a travel advice board for me and many others. It's a community, and I've met quite a few residents of fodorville, so what's wrong with checking in with my friends?

Hmmm... I think people are addicted when they know each other by first name, know each others' personal histories, and feel defensive or irritated by (supposedly) anonymous comments in cyber space.

Are you friends that have signed on together? Or have you met as a consequence of Fodors? Or do you just chat off-line?

Speaking of learning... I have gained so much knowledge here that just isn't available in guide books. It's the "inside scoop" angle that keeps me reading, even when I have nothing to add.

I rarely get involved in this type of opinion/emotional/hypothetical discussion. (Unless, of course, I'm avoiding that pile of laundry! )

Re posting while traveling:

I'm an early riser. My Lady Wife is not.

I there is a convenient Internet Point, I spend an hour or so on the computer before she gets up.

Posting to Fodors is more useful and enjoyable than reading the news.

As someone who is fairly new to this forum (but already on my way to addiction) I am grateful for the helpful advice I've already received and hope that I can occasionaly give some useful advice in return. I can appreciate it may be frustrating when the same questions are asked over and over but a search through the older posts doesn't always give exactly the information you want, or you may just need to check that information is up-to-date.

Keep up the good work.

I have to say that I do sometimes get fed up.

There is a limit to how much you can say about Edinburgh-Loch Ness-Skye. Or what is a good B&B in the down town area?

When that happens I just take a day or two off.

Equally, if I get a couple of weeks when no-one asks anything interesting about Scotland, I get just as fed up.

Dreamer2,
Re: your questions, all of the above. I have a 'thing' for names and voices. . I recognise them after I have heard them once or twice..same goes for reading postings on Fodors.
So over the years, I recognise people, so some I feel that I know- some I do chat with, phone with, see off line, some I just say hello to here. It makes it a richer experience (IMHO) when the giving and sharing of information feels more like it is between friends and acquaintances rather than a bunch of complete strangers.
And you are right, there is nothing like Fodors when one is avoiding that pile of laundry

Dreamer2, all my fodorville friends are people I have "met" as a result of being on this forum. As Scarlett said, some I email off the forum, some I just "know" from posting on many threads together.

In addition, we've had 3 SF area get togethers in the past few years, so I've had the pleasure of meeting quite a number of local fodorites in person. Being a friendly sort, I've also met fodorites in St. Louis and New York when I was traveling there.

And I hope to meet lots more!