I think a revamp at registration should be impemented and that each one of us should get a finite number of posting opportunities to weed out the serial bores,egotists,knowitalls,and those who demand that you read their trip reports. We are all aware of the search function and posts that are over six months old should be deleted
so that up to date information is always provided.As Sally has posted,ira has posted over 3000 times in the last twelve months,with most of his posts not related to his personal travel experiences which amounts to hogging the forum for no good reason.

Cue the cheers for ira...

Between this site and virtual tourist, they keep me busy. I am busy organising my trip to Turkey and without the assistance from all the people on these two sites, I would have been lost. Definately an addict!

My references to ira were just by way of an example of how posting on forums could be considered addicted. Having read many of his posts it is clear that he finds friendship and a sense of community on these boards as many of his posts are casual conversation.
I think a limited number of posts would improve the overall quality of the forum . Perhaps we could have a Fodors Gold or Golden Fodies for our senior citizens.

Since "addiction" has killed several loved ones near and dear to me, I'm a tad reticent to click on threads of this nature. When the pain is so deep and overwhelming, it's damn hard to joke about it. But, I adore laughter and some of these posts make me smile.

Just lovely, cmt and Rex. What a pleasure.

I'm not addicted to anything and I thank God everyday I bypassed that gene. The main reason I'm here is to give back what I have taken.

Since my olfactories are quite sensitive, I can smell a good travel tip a mile away. I've picked up many valuable tid-bits through the years from people who have only posted once. In fact, I'm more leery of the omnipresent regulars because, in order to give great current advice, you really do need to travel often. Yet, I thoroughly enjoy the intelligence, the wisdom, and the humor that often comes from veteran fodorites so I cherish them, too.

I understand the "personal information" issue and this approach may not be for everyone. Frankly, I don't care who knows my story as long as my identity remains private. A person's life experience says much about taste, attitudes and opinions. Sometimes, it's the personal details that tell me to pay closer attention to someone. I often want to know more about the source of an opinion before I decide to hang on to the opinion.

The only suggestion for improvement I would offer is charging a fee for membership. This might help rid this board of some very ugly people. Statistics show that when you pay for something you tend to care for it more.

Is jealousy rearing its ugly head, qwer? You don't have as much as valuable to say as others, so don't.
And who is demanding you read their trip reports?

Fyi: This "qwer" is the one who posts solely to condemn Ira and to defame Renato Cuomo. Most of his/her posts have been removed. Moving along....

Well, didn't think I was that addicted until I found old posts of mine from early 1998. Often, this site is more fuel on the fire for my real addictions ... planning and travelling.

I, for one, happen to like Ira's posts very much. They are, to me, extremely readable posts and they usually bring a smile to my lips. So, keep on posting, Ira!

Besides, how many times can you answer a question on how to get out of Heathrow or where to stay when visiting "Mad" Ludgwig's castles without getting bored with your own responses?

The posters who leave a bitter taste in my mouth after I've read their posts are the ones who attack other posters on a personal basis. There is no excuse for such behavior except for bad upbringing resulting in bad manners. This type of posters has a misanthropic outlook on life and wields a poison pen. It makes me wonder how defective their lives must be that they have to seek negative attention.

It's totally different from posters who post and say the equivalent of: "I disagree with your recommendation, idea, whatever, and here are my reasons why and what I would recommend as an alternative." These are constructive disagreements and add to the reader's enjoyment.

Fortunately, most Fodorites are constructive posters.

So, here's my two cents' worth from a neo-Fodorite! Rock on, good Fodorites!

Sallycoba

For some, anyone over 40 is a senior citizen. As the average age of people posting here is, according to the Fodor's editors, 46.5, that makes a considerable number of people here a senior citizen.

It seems you also have reservations about posts from first time travelers, to whom you refer as 'one trip ponies'. Since many first timers are also young, this leaves us in a bit of a quandary as to how to please you, now don't it?

Would the last Fodorite who meets Sally's credentials for posting please turn out the lights?

The farther down your post is on this thread, the less addicted you are, right?

I am also an addict. I spend most of my time in the USA board and came to the Europe board just recently. I've never used the refresh button, usually I log out, work awhile, then log back on to check in.

This board is so much more user friendly than any others I've tried because you can read the questions and all the responses at once. So many other boards you have to click on each response to read. That's much too tedious for me.

I have been very entertained by some of the threads and do feel like I "know" some of the posters here. I think I trust more in my fellow Fodorite's advice when planning my trips than advice of people I acutally know!

Sallycoba, counting the number of posts any of us addicts make in a full year is not only cruel but definitely outside the pale of civilized behavior.

Qwer, I can't recall EVER reading a post that "demanded" I read someone's trip report. Delete threads after 6 months? No no no! There is a lot of valuable info in some of those older posts, not to mention entertainment value. However, I wouldn't mind seeing some sort of flag when a post that is over 6 months old is pulled back up. Nothing to make you feel foolish like giving advice to someone who has already returned from their trip!

Easytraveler, I agree. I find the personal attacks extremely distasteful, but have no problem with a good debate.

Jocelyn P ? I think you're right! Too funny!

I'm with Marilyn
I could stop whenever I want, I just choose not to.
Right.

No, no deletion of old posts, things change slowly in Europe with exceptions of hotels and restaurants and we need to read about these too.

I don't care how many times someone posts and can't imagine actually counting them! If he/she gives good info - so what?

Now about this clique........

Hi all,

Yes it's true. I include myself among the addicted. One great thing for me--
I'm using this forum and a diet tool. Whenever I want to eat I just get on here instead. The time passes so quickly that I don't have time to eat!

Truth is it's great fun and irreplacably informative.

One question:
IS ITALY THE "GATEWAY" TRIP?

Fondly,
jan

I've received my AVON order and new book and I haven't opened it yet ... since 11:00 and now 2:11pm here.
So ... I know I am qualified, but I think after my trip I'll stop.
Nothing to it, right ?
I have to see it someone responded to my new thread ... so long...

One of the signs of addiction is the addicts need to entice others ot join in the addictive beahviour.

Okay, that makes me an addict to Fodors. I have "enticed" several friends and even my stepmother (most unwicked lady and an intrepid traveller) into joining in because they had specialised knowlege of destinations that get asked about.

Anybody else lured innocent victims into the web of Fodors?

I've tried. Lord knows, I've tried.

I think all of us have gained here. In knowledge, in sharing and in making wonderful new friends. some we have met in person and others to virtually engage us. I toast you all!

<Anybody else lured innocent victims into the web of Fodors?>

My sister (Rocco) lured me on here so I am trying hard to pass it on myself. I makes you feel better knowing there are others in the snare with you.