Gentle Suggestion for Newcomers
 

I've noticed a lot of general questions being posted lately, like those wanting suggestions on places to visit in one or more countries. Also, there have been lots of questions duplicated time and time again - i.e. ATM capabilities, what to wear, etc. <BR>So, my suggestion to those who are less internet-savvy is for them to search the archives before posting. I say this with the best of intentions as I've seen lots of unanswered posts and hope to prevent discouraged newbies from getting the wrong impression of this forum. Happy surfing!

<BR>Yes, this is true. Another thing that new people to this forum and other travel boards I have seen do that is most annoying is the following: the orginal post is made in say Jan 1999 asking about a trip that is to occur in April 1999, and here come people in June, August, Oct of 1999 and such long after the trip is over answering a "dead" question. Why bother? The person has come and gone by then.

Trina, This suggestion has come-up before and is worth repeating. ( don't know how successful it will be , but you are right there a lots of repeats.)

Or those who are not interested in responding to those questions could just pass them by. <BR> <BR>As for adding something to an old question. In the situation where someone does search (as you kindly suggested) the updated response could be very helpful.

Couldn't we have a reminder message which explains the benefits of searching over posting. Whenever this message goes lower than number 50 someone could resubmit it.

Will do. Needs to be up at the top. <BR>

Hi, <BR> <BR>I'm a newcommer and I think this forum is great. I have done some research.. but unable to do all, I do need help. <BR> <BR>For example, I simply couldn't find any good hotels with a jacuzzi. I have now got two possibilities, through this forum - though unfortunately, their web-sites aren't current. <BR> <BR>And with stuff like accomodation, its' really useful to get advice form poeple who have actually been to those hotels/motels/hostels. It's easy to go to any of the countless travel guides, but that's without any personal comments (except Rich Steves). <BR> <BR>I find it most useful to research and at the same time to post to forums such as these cause they do structure your research quite a bit. <BR> <BR>well, that was my two cents worth anyway. :)

Amanda- <BR> <BR>The other posters were referring to doing a search on this forum. It is possible to search past questions here to see if your question has already been answered before posting.

One more suggestion came to mind - a basic rule of netiquette is to ensure that you use a subject line/title in your post that indicates your specific interest. i.e. the "help" posts can be quite irritating for both the forum regulars as well as the requester when no one responds. The nature of the internet is speed. Not providing an adequate and complete title defeats this purpose. :-)

Trina, et al <BR> <BR>I'm thinking of taking your excellent suggestion and going perhaps a step farther and Posting a new message with a list of the most frequently asked questions and a strong recommendation to Search first. <BR>As Andrew and Bob said, we can take turns keeping the message near the top.If it dies out or doesn't work, we haven't lost anything. <BR>My suggestions for very very frequently-asked topics are: <BR>ATMs <BR>Travelers checks <BR>Paris hotels <BR>Rome hotels <BR>London hotels <BR>Paris restaurants <BR>London restaurants <BR>London musts <BR>Paris musts <BR>Giverny <BR>Versailles <BR>Florence museum tickets <BR>Dress or Pack <BR> <BR>What else? <BR> <BR>

Now, now! We were all ONCE new to this forum AND probably ALL did the same thing(s) wrong. I do not believe that is up to a few select people to 'run' this forum. Fodors has done a pretty fair job. Like someone said, "...you do not HAVE to answer everyones ?'s." I think WHAT REALLY upsets a lot of people is that their 'posts' get pushed down the list and so cannot become "super posts!" I think others are just on here so OFTEN and SO LONG that they are bored with 'newcomer trash'. Lack of tolerance, isn't that what a lot of 'posters' accuse the Europeans and/or French of? (This was hard for me to reply to, as some of you HAVE REALLY helped me in the past on this forum. But, isn't that what this is all about, helping? Please, lets have patience...GROUP HUG)

Dave, <BR> <BR>I'd really hoped that my posts would not be mis-interpretted. Yes, we were all once newbies. And how I wish that I'd had a little more of a clue. As my title states, this was merely a gentle suggestion, not to be taken as an attack on others or a venting of my own intolerance. I am not attempting to "run" anything, Lord knows I've got enough on my plate already. Take it with a grain of salt and move on. BTW, TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS CONSIDERED SHOUTING! :-P :-)

I think Trina and Elaine thoughts are excellent; lots of times, first-timers ask a question, and get a reply "search the archives under....". It sounds like the replier is terse, but s/he is trying to save the the poster some time. Just as when you're using a search engine or directory, the more precise the question or topic, the faster and better the response; therefore, a complete title will get you a faster response AND make it easier for finding the info in the archives for the NEXT asker!

Elaine - I think your idea is terrific. I would suggest the following additions: <BR> <BR>Tuscany <BR>Amalfi/Naples/Capri/Positano <BR> <BR>I'd be happy to help if you want to parcel out some of the work. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Dave, neither Trina nor the others nor I were trying a power play of any kind nor was anyone trying to be other than helpful to the newcomers. A year ago I was one of those asking endless anxious questions about ATMs. There is no "power" here other than information, and I think we're all trying to share that. It's just that at this busy travel time of year, there are almost daily questions on London sightseeing or Paris hotels, and even the most helpful and experienced people in the world don't always feel like typing the exact same responses every day, or maybe this week they just don't have the time, or they're on vacation themselves. As a result the newcomer may not get the benefit of people like wes and many many others whose information is extremely comprehensive and valuable. However, a prominent ongoing recommendation to do a Search might gather all that past information and more. Then the newcomer could narrow things down and ask a question comparing one specific hotel to another, or one itinerary to another. <BR> <BR>In my opinion the Search function is one of the best features of this forum, but <BR>it is barely visible on this page. The word is almost obscured by blue design and by the distraction of the list of postings. <BR>Another wonderful thing about this forum, it's democratic. If Trina or I or anyone posts any message to newcomers that no one else likes, it will be ignored, never brought to the top, and it will die.

Dave, neither Trina nor the others nor I were trying a power play of any kind nor was anyone trying to be other than helpful to the newcomers. A year ago I was one of those asking endless anxious questions about ATMs. There is no "power" here other than information, and I think we're all trying to share that. It's just that at this busy travel time of year, there are almost daily questions on London sightseeing or Paris hotels, and even the most helpful and experienced people in the world don't always feel like typing the exact same responses every day, or maybe this week they just don't have the time, or they're on vacation themselves. As a result the newcomer may not get the benefit of people like wes and many many others whose information is extremely comprehensive and valuable. However, a prominent ongoing recommendation to do a Search might gather all that past information and more. Then the newcomer could narrow things down and ask a question comparing one specific hotel to another, or one itinerary to another. <BR> <BR>In my opinion the Search function is one of the best features of this forum, but <BR>it is barely visible on this page. The word is almost obscured by blue design and by the distraction of the list of postings. <BR>Another wonderful thing about this forum, it's democratic. If Trina or I or anyone posts any message to newcomers that no one else likes, it will be ignored, never brought to the top, and it will die.

Trina, <BR>Want to share a 'chill' pill? I was no more attacking you, than you were anyone else...and I thought I made that clear. I simply (thought) told the truth. BTW: Now that I am 'used to' this forum, I am often irritated by the 'repeats' too (it's human nature I believe, madam). I think we all need to 'band together' and make suggestions to Fodors on how to improve this site/problem. I do not wish to insult, or to fight about it. I was merely pointing out that there seems to be a 'thrill' in huge postings. I must admit, I WOULD LOVE (not shouting here dear, just emphasis) to be the author of a 'super posting'...who wouldn't? The truth (or trouble) with your "Gentle Suggestion" is that it has appeared here several times before (and usually not so "gently"). And that (or it) can become almost as annoying, to some people. It is the Fodors Web Page Administrative People who need to hear from us, yes? I will drop them a line. I hope we all do. Maybe they need a 'flashing' please-search-first message, or something? If this is some kind of 'constructive' plan (elaine) then so be it, and I would like to help. I can hardly imagine "elaine" involved in anything non-constructive or that is not brilliant. Commander Fodor, please take notice!!! Your loyal subjects require your ears!

Sorry "elaine" I guess we were posting at @ the same time...I just read your reply. I forgot to add their (Fodors) address for e-mail: [email protected]

Elaine: I think the idea of developing some kind of FAQ list for the Europe forum is a great one. More favorites for the list: the Paris museum card; CDG (and other airport) tranportation; Paris Metro (and to a lesser degree, London tube) pricing. Maybe you should post a new topic with your FAQ proposal, then invite Fodor's editors to view the results and consider ways to highlight the search function and/or post a FAQ list. (I think I may have committed a run-on sentence. Sorry.)

No sooner said than done, eh?