"There are many many . . . things one can learn there, not the least of which is . . . the nature of the posters on this message board in particular."

I agree with this. I now know whose opinions to disregard. And they are legion . . .

I sincerely agree with nikki - but I think the Lounge if exists should be open to all not a realtively few - how many others are missing the comraderie, etc that nikki finds?

Peace.

elberko: I had just taken a gulp of red wine when I read your post -- dangerous. snort>

posting while intoxicated is officially not allowed under Fodor protocols is it - paint yes but not booze?

Cheers!

Maybe the Lounge should have an open enrollment period to let new members in. Then we could have an initiation rite, where the new candidates would have to write rebuttals to political screeds.

When the Fodor's Forums (fora) were young, there were not many places on the Internet where non-tech savvy people could go to just chat about stuff and swap tips--so people did that on the travel boards, and Fodor's created the Lounge to get all the off-topic stuff corralled there.

Today, there is a ton of communities on the Internet (including Fauxdors Friends on Facebook), so it seems obvious that Fodor's decided they didn't need to support the Lounge any more. But they also didn't want to ax it and create a lot of animosity. So they did a half measure and shut it down, and I don't see why they'd ever reopen it.

I think it is what it is...

Dull as dishwater?

that it is a closed shop is again IMO not right - if the reason was to get off-topic stuff corralled there then why not open it to all - now many can't "take it to the Lounge" when folks say "doesn't this bgelong in the Lounge?"

<either open it to all or close it down>
<then why not open it to all>

I agree 100% PalQ...

now all you have to do is convince Fodor's management of our/your point of view.

Pal, I think they closed it because they'd rather just kill it but didn't want the tsuris of dealing with the Lounge die hards. I don't think they feel that the off topic chat would happen as much on the travel boards because there are so many communities out there now for people to join. And in fact, it hasn't.

Back to the PO, IS ira traveling or did he somehow get banned forever?

Oh my, I clicked on his name and it said page not found. Just a big WOW!!!! So I answered my own question. I wonder if it was him or "them"?

NewbE has no way of knowing what Fodor's does or does not think about The Lounge or what their intent was or is, especially since she does not participate there any more.

I am surprised after starting THIS thread Ira has not returned to update us. I hope the stress of being bounced out of the lounge - he does post alot! - did not cause an unhappy health event.

<NewbE has no way of knowing what Fodor's does or does not think about The Lounge or what their intent was or is>
Nor do you.
<especially since she does not participate there any more.>
Relevance?

<I hope the stress of being bounced out of the lounge - he does post alot! - did not cause an unhappy health event.>
Oh, now I've heard it all!

<Nor do you.>

Correct. And I'm not making guesses and posting a bunch of "I think" this and "I think" that about it either. Didn't say a word except that I think it should be an open forum, like all the rest. Which is merely my opinion not 2nd-guessing Fodor's policies or decisions.

I still don't take your point. I am posting my thoughts. You are posting yours. What's the problem here?

<I hope the stress of being bounced out of the lounge - he does post alot! - did not cause an unhappy health event.>

For those that live in the Lounge 24-7 yes I can see that, sincerely, being possible - sad as that may be - there is life after and out of the Lounge too. But yes I can see someone being really distraught at being shut out of their life's main activity in some cases.

I hope Ira gets back soon and is healthy - always liked his posts though we did not always agree - he seems to be a nice southern gentleman.

Enough of the Reductio ad Absurdam.

Many post in the Lounge occasionally, not 24-7.

For many it is a brief diversion, not a lifestyle.

Why do those who don't want to post there care if others do?

Excellent question from annw!