I just had a marvelous experience that none of us will be able to duplicate. This past week-end while doing a search for an upcoming trip I came across some older posts that really intrigued me to search out more information. Both people had listed their real e-mail addresses, so I e-mailed both of them with my questions. Both of them were kind enough to answer me thoroughly and promptly. But, we'll never be able to so that again. I don't think getting rid of all the garbage posters was worth the trade off. Personally, I'd prefer to scan through the junk to have the possibility of contacting knowledgeable people who probably are not currently on this board. Bring back e-mail addresses or come up with a way to contact people.

If you want people to be able to e-mail you end your post with a real e-mail address:<BR><BR>[email protected]<BR><BR>But use your address, not mine.

It has been an interesting few days since registration began. I see (only the first names of) people, and I find myself uncertain, is that who I think it is?<BR><BR>I continue to sign off with my name (as I always did) but now, with my e-mail address also. I actually am NOT a proponent for a lot of private exchange off the board, but I still think it's good to have the opportunity to contact others who were inclined in the past to share an e-mail address (and I realize that they may or may not feel the same way now).<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex Bickers<BR>Westerville, Ohio<BR>[email protected]<BR>

I have always used my real name and email address and over the years have had hundreds of direct emails -- requests, thank yous, and even things like an offer to contact a hotel in Sardinia that I was having trouble reaching. I thought about always adding my email to this new system, but have decided against it-just too much bother. I would think if you wanted to contact anyone directly, why not add your email address to a person's post and ask if he or she will contact you?

My point was that I was doing a search of older posts (from people who probably are not currently actively participating). So, they would not be reading this and thus not follow up.

I understood your point exactly juiles - - I guess I just didn't address it specifically. Posts get read a day from now, a month from now, a year from now. I think it's regrettable that those old contacts are no longer available. I am choosing to leave a &quot;trail&quot;.<BR>

For Patrick,<BR><BR>I agree that I wish the Fodors designers had given us 40 letters for standard signature, so that I could have my proper name, Ben Haines, and my e-mail line going out on each message. As things are, I just end every note with [email protected]/. It is not much bother, and I encourage you to do so. The result is that nervous enquirers feel welcome (as they are) to put to me queries they do not want to raise in public. I must say that I think they are mistaken. Use of these pages means that we have a kind of informal peer review: if somebody has a train time wrong in Slovakia I can soon throw in a correction<BR><BR>[email protected]<BR>

This is my first time back on this board for about 5 months. I gave up checking because of all the negative posts that were appearing.<BR>I personally, think that registration is a good idea.

I miss that feature, too. I really enjoyed receiving messages from posters who had follow-up questions.<BR><BR>I'll probably just type in my e-mail every time when I add a post with advice, but it is annoying.<BR><BR>I appreciate the registration feature, I just don't understand why they can't allow people the choice of whether or not they display their e-mail, just like they do with hotel reviews.

A fairly easy solution would be an external VOLUNTARY database with name, Fodors name, email, etc.<BR><BR>I just set one up at<BR><BR>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FodorsMembers/database<BR><BR>You have to be a member of Yahoo to add, I think.<BR><BR>It would be better if Fodors implemented something like this on their own, but this is an alternative.<BR><BR>Though I am not sure I want to &quot;sign off&quot; all the time as<BR><BR>Rex<BR>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FodorsMembers/database<BR>

One problem with an outside database (in addition to the fact that it would be SO simple for Fodors to do it, particularly given that they do it for the hotel review section . . . hint, hint!) is that some of the neatest direct e-mails I've received have been from people that were just passing through Fodors briefly, and therefore wouldn't have any way of knowing about the offline database. <BR><BR>I just got an e-mail this week from a university professor sending a group of students to Shanghai (where I live) for a few weeks and wants to see if they can do short term internships. What a fun thing to be able to help with!

Folks -- I'd think twice before taking Rex up on his offer. <BR><BR>Granted the list should be pretty secure, given that you have to join that group and log in. <BR><BR>On the other hand please pause and think about all those email addresses there for Rex's own use.

Gee, I've posted here for years and always used my own name and email address. Yet I only recall ever receiving one email from Rex in all that time. What do you suspect he would do with those email addresses? He certainly didn't abuse them before, why now?

I have always appreciated the responses I have recieved from people that I have written to directly.<BR>And in turn, I have really enjoyed the direct emails from people asking for help. I will miss this too.<BR>It has never bothered me when people have written. <BR>As Patrick says, I must say that Rex has always had something that I have wanted to read when he has contacted me directly. And these contacts have been few and far between.

Sally,<BR><BR>Don't you think it is time to let your silly feud with Rex die? I personally am tired of it and had hoped it had ended, your posts on things like this. Seems very childlish on your part.

I agree, Last week I was contacted twice for some info on things to do and help with planning on trip to Italy with children. I was very happy to help them directly as so many people here helped me in the past. I think Rex has a good idea with signing off each time with name and e-mail. I just wonder how many people won't be able to get all the help they need or want because of this, I also wonder if alot of people with some good info will not share it at all because the won't go thru the registration.<BR><BR>I hope the board will not suffer from this. It is definately the best source of European travel info there is.<BR><BR>April<BR>[email protected]

Many times Rex has said that he prefers to publicly answer questions on this board instead of via email, because the information is shared by the masses, and not just privately. In fact, he has openly discouraged people from emailing him and instead asked that the question be posted on the forum. <BR><BR>I, for one, am pleased that the email block is gone. Many people felt it was an invasion of their privacy and posted phony email addresses. Some people welcome unsolicited email, and others do not, and Fodors cannot make everyone happy. I would guess that Internet etiquette would be to respond to an unwanted email message, saying that you don't care to provide information, but others may feel that no response is necessary when the message is unsolicited. That leaves the initial querier to be disappointed. I've even seen messages on this board where people have said they have written and received no response to their questions, and consider not receiving an acknowledgment to be rude. I've heard from others that the querier has even resorted to being vindictive, and registered the email address of the person that has not responded on porn sites. And let us not forget about the vindictive people that wrote to Leone's employer and also posted Rex's home address and telephone number.<BR><BR>It may be an imposition to ask someone to respond to email messages. People do have other obligations. Participating and providing information on this forum is supposed to be fun, not a chore.<BR><BR>What Rex does not recognize is that by setting up a group on Yahoo to register and publicize email addresses, that anyone can join the group unless Rex elects to set up the group by invitation only. Also, Yahoo prevents the whole email address from appearing in the &quot;member&quot; area unless you are the owner or an appointed moderator of the group. You might want some people to have your email address, but you might not want it available to the masses.<BR><BR>Whether they are free or not, not everyone wants to set up and maintain multiple email addresses. If someone has questions and wants further information by email, let that person post his/her email address in his/her message. The one that is providing the information by email can then attempt to keep his/her email address private. <BR><BR>Let's try to respect each other's privacy.

Thank you leslie. Right on target.

Leslie -- well expressed. Thanks.<BR><BR>Pepe_L -- You must be right to be raising such a &quot;stink&quot; about it -- I'm off to find a 12 step program -- happy now?

I think it shouldn't be too much of an inconvience to put your email in the body of your post or at the end, afterall you used to type it in the email box before this registration.<BR>This way you are letting it be known that you are welcoming emails.