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Dear Newcomer <BR>If you have been on many of these internet threads you may have noticed that at some point a select few appoints themselves the moderators of the discussion. It is true that there have been many topics discussed on this forum and the search function is a valuable tool. However, don't be intimidated by those who try to want to control the discussion. You can never ask the wrong question, as your elementary school teacher told you I'm sure. For those who don't want to answer the question, it's a free world, pass it by! Ask about any of the following topics plus more if you wish, <BR>ATMs <BR>travelers checks <BR>London(hotels, restaurants, sights) <BR>Paris(ditto) <BR>Rome(ditto) <BR>Venice(ditto) <BR>Florence(ditto) <BR>Florence museum tickets <BR>Paris museum tickets <BR>Weather <BR>Tuscany <BR>Siena <BR>Giverny <BR>Versailles <BR>Capri <BR>Positano <BR>Amalfi <BR>weather web sites <BR>dress/packing

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Elaine, Janet, Trina, to whom it may concern: I contacted Fodors and they e-mailed me back that they will look into our grievences/suggestions. And like I said before, I think they need to hear from more than just me (as I am sure that many of you have already contacted them)... <BR> <BR>[email protected]

Dear Newcomer, <BR>When other posters suggest using the Search function, they are not trying to control the discussion. Rather, they are trying to make sure that you get the benefit of as much accumulated wisdom as possible. You can't be sure that someone who has, in the past, given a thorough explanation of a topic is still around, is still checking every day, and still has time to post such detailed answers. A lot of us travel addicts are around a lot, but the level of activity that makes this list so lively also means that threads get buried fast. Searching allows you to dig 'em back up. <BR>Posting a really basic question is like calling a company's 800 number when you want to know how to start your appliances. You can make the call, but it may be faster and easier just to find the owner's manual and look it up yourself.

Ummm....Dave- Do you think you could POST your grievances/suggestions? This forum has been a good net community, partially because we are both considerate *and* vent from time to time. I am concerned because your post sounds a bit like a threat. If we're going to be "tried" it would be nice to know what the charges are. <BR>If you are referring to the original newcomer's post, I think you have misinterpreted the intentions. That is your privilege of course. I find it ironic though that we've been "reported" for trying to help. The intent was to help people make posts that would GET answered. Sheesh. <BR> <BR>Oh.. welcome back Monica! Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose :( <BR>

In the spirit of "You can never ask the wrong question", could someone explain what "grievences/suggestions" we're talking about? I think I understand (and generally agree with) the original post, but I start getting lost after that. <BR>

Jay, I think it's just one of those things that crop up now & then. Here we have two postings with the exact same title. The other was started by Elaine, with some comments by Dave, in response to still another discussion that was floating around yesterday. Then we have the present posting, which opens with an apparent commentary on the motives/appropriateness of the other one. It can certainly make your head spin -- you may need a scorecard.

Where is Dr. Abate when you need him?

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The top message on this thread does not discount the value of the search function. In fact it seems to endorse it to me. It just makes the point that this forum is open! Anyone can ask any question they want, 500 times if they like. And no one is obligated to respond it any of them.

As long as we're urging people to read carefully, perhaps those who are under the mistaken impression that Elaine & Co. are trying to control the dialogue (argh--I thought I left that kind of talk behind me in graduate school) should go back and read the original "New to this Forum" thread, which this one isn't. Janet, if you're so convinced of your wisdom, why did you pilfer Elaine's title? Does it tell you anything that you had to be the one to bring your thread to the top? Are you ever going to answer the questions other people have asked you?

Martha -- If I read Janet's posting correctly, she was not putting herself in competition with others in terms of expertise. If she were, she probably would not have cribbed Elaine's list of search topics, but instead would have come up with a list of her own. Rather, I gather that she is expressing her discontent with the self-appointed "select few" who, by her lights, try to moderate the discussion. Apparently it's ok for her to tell others how to use Forum (i.e., "moderate",) because she herself isn't one of the self-appointed. It's only bad when one of the people she designates The Select Few do it. Anyway, that's my take, for what it's worth.

Helen--My take accords with yours, so I of course think yours is worth quite a lot.

<BR>Wow,the knives are out and if my posting provoked it, I wish I could erase it. None of this is really that important, certainly not starting a posting war over. <BR>I didn't "appoint" myself to anything, I was trying to suggest, along with several others who have posted similar suggestions, and you fellow troublemakers know who you are,that new people be advised to use the Search function which is hard to notice on the screen but which can provide scads of extremely useful information, including much from people whose expertise is no longer available because they are no longer active on this forum. I think the Search function is one of the best and unique features of this forum, but it is almost hidden on the screen and is certainly not taken advantage of to the fullest extent. From the point of view of getting as much information as possible, that's unfortunate, but not criminal, not annoying, not stupid, not wrong. <BR>I am surprised that anyone has taken offense at the idea of an ongoing posted suggestion to use the Search function. I certainly can't understand why some are offended, but clearly they are. Perhaps it wasn't worded very well. If Fodors had prominently posted it, would less offense have been generated? <BR>I am opting out of this thread as well as out of this discussion, and I certainly hope everyone calms down and <BR>moves on.

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Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do while in Venice? Will be there for 4 days in June. Specifically lookig for information on romantic gondola rides. Thank you <BR>

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This is too much fun!!!

The thing I don't understand is that everyone reads into Janet's message that she is discounting the search function. She clearly says it is a valuable tool. Just not a required exercise before asking a question. Dave, I would just be curious as to what Fodor's said about YOUR grievance---"Some of us don't like some of the questions people ask" This is a FREE service. Somehow I don't think Fodor's has any interest in paying someone to be the babysitter. I don't know maybe I'm wrong. <BR> <BR>