So disappointing...
 

It's sad to see the number of postings that go unanswered or only get sarcastic replies. Do you really believe that everytime a hotel name is mentioned that it is a ploy for free advertising? Could it not be an inexperienced traveler looking for advice?

Point them out to us. Use your real name (with or without your real e-mail address) and bring them to the top with a posting like: "I think this is an interesting question, and I would like to hear answers just as much as the original poster. I have tried the following avenues - - xxx.xxx et cetera - - and I cannot find any answers. Can anyone else help?" <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

I pass over many posts daily simply because I don't have any helpful information to add. I think that may be the case with many others. One problem with the requests for personal information or comments about a specific hotel, is that there needs to be a person who has stayed at that particular hotel. When someone lists three hotels in one city and asks for a comparison, the responses are going to be limited if answered at all. Most of us who do repeat visits to any given city generally stay at the same hotel if it has been good. Therefore it is extremely unusual for anyone to be able to compare even two hotels in one city. All most of us can do is say "yes, we liked that one." That is seldom what the poster is looking for, but rather wants a comparison.

Sadly, I wish I had a definite answer to that, but I do not. In many cases, it is really a matter of timing for some posters. Sometimes, there is little or no information that is relevant to the posting, or the post has been addressed many times before! <BR>I think that most Fodorites try to help, IF POSSIBLE. Some people can be mean spirited, but most seem willing to help, IMVHO, Judy

Anybody who is a relative regular to this forum knows that I like to answer posts and do so frequently. However, there are many posts I pass over because they may be question(s) that have been answered to death already. the search function is pretty standard and I am sure 99% of visitors may be familiar with what it is intended to do. It'll be nice to have more posts (and posters) show a bit of more effort than the common -"I am going to Spain. Tell me what to do"-. As far as hotels, the thought of free advertising by asking for hotel recommendations is pretty risky. You know anybody that does it?

I see no problem at all. People typically don't answer because they don't know the answer. Are you suggesting that each time I see a post about a hotel I have never heard of, I should post to say I can't help so that the poster won't feel ignored? <BR> <BR>Frankly, I get a little annoyed that people won't search before they post. For instance, I took a tour with a particular tour company. Upon my return, I dutifully answered posts like "Has anyone used XXX Tour company?" After the fifth time, I was worn out. These posters can find my stock evaluation of the company in a dozen similar posts, so why should I bother repeating myself?

Dear sadly distressed: <BR> <BR>I'd say the fault lies not with the respondents, but with the posters in so many cases. <BR> <BR>I see folks spending extraordinary amounts of time answering questions easily answered elsewhere by the inquirers. <BR> <BR>To the contrary, some of the posters apparently have no time to use the search function here, or read a travel book. Their own time is more valuable than those who answer questions. Must be nice to be so important. <BR> <BR>Not only are some of the questions inane or so broad as to be laughable, so many are badly titled. Examples in the first 20 postings as I write: <BR> <BR>&gt;&gt;Germany, switzerland -places to visit.&lt;&lt; <BR>(How many books would they like written online specifically for them?) <BR> <BR>&gt;&gt;directions&lt;&lt; <BR>(For what? To where? Does the writer have any idea what titles are for?) <BR> <BR>&gt;&gt;Hotel recommendations&lt;&lt; <BR>(Where? Looking inside many of these, though not this one, one finds no clue as to the questioner's budget.) <BR> <BR>Finally, &gt;&gt;So disappointing...&lt;&lt; <BR>(What? Who? When? Where? ... Oh, yes, all forum participants can take the time to fetch and read "your" posting ... isn't it silly of Fodors to provide a place for a meaningful title?) <BR> <BR>Your "question", sadly, suggests you're not the problem ... presumably you answer all questions for which you have some knowledge. Since you, sadly, have chosen to post in anonymity we have no idea whether that's true or not. We're left to assume "we're" the problem. <BR> <BR>

FODOR'S Staff: For the new Forum(whenever it returns) an idea.....a brief "how to" that would be a sort of like the "Dummies" book. Very simple instructions in the "hows" and "whys" of the Forum. A Header like "Looking for info,,,,here is how yada yada yada. <BR>It would not hurt, yes? Judy

I find that the "Europe" board is so much more friendly and helpful than the USA board. The US board is loaded with people on politically/politically (in)correct tirades. It's ridiculous. What it has to do with travel I don't know. The Latin American board also has an abundance of advertisers on it, particularly for hotels in Mexico. I'm not saying that because people mention by name certain hotels they like; I'm basing it on the fact that the hotel name is in the respondents' e-mail addresses, and they post the same exact post over and over again--with a link to their website, of course--anytime someone asks the vaguest question about the area. <BR> <BR>I agree that a lot of questions get unnecessary sarcastic responses, but there are a lot more helpful people here than on other travel boards.

I agree with Ed's comments 100%. This board offers almost an infinite amount of usefull information. Too bad so many posters are too lazy to scan through messages regularly and to use the search function! <BR>

One more, here, to agree 100% with Ed. Whenever the new application is operational (and if they don't change the URLs connected with a specific thread too much), it will be possible to reference a post by giving its address, and one may jump directly to that thread with a click. No more need to practice the topping procedure. The old application could be used to that effect too, but once the addresses are too long and as a consequence the pages get enourmously wide. <BR> <BR>Once the ability to jump to a specific thread is operational, one easily reference threads that contain specific info or specifically written FAQs. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

In defense of some of the newbies, when I first found this forum about six months ago I posted a question without first having done a search on my topic (getting to Mont St. Michel) because I didn't realize that I could. Fortunately I received several helpful replies and no sarcasm, which is the main reason that I got hooked on this forum. <BR> <BR>I don't think all posters who repeat a commonly asked question are lazy. Rather, judging from their handles and e-mail addresses, many of them are new users (or at least I've never seen them before) who don't understand how best to utilize the forum to get information. I agree with Paulo that a well-placed FAQ would be of great benefit to new users.