The last of my replies.
 

I looked today and found that I have posted to 600 threads since I started on this board in early 2003. I hope that at least a few of my postings have been of some value even if not unique.

There have been a number of contributors, Janis, Ben and Shiela, in particular, that I
know have been extremely helpful participants with such generous sharing of their knowledge. NYCFS and Thingorjus have brought more than a few smiles with their over the top humor (humour to you, John). I have enjoyed trading opinions with many others.

No more. It has ceased to be fun with the plethora of inane, juvenile, egocentric postings.

Thank you for a good run.

J, thank you for your helpful posts, as well as for your gracious farewell here.
For what it's worth, I'm in agreement with you on all counts.

The current crop of "it's all about me" posters are indeed rather hard to take. I try to skip over their threads, or at least not reply to them and hope that they will sink soon enough.

I began posting here years ago, and have taken several long breaks over this period of time, but return for purposes of researching my own travel. I hope you will do the same.

It's sad to see the decline in the quality of the posts. Jsmith thanks for all of your contributions.

You will be missed. Although I definitely understand. I hope you return...this site needs more good people like yourself.

Even though my Dad has said I've been over the top since childhood, all of what I write here is really me in real time, real life. I know it often gets misconstrued and judged, and many folks will never appreciate my outlook on life or my sense of humor but, at least, I made you chuckle. That's enough reward for me.

I'm flattered you mentioned me, jsmith, because I love making people smile. I'm sorry to see you go. But, I fully understand your feelings about this forum.

Thank you for your contribution and I wish you happy and safe travels, no matter what journey life offers you.

jsmith, I'm sorry to hear that. I, for one will miss you. We need more level headed but polite posters like you.
The gushy and sycophant posts, the full moon trolls seem to be running rampart this year.

rampant!

jsmith, don't let a few silly goofballs run you off. Take a well-deserved break and come back again.

If you have a passion (? obsession? addiction?) for this, no "juvenile" posts will be a deterrent. Been through thick and thin.

Best wishes,

Rex

jsmith, in the two years I've been here there have always been occasional wildcat threads. Some have been vicious, some goofy, some annoying beyond my tolerance. Sometimes I've contributed, or even fanned the flames.

But the nonsense has always been FAR outweighed by the informative, helpful, clever, supportive and and just plain good-spirited posts. Take a break if you must, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Jsmith: Just think of all the bright, witty, amusing posters on this forum. You certainly can ignore the fools...

The attention-seeking threads that seem to abound just now come in cycles. These posts will sink to the bottom where they belong and things here will once again be more normal. I've been coming to this forum for 6 years and I've seen this happen over and over. This is not a perfect place but the quality of information here makes it worth while to keep coming back to learn new things and to share information.

We'll miss you.

adrienne

I agree with adrienne completely. Anyone that has spent a few years on this board has seen these things come and go.

Please don't let the few idiots chase you off. At least things are better over here than on the USA board where a certifiable nut case posts totally fallacious recommendations under about 15 different screen names.

(thanks for the kinds words - but you provide really good advice/insight too. it would be the board's loss if you left)

Why should the valued posters be forced to leave? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

I'm relatively new to the Fodor's Forum, less than a month, and can't begin to calculate the amount of valuable information I have received here. Everyone's tastes and interests are different - that's what makes the information so valuable. Something you don't find in a guide book. If only we could ALL learn to respect each other's opinions. Everyone's experiences are different.

Adrienne - I hope you are correct about these recent nasty threads, and they will "sink to the bottom." Peace.

Robyn

I support your decision.



Oaktown Traveler

I don't think it's "nasty" threads that jsmith is referring to - at least in my experience there haven't been many of those recently. Rather, it's the inane, self-centered, nonsensical, incoherent, topping-to-keep-my-name-up-there posts that seem to have proliferated recently. Whatever the reason, I can understand someone getting discouraged. But I do think it's worth hanging in there. I know I was so discouraged at one point I left - I thought for good - but am glad I came back. This is a valuable resource, and if all the people who make it valuable leave, then it becomes just another dumb website. So, jsmith, I respect your decision but respectfully ask you to reconsider, if not now, then maybe after a period of contemplative separation. Whatever you decide, best to you.

If only folks wouldn't reply to the narcissistic garbage on here; the poster(s) get positive reinforcement for their self absorption.

It is getting tiresome, isn't it? But don't let them chase you away.

Please don't leave!! I don't reply often to threads - only when I know what I'm talking about and it's important to keep views on this board from experienced travellers. However, I appreciate what you're saying and certainly this week has been poor for silly reports - I don't even respond, but keep looking for the questions that really need to be answered. Don't let them run you off!!
Hope to continue to hear from you!!
A friend of a true fodor!!

Too many insulters, spell checkers, phoney posters have driven many away it seems. Why not just ignore the ranters, the fashion police, the school teachers, the wannabe travel writers.

I can completely understsand your position, but please come back after maybe a break. I am mostly a lurker, only adding info when I can contribute intelligently on a topic. I see the garbage and just ignore it. The info people like you contribute is why I keep coming back!

When I first learned of this forum several years ago, the posters at that time were consumed with biting off the heads of those seeking information. When not responding negatively to those posts, they were using the forum to belittle and bite each other in almost a chat room sort of set up. I didn't stick around. I got my information from Frommer's and Rick Steves and a few other boards. But several months ago, someone suggested I check here for an answer to a question. Been posting ever since, quite enjoyably so. Not to mention the wealth of information I have received in return. Now I just ignore the jerks.

Experienced, well-seasoned travellers are what makes Fodor's head and shoulders above the rest. Please give staying a second thought.

If you bail now, the terrorists will have won!

(hyperbole, yes - but you know what I mean)

But if you are still determined to go, what was the straw that broke the camel's back? No need to pussyfoot around -- you have nothing to lose now. I want names!

I'm in absolute agreement with grandmere. Let those inane, juvenile, egocentric, idiotic, garbage-oriented posts sink like rocks. Let's make a pact not to reply to the things. OK?

Go already. Don't be a drama queen and troll for laments. Yours must be one of the more "inane, juvenile, egocentric" trolling I've seen in a while. Although I'm a fan of most trolls, I don't like those who bait their hook with self pity. When you return (and you will) please do so anonymously. The only thing worse than someone who leaves seeking attention, is someone who returns seeking more.

Which nasty posts would drive a person away? I haven't seen anything that bad, did they get deleted?

I think if you see a post you don't like just don't open it, I rarely open the political posts.

Do you mean the funny trip report to Paris? I guess it would be upsetting if you all gave serious advice and then have someone come back and post a report refuting what you suggested. I rarely open the Paris threads, but I guess I answered my own question.

Respectfully asking:

Isn't it a little egocentric to post a thread stating that you aren't going to post any more?

I think you are just doing it in a serious manner, where some others get attention by being silly.

Don't let it bother you (or this post either, just asking a question) just keep posting if you want to.

jsmith, you have helped more than you probably realize with my upcoming trip to England. My wish is that you would continue to contribute your opinions and suggestions to those of us who use this forum for the information that you don't find in travel books. I know there are some absurd posts but there are far, far more helpful and relevant postings than the egocentric ones. Soon they will become bored and go elsewhere for their jollies. Thank you for your help in the past and hopefully for your assitance in the future. Deborah

jsmith,

We are going to miss you and Hope that you will change your mind.

Despite the few attentions seekers that try to monopolized over and over this Forum ,is still an interesting place .
I have learned a lots from some knowledgeable posters..
Until then,
Ciao,
Kismet

I guess I've just got pickeier about what I read. Take a break. It's sometime necessary. But do come back. Please

I've been around for 5 years or so, and I still think this forum is one of the best. People come and go, but the information is consistently top-notch.

Since registration, it's a lot easier to just find threads on areas which I'd like to post (not so many bizarre threads anymore). I don't post as often as I used to, but it's certainly not hard to skip the kooky posts and respond to questions.

And of course, I still come here to fantasize and get information on the next big trip...which I hope will be Scotland. Sheila, I hope after all these years of reading your posts, I will be able to beg for your help sometime in the near future! :)

Mina

why would you have to beg:) And YOU'RE avoiding the bizarre posts???

Well, I like to do things thoroughly. So if I'm gonna ask for help, why not beg? ;)

I haven't read a kooky thread in awhile...more because I actually don't find them!

jsmith,

Hang in there, I don't think they will last if we refuse to take the bait. I stupidly did yesterday and I see the thread this morning and it looks like a teenage chat site. I can see very little travel or interesting things in it. I am starting to thing we have a teenager hijacking the site. Stick around for a while.

P.S. And I thought my spelling was bad...it makes me look great!

The last day or two have been highly annoying. I refused to participate in the Tat/Ziana threads because Tat resembles a particularly demanding and self-absorbed two year old who has to be the center of attention at all times, even if it's "bad" attention, and won't let go. Plus I remember how rudely she treated those who responded sincerely to her pre-trip questions. It's fine to dislike Paris, but to dislike a place because one planned poorly, didn't show a lick of common sense, didn't pay any attention to all the help offered here beforehand, and traveled with a massive chip on her shoulder--well the fault there is with the tourist, not the destination! The only good thing is that people like Tat/Ziana usually have a short attention span and will soon find some other place to disrupt and annoy.
I was really surprised at how many people took Tat's bait. I've made a vow to give more respect and attention to those here who make the effort to file "real" trip reports (as opposed to those that are shouting, like Tat/Ziana, "Look at ME!! Pay attention to ME!! I'm so CLEVER!! Who cares about the destination, everybody focus on ME, ME, ME!!"

Unfortunately, I think a lot of people take some of what is posted entirely too seriously as the post just above mine seems to show. The world will not stop revolving because of anything said here. The secret seems to be to cull the useful from the rest and not let the thing become a centerpiece in your entire existence.

Consider this post as titled "The Last of My Answers" ...

Actually I have left this forum for periods of time, not necesarily having anything to do with this forum. But "announcing" it never occured to me.

I've been on this forum since April 1997 and on the interactive internet since 1994.

As someone who used to research and write about "internet community" -- watching the changes on this forum has been interesting. It has also been interesting to watch Fodor's itself try to figure out what they want and to tame and use the forum for its purposes. It's been a learning curve for us all.

As for us -- before registration some of used to run to management when we saw what we thought was abuse of the forum. ["Daddy --- XYZ pulled my hair!"] Our relationship to our parent, fodor.com, is different now -- instead we test the limits of the rule-setters. Sometimes we police ourselves when we rap someone's cyberknuckles -- sometimes we get a post deleted by "daddy" -- sometime WE get deleted.

Perhaps the "parent" metaphor is not right -- perhaps we are like a guerilla movement testing where the monolith is vulnerable -- testing for consistency and weak spots.

I have been in contact off and on with our forum "parents" and, now that THEY have a better handle on what they are doing with us, the relationship is much smoother... In other words we are where they want us :)

If anyone wants the theory behind this I refer them to Michel Foucault's "Discipline & Punish" as well as works by the French anthropologist Pierre Bourdieu.

The nonsense threads stay near the top for a few days then fade into the archives, hopefully never to be resurrected.

The valid travel information is pulled up through the search function daily, year after year, for those of us who recognize the value of of this unique community.

Don't let a few non-desirables weaken this amazing resource. It's the daily updating of unmatched travel advice that makes Travel Talk so special.

I can't imagine planning a trip without this board. Skip over the nonsense, but don't deny travelers in search of help the information they need to make the most of their journey.

j.

Singletail, I think you are way off base with those smug comments.

This forum is not a yahoo chatroom or some little kiddies hang out. What has made it great is not Tat/Zania-type posts which add nothing and just sow confusion and take up space.

Run the good, informative posters off and all you have left are the silly travel "wannabes" who know very little but say so so much.