I've been noticing a lot of general postings lately for information that could be found by searching the forum archives. Many of these general questions ("Where to stay in Tuscany?") aren't getting many responses as people have posted long thoughtful answers in the past and probably just can't be bothered to do it again. <BR> <BR>So if you're looking for general information search the site first, then post more specific questions and I'll think you'll get more, richer responses.

Elizabeth----you have made a great point on your post! The wealth of info already posted on this forum is stagering, yet a lot of the same questions continue to appear day in and day out. In answering inquiries, I have answered the same question(s) twice, sometimes even three times, but I won't more than that to be honest with you. Case in points are hotels suggestions for Paris, Venice, Rome, and London, and/or what to do in Paris/London, etc... I suggest to the Fodor's staff that there should be a subcategory from this Europe' Forum just for Hotel Suggestions.

Yes, it's a disgrace !! ...no actually...I am not going to comment on this one...except to say that if it's Paris Hotels one is interested in then do a search.

I agree. Good idea....

I have seen the same thing on other sites, and a lot of times the ones doing it are likely fairly new to the site. Maybe Fodors could place a reminder on each page to search before posting. Unfortunately, the search box alone doesn't seem to do it. I too try to respond as much as possible, but it does get tiring. At least Fodors fixed some of the posting problems, so I don't have to type the same thing over and over because the responses disappeared into thin air.

I agree that it is tiring to see the same general questions keep popping up, but as Dan points out, these are new people and they don't know what has been asked and answered (sometimes many times). I've got into the habit of replying and telling the people to do a search without repeating my, sometimes, lengthy replies to the same question before. <BR> <BR>I think it is a good idea to have Fodor's point out to new comers that their question may have been asked and answered before and suggest they do a search, first, before posting their question. <BR> <BR>Perhaps Fodors could post a list of the most asked or general type of questions which the new comer could just click on to see the responses, i.e., for Paris or Rome hotels or transportation from the airports to town or should you rent a car or take the trains or for doing laundry or for restaurants, or for ATM vs credit cards vs traveller checks, etc.

My new favorite thread, I'm bringing it to the top.

Me too. I guess newbies don't know what that search box will do for them. <BR>They should experiment and search. <BR>Loads of good stuff out there by some very well informed people. <BR>

xxxx

bringing it to the top