Earlier today, there was a lively, although civil, discussion at this site regarding the finer points of advertising vs. offering unbiased traveler opinions. This discussion seems to have vanished from Fodors. Does anyone know if it was relocated? Was it removed? Has this site, which I have found in the past to informative, entertaining, and even somewhat provocative, become as watered down and useless as a copy of a Fodors guidebook? Please advise.

Yes, that would be a shame if an intelligent discourse between people who respectfully disagree with each other was censored and deleted by "big brother".

What is also a shame is that we have not heard from Neta in a few days. That is truly a loss to this board.

Neta

Please write and say Hi to all of us.

As you can see we miss you even when you are gone for a day.

Percy

Is the site you are looking for entitled

"Neta is Amazing ,Thank You ."

because it is still on this board, just scroll down.

Percy

Percy,
I think that post is what started the line of discussion, but the post that continued it was named "The 1st amendment is amazing too." (or something to that effect).

lvk is correct. I find it appalling that Fodors would choose to remove the discussion. I can understand moving it to the Other Topics forum as it was more of a philosophical discussion about the rights and responsibilities of those who post to this board, but to remove it entirely is censorship of the worst kind. Granted, this is Fodors space and they can use it however they wish, but by removing these kinds of discussions, they've so diminished the value and integrity of this forum that I no longer wish to be a part of it. It's kind of ironic that what Fodors hoped to avoid by not allowing advertising they have accomplished through their own censorship. See you on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree.
Terri

Percy,
Neta is probably not going to feel welcome on this board anymore. What were pure intentions on her part were severely criticized both personally and on this board. However, her e-mail address can certainly remain available occasionally for those who could use some help in planning their travels!

Sorry guys

I guess I did not see the posting you are referring to which means it must have been removed quickly.
If Fodors took this off Shame On Them.

What Fodors could and should have done is give us all an explanation about their rules on advertising.
What is the big deal.?

You could say I am advertising for Oscar because I keep saying how much I enjoyed him.

I would like to know the rules Fodors has in place.

Ivk....sorry I did not get to read the posting.

shillmac:

Neta was like a little breath of fresh air on this board.
I for one miss her comments already and how eager she always was to do her best to try and help.

I have her e-mail and we stay in touch .

Hi Again Terri:

What is the website for Lonely Planet.

Neta:

We all miss you very much

Percy

Hi Percy:

I will miss Neta's postings too. I've had the pleasure of communicating with Neta via e-mail as well as through this board and agree wholeheartedly with Shillmac that Neta has only the best intentions. In fact, I noticed that she made a concerted effort, once aware of Fodors policy, to not promote her finca. The website for Lonely Planet is www.lonelyplanet.com. Click on "Thorn Tree" for the travel forums. I also use www.discoverypress.com, www.virtualtourist.com, www.frommers.com, and www.costaricapages.com. I would love to hear of any boards that others have found useful.

TAGriffin,
I think the only relatively active one you missed in English is the Associated Citizens of Costa Rica http://forums.arcr.net/
Bootsnall http://boards.bootsnall.com/ and Greenspuns board at http://www.photo.net/bboard/forum.tcl?topic_id=25 get sporadic bursts of activity.

There are some other good ones in German, French, Dutch and of course Spanish if you are interested.

Hi

There is another site that deals with Costa Rica messages only.
www.costaricamapguide.com and then click on bulleting board.

Boy oh boy, I just wish I would have read the posting before it was removed.

Good night all
Percy

Percy:

Just want to give you heads up on a couple of forums that were mentioned above.

Frommer's seems to finally be gaining some popularity since I started going there awile back, so you might want to check it out.

The Thorn Tree is very good for some info. but it is geared towards backpackers. So you might not get some of the responses that you might here, since I know how you like to travel.

I will have to check out Discovery Press, didn't know about that one.

Although I have no clue to what is going on (even though Percy e-mailed me)and since I stopped answering questions on Costa Rica, I hope that everything works out for everyone involved.

Percy,
You asked about rules that Fodors has in place. You can see them if you click on the tiny red rules in the upper left hand corner then follow the FAQ link. The rule that was quoted in the missing first amendment post was

"Can I promote my business or organization on your forums?
No, absolutely not. Fodors.com is one of the few major sites where travelers can come for unbiased, independent information about travel. Since our travel writers can't be everywhere at once, it's important that travelers be able to use our forums to get fresh-from-the-field updates and advice from other travelers. Please respect the integrity of Fodors.com and our forums, and find another way to advertise your business or organization."

I suspected that the post wouldn't last long, so I saved (at least part of)it. Since I don't suppose it would be appropriate to repost it, e-mail me and I'll forward it to you.

ray@costarica-guide:

I will e-mail you for the partiallist you have.

Sorry I do not have a company nor an organization, I do not have anything to advertise on Fodors,other than comments about my trip there and then only for those regions that I visited.

I will read the rules on Fodors but I am a tourist like everyone else.

To be honest I do not recall reading about anyone advertising their company or organization on Fodors.

I will e mail you now
Thank you

Percy

ray

oops ....sorry,I just read the rules and I see that you were just stating what was on the rules category.

I thought that you were directing a message to me and my(??!!!) company or organization( which I do not have) ,when in fact you were not, and only stating what Fodors wrote on their rules.

Please accept my humble apology for even thinking otherwise.

Sometimes my brain does not click into everything I read in the proper manner

Thanks
Percy

Sorry Percy if you got the impression that I thought you were breaking the quoted rule. That was not my intention.

You expressed curiosity I was just trying to satisfy it.

No offense taken, and apology accepted.

Sometimes my fingers do not write what my brain is thinking!