So did Fodors delete our Chicgal posting too?

yes, and it looks like we should let this one go...at least I am going to.

Sorry, but I have to ask. Emd, did you get a response from Fodor's?

I emailed them too and will let you know if there's a response. Seems VERY odd. I can understand removing ads or inflammatory posts, but not those that were helpful and informative. I'm sorry I didn't print out Chicgal's tips. A real shame.

Has anyone ever run across her on any other board? I know there are some good local travel boards. New Orleans has, or at least had, one. Yankee Magazine has a very little used one. Does anyone know if there's one for Chicago?

I didn't mean to imply that any of Chicgal's posts were commercial or inflammatory--I was referring to other posts by other posters that crop up from time to time that are obvious ads or personal attacks.
However, there IS a way to view her old posts. Email me privately at
[email protected] and I'll pass on how it's done.

BTilke, I think it was very clear that you were baffled as to why posts as helpful as hers would be removed. And I certainly think we all feel that way.

Someone posted a reply from the editor earlier today. Essentially, Chicgal requested that her posts be removed because of concern that the links which were provided might cause some legal/infringement problems (now I can't remember the exact words - maybe a response for those who missed the information can be added so that we may put this matter to rest).

It seems that there is more to this than meets the eye. Chicgal closed her account. That's all we know. And Fodors doesn't want us to explore it any further because they closed down the prviouse thread. The bottom line, the editors at Fodors only complied with Chicgal's request.

Thanks, seetheworld! It would be good to see the editor's response, as you said, to put this to rest. And, if there was a problem, it would be good to know how the rest of us can avoid the same thing.

Just to clarify...Fodors did not raise the concern (re: the links), Chicgal did.

Still would be good to know what her concerns were. If she feared problems from posting links we should all probably be aware of potential problems.
Hope that makes sense, not sure I worded it well!

People stop posting here all the time. Chicgal might have just wanted to stop posting. Or she could be posting already under a new screen name..people do that daily, why not chicgal?
I agree she is a pleasant and helpful poster, but I do not see the great mystery ..maybe she just decided to stop posting.
I cannot imagine Fodors giving out information on these boards as to why a Fodorite decides to stop posting either.

Hi Scarlett,

The mystery was why fodors deleted ALL of her helpful posts. Sure, people stop posting all the time, but usually their old posts remain, unless they were troublemakers.

I think out of respect for chicgal, we should let this go now. If her concerns about links she provided were so strong that she took the action she did and had herself obliterated here (as described by another poster's response from the editors), then I imagine that she is not thrilled that it is being discussed publically here. Something may have happened to her regarding her concerns, who knows. I think her concerns outweigh ours at this point, and we should let this go for her.

You make a very good point, emd. I hadn't thought of it from that perspective. And I think you're right. However, if Chicgal is aware of this discussion I hope she realizes that the whole thing started because she was appreciated so much. Certainly I don't want to repay her for her help by causing her any trouble. So this is my final word on the subject.

Maybe we should title this"Thank you Chicgal!" I truly wanted to thank her for sending me to restaurants and neighborhoods I never would have found on my own. We will know if she comes back: there will be supremely informative posts on Chicago with exactly the details you need!

Fortunately, I was able to read a bunch of her old Fodors posts last night and this morning on the web and printed them out for future reference. Chicgal, you will be missed--hope you come back soon under another name!