Is it just me or is this board getting less helpful?
 

Has anyone else noticed this? I posted earlier today to get some firsthand restaurant recommendations and someone told me to try Zagats on-line. Puhleez! I've noticed this a lot latesly. If anyone else says something along the lines of "get a guidebook" in response to a question, I'm going to start sending them nasty e-mail. Of course, none of them give a real e-mail address, so nevermind.

No, I don't think the board is getting less useful. Sometimes people just don't know the answer, so you don't get anything helpful. <BR> <BR>As for people who just refer you to a guidebook, this can be frustrating. After all, we are all looking for first-hand, real-world advice, not a guidebook. But on the other hand, at least the person didn't tell you to "Get a life", so I guess you're ahead, and at least the person topped your post for you.

Well Sandy, <BR>You make me afraid to give you any suggestions at all, lest I get nasty emails. Kind of kills all incentive. <BR>You have the honor of being the first post in which I have NOT used my true email addy.

I think rudeness is ruling on the board. Maybe it's a carryover from all the political postings we were getting, but a lot of us have lost our civility. I'm tired of the bashing. My guess is around 80% of the posts get nasty comments. For an open forum that kids could read, it not appropriate for the foul language, name calling, etc.

I find this board extremely helpful. I've used it for several vacations over the past 2 years, and everyone has been great. <BR> <BR>Kathy <BR>

The problem is everyone is jumping on the controversial threads and ignoring the real travel questions! The real questions are getting shoved to the bottom or the next page where they are not getting answered. I agree with the above poster, the boards are getting extremely rude. I think that has to do with the anonymity of posting on here. If some type of registration were required, I think you would find the rudeness gone.

TOPPING A 2001 THREAD

This is not the one I found a few days ago, but the comments are very interesting anyway.

&quot;If some type of registration were required, I think you would find the rudeness gone.&quot;

That's kinda funny.

Hi 01/10/2001.

I think that for the most part the quality of the information is equal to the quality of the inquiry (e.g. vague questions get vague answers).

What I've noticed that I find discouraging is that some frequent visitors to this site feel it is their responsibiity to disparage, belittle, question, and otherwise berate suggestions made by others. I'm surprised they haven't been shaped up, weeded out, or otherwise had the wind let out of their sails.

&quot;Hi 01/10/2001. &quot;

Uhh.. you do realize that was the date of the initial post and not somebody's name, don't you?

:-)

I hope my comment was more helpful. :)

I think you are noticing the missing posters who were so wonderfully helpful who ended up banned last year. Many of them were widely traveled and most helpful.

The banning also seemed to 'let the steam out' of alot of other posters as well.

Well you have to admit it's kind of funny seeing a five and a half year old post suggesting the board is getting less helpful, when so many have been suggesting the same thing recently -- as if it is something new.

It's just you . . . whether in 2001 or 2006 . . . :))

we just took an incredible vacation where 99% of the info came from this forum. It was, and has always been, extremely helpful to me!!! :)

Weasel: Oops! Nice point! ;)

I completely agree with the last 6 posts!

It's interesting to see that complainers tend to be a timeless lot.

so do the bitc*es L84SKY!

The &quot;what to do in D.C.&quot; threads do get boring, along with the &quot;where to stay in NYC&quot; so the psychological questions about travel are much more interesting.

Well, if someone sends me a link, I thank them and then ask again. &quot;Does anyone else have dining ideas for me? I like small local spots with xxxxx food in xxxx proce range&quot;. Just get more specific in your questions, and you probably won't get a general link. I find this board very helpful.

I have to be dense--don't jump on that too quick!! But Starrsville, why DID you top this thread?

Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.

My 2 centavos:
I know it's an old thread, but it is an universal whine isn't it!
I think this board is amazing. I also ask questions before trips and every single time I have had some information that has made the trip better, more interesting. Sure, I asked the odd question that nobody replied to and I've been advised to &quot;Google the subject&quot; (that's the least helpful as I'm doing that continually!).

But people show their finest colours and rise to the occasion by sharing their tips, ideas and stories.

I have 4 or 5 threads going now and have just posted one trip report to try to keep the help going around.

Kudos for Fodorites! Long may we reign!

And also a toast to those who used to be here and are gone. CHEERS!

Some are no longer on this earth, and have taken the ultimate trip. Others have just moved to kinder climes.

Gretchen, why did starrsville top this post?

Because she likes to point fingers at everybody else except herself?

Ahem, didn't redibo sign on just to trash Starrsville on the Europe board?

First time poster with one post?

And, redibo's back to trash Starrsville?

Who is redibo?

I don't think the board is getting less helpful.

But, sometimes I think people do need to be told to get a guidebook.

If they're true newbies to travel, they may really not know where to find the most basic resources.

And if they're too lazy to look at a guidebook themselves - I think telling them to do so is perfectly valid. (There was one poster who wanted the board to put together a minute by minute itinerary including hotels, sights, restaurants, train times and costs etc - as if we were a travel agency.)

There's a difference between asking for advice - and sometimes in a general way is perfectly valid - and asking people to do all your work for you. In that instance I think heading someone towards the right resouces is perfectly correct.

It's non-travel posts like this one (that violate the TOS) that make this forum less useful.

Editors? Do your thing!

redibo's gone

<b>redibo</b> is a perfect example of a poster that registers a new screen name for the sole purpose of posting something disagreeable..then cancels it..then goes back to its original screen name..or gets a new on and so on and so on ......

So with all the fussing and whining about nasty posters and humour getting on ones nerves and pups having to pee, here is something that really does require a complaint.
Or in my case, another chocolate and a walk with Pup ((F))
Hi suze!!

Dang, seems like discontent is a common topic lately!

I am sorry, sandy, that you had to experience the dreaded &quot;google it&quot; response.

Ignore those comments...usually posters will start responding with different and more helpful comments. As for the zagat online, many people are fans of zagat, so they could just be such a fan for it that they recommend it right off the bat. For instance, I got the recommendation on here to use tripadvisor and I am sooo grateful for that link! I get to see how all different types of hotels are rated by real people.

:)

This post is from 2001 birthdaygirl. Surely Sandy has gotten over it by now. And Google is a wonderful tool.

I changed my handle for a specific reason. And I would really appreciate it if we kept the handle I am using now. I would sincerely appreciate your help in this. thank you.

Wait a second, are you NOT celebrating a birthday in December?? You have mentioned it in every single post!!!

No need to argue. Thank you.

Argue? Really?

I thought I was stating a fact.

Ps....I still gots a while to go before the big b-day and I am trying to enjoy every single day that I am still in my 20s. :) No need to rush the aging process....ha ha!

Aging is not about a number. You are only as young as you feel. :)

My partner has a great Tshirt he loves to wear. It says
&quot;Growing old is mandatory.
Growing up is optional.&quot;