Cameron

Other Fodorites have suggested the idea of a registration process on this site, and up till now I personally have been opposed to it, feeling that it would stifle creativity here.

I'm starting to rethink this. I now think creativity is stifled more by people who choose to attack others, and by people who choose to try and get around the rules of no commercial promotion here. The U.S. forum is often filled with thinly veiled testimonial type marketing for hotels, tours and the like, yet when something different DOES appear, like someone's travel journal or a survey question, it is often attacked. I don't know if certain people are trying to discourage any posts other than those relating to tourism and businesses, or what.

I also visit the A&E channel discussion boards from time to time, and this same problem used to occur until they implemented a registration system. The crackpots, spammers and advertisers have disappeared, and what remains is a core group of genuine, interesting people.

If it worked there, can it work here? Opinions?

Fred Small

We don't need someone like you, or anyone else for that matter, organizing a change for Fodor's. The last person who wanted to enlist our ideas and support actually proposed going to visit the Fodor's office and presenting the demands on our behalf. Think it through before you suggest something like registration. That wouldn't stop the very few attacks that actually occur. You're making this out to be a problem that needs a solution. Just forget about it - this forum can take care of itself. If YOU have an idea, then send it to the Fodor's managers.

Larry

I don't want to see registration. Most of the anon. "attack" posts seem to usually appear on threads that have very little to do with the main function of this forum (which is to provide travelers answers). If you post a thread that opines that wheeled luggage is annoying or that American parents are crazy because they protect their children from sex but not violence, guess what, you are going to get flamed by the anons. But ask what is a good hotel to stay at and what to do when staying in Cape May, New Jersey, and you are sure to get some quality replies with NO "crackpots, spammers, and advertisers". But my best argument against registration comes from your own words, that the A&E channel board now was "a core group of genuine, intersting people". That sounds like a clique to me. I don't want this board to dwindle to a "core group", let it stay open, and let the wacko posts roll off your back.

Travelbug

I have always advocated registration on this forum. If someone opposes it, what are they afraid of? The real travelers here would register without a second thought, they have nothing to hide and no hidden agenda, only a desire to help others without trying to profit from it.

People who come across as nasty as the first guy make me wonder what he's so worried about. And isn't the second guy an habitual Hawaii "contributor"? Two vehement NOs from people who have reason to want to stay anonymous and unfettered. I'll vote for it, any time.

nanci

Geezus people, calm down! This is exactly what Cameron is talking about; post a survey and ask a question and promptly get slammed. There's no need for this, and if registration would make it stop, yippee! This board could stand a return to civility, in my opinion.

Urban

This forum is like that great neighborhood you once lived in. When you first moved in it was beautiful, friendly neighbors, and everyone helped each other out. As time went on, some less friendly people moved in, then later, some downright violent ones. Your once outgoing and friendly neighbors started staying behind closed doors and didn't venture out for fear of the violence. Your once lovely street became covered with strip malls, billboards, hand bills, sandwich boards, flashing neon lights, 20 foot signs, all advertising something or other. The good neighbors eventually packed up and left, leaving the billboards, flashing neons, and violent neighbors behind in a disintegrating place. But you still remember the way it used to be and wish it could be that way again.

The billboards and violent neighbors have moved into Fodor's just as surely, and many formerly outgoing neighbors retreated behind fake e-mails, or left altogether. The spammers and profit-seekers are nailing their handbills to the telephone poles and putting up giant billboards here every day. The place is changing, and not for the better.

But it's not too late. Registration is that great police department you wish you had in your old neighborhood, the one that could have prevented the decline if they had ever done anything.

George

IMO, the forum has become a free for all for travel agents, spammers, trolls etc. Registration would eliminate that, and there is a way that it could be done to hide email addys and to protect those who want "anonymity."

J.L.

I like the idea of registration because I wouldn't have to give out my e-mail unless I wanted to, and it would eliminate the types of ongoing spams, slams and sales that this Forum was never intended for. Fodor's should really clue in on the amount of promotion that goes on here, they could be making these agencies and busineses pay to advertise here. Instead they are just bombarding the board every day and chasing away the few good travelers who WERE here giving tips without pretending to be your friend for profit.

I think Fodor's should start requiring people to register. Lots of sites do, it really does get help screen out the unwanted posts from loonies and salespeople. Or should I say looney salespeople?

Allegori

I completely agree with registration. Fodors would never do it, but I believe they should. It might:

1) rid use of our emails for spam and porno purposes;and we wouldn't have to even make up an email address to avoid said spams

2) possibly avoid travel agents and those attempting to thinly veil their real purpose on this forum.

These are but two of the things. I say registration.

Sal

Yes--registration is a very good idea for most of the reasons listed above.

dot

I don't think we should register for this forum. You don't have to read comments that bother you.

here at

YES to registration. Thank you Cameron for re-visiting the idea. The parable above describing the urban nightmare this board is becoming is so true. We once had such a lovely neighborhood, but now it's slams, bashes, and histrionic repetitions of the urban legend that all Hawaii posters are travel agents. It's ridiculous, but just for safety, I'll post anonymously.

Jesse

I checked out the A&E site registration, just to see what it was like, and it actually seemed pretty cool. Here's what I personally liked about it:

1. You sign up using your e-mail address and choose a name or nickname that is uniquely yours -- if your name is Sam and someone else has chosen that, you have to be SamR. or somthing else. *No one can impersonate you or post with your name.* You may view all responses at any time, but you cannot post unless you sign in. *You cannot slam and spam anonymously.*

2. You have the option of creating a profile for yourself, which is available by clicking on your new user name. You may list as little or as much information as you like, including your e-mail address, web address, hobbies, etc. If you choose to leave the profile blank, that's fine. But *you log in with just your profile name and a password, no e-mail address necessary at all* (or available unless you choose to make it so).

3. You may send private messages through the site to another registered member. *This allows you to communicate privately with someone away from the board, without either of you having to disclose your e-mail address. If someone spams or sends an advertisement to you as a private message, you may immediately complain to the web host, and because the sender must be REGISTERED with the site to send you the message, the web host can issue warnings or delete an offensive poster.*
Wouldn't THAT be nice here??

So basically, plenty of opportunity to communicate both publicly and privately without revealing your e-mail address, PLUS a way for the web host to deal immediately and effectively with those who try to violate the rules of spamming and advertising.

Sounds like a real solution to some of the problems we've had here recently.

J T Kirk

Normally, I would be opposed to registration. The term "registration" seems to smack of Big Brother. However, after reading the post above re: A&E registration, I'm no longer opposed. If it is done similar to the way A&E does it, I would support registration. In fact, I think it would be a GOOD idea.

Larry

Hey, travelbug:
Larry here. Regarding your post about me being anonymous and a habitual hawaii poster, I just tried to send you an email using the address you gave. What a suprise, it was returned as a bad address!
.......and then the pot said: "Ha, ha, kettle, you are black!"......

Jerry

Registration becomes pretty labor-intensive so I don't figure Fodor's will want to do it. They count on "drop-ins" in all the parts of their site.

BUT I favor it, assuming it really would screen out the ones mucking things up -- the promoters and bad-mouths. Wouldn't bother me a bit and I like the sound of A&E's set-up. I admit, I'm checking in less and less frequently because I get tired of the squabbles and flaming, etc.

Cindy

I'm against registration, partly because I don't want anyone to have my e-mail address, not even Fodors. I also don't think Fodors would want to have to referee all of these playground fights. "So-and-so said something mean about me!" "So-and-so is using my name!" "So-and-so is a wicked travel agent!" "So-and-so is not sticking strictly to travel!" When the dust settles, these are all small things. On the other hand, I think registration would make the site way too clubby for my tastes, so I vote no.

Al Gore

I am strongly in favor of anonymous posting. In fact, Tipper and I invented anonymous posting.

Let me tell you how my opponent and I differ on this important issue. Under my plan, Fodorites would be permitted to post under ficticious names. My plan would therefore allow posters with a sense of humor to create clever posts or even entire threads. A recent example of this is Clara and Herb on the Europe board.

My opponent, having no sense of humor and having no sense, would abolish such threads. Under his plan, fake threads and trolls would be squandered in a wreckless scheme to benefit the top one percent. But under my plan, the entertainment value of Fodors would be placed in an iron-clad lockbox. I pledge to the American people that, if elected, I will shrink the size of Fodors, and I will only open the lockbox annually on April Fool's day.

TJB

I agree with Larry (second post after original). We don't need registration. As Larry said, the flames usually only come out on the posts that are only vaguely related to travel. They don't come out (usually) when you ask a legitimate travel question. I say leave things as they are. You can tell by the title of the post if it's going to be strictly travel or if it's likely to fall prey to attackers. Just skip it! Jeeezz. How many times does this subject have to be brought up?

whatsyourproblem

I just skimmed through the posts from the last couple of days and besides a couple stupid ones on snoring, toilets, etc, I didn't see anything that was too unrelated to travel or any that were attacking, slamming or flaming. I didn't read every one so maybe I missed all these troublesome posts. Could you tell me which ones are causing you so much pain that you want to have registration for this site. Or are you just bored and wanted to get something started?