Should Fodor's Require Registration Here? Pros & Cons
Nov 2nd, 2000, 12:36 PM
#81
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Christine is totally correct. The pro-registration crowd (actually, I think it is just a few folks who keep bringing this thread up under different names) seems to think registration would impact rudeness. Not for me, it wouldn't. Usually, I post under my own name. Now and then, I'll be a little harsh with someone, and I do it anonymously so I don't get the blame but the point still gets made. If there were registration, I would just get a free yahoo e-mail address and use that ID to speak bluntly. So registration has significant disadvantages (as Christine points out) and few advantages.
Nov 3rd, 2000, 05:39 PM
#83
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Posts: n/a
Interesting points Christina, and I enjoy your posts whether I agree with you or not. However, if you already know that Fodor's is using DoubleClick, and that this data gathering business is under the scrutiny of the feds, why do you keep posting here if you're as concerned about privacy as you claim? How much worse can Fodor's get then, according to you? Wouldn't it be more honest of them to ask for registration up front rather than trying to veil the nature of their data collection techniques?
Anyone who visits a business web site has to realize by now, year 2000, that there is no such thing as a free lunch. I don't think most people are as naive about the internet as you would like to believe they are. Fodor's is no doubt gathering info to sell on direct marketing lists and tracking hits in order to establish their advertising rates. So is just about every other business site.
I host four websites and I have stealth tracking on every single one of them, even though they are just my own hobby sites. But I know what kind of operating systems my visitors are using, their e-mail addresses, locations, how they arrived at my sites, you name it, all because my tracking systems provide that information for me. I didn't have to have a giant business web site to do it.
Registration would be a more open and honest process, don't you think, than clandestinely gathering e-mails for direct marketing purposes. I have one problem with Fodor's current set-up, and that is the hidden identity and nature of so many posters. If I could click on someone's name for their profile and see that, oh yes, they are in fact a travel agent, so I'll take their advice with that knowledge, and not wonder if they are someone who is pretending to be my best pal here because they want to sell me something.
The current design of this forum only encourages false and misleading posts from advertisers who are here to sell something but pretend that they are not, because they don't want their posts deleted for violating the no commercialism rule. I say, let everyone post here free and unencumbered, as long as you as you disclose the true nature of your presence on your profile. If you are a travel agent, you must state that. Great, then get on with the posts! I would venture to say that it can only benefit both the business people and the non-business people who come to this site by disclosing the true nature of the posts and the sources.
Good debate, enjoyed reading it. Well, most of it.
Anyone who visits a business web site has to realize by now, year 2000, that there is no such thing as a free lunch. I don't think most people are as naive about the internet as you would like to believe they are. Fodor's is no doubt gathering info to sell on direct marketing lists and tracking hits in order to establish their advertising rates. So is just about every other business site.
I host four websites and I have stealth tracking on every single one of them, even though they are just my own hobby sites. But I know what kind of operating systems my visitors are using, their e-mail addresses, locations, how they arrived at my sites, you name it, all because my tracking systems provide that information for me. I didn't have to have a giant business web site to do it.
Registration would be a more open and honest process, don't you think, than clandestinely gathering e-mails for direct marketing purposes. I have one problem with Fodor's current set-up, and that is the hidden identity and nature of so many posters. If I could click on someone's name for their profile and see that, oh yes, they are in fact a travel agent, so I'll take their advice with that knowledge, and not wonder if they are someone who is pretending to be my best pal here because they want to sell me something.
The current design of this forum only encourages false and misleading posts from advertisers who are here to sell something but pretend that they are not, because they don't want their posts deleted for violating the no commercialism rule. I say, let everyone post here free and unencumbered, as long as you as you disclose the true nature of your presence on your profile. If you are a travel agent, you must state that. Great, then get on with the posts! I would venture to say that it can only benefit both the business people and the non-business people who come to this site by disclosing the true nature of the posts and the sources.
Good debate, enjoyed reading it. Well, most of it.
Nov 4th, 2000, 03:30 PM
#87
Guest
Posts: n/a
Yes, why in the world would anyone with a business to promote want to advertise at no charge on one of the largest, most heavily visited travel sites on the net?
OF COURSE they would plug their agencies, their services, their suppliers, their friends' businesses, you name it! They're all doing it right now, and they only deny it because they know they'll be kicked off the board for admitting it. They hide behind all the phony multiple "Joe Traveler in Hawaii" posts because they CAN'T advertise openly. If the no promotions rule did not exist, this site would just become a giant billboard travel agencies. Been to the Frommer's site recently? Check it out and see if that's what you would like Fodor's to be. It's already a giant billboard for time shares, travel agents and sheisters.
Count on travel agents like SharonM to jump on the registration bandwagon when someone suggests that everyone should be "free and unencumbered" with their posts! She'd be opposed to it unless she gets to pitch and advertise openly! Whoopee! Why don't the travel agents sell their services on their OWN sites and stop abusing the hospitality of this one?
I like the idea of registration, but I am still against allowing commercial promotion.
OF COURSE they would plug their agencies, their services, their suppliers, their friends' businesses, you name it! They're all doing it right now, and they only deny it because they know they'll be kicked off the board for admitting it. They hide behind all the phony multiple "Joe Traveler in Hawaii" posts because they CAN'T advertise openly. If the no promotions rule did not exist, this site would just become a giant billboard travel agencies. Been to the Frommer's site recently? Check it out and see if that's what you would like Fodor's to be. It's already a giant billboard for time shares, travel agents and sheisters.
Count on travel agents like SharonM to jump on the registration bandwagon when someone suggests that everyone should be "free and unencumbered" with their posts! She'd be opposed to it unless she gets to pitch and advertise openly! Whoopee! Why don't the travel agents sell their services on their OWN sites and stop abusing the hospitality of this one?
I like the idea of registration, but I am still against allowing commercial promotion.
Nov 5th, 2000, 09:46 AM
#88
Guest
Posts: n/a
er, NM,
Can you site anywhere I've ever tried to promote anything? I have freely admited to being a travel agent. It's what I do for a living. If I were an architect and it was relevant to the question, I would freely admit to being an architect.
I am for registration to eliminate the "no names" that seem to have some pretty serious mental problems, and who refuse to be responsible for their own postings and nastiness.
Try reading some of my posts. Most of them are in the Europe Forum.
Can you site anywhere I've ever tried to promote anything? I have freely admited to being a travel agent. It's what I do for a living. If I were an architect and it was relevant to the question, I would freely admit to being an architect.
I am for registration to eliminate the "no names" that seem to have some pretty serious mental problems, and who refuse to be responsible for their own postings and nastiness.
Try reading some of my posts. Most of them are in the Europe Forum.
Nov 5th, 2000, 08:25 PM
#89
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dear Fodors:
This forum has reached a new low. On the Europe forum there'an interesting discussion going on about people that have posted their own web site. At least they are keeping it polite and relevant.
I'm absolutely convinced that there's only one or two nut cases out there with four-year old bathroom humour that are spoiling it for the rest of us. Have these people EVER BEEN ANYWHERE???
REGISTRATION PLEASE!!!!!
This forum has reached a new low. On the Europe forum there'an interesting discussion going on about people that have posted their own web site. At least they are keeping it polite and relevant.
I'm absolutely convinced that there's only one or two nut cases out there with four-year old bathroom humour that are spoiling it for the rest of us. Have these people EVER BEEN ANYWHERE???
REGISTRATION PLEASE!!!!!
Nov 7th, 2000, 12:48 PM
#91
Guest
Posts: n/a
You wanna play, I'll play.
I never was in favor of forced registration, but now I know that it is a necessary evil in contolling the amount of garbage that one has to wade through in an attempt to get good advice in this forum.
The logical result of registration is to stop people from hiding behind fake email addresses and bullshit names. You wanna make a comment, positive or negative, then be willing to face whatever response that comment evokes, as well as censure if your comments are inappropriate.
Registration won't stop people from visiting this forum. Registration shouldn't stop people from veiwing threads and getting good advice. All it will do is require valid email addresses for those who want to post new threads and replies so there is someone to answer for the inappropriate comments that seem to infect this forum.
I never was in favor of forced registration, but now I know that it is a necessary evil in contolling the amount of garbage that one has to wade through in an attempt to get good advice in this forum.
The logical result of registration is to stop people from hiding behind fake email addresses and bullshit names. You wanna make a comment, positive or negative, then be willing to face whatever response that comment evokes, as well as censure if your comments are inappropriate.
Registration won't stop people from visiting this forum. Registration shouldn't stop people from veiwing threads and getting good advice. All it will do is require valid email addresses for those who want to post new threads and replies so there is someone to answer for the inappropriate comments that seem to infect this forum.
Nov 7th, 2000, 01:05 PM
#92
Guest
Posts: n/a
O.K. Sharon, we'll take you up on your little challenge. The following self-promotional quotes are brought to you by SharonM, the Pensacola travel agent who NEVER promotes herself or her business on Fodor's!!!! Commissions? She doesn't even know what they are! She's just providing her e-mail address because she's not a coward, not because she wants you to e-mail her after she described what she can do for you or anything. Oh no. See, that would be promotion and she NEVER does that!
From the European forum:
"Well, if you live around Pensacola, Florida, I'm a travel agent..."
and....
"I do all my arrangements myself.
... and, yes, I'm a travel agent...
If you have the time and inclination, planning your own trip can be very
informative and fun. Naturally, I cannot spend days and days and hours upon
hours finding the "perfect" hotel for $60.00 a night for clients, especially without charging a service charge. After 15 years in this business though, I may have some pretty good suggestions and knowledge. While it IS true that these days we primarily stay in business due to cruise and tour bookings, we also offer our experience and expertise in these, as well as many other areas of travel. We are not responsible for weather, late flights, rude people, bad food, fights with your boyfriend, etc, etc... Bottom line is if we do a good job, people come back. Peregrine, sounds like you either did not have a very good agent or did not stress your needs adequately... If and when various problems do occur, a (good) agent will do what they can to find out what can be done to remedy the situation. You may have to pay a $15.00-$20.00 service fee, but in the end you might save hundreds and save hours of time doing so. It's up to you."
From the European forum:
"Well, if you live around Pensacola, Florida, I'm a travel agent..."
and....
"I do all my arrangements myself.
... and, yes, I'm a travel agent...
If you have the time and inclination, planning your own trip can be very
informative and fun. Naturally, I cannot spend days and days and hours upon
hours finding the "perfect" hotel for $60.00 a night for clients, especially without charging a service charge. After 15 years in this business though, I may have some pretty good suggestions and knowledge. While it IS true that these days we primarily stay in business due to cruise and tour bookings, we also offer our experience and expertise in these, as well as many other areas of travel. We are not responsible for weather, late flights, rude people, bad food, fights with your boyfriend, etc, etc... Bottom line is if we do a good job, people come back. Peregrine, sounds like you either did not have a very good agent or did not stress your needs adequately... If and when various problems do occur, a (good) agent will do what they can to find out what can be done to remedy the situation. You may have to pay a $15.00-$20.00 service fee, but in the end you might save hundreds and save hours of time doing so. It's up to you."
Nov 7th, 2000, 02:07 PM
#93
Guest
Posts: n/a
Notacommercial:
Don't be inane.
I'm not sure what the first quote was from, but presumably it was in context to what the question was (nice editing). The 2nd post was in response to the question "Do you book your own travel or use a travel agent?" (obviously that was before I was ever aware that travel agents are dirt...) So, yeah... I'm a travel agent and I live in Pensacola and my name is Sharon. So? There are entire threads asking what people do and where they live! I don't own my business, don't get commission (I'm salaried) and could care less for your business. (Actually, I wouldn't WANT your business!) Your editing is quite specific and deceptive.
I see you either did not get around to reading my travel responses regarding languages, travel experiences, customs, etc...or, perhaps actual travel does not interest you.
Again, I really don't wish to argue with you any more. I came into this thread saying I was for registration and why. That's all.
Don't be inane.
I'm not sure what the first quote was from, but presumably it was in context to what the question was (nice editing). The 2nd post was in response to the question "Do you book your own travel or use a travel agent?" (obviously that was before I was ever aware that travel agents are dirt...) So, yeah... I'm a travel agent and I live in Pensacola and my name is Sharon. So? There are entire threads asking what people do and where they live! I don't own my business, don't get commission (I'm salaried) and could care less for your business. (Actually, I wouldn't WANT your business!) Your editing is quite specific and deceptive.
I see you either did not get around to reading my travel responses regarding languages, travel experiences, customs, etc...or, perhaps actual travel does not interest you.
Again, I really don't wish to argue with you any more. I came into this thread saying I was for registration and why. That's all.
Nov 8th, 2000, 10:37 AM
#95
Guest
Posts: n/a
Previously, I have been against registration( privacy, big brother, etc). After I was accused of being a travel agent because I reccomended a specific hotel, I've changed my mind. I'll register
I have obtained much useful, first hand info on this board that I have used in planning several trips. I haven't used a travel agent in years because I found I can do a better job on my own.
My fear is that if people are accused of being travel agents because of specific reccomendations....people will abandon this board..and we will discourage the very info that I am seeking.
Sometimes I wonder how many people on this board really travel.
I have obtained much useful, first hand info on this board that I have used in planning several trips. I haven't used a travel agent in years because I found I can do a better job on my own.
My fear is that if people are accused of being travel agents because of specific reccomendations....people will abandon this board..and we will discourage the very info that I am seeking.
Sometimes I wonder how many people on this board really travel.
Feb 14th, 2001, 02:27 PM
#98
Guest
Posts: n/a
just one comment...I have been posting on this board for well over a year now, and I always us my real e mail addy..in all that time I have received Zero spams,and I can count on one hand ANY e mails I have received due to my posting here. Those being follow up questions to a answer I gave.
So people lets get real...some worry too much..
oh and I know,your saying .he didnt use his real one this time *W* thats ok next time
So people lets get real...some worry too much..
oh and I know,your saying .he didnt use his real one this time *W* thats ok next time
