More and more I see people posting responses to questions about where to stay or what to do saying, "do a search", or "I'm surprised you're having trouble finding information." Yes, most of us know how to do a search and find infinite lists of hotels, restaurants, and activities, but I thought the purpose of this forum was to get some personal insight and opinions. When someone asks for a place to stay on South Beach, what they really want is someone to say, "we stayed at______ and the staff was so friendly, the rooms were exceptional", etc. Or "we found the most wonderful little restaurant around the corner from _______". These are the answers one doesn't find by looking at a web site. Am I wrong? Before I get blasted for this post, let me say I agree that sometimes people should do a search within Fodors for previous opinions about certain areas. What I am mainly talking about is people posting the names of other web sites and saying, "there are whole lists of hotels there."

Patrick, I have noticed the same thing. I have decided to adopt a positive attitude, so I attribute it to people wanting to help, but perhaps not having current or specific information. I'll agree, though, that responding only to tell someone to do a search isn't great, particularly when we all know the search doesn't even work.

If someone directs you to a list of providers or elsewhere without giving you their specific firsthand experiences, you can probably assume they are trying to sell you something. Lots of travel agents visit this site to direct people to their preferred suppliers.

It doesn't matter how many searches you do or how many great sites you find, there's nothing more useful than a travellers' honest, unbiased opinion of somewhere he has stayed or been. That's why I love Fodor's site.

My personal opinion about this is that many times I wish I could respond with, "I like so and so restaurant, staff was friendly," but sadly although I may live in the same city, I have no first-hand information. Therefore, I try to do the next best thing that I know, which is give them as much information about the place IN THE MEANTIME. I am trying to help. Let's not assume that everyone is doing it out of stupidity or self interest. I am not a travel agent, I just am sitting alone at home wanting to help. I'm happy with the way I reach out. Whenever I DO have first-hand information, I'll be thrilled to share it.

I am not sure I understand the complaint being described here. On the European forum I have often listed the name of a web site that gives hotel descriptions, prices, and locations for Paris.
If asked, I gladly tell people where I have stayed with a description of my experience. A city like Paris is full of small hotels of less than 75 rooms.
In the busy season a person searching for a conveniently located 2 or 3 star hotel might have to try several places before being able to make a reservation.
I picked out my hotel this past year from the same web site to which I refer people. Without that information I did not know where to look. True, I had the Fodors list too, and in most cases, I find its descriptions to be on target.
(e.g the Altwienerhof in Vienna).
If someone asks about a specific hotel and I don't know anything about it, I usually say nothing. But when someone wants the name of a small hotel in the 7th Arr of Paris or close to Bryce Canyon or in Salt Lake City, then I see nothing wrong with referring them to the listings which contain 20 to 30 places.
You usually can see pictures, read descriptions, look at a map that pinpoints the location, and gives telephone numbers and street addresses with an indication of the price range.
Armed with that information I see nothing wrong with a second posting that asks for an opinion concerning a specific property.
I guess I don't understand what you want.

Sometimes a person will ask such a basic question (e.g. "What is there to do in London?") that I figure that it is his/her first time here, and I have gently suggested that a text or topic search of this site will yield considerable information. Where the question is more specific or specialized, I try to help when I can.

I don't suggest outside sites, but a few times I have gleaned good info from others's listings.