Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - Suggestion: Start a Marriott "Newbie Lounge" sticky

Similar to what the AA forum has going on, I think it would be relevant and helpful to start a "Newbie Lounge" sticky for those that either do not know how or are unable to perform a search, or simply have a basic question that doesn't merit a new thread being started.

This would reduce the clutter of new and redundant threads being started. How many times can someone start a new thread about the Platinum Guarantee or Marriott Gift Cards?

@:-)

-1, IMO, there are toooooooooooooo many stickys now.............

............ I think it would be relevant and helpful to start a "Newbie Lounge" sticky for those that either do not know how or are unable to perform a search, or simply have a basic question that doesn't merit a new thread being started.

-1, IMO, there are toooooooooooooo many stickys now.............

Agreed (other than the -1 part). I think we could do without the stickies for website addresses and the refer a member could just be a thread that one searches for.

I'd add the deletion of the sticky on GCs and promos as there are sufficient threads on this topic and why keep 700+ replies in Sharon's sticky on lounges as once she's updated her sticky all new information has been incorporated into her total info sticky (making the info in post 2 thru last update superfluous)..............


Agreed (other than the -1 part). I think we could do without the stickies for website addresses and the refer a member could just be a thread that one searches for.

I'd add the deletion of the sticky on GCs and promos as there are sufficient threads on this topic and why keep 700+ replies in Sharon's sticky on lounges as once she's updated her sticky all new information has been incorporated into her total info sticky (making the info in post 2 thru last update superfluous)..............

There would only be 350+ replies if Sharon didn't respond, "thanks, list updated, keep them coming". :D I kid, Sharon, I kid. Your work here is truly appreciated. :)

Back on topic...I agree that a Newbies Lounge would be a welcome addition but we should also do some pruning of the stickies. The real estate at the top of the forum is pretty valuable space, particularly if you're viewing FT on a smartphone or other small mobile device.

An interesting suggestion, but I'm not sure it is really needed here. The "lounge" thread mentioned in the AA forum was created due to the rampant "snarky" replies to most newbie questions. And while there can be some of that here, it isn't anywhere near the levels that the AA forum was seeing.

So while I wouldn't be against such a thread, I'm not convinced we really need one here in the Marriott forum.

And as for the number of Sticky threads here, if you feel there are too many and that some aren't really needed, I would suggest sending the forum moderator (Bruce) a PM letting him know your thoughts. Or if reducing the stickies is a big enough issue, someone could also start a thread specifically on that topic and let others chime in with thoughts and suggestions. Then Bruce can weigh them and decide what might be best for the forum. He's usually very good about letting the forum participants decide most things. So we just need to provide him as much data points as possible.

One thought on helping to reduce the sticky threads is that I could possibly add them to the "top" of the FAQ sticky post. They would still get some visibility (though maybe not quite as much as they do as a sticky thread in there own right.)

The "lounge" thread mentioned in the AA forum was created due to the rampant "snarky" replies to most newbie questions.

What do you expect from a bunch of alcoholics? :D

Sorry, couldn't pass up the opportunity.

An interesting suggestion, but I'm not sure it is really needed here. The "lounge" thread mentioned in the AA forum was created due to the rampant "snarky" replies to most newbie questions. And while there can be some of that here, it isn't anywhere near the levels that the AA forum was seeing.

So while I wouldn't be against such a thread, I'm not convinced we really need one here in the Marriott forum.

And as for the number of Sticky threads here, if you feel there are too many and that some aren't really needed, I would suggest sending the forum moderator (Bruce) a PM letting him know your thoughts. Or if reducing the stickies is a big enough issue, someone could also start a thread specifically on that topic and let others chime in with thoughts and suggestions. Then Bruce can weigh them and decide what might be best for the forum. He's usually very good about letting the forum participants decide most things. So we just need to provide him as much data points as possible.

One thought on helping to reduce the sticky threads is that I could possibly add them to the "top" of the FAQ sticky post. They would still get some visibility (though maybe not quite as much as they do as a sticky thread in there own right.)

Agree w/ hhoope01, except for his final paragraph.

BTW - human nature being what it is, there are always going to be new threads started on topics that already exist (London properties being a good example. Shrug. To me it's not that big a deal.

A reminder - just because a thread exists, one doesn't have to read it. @:-) If it's a topic you think has been covered & you don't have or don't want to get input, don't open it. Problem solved. It only takes a few seconds to scan the list of threads to see which one(s) someone is interested in.

Re: the exec lounge sticky, as BKKLEE says, if someone wants to check the status of properties, then post #1 is the one to read. However, if someone is posting an update, obviously they do that after the last post. Re: deleting all of them I prefer they stay, as occasionally I miss an update & someone points me back to where they've updated. Re: plagwate's point. :D Yup, I respond thanks; keep them coming for 2 reasons. I want FTers to know I appreciate them taking the time to provide the updates. And the bumping brings it to people's attention/acts as a reminder, and then folk will post there, which saves me having to scour through individual properties looking for updates.

Cheers.

The AA forum will go 2, 3, or even 4 pages deep in a single day (meaning that the first 4 pages will all be threads posted in during the last 24hours).

The MR forum, on the other hand, will sometimes only have 1/2 to a full page of threads posted in during the last 24 hours.

I think the factor above kind of negates the need to "reduce the clutter". To reduce clutter, one must first have clutter. Also, we seem to have a bunch more helpful posters working with newbie's here versus the sniping and chiding that the mods try to tone down in the bigger airline forums.