TalkBoard Elections/05 - Question 5: Name the single most important thing in FlyerTalk's future

This question was submitted by member Randy Petersen (Because I am a general member/voter as well):

"I'm interested in each candidate naming and explaining what they feel is the single most important thing in FlyerTalk's future. I would ask that each candidate only post once and there is no debate. One item and one comment please."

Maintaining a vibrant membership. Everything else flows from this. FT is the membership and the board will reflect the quality of its members.

Hello fellow members,

I think that the membership is the most important thing about FlyerTalk and in order to move forward into the future the board needs a strong membership as well as a strong leadership.

FlyerTalk is a multinational community and we must not loose track of this important fact. Also a board is only as good as its membership.

Regards
RadioMan

Each group of new members eventually become veterans, and frequently some of those members observe a 'change' in Flyertalk ("it just isn't what it used to be, when a small group of us used to..." ... "back in my day, sonny..." :) ).

Somehow Flyertalk has managed to grow and yet remain incredibly vibrant and useful. It hasn't become a victim of its own success, despite becoming such a sprawling community.

Yet this is a constant challenge: how can we maintain the quality of information with 80,000 registered members? How do we maintain the high signal to noise ratio?

Put a different way, when major media covers Flyertalk and masses flood the gates looking for the next $0 fare glitches, how do we maintain the giving culture and valuable expert advice and not get overwhelmed by folks looking for a handout? How do we welcome newbies, inculcate them in the Flyertalk culture, educate them, and at the same time provide a forum in which they can educate us?

Part of this is effective moderation, part of it is forum structure, part of it is likely technological: culling member knowledge and distilling it in useful form doesn't need to come exclusively in the form of bulletin-board style postings (or as some here refer to them, MilePosts). Transcending the architecture of the bulletin board software and into other venues becomes part of this challenge.

Hope this doesn't seem too pendantic, I ain't no internet visionary... :o

I'm interested in each candidate naming and explaining what they feel is the single most important thing in FlyerTalk's future.

Not taking ourselves too seriously. This is a -BBS-. Participating is something that one does as a diversion, as an alternative to doing one's expense reports, or because one has already seen all the PPV movies available on the hotel TV. It's something that's supposed to be fun. Let's keep it fun.

I think the single most important thing for FlyerTalk's future is keeping its focus on the main reason we are all here. Points & Miles. We need to ensure that FlyerTalk does not loose focus on the main reason of these forums. By keeping FlyerTalk focused on its core purpose, we'll attract & retain the great community-oriented membership that we have.

To me, this question is difficult because it is a bit like being asked to name which part of the body it is most important to keep healthy. As I have indicated in numerous responses, FlyerTalk works. This is a site that needs continued evolution, not revolution. And therefore everything that was an integral part of building the community will continue to be important as we go forward. Buzzard533 and Radioman were right that it begins and ends with the membership and maintaining a vibrant community. Mbstone was right that to do that, we have to maintain some of the character and personality that drew that membership to begin with. Gleff and bhatnasx are right that those colorful people come looking for information and that we have to serve that need in order to stay relevant. When you boil it all down, the most important thing is that FlyterTalk must continue to be what is it. This board and this community must be true to its identity and its roots. Sure there is room for improvement. But at the end of the day you don't recommend radical surgery for a healthy baby.

Reputation - FlyerTalk has a great reputation for being an invaluable source of knowledge in travel. This excellent reputation needs to stay intact to help maintain FlyerTalk's success in the future.

The single most important thing is that Flyertalk remains Flyertalk. An open board for the frequent flying community. Just like the Internet itself, as long as Flyertalk remains open to the world, no one can kill it.

And I'll repeat what I've said several times now that we need more international participation, just like the Internet. I was on the Internet back in the 80's and watched it flourish in the 90's as more and more nations got hooked up. It was a wonderful thing to see.

There have been a lot of great answers here. If we focus on the core mission of FT (miles and points) and the positive growth of the community and forums, everything will fall into place from there.

For me, my idea of FT has to emcompass ALL aspects of travel.

The main focus was on Miles originally, but that has changed if it's not already evident by looking at the subforum listings. That needs to continue.

FT is the premiere travel discussion forum on the Internet and needs to remain that. The airline/hotels discussions are essential to keeping it as travel forum to critique, learn and assist others flying a specific airline or staying at a certain chain. This goes beyond 'just miles and points' since it influences decisions on what airlines to fly and hotels to stay at.

To say 'we need to focus on miles and points' is narrow and doesn't take into account the fact that there's no other real site on the internet to critique, question, and inquire about travel industry services, and that's what FT has become already and needs to continue to be in order to maintain it's top spot among travel forums.

At the risk of either sounding mercenary or taking member contributions for granted, the actual answer to the question is Money.

We can't take Randy's substantial financial support for granted. It would be wonderful if we could come up with win-win ways in which FT can generate revenue and secure its future. Perhaps we could promote establishing a consortium of loyalty programs that contribute relatively small sums to collectively fund FT to some degree.

What would we give in return? After all, everything posted here is by definition already available. But perhaps some of us can volunteer to summarize the best ideas from each forum, provide them to the program, and support an extended chat to discuss any questions they have of us.

I don't think we want to go the advertising route, and I don't think we need to worry about becoming corporate shills (since we are virtually all customers). What we have to offer is knowledge. Properly presented, that has value. We should capture that value to support FT.

This question was submitted by member Randy Petersen (Because I am a general member/voter as well):

"I'm interested in each candidate naming and explaining what they feel is the single most important thing in FlyerTalk's future. I would ask that each candidate only post once and there is no debate. One item and one comment please."
Simply put, meeting the needs of the community. With the number of domestic carriers in Chapter 11 I believe the sharing of information regarding our accounts on these airlines will continue to be a primary need for many

I think that we have seen a number of copy-cat boards established recently which disappoints me. Some of these are in responce to specific issues or actions, but they do not really compete with Flyertalk.

However, a threat always present is that we get too comfortable with where we are - we need new blood in order to keep the information flowing in and out.

Not so long ago the board was pretty much ignored by the airlines/hotels. Now they provide Lurkers (in the open or in private) who know when we share promo codes, know when someone finds a too cheap fare, and monitor our posts. Sometimes they can find a member from what they say. We need to be every aware that what we post is not private.

We need to develop relationships on the board, for old and new members, to make them more welcome and to assist them in joining in.

I think the single most important thing in FlyerTalk's future is maintaining our relevance as THE definitive online site for all things travel related. Whether it be the cheapest fare to Hawaii, the best ways to upgrade, the unique places to visit in Europe, etc., FlyerTalk is the premier location for finding the answer. There's not another site even challenging FlyerTalk IMO.
But we must keep this leading position by staying on the cutting edge of technology, attracting and maintaining the most helpful and knowledgeable members and organizing FlyerTalk to be user-friendly.

Simply put, meeting the needs of the community. With the number of domestic carriers in Chapter 11 I believe the sharing of information regarding our accounts on these airlines will continue to be a primary need for many

Exactly!! We are coming to a turning point for the legacy carriers as we once knew them. FlyerTalk needs to continue to serve as a community where we can share our experiences as the airlines go through these huge changes.

"I'm interested in each candidate naming and explaining what they feel is the single most important thing in FlyerTalk's future."

Stay focused on miles and points and travel and areas tightly related to it. And make it easier for new visitors to quickly find what they need.

Creating lots of new Forums just because someone suggests it is not always a good idea. IMHO. Whether they be politically correct or not.

"Forums for travellers wearing Stetson hats"

"Forum on good Mexican restaurants near Ulan Bator Airport Mongolia"

"Best Synagogues in Africa"

etc, etc .........



All are vaguely travel related but do NOT need a separate Forum, IMHO.

Clutters up FT and takes focus from where these questions ARE BETTER asked and answered. These kind of niche Forums do not get traffic, so do not get answers, and thus remain like wastelands.

New forums of similar relevance have appeared in recent times, and these questions can be readily answered in several existing Forums. The answers will be faster and more numerous, and assist the OP much better. Making for a better and faster FT experience for them. And more posts in total, as others will chime in with additions. Win, win, win.

Recent perfect example. I am flying shortly to BAKU, Azerbaijan on a weird kind of mileage run. I posted a thread in Travel Buzz titled: :

BAKU, Azerbaijan - anyone been there? Places to stay - things to do? Airport Lounges? (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=476709&goto=newpost)

Guess what - despite probably 95% of FT'ers probably not knowing where Azerbaijan is located (much less Baku!) I had quick answers from a member born there. Another member was right there as he posted, and others had spent much time there.

They could respond re airport lounge access, things to do, places to stay etc. There is nowhere on the web where you can source such superb in-depth info so fast. Period. As long as you know WHERE on FT to ask the question. :p

Had I posted it in the seldom visited "Travel and Diving - Russia" forum (one or two threads a month average have been posted over 4½ years and geographically not really correct anyway) I'd still be waiting for the first answer I imagine.

Heck I am an old timer here, and can navigate around FT pretty well. But lets place ourselves in the shoes of a newbie to FT, who stumbles across it somehow. And wants to visit Azerbaijan. He'd often need to spend 10 minutes just deciding WHERE to look for the place to ask or research the question. And may get bored and wander off as it is all too hard to figger out.

Another example. There is a Forum called "Travel & Dining CUBA"

http://flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&f=476&page=1&pp=25&sort=lastpost&order=desc&daysprune=-1

Just 18 threads posted in about 5 years - or 3 or 4 threads a year. Most newbies going there will see no current threads. Waste of space having this Forum. IMHO.

There are 2 other Forums in same sub section:

"The Caribbean"

and another one called:

"Latin/Central America"

As an example Cuba probably should should be merged into one of the others. IMHO.

There is another Forum called "South America". And another called "Mexico". I'd personally merge all the 4 low traffic Forums of these 5 into one:

"Caribbean/Mexico/Central America"

Where the heck is "Latin" if not in Central America, South America or Mexico?! ;)

To re-cap - less is more. IMHO. :)

Define "future."

If you mean the next year, I would refer back to the points in my platform regarding transparency and consistancy.

If you mean the next decade, it will be managing growth: Staying relevent and avoiding decay.

If you mean the next century, it would be technological: moving on beyond the antique internet to whatever replaces it. I hope to live to see the day that I can look to my seat opponent on the Moon-Mars shuttle and after a discussion of maximizing miles and points, suggest that he try the FlyerTalk brain implant. :)

I echo OZSTAMPS - the most important thing Flyertalk can do it to concentrate on what it does best - discuss flying first and foremost, and let the other things like Hotels/Motels take care of themselves.

MY concern is that there are literally dozens of other websites that cover all aspects of travel - to a certain degree, they are 'jack-of-all-trade forums, master of none in particular', therefore there needs to be a website dedicated to one thing it can do better than the rest, so push the 'flying' perspective, expertise, what have you, don't wander into vanilla areas too deeply.

Management of growth. This confronts most modern communities, and in this FT is no different. However, we see this in two ways: the bredth of subjects covered by our fora [already addressed in another question], and the number of members active on FT [which I will address below].

The biggest problem I have with FT is speed. Growth brings this on, and I know capacity continues to be enhanced, but at times the site just crawls along. And even at the best of times, it takes several minutes to process a PM given the slowness of the process. [And I used high-speed cable internet, albeit with a Mac.] Being unversed in technology, I cannot answer or even posit a solution to this one, other than the hope that this has been resolved in the past and I am sure it can be now.

After speed, more members means more newbies. And more newbies means a healthy, vibrant and growing Community. But it also inevitably leads to the same questions being asked every couple of months, as a new media item about FT brings a new wave of members. I suppose as an old timer I must recognize the fact that this redundancy factor will be a fact of life. The best we oldies can do is remind newbies that FT is a huge archive of facts, and that a "Search" can often turn up the answers to questions already posed many times in the past. At the same time, I recognize the shortcomings of the "Search" mechanism on FT.

The final off shoot of this growth, and the lack of "searching", is the proliferation of multiple threads on the same subject. This particularly occurs in the hotel fora, and for my part life would be much easier were a better system of arranging "reviews" of properties arrived at. A "Search" under a city will often reveal dozens of threads which deal with the same thing: what's a given property, or hotel group's properties, like in that city. When doing my own research on such matters, I do find it time consuming to have to go to every link, when there might be a way of consolidating threads into a single thread.

I would propose that, in addition to TOS which all newbies are supposed to read when they sign up, there be another page that highlights some key operating practices that would make navigating and getting the most out of FT possible.

The bottom line is that FT must manage its growth carefully. We can always benefit from new members, and a growing Community. But it can alse be something that undermines the success of FT. We need more discussion about this important issue, both by the FT Board and the Community as a whole.

Trust. The sort of trust that comes from transparency and open representation.

And putting me in a position to take bribes for political favors. That is pretty important.

And my LH first class slippers that I am wearing, as I do on every single flight. Those are REALLY important.

Oooops. that is three. does this mean I am disqualified!?!?!!? ^

An diverse free membership open to all. Having industry workers, customers, new to travel or veterns of travel, from all walks of life is vital to the success and future of FT.

I would say that FT needs to deal with problem members with a firmer and more even hand.

Chronic moderator bashers need to be shown the door. The practice of 4th and 5th 30 day suspensions needs to stop.

Consistent management of FT.

This question was submitted by member Randy Petersen (Because I am a general member/voter as well):

"I'm interested in each candidate naming and explaining what they feel is the single most important thing in FlyerTalk's future. I would ask that each candidate only post once and there is no debate. One item and one comment please."

---

Aside from being sure that a few airlines here in the U.S. and abroad remain viable, ya' mean? :D

Put simply, it would be to maintain the high level of interest and energy contributors have demonstrated in the past, while still retaining the small, close knit community feel that makes FT the truly awesome place that it is. :)

By continuing to grow and expand the fora, along with the increasing membership, FT can continue to focus on miles and points. Yet it can also continue to provide a vibrant, captive BB for a huge, eclectic, one of a kind super community, by encoraging the free and open exchange of ideas inasmuch as is possible.

Effective, consistent "guidance" from it's caring long standing members, as well as from the appointed moderator volunteer corps, can insure this is the case.

Mark

This question was submitted by member Randy Petersen (Because I am a general member/voter as well):

"I'm interested in each candidate naming and explaining what they feel is the single most important thing in FlyerTalk's future. I would ask that each candidate only post once and there is no debate. One item and one comment please."

I would say that the most important thing for FT is to encourage more participation from its visitors. I have forgotten the statistics that you have given us before about the number of unique visitors and about the ratio of lurkers to posters, but I remember that they were large numbers. I think it's important to get more people to join in the fun, as this will bring new perspectives to the discussion.

Like our vampire friends say ... fresh blood. :p

FewMiles..