SkiAdcock

Uh folks, you all are discussing entry requirements (I'm not sure there should be any btw), but I haven't seen a clear definition of what the forum is going to look like/consist of, such as for profit ventures like KVS only or throw everything in there such as any FTer offering up a service or link to their business, how the slippery slopes will be addressed, etc, and making a case for the creation of this forum like is done with other new forum requests. Until that's done I'm not sure this proposal will get anywhere.

BTW - the idea of opening it up for 60-90 days & if it doesn't work is a non-starter. We don't do that for other forums; we're not going to do it for this one.

Just a reminder re: forum creation.

"To make good recommendations to the FlyerTalk Host, your TalkBoard invites suggestions for new forums or other items under the purview of the TalkBoard that could improve FlyerTalk. As representatives of all posters, the TalkBoard has an obligation to receive not only suggestions but also poster reactions and opinions on proposed changes to FlyerTalk from all FlyerTalkers.

If you want to suggest a new forum or have other suggestions for TalkBoard consideration, it would be very helpful if you can demonstrate - with some supporting evidence - why you think there is a need for that new forum or other change to FlyerTalk.

This can be shown by, among other things, any or all of the following:

- existing threads which would be best suited in your proposed forum.

- describing a need which is not being met for a group of Flyertalk members by the existing forums.

- other relevant arguments showing why Flyertalk would be improved by the addition of this forum or change.

Although individual TalkBoard members each have their own ideas regarding what will or will not constitute a successful new forum or change, presenting evidence of the nature above will almost certainly increase your chances of getting support and possible agreement."

Cheers.

Kagehitokiri

SkiAdcock, i was basically agreeing re "general" forum. IMHO - complicated, whereas ConcourseZ style seems much more straightforward, and just a question of whether demand is there. perhaps something like this - "Do ExpertFlyer etc users want dedicated forums in which the creators can answer questions etc?" while there may not be a ton of threads on only one particular product/service, id assume there are some. doing a search for "ExpertFlyer" in thread title, i get 422 threads.

seanthepilot

I think it's due time that Flyertalk had a "Marketplace." I fully support the idea and encourage Talk Board to give the idea their full consideration. ^^^

Q Shoe Guy

Yes I agree also, time to step out the box and call a spade a spade!

pedropescador

I support the idea of a marketplace on FT.

N830MH

I am completely agree with you this. ^^^ I think its will works. Maybe if there is changes a new rules or whether if you decide to changes a new policy.

Markie

My personal view is that a Commercial/For-Profit area would be a useful addition as it would sweep up all of the commercial sites that post on FT. I am unsure that a majority of TB would support this so I fear it is a dead duck at the moment. Come November, this would be a good question to ask Candidates IMHO.

SkiAdcock

As a TB member pointed out in the private TB thread, there are actually 4 possibilities re: this. I can't post here what was posted since I wasn't the person who posted it, but I can ask him to do so. Given there are 4 possibilities of how something like this would work, I'm not sure a 'dead duck' is totally accurate.

Having said that, there were issues raised in this thread that also need addressing, such as slippery slopes, what constitutes commercial vs marketplace, what's included/not, what need isn't currently being met, if items such as marketplace or commercial would have enough entries, or posts to, justify creating a new forum(s), vs keeping such things in the forums where they currently exist, etc.

Cheers.

jackal

Actually, what I posted wasn't really four possibilities but rather my own attempt to keep straight four different but related issues currently under discussion in various forums.

Still, I'll be happy to share what I posted.

I'm on my iPhone now so can't do a good job of editing my post to put here, but someone remind me later tonight and I'll come back and post something.

jackal

No one reminded me, but fortunately, I stumbled across something that triggered my memory to post here.

As I mentioned above, my post was mostly trying to keep straight the several different but related proposals floating around here in TalkBoard Topics and on CommunityBuzz!. Here's what I've broken down:

#1 is an issue that started out (from what I can recall) with koko's concern about seminar dos being too commercial to include in CommunityBuzz!. I don't recall who proposed a separate place for them to be posted, but it's an idea I saw floated somewhere.

#2 would be something akin to ConcourseZ on MilePoint--a place dedicated to discussion of recognized commercial travel products monitored by authorized, verified representatives of the product vendor.

#3 is slightly different than #2. It would be a place where FlyerTalkers looking to work with other FlyerTalkers on non-travel-related projects (or looking for work/looking for recruitment candidates) could go to discuss such with other FlyerTalkers. It's commercial activity in that it's something that has the potential to financially benefit the members posting in that forum, but it isn't a dialogue with a recognized vendor of a travel-related product--it's more personal.

The current related threads in CommunityBuzz! (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...yertalker.html and Canarsie's related http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...nge-forum.html) is a good start for what #3 would look like, but I'd rather it be behind a wall from the outside world. That's certainly one reason why I haven't posted there. Also, there's a certain level of trust required in doing business with someone you've met online, and while post count and length of membership isn't a perfect barrier, it works well enough for Coupon Connection, and it would force members to establish at least a minimum level of involvement in the community before doing something for their own gain.

So, I think such a forum would be very valuable (I would find use from it, certainly)--but it should be restricted to established members of the community.

#4 is mostly an administrative procedure to make legitimate any decision made in the positive on #s 1-3. If none of those is approved, then #4 is really not up for consideration, unless we wish to look at and legitimize some of the already-happening "commercial" activity occurring on FlyerTalk (ExpertFlyer, KVS, AutoSlash, the two CommunityBuzz! threads mentioned above, etc.).

Here are my initial thoughts on the four proposals as I posted in the private forum:

None of my above viewpoints is set in stone, however, and I am open to any and all sides in a debate.

Cholula

We were trying to ignore you.

(But good analysis just the same!)

Canarsie

...or, those three ideas could be sub-forums of a main FlyerTalk Marketplace or FlyerTalk Economy or whatever the name of the proposed main forum could be, if TalkBoard members could at least consider the option of a main forum with three sub-forums.

However, I am not certain as to whether or not the vBulletin bulletin board software which currently powers FlyerTalk is technically capable of imposing minimum requirements in order to access a sub-forum, or “child” forum, as opposed to a main forum, or “parent” forum.

Anyway, I am simply trying to keep all options on the table for further discussion.

Thank you, TalkBoard members, for discussing and at least considering this proposal.

jackal

I believe it can.

Kagehitokiri

those threads would certainly be more efficient as forum(s).

maybe "lock" the parent forum (under community?) and then have a number of subforums, added over time.

SkiAdcock

I have no idea if it can; we'd have to hear from IB. Agree good analysis. Hopefully once the Easter holiday is behind us, we can further discuss these, both in the public & private TB forums.

Cheers.