I seldom visit OMNI and certainly would not lose any sleep if it did not exist.
It has nothing to do with miles and points and travel, and to that extent is not consistent with making Flyertalk the #1 site for miles and points and related matters. FOCUS.
There are
MILLION sites on the web to argue religion and politics. And to post nonsense.
Only a year back (October 5)
Randy gave up in obvious despair once
again on this OMNI Forum and closed it down - and after reading this who could blame him:
"... in 2004, more than 300 actions were taken with timeouts, warnings, posting redirection and bans. Of that number, more than 96% were related to the forum we call OMNI. "
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...0&postcount=84
Originally Posted by Randy Petersen
I'm comfortable that we've tried several reasonable ways to to urge members of FlyerTalk to embrace a better environment in OMNI - this probably goes back a few years? And all those ways were based on input from the members interested in that forum. I think it fair that none have been that successful in the long term. We're a nation and world of rules and laws - none of them caused by activities of the majority. FlyerTalk is no different.
Certainly for the next while, we need to give it a rest. Already some members are violating the TOS by starting OMNI-like posts in other forums, even indicating they know it is the wrong place. Even those with good intentions have a challenge bringing back OMNI because the basic rules and policies on FlyerTalk are not being adhered to. And you know what, i also miss OMNI though you would not think to hear me say so.
I remember relying on OMNI for info about XM-radio, for input about my beloved Mac computers and even the humor of some of the nonsense. I didn't visit there very often and feel quite sorry I have interrupted the greater pleasure of those types of topics for many members. But in 2004, more than 300 actions were taken with timeouts, warnings, posting redirection and bans. Of that number, more than 96% were related to the forum we call OMNI.
A newly appointed member of the moderator staff sent me an email shortly after volunteering stating their amazement of the sheer number of infractions in that list which they could see with access to the TalkTeam forum. Of all the things they could have said upon starting a volunteer role on FlyerTalk - that was it. Fact is - you wore me out.
I've been known for a long time here at work for my patience and am willing to work and take the flack and risk to see something mature and develop, but there's a limit. Surely some or i would hope many of you members saw this coming. Hasn't this forum been closed once or twice or three times before? I tried reason. I tried threats. I tried being patient. But what I never tried, was admitting that the Internet was not special. That FlyerTalk was not special. As a community, we've got a lot to be thankful for, a lot to be proud of. But frankly, I can't be proud of anything that is less than 100% good.
So, let's take a break from this topic. It's only been closed for a day and already we want to re-open? That's not nearly enough time to learn. That's not nearly enough time to reflect. That's not nearly enough time to really feel the loss of something unique as OMNI.
Clearly it was re-opened later. I am sure that the number of posts to it are good for the $$$$$$$$ bottom line with page views and banner impressions, and it makes FT money, and pays the bills. So would discussion Forums on Right To Life, Gay Marriages and American Politics. They'd get millions of views. Maye we will see them too one day.
If a new member happended onto FT via google link to an OMNI thread would it reflect well on FT? Would they ever come back if they were interested in miles and points? That is a rhetorical question.
I strongly disagree that posting 1000, 5000 or even 10000 inane responses in the:
Mongolian Word Association thread
What did you eat for Breakfast?
Guess which Flyertalker will go to the toilet next
etc. etc, etc .............................
Should have those post counts add to their overall FT total, as they add no travel or miles benefits to another single member. For a while they did
not, (smart move) and later on that decision appears to have changed. But things change a lot over there, and I may not be up to speed on the current deal.
One member has ~10,000 posts in a single nonsense thread. 2 other members are in the 7000's region:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/misc....hreadid=309875
Now if folks have that much free time on their hands - great for them, but adding even a
FRACTION of that same energy to helping others with miles and points and travel related threads and enquiries, would make for a far stronger FT.
IMHO.
