Thanks for the post and I think I can appreciate where you are coming from on this. Like you, I am more pleased with the original mission of FlyerTalk. From what i understand in my ongoing research of where Bulletin Boards are right now and where they are going, it's really a reflection on the Internet and not really that of FlyerTalk. A few observations: There is likely a few things we can do on FlyerTalk to assist members in their answers. Actually, that was the original intent and still is for our moderators. Fact is that it is more convenient to just start typing than it is to ask a question. One of the things we are implementing with the last upgrade, was a new messaging system that will allow us a more complete way to first talk to new members of FlyerTalk. A better explanation of these things will likely do wonders. As well, we have been toying with the idea (one from about 6-7 years ago) to have a "Newbies Only" section (may or may not be within each forum, still pondering those ramifications) in which some of the more experienced members who do like to answer questions will assist them - outside of the mainstream of the forum itself. Then once the newbies sort of "get it" they will feel more comfortable with the forum itself. now, having said that, we are also looking to endorse in an even better way, the establishment of a better Q/A for each program so that it becomes a better way to help members intuitively. A few forums have these, but not all and each effort can become better with the help of our members.
Anyway, this is on the radar and i think you'll see some things in the near future. As for some members who remain hostile - we would hope that the efforts of our members to address this situation would be acknowledged and maybe convince them that newbies often do have things to offer once they are welcomed into the community. If we all do a good job showing them the answers, they will in turn answer the next generation of newbies.
And we still haven't let up from trying to configure the right solution for search on FlyerTalk. Almost all larger boards have the very same challenges and from what we can tell, no one have a perfect solution yet. We are however involved in a possible solution now and perhaps later next week will have some news on it.
Again thanks.
Originally Posted by
mikeef
Randy (and all),
I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this, so if it isn't, I hope a moderator will move it.
Over the past couple of months, I have become concerned about what seems to be a tremendous rise in the level of hostility on several of the boards, including the airline and hotel boards. Sarcastic responses seem to have become the norm when an OP asks a question that the general membership does not find to be worthy, and responses are often something along the lines of "Do a search, that's been answered a thousand times." If I were a newbie, I would be scared to ask a question for fear of being ridiculed. I understand that different personalities address questions different ways, but I have definitely noticed an increase of "tough" responses over the past year. If you want, I will follow up and point out some individual threads.
In any case, I'm not trying to sound all high and mighty, but maybe it would be time to send out a friendly reminder about the mission of FT. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!
Mike