The Death of Flyertalk?
 

Every day when I log onto Flyertalk, the topics seem of less and less interest to me. No, its not the flame wars, I try to ignore and stay out of them anyway. As I scan the lists of topics, I think to myself, "Didn't we discuss this last week|month|year?" Other than breaking news about program changes, new offers/schemes/scams, and our personal lives, have we covered everthing there is? It sure seems like every question that is being asked lately can be answered by use of the search feature. It just seems so boring of late. I will definatly look forward to the "all new Flyertalk" that Randy and Co. are setting up, as hopefully it will attract a wealth of new topics, newcomers, and new ideas instead of us just dragging up the "same old stuff."

What's your opinion? Agree? Disagree? Think I'm insane (or just really bored on a Sunday afternoon)?

However, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all (or email it to me privately).

Edited for missing word, and spelling.

[This message has been edited by markbach (edited 02-11-2001).]

Mark,

I agree with you in many ways.

I really get frustrated when reading a post and all I see posted are smileys or "I agree". In addition, there should be some rule against someone recycling one of their own posts to get attention.

But, on the other side, as a relative newbie, I do not know what all has been discussed on the board... and you never know when public opinion or information has changed, so "rehashing" some older subject can sometimes be valuable and worthwhile. Of course, it does not help that the search feature currently on Flyertalk is so useless and time consuming.

I wonder... if Randy eliminated the post count under each members' name, would the posts go down? I get a feeling some people are just posting to increase their numbers... or did I miss it? Do you get frequent flyer miles per post?

William

It is what it is--just like a library or most radio stations full of boring volumes/songs but with enough gems to keep you coming back.

There is still useful information. Newcomers are obviously the greatest beneficiaries but I am still learning things here so I stay. I just don't read every post or every thread any more. I have gotten a lot more selective.

The various charts that were spawned by FTers, PremEx's Unofficial Help desk, Mileage Addicts workshop etc. are all still useful sites and judging by my counters get thousands (perhaps tens of 1000s) of hits per year so are providing a lot of people with information.

Various promos post here first and are quickly history but we get them.

I agree and would like to support you, but with the increasing rise of discourteous behavior on this board, I am reluctant to do so. I came to the same conclusion myself just yesterday--so much talk and so little substance. I used to visit FT several times a day, but have now decided that once a week will suffice. As to Wharvey's comment, there are others with so much more to contribute than myself that I try to keep my post count down and do not look at ever-increasing pointless counts as a source of pride. It has taken me almost two years to reach a count that a number of relative "newbies" have reached in a couple of months.

Unlike you the flame wars and rudeness of some of our members bother me considerably and definitely contribute to my decision to wean myself from FT. Everytime I post even the most innocent, innocuous remark now, I am fearful it will set someone against me. For me FT used to be a friendly, welcoming place to be. If I want to be treated rudely, I'll go hang out at the airport some more.

Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion and my personal decision. I speak only for myself and aim any perceived criticism at no one in particular. If anyone takes it that way, you might want to think about why that might be.

In my opinion, FlyerTalk exists to facilitate the exchange of news related to flights/travels. But most importantly, it serves as a ready support group to those who need advise and help.

I am relatively new to FlyerTalk, and must admit that I have learnt and profited immensely from these discussions. As time goes by, I realise myself asking less, but answering more. See, things get boring and mundane here only if you exist on FlyerTalk for purposes of self-profiteering. But if you would just get across the other side, take on the role of a contributor, and be a giver and not a receiver, then a whole new world opens up to you. And that, IMHO, should be the aim of all in here.

Of course, some people register a nick, ask one question, get a thousand replies, and then leave for good. That's fine by me, because we're here to help and in so doing expect nothing in return. The difference is those single-post guys don't return and say, "Hey, this place is getting boring..."

FlyerTalk will remain very much alive and kicking as long as there are people who are willing to stay back and help the others who need a little push. And think of the number of events that have been organised at which FTers met up in cities across the globe, or packed their bags on mass mileage runs. FlyerTalk is hardly faceless, no, not when numerous friendships and understandings are consistently forged and nurtured through time. And trust me, a smile, a wink or a frown goes a long way to express what a thousand words cannot.

These are absolutely my own opinions and surely not a call to arms. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Cheers,
Maple

[This message has been edited by maple (edited 02-11-2001).]

markbach

You bring up something that we all likely feel some of the time when we bump into that "not again " topic.

How bored you get is a subject of considering your goals for using FT. If you are only looking for what you can get, then perhaps a "vacation" from FT may bring you back refreshed and your memory a bit more cloudy. The same old questions do not always have the same old answers as programs change and all travel industry "stuff" is in flux. We all probably look to get something out of flyer talk from our use, but...

If you broaden your goals to helping others, then there is alway something to answer that is "new" to the person asking. Personal experience "collective" is always changing with the members of the FT as well, so new incite can be offered.

Not many people are happy with the flaming, but it probably will alway be with us ocasionally.

Massive posters can seem to be a problem too. I have sent e-mails a couple times to one member that seems to post every article published. I believe that is inappropriate. It sucks away the chance to get newer people involved in posting and it overwelms the board with "low priority" data. It is like the child in school that keeps blirting out the answer in a desperate attempt to demonstrate how smart he or she is. As long as the subject is clear, these are easily skirted if you are not interested. The person that may be the most valuable to the board is that person that has the most reply post...someone trying to help others.

As you point out, and even more, some areas are new...news, FT get togethers, trip reports, coupons (try sharing all your surplus, it is a blessing), spam (I never read)...

Finally, depending on how broad your interests, to me there are always new things of value. A few hundred ff points here and there are offered up by members often in less that fully disclosed programs that we would otherwise miss. We travel for business and fun. Lots of travel for business is to the "same old places" and for these we have a lot to offer. Much of our vacation travel is to new places, where help from this board is useful, and some repetative where again we can help others.

In summary, I am sure you feelings are shared by many on this board. I also believe you have the chance to expand your goals, and therefore participation, to get more involved. You can expand your personal travel interests and therefore your need for FT or maybe as I said just take a short "vacation" from FT and come back later and see how you find it then. Any help?

Liie Blonde Bomber, I feel Flyertalk is still useful to me, and in fact I know a little more now where to look and whose posts to click on for those helpful items. Things continue to change as people come and go, but that is the nature of things. If I could change some things I would rather see far less whining ("what it used to be," " why are people leaving," etc.) and less assertive discourtesy. But I cannot change those things, so I have to live with them. I try to live with them on FT as I do in the air.... ignore them, and speak out when they get too obnoxious to ignore.

I have never seen any website that came anywhere close to FlyerTalk in terms of travel information and community spirit and I think that this is still as true today as it ever was. I have met many FlyerTalkers that I consider good friends and am thrilled that they have come into my life and enriched it so fully over the past couple of years. Every FlyerTalk event I have attended has added another set of wonderful memories to my life and I look eagerly forward to future FT parties. Hopefully, they will also be attended by many FlyerTalkers whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting in the past.

With regard to content, it is obvious that discussions regarding specific travel situations are somewhat less exciting and informative the second (third or fourth) time around, but as Blonde Bomber so wisely stated, there are still enough gems to keep me coming back.

It is extremely disconcerting, however, and somewhat amazing to see that there are people who insult one another and make disparaging remarks on FlyerTalk. I say amazing because in real life I have never witnessed such unkind behavior in anyone beyond Junior High School age and I find it hard to believe that there are adults that still behave in this fashion. I shudder when I see these rude posts and sincerely wish that people who feel the need to insult one another would do so via the privacy of their own e-mail. It saddens me to see these petty explosions drive away valued FlyerTalkers who simply do not wish to be exposed to such primitive behavior.

Randy is a businessman, not a policeman, and it is unreasonable to expect him to play hall monitor to a community of supposed adults so I would plead with everyone who has unkind thoughts to take them offline and post as though their parents, grandparents, children, boss, priest and/or rabbi were reading. This is the internet you know--they just might be. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I think FlyerTalk is very much like the game of Golf. Everybody that's hooked on it continuously says they will give it up. But, almost none give if up, and almost nobody really does anything consistent to better his or her game.

I'm quite new to these boards. I started up posting like a devil (I was craving to become an Evangelist), and now it's more a cyclical thing. I think its natural that the longer you are around the boards and the more you fly, the more frequent flyer savvy you become and the less you will benefit from this forum.

So…. what's the big deal...? Become one of the "oldies" (I'm really tempted to use the term Old Boys but don't want to start a food fight)… take it on yourself to be a host and guide to newbies, spread your wealth of knowledge and experience, just hang around and socialize while connected from some airport lounge....

I'm not sure I agree with those that say that these boards are not "interesting" anymore. My point is: what do all of us bring to these boards to make them more interesting? If we just post and complain that these boards are "not what they were in the past" then I would ask; " well, what did we do in the past to make these boards interesting..? ". It's hard to demand you shoot 90 every weekend if you're never to be seen at the driving range…

I, for one, don't think we are anywhere near the "Death of Flyertalk". I strongly believe we will start getting close to killing these boards, if and only if all of us start becoming free-riders.

These are our boards, let's make the best of them.

(sorry, gotta split - have to go to the driving range)

------------------
Gaucho100K


[This message has been edited by Gaucho100K (edited 02-11-2001).]

anyone for a round of mini-golf http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif?

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I've come up with an idea, I think "we" should create an FAQ for each FF Program, listing the common questions/answers for the questions we see coming up time and again. Even just questions with links to threads would be cool, since they could then be brought up to the top, if similar questions arose. These FAQ pages could be linked in a very obvious location (such as in the description for thr forum) and also the "Help Desks" like PremEx and FewMiles have created could be there, too.

I'd be willing to help set this up, and compile the links for a few of the forums which I am most active in.

Anyone else like this?

Mark, good luck with your project. Good idea. Maybe talk to the folks at Inside Flyer about it

I don't think Flyertalk is "dead."

IN critical condition... possibly.

At the end of the PIP, November, 1999, Rudi said that the board was evolving and things would change, some fo the better, some for the worse. (not your exact words Rudi but I hope you know what I mean.)

He was so right!

THen I got to thinking... Maybe the CATMAN DO TROIS can be the turning point for all of this.

See many of you in a month!




[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 02-11-2001).]

Don't ask, what FT can do for you. Ask what you can do for FT.
FT wouldn't exist any longer, if everyone, who thinks he had become an expert (in "his" FFP of choice)- thanks to FT would not share his knowledge with others and the newbies. Boards like FT are not about "consuming".

If you just feel getting bored by the same topics again and again (and don't feel the need to share what you have learned here on FT) .... maybe it's just your interest in these boards that "dies". FT sure will not.

These boards live
from those who give

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Bernie - I didn't know about your poetic side http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

With any topic you specialize in, the more savvy you become, the number of people you can impress with your knowledge will probably decrease (does anybody else get these glazed empty looks from your "real world" friends/colleages when you enthusiastically talk about the hidden perk in your FFP?). FT gives you the unique opportunity to write/talk about these things without getting these "there he/she goes again..." looks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Even if topics come up a number of times, there is always a person behind these threads, and even if the topic is the same, the insights you discover may be different.

The more you learn, the number of people that may benefit from your knowledge increases. I learn things from FT I wouldn't know where to look for elsewhere. And often I stumble across a thread that surprises me. Just an example: I found the thread about comping in Vegas (getting inside information from QuietLion) very enjoyable, even though I will probably not be able to apply the knowledge gained from that thread in the forseeable future. I didn't even know it would interest me before I started reading... I discover those pleasant surprises quite frequently.

In addition to that, those of you that I have met in person have added a lot to the feeling of community that clearly distinguishes this board from many others out there. FT dead? nah... Does it smell funny? well, as they say: degustibus non disputante...

[This message has been edited by Mizu (edited 02-11-2001).]

FlyerTalk is a wonderful community and you should let us new folks learn how it works and how to get around in it. I agree with most of the posts here -- you come in for info, you start to learn your way around, you end up giving other people the benefits of your experiences.

We've already had a wonderful dinner in San Diego with Captain Mike and I look forward to meeting many more of you.

We've already been able to share things we learned traveling and living overseas, and all over North America.

And WE have learned a great deal, and will be better (and more successful) travelers for it.

Love the FAQ idea. It might help reduce the repetitions. But how many newbies can hit the ground running? It takes awhile to discover if people are unclueable or merely clue deprived.

My hope is that you (what is it? a couple of years?) veterans will stick around and see how the kid turns out.

(Fewest total posts of anyone on this thread so far. Is there a prize?)