Proposal and Discussion: Limit the MS thread access
Jan 28, 2014, 10:24 am
#151
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NY
Posts: 233
Some might argue that providing links, in individual thread wikis, is spoon feeding. At some point, the line has to be drawn in the sand, and the definition of "spoon fed" needs to be defined.
Jan 28, 2014, 10:41 am
#152
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 970
Well, perhaps the wiki should be utilized better. Have a look at the AZ payments thread. That thread says what can be found IN the thread, but without links to the explanations (posts). How is the wiki supposed to help if it just lists off things that CAN be found in the thread, without references? You might as well tell any newbs reading that thread, in the wiki, "read through the entire thread."
Some might argue that providing links, in individual thread wikis, is spoon feeding. At some point, the line has to be drawn in the sand, and the definition of "spoon fed" needs to be defined.
Some might argue that providing links, in individual thread wikis, is spoon feeding. At some point, the line has to be drawn in the sand, and the definition of "spoon fed" needs to be defined.
And even if they were interested, everyone has to admit the search function on FT simply blows - you can't find squat.
Jan 28, 2014, 10:44 am
#153
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
I for one believe that although MS is an excellent tool, it also has the potential to bring about very bad consequences for everyone, though the risk of getting hit with those consequences is exponentially higher if you don't have the proper know how.
As it has been making itself more clear in the past few months, I have come to get PMs and read blog posts about "new guys" skipping the instructions and diving in headfirst and getting "stranded". Often times, people get stuck with things they don't want and/or have accounts closed, though my gut feeling is that it happens to the "new guys" vastly more often than some of the more seasoned vets.
This brings me to my proposal:
Shunt this forum to those that have been around the FT community for a little while and thus, have likely gained a decent understanding of the miles and points world. Not only will it probably lead to fewer strandings, but I believe it would be a nice reward for those that are true FT community members, rather than leeches...
Or perhaps just close new postings until you've hit a certain threshold?
I am very curious to learn other opinions and if there is a solution to be had.
Cheers
As it has been making itself more clear in the past few months, I have come to get PMs and read blog posts about "new guys" skipping the instructions and diving in headfirst and getting "stranded". Often times, people get stuck with things they don't want and/or have accounts closed, though my gut feeling is that it happens to the "new guys" vastly more often than some of the more seasoned vets.
This brings me to my proposal:
Shunt this forum to those that have been around the FT community for a little while and thus, have likely gained a decent understanding of the miles and points world. Not only will it probably lead to fewer strandings, but I believe it would be a nice reward for those that are true FT community members, rather than leeches...
Or perhaps just close new postings until you've hit a certain threshold?
I am very curious to learn other opinions and if there is a solution to be had.
Cheers
Interesting take, especially about "leeches" (?).
Anyway, my attempts to understand MS in a way that works for me has led to many questions here, no doubt, annoyances to many. However, until the latter year Staples GC buy (MIR cards back, which I still didn't receive) AND the recent OM MC GC discounts, I haven't tried anything else. I read the thread but was prevented from early participation due to being in a non-OM town for days.
When I did travel into an OM city, I then pulled the bow string and fired within the limits of the promotion.
A kindly instruction from KennySAT got me on my way to liquidation. (Thanks again.)
I scouted WMs in the city where I was and the city I am in now and still am too risk averse. Hence, the questions I submit as the WM reflects a lack of understanding and thus can't explain "stuff". So, I am not stranded yet.
I actually like the post limit idea, but in the thread itself. Trouble is the convolution occurs early. I like the idea of a first thread for efficient info and a sub-thread kind of thing for the back and forth that blazes the rabbit trail away.
Jan 28, 2014, 10:48 am
#154
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
In the words of that prolific nerdy guy: "Did I do 'dat'?!"
Jan 28, 2014, 10:52 am
#155
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
I'd rather have a newbie read the blogs and learn the basics from bowtie man and other blogs and then become a FT member and contribute across the forums, instead of lurking on FT and trying out MS ideas without fully understanding the implications and risks involved. I'm sure there are newbies who bought Amex gift cards and tried to purchase MO's at WM, or tried to buy 10k of GC's at a local supermarket. I'd call FT an intermediate level course, with the bloggers being the beginners 101 course.
^
Jan 28, 2014, 1:31 pm
#156
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
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I personally find the nasty responses to be worse than the questions.
Jan 28, 2014, 2:02 pm
#157
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From the guidelines:
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FlyerTalk is friendly, informative, fun and thriving. When newcomers arrive, welcome them. By helping folks learn, you provide a shining example of what this community is about, and you help ensure that FlyerTalk continues to flourish. New members may not understand FlyerTalk and its history as well as you do. Remember we were all newbies once.
If you notice a poster, newcomer or not, asking a question that has been answered previously or is answered in the forum FAQs, please be patient. If you wish to reply, do so in a helpful manner, avoiding simply saying: "Do a search."
We suggest this form of reply and a template for it is here: "Your question arises from time-to-time in this forum. One thread which discusses it is here [INSERT LINK TO THREAD OR FORUM FAQ] and using FlyerTalk's advanced search feature to search this forum with the terms [insert relevant term(s)] will yield other threads. If you are finding difficulty using the search feature, please send a private message or email to a forum moderator for help."
If you notice a poster, newcomer or not, asking a question that has been answered previously or is answered in the forum FAQs, please be patient. If you wish to reply, do so in a helpful manner, avoiding simply saying: "Do a search."
We suggest this form of reply and a template for it is here: "Your question arises from time-to-time in this forum. One thread which discusses it is here [INSERT LINK TO THREAD OR FORUM FAQ] and using FlyerTalk's advanced search feature to search this forum with the terms [insert relevant term(s)] will yield other threads. If you are finding difficulty using the search feature, please send a private message or email to a forum moderator for help."
Jan 28, 2014, 3:14 pm
#158
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1
Sounds like it's time for some moderator intervention if it's got that bad. FT is supposed to be a welcoming community, not one where a few people can run every new poster off.
From the guidelines:
Welcome Newcomers - link to this guideline
Notice there's no exception listed here for the MS forum.
From the guidelines:
Welcome Newcomers - link to this guideline
Notice there's no exception listed here for the MS forum.
Jan 28, 2014, 9:53 pm
#160
Suspended
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Jan 28, 2014, 11:33 pm
#162
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There's no sign of that happening. Any restriction would need to be voted on by the Talk Board, and not a single motion has been introduced in the Talk Board forum in the 5 weeks the topic has been discussed here. It's not something the membership gets to vote on.
Jan 28, 2014, 11:34 pm
#163
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Jan 28, 2014, 11:55 pm
#164
Original Poster
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Playing Devil's advocate here… Can you qualify or quantify the negative consequences some form of regulation/restriction would bring to the community?