What is Buzz supposed to be about?
 

First Hilton. Now Northwest.

What should and should not be posted in Buzz?

If we are going to start posting everything about every program here, why have the individual forums?

Very confusing to have to read about the Hilton promotion BOTH in Buzz and Hilton.

Thoughts?

William

I'll admit that these promotions are lucrative, so my suggestion would be:
1) Post a link in Buzz. Give an appropriate subject heading alerting people of the offer, and provide a link to the discussion in the appropriate forum (NW, Hilton).
2) Continue discussion about the details of the promotion in the appropriate forum (NW, Hilton).

And lets remove the clutter from the Buzz. For example "Disgusting Airline Passenger Manners" has nothing to do with frequent flyer miles or programs - post it under General Travel Talk.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 02-15-2001).]

Just as confusing as having to read the same news stories in different Airline forums and the "In the News" forum.

This question is asked repeatedly and for good reason, there is a daily barrage of off-topic posts in each forum.

Each and every forum has a Clear and Concise description. Why these descriptions are so difficult to understand is beyond my comprehension.

Excellent suggestions, PG. Question now is how to implement/enforce them.

uh... what's the big deal. Just don't read it. If nobody replies, they just get cast into the great unknown in due time anyway.

The big deal (at least with respect to multiple threads) is efficiency.

Efficiency? Does it take that much longer to scroll down the page. I believe there is such a creature as over-organizing. Soon we will be creating new forums for every topic under the sun. Now, try to search a database with 10X the forums with only one or two topics in each. Which is more efficient?

Oh, hasn't this topic already been discussed: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/004102.html Or we could just create another forum titled "What should we argue about today?" Just a thought. Is there a seperate forum for random thoughts?

Sure its no big deal to ignore a thread or to scroll down - the efficiency is in having one place to discuss details, rather than having three places where things are being discussed. And - factor in that there are inaccuracies in the Buzz discussion of the Hilton promo. Not to say that there are no inaccuracies in the Hilton forum, but do you want to have multiple conversations discussing the same things.

I do not know how to implement this - but some clear guidelines from Randy would help.

Actually, as the poster of the Northwest thread, I feel this is a trend that should be talked about by all FlyerTalkers - Randy has given column space for this issue in the magazine.

And, I am very concerned that the whole notion of rewarding frequent fliers is being diluted and twisted away from the purpose of rewarding frequent fliers.

Now, I know that Northwest needs to 'market test' their bonus offerings, but I think the issue is much bigger than just Northwest frequent fliers.

But, maybe my frustration at Northwest is misplaced, and maybe it is just an issue with Northwest. However, I am genuinely interested in whether others are feeling the same way I do. I want to talk with others about how frequent flier programs are changing !!

PG- If that's the case, there would be seperate forums for everything that is currently listed in 'The Buzz'. Actually, this forum has not even answered the question it poses. What, should indeed, be posted in 'The Buzz'? Let us create the guideline. Suggestions here:

Edited to direct reply to PG

[This message has been edited by jimmyjames (edited 02-15-2001).]

In my opinion - The Buzz should have things regarding general Frequent Flyer trends (e.g. - are targeted promotions good or bad?) or things that apply to many programs (e.g. How to track your program points? or Mileage for buying a car).

I do believe the general description under this forum's title states: Discussion of the latest frequent flyer buzz...
That leads me to believe it is open to all topics relating to any frequent flyer topic out there. Want more specific topics in the buzz? Change the general description. I'm sure that is something that Randy should waste his time on. I have to pause from this converstaion now, it looks like my black and brown socks are getting a little too close to my white athletics, because I am that anal.

If I had a choice of reading something twice or missing out on a good deal I guess I'd sacrifice the time for value.

Glen posted something that was well known at the Hilton board but I suspect got the attention of some that hadn't visited that site.

Seems like sometimes it is the user rather than the topic that generates disagreement.

O.M.N.I. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

In all seriousness, the Buzz should be about timely matters that all (or most) FTers are, or might reasonably be expected to be, "buzzing" about. A good many FTers are buzzing about the NWA 10,000-mile offer. Not many are abuzz about disgusting habits of airline passengers. It's a purely subjective call, but one in which some guidance from Randy would be appreciated.

I agree with PG. My personal interpretation of The Buzz is general Frequent Flyer (ok, or Frequent Stay) news, as he describes.

If someone really thinks that some program specific piece of news is so earth shattering or time sensitive that they feel it should be mentioned in The Buzz, well then IMHO, it should just be announced by title and a short description followed by a link. Example: [/quote]

To deliberatly solicit that replies be made to this new thread, invites division of information and inefficency. Now folks have to monitor 2 threads (or maybe more) in order to keep up to date!

Just refer 'em to the appropriate thread and that's that. IMHO.

[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 02-15-2001).]

The instant Gold Hilton card is a BUZZ topic. NO question about it. 70 whatever posts in 7 hours certainly shows it is "buzzing" far more than anything else on FT, if nothing else! The offer was said by some to expire today. Many FT'ers are now Hilton Gold VIP's and potentially soon 50,000 points 'richer' because they read about it here, and had not seen it on the Hilton board, and probably NEVER would have otherwise known about this great offer. The thread on Hilton board (understandably) had no data as to how to sign up, and how to get points for doing so. My thread here did. The thread titles being clear and specific do help on these GENERAL type boards. Anyone already a Gold Hilton member would not need to click on this, nor would anyone not interested in Hotel programs. The thread title is clear, and specific:

Become Hilton Gold VIP in 2 min. call! (And maybe a few 1000 free points as well.)

Thread titles, whether the threads in question do really belong here or not (and I make no comment on the content or suitability of these) with vague brief titles like these current ones:

"Don't mention it..."
"Upgrades from"
"Let's talk about services"

Are bigger culprits, as we ALL need to go through the motions, and click on these to often find they have no relevance to ourselves or are about programs/plans we know or care nothing about, so can't assist the thread poster.

Just my 3¢. (inflation!) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

------------------
~ Glen ~



[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 02-15-2001).]

Geez,

It took you less than 24 hours to reference the number of replies to one of your threads. Is this a new personal record?

If you think it is a Buzz topic, fine. But, post a link to the threads in the Hilton forum.

The way you bolded certain phrases would make one think you did this to steal credit and receive thanks and praise. You know it. And much to your chagrin, most of us here know it as well.

0/10 for reading and comprehension skills on that one. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

------------------
~ Glen ~

I think it's generally inappropriate to be cross-posting stuff that should belong on specific boards onto Buzz. However, if there is a very significant offer, it would make sense to post a link to the relevant thread. In particular, there is some merit to posting in Buzz offers like the Hilton one that might appeal to non-Hilton people who probably don't generally check the Hilton forum.

But if the intent is to commandeer a thread from another forum to claim credit for it, seems a bit out of order. I'm relatively new to the board, but it seems to me that those around here who are very helpful (and there are many of them) get plenty of deserved appreciation and recognition, without having to resort to self-promotion.

Clearly MANY read The Buzz that do NOT visit the Hilton Forum:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum.../004134-3.html

Blah blah blaaaaaah blah-blah. Who cares how much/time? Give it a bloody rest. Just state the facts in fewer than 25 words, provide a link and let it go, fercryinoutloud. What's the need to pontificate? Why so much ego?


Line starts behind you, pal.



[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 02-16-2001).]

Selected editing must your newspaper's policy now?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Ozstamps,

I see you edited your original post. Could it be that you added thelink after the objection by Premex?

Even if the link was there from the beginning, it should have been a simple one line post like the one below.

"It seems that there is a great deal going on in the HHonors program, click the link below for all of the details"

But, then again, if you had done this, you would not be getting all of the faint praise that you are now.

BTW, have you ever thought of asking your therapist for a refund?

Geeeeezzzz http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redface.gif

Is FT an abbreviation for "FlyerTalk" or for "FlameTalk!" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

C'mon everyone! It's a forum for conributors, not flamers! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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


BTW, I too am in general agreement with PG's posts above!

The Buzz and FlyerTalk History:


In the beginning, Randy created FlyerTalk.
The Buzz was THE forum. Everything was dicussed there. It was where you went to hear what was going on in the wacky world of miles and travel and hotels and upgrades and get togethers and restaurant recommendations and itineraries and trip reports, et al. As FT grew, the Buzz became ridiculously crowded and so, the Buzz (at that time filled with lots of posts beginning with the word omni to indicate the thread was going off topic) spawned General Travel, Trip Reports, Only Randy, FT Community, FT Itineraries, and the daddy of them all, Omni.

But, the description of The Buzz thread never changed. It still carries a description that, to some degree, also applies to other categories. Silly I know. But a big deal? Naaah.

I started visiting here in early 99. (I sporadically posted under Shamrock then but my registration was somehow lost a few months ago. Tech support knows about this.) Back then, I knew that if there was a good deal, I would be immediately informed of it just by coming to the Buzz. I assume that most people who travel a lot on business try to stick with one airline and one hotel as much as possible. But for those non-business travelers accumulate "free" ff miles whenever they can (credit cards, clickrewards, phone deals, surveys, etc.) it is almost impossible to keep track of the deals posted in every forum. I am not that particular about which airline I earn free miles with--I just collect them as I can. They often start to add up to a reward at some time or other. I am probably in the minority, but I miss the "old" Buzz.

Ozstamps, let me get this straight... the number of posts, in a period of time, validates that something should be in the buzz. Therefore, if I posted "Cigarman is a moron... yes or no", and a bunch of people voted in a short period of time. This would make it acceptable?

cigarman,

The answers to your questions are Yes and Yes.