+100

I stay away from all aspects of OMNI for this reason. I feel as though something in the CommunityBuzz thread would be best for a community lounge. We've had a lot of fun in the old thread, and even had some newer members join in!

I found the Come Fly With Me forum to be one of the most unique experiences I have had. The instant multicultural immersion with regular contributions from five continents broadened my horizons significantly.

I like the 'energy' of the forum, and it's welcoming nature. Simply look to find an example of a newbie who posted there and was not instantly greeted. I think it is a "sales point" for FT, and I wonder how many of those who visited only for the contest will (or already have) become FT regulars.

As OMNI is not open to new members IIRC, then this introduction would be lost in the absence of a "Community Lounge" thread. I would be open to the thread title including "new members welcome" in the title.

As far as birthday-boy Dovster's suggestion that it may be up to the mods discretion if such a thread would be acceptable without Randy's approval, I would not disagree except that the question has already been submitted to RP, and hence protocol would require that Randy either Boot (approve), Retry (defer to Mods), or Fail (Not on my FlyerTalk!).

Therefore, I respectfully suggest that we continue to voice our opinions for or against a "Community Lounge" and limit discussion of OMNI to the scope of if it should serve as the only community or not, without the need to debate it's 'friendliness'. The question of this thread is outlined in the OP, and I interpret that question as "Should there be a community lounge?" and it really only requires that we present arguments for yea or nay.

That is my two cents from a tired mileage runner.

Cheers!

(sorry our conversation has to "bleed over" here)

I think I found your wabbit. Are you happy with the size? :D

If you do want to catch the bats, allow me to recommend you another visit to Austin between June and (early) September. I also strongly recommend joining the (reservation-only) group tours for Bamberger Ranch. Read how The Austin Chronicle covers it. I promise you'll have a wonderful half-day tour there. ^

Now, let's get back to business.
First things first. Even though I am not an enthusiastic participant in either OMNI Fluffy nor OMNI Fuzzy, I agree with what Mary2e said about OMNI. Not sure if she considers me a "personal friend", but I do get to know Mary2e better mostly because of OMNI. ;)

Question: Can OMNI be teh community lounge?

Answer: Yes, and No.

Reasoning:
Yes, everyone is welcomed in OMNI Fluffy. This free-for-all corner does carry a lounge atmosphere that any topic is possible and welcome.

Unfortunately, that free flow is a two-way sword. OMNI, by description, is "for topics unrelated to miles, points, and travel."

Teh community lounge some of us are looking for has been clearly demonstrated in the now closed Come Fly to Randy thread, where FTers chat & bond; exchange mood and itineraries; discuss hotel loyalty; buzz for airfares to SFO and Hawaii; shoot up ideas for dinners that somehow branch out to be multiple DOs; recommend some must-see like I just did with my first 3 paragraphs in this post; or just stop by to say hi.

Given such a range of travel-related components, I can hardly see the fit between OMNI and teh Community Lounge. Our lovely OMNI MODs will move all travel/miles related threads to a better home anyway. :)

So, the final answer to the big question: NO, OMNI can't be Teh Community Lounge.

BTW, sometimes we just play silly in teh lounge, like what we normally do everywhere else deemed fit on FT. :p

Like always, good point, Dov! ^

Speaking for myself, I think I'd like to have Randy's thought since it's sort of an open invitation to "the whole FT community." If it were me to start such a thread, I probably would test the water before jumping in. Giving our ideal destination is in CommunityBuzz! Forum, probably we should hear what CB MODs have to say about Teh Community Lounge?

With due respect, Our Press Agent for Her Magnificentness, your info is not current. :D

As of late October 2008, there's no more restriction to view or participate in OMNI. See this sample thread that discussed the change of policy back in 2008.

I believe you're correct.

I told you before, my job is not to find the facts, it is to distort them. That is why I provided the IIRC caveat, to allow me the opportunity to explain that I was clearly speaking as to past policy, and in no way intended them to be mistaken by the liberal media as a suggestion that I had first-hand knowledge of the current situation in OMNI.

I am sorry, I have kept the First Lady waiting for almost half an hour now and I really must go. Thank you.:D

Very well stated. The thread was very community oriented and you know what? Lots of forums that aren't part of Omni have "lounge" threads and they aren't pushed to OMNI either.

I think the right thing will eventually happen, but in the meantime, why not reopen the original closed thread until we reach a decision on where it will continue? I don't see an issue there. Am I missing something?

-David

I think it would make sense to restore the CommunityBuzz lounge.. For example, CO has their own lounge.. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...nalty-box.html

With posts ranging from things like "wine time" "good afternoon box" " booze pushed my last game, etc...."..

I support the idea of a CommunityBuzz Lounge for the same reasons as karung99 eloquently stated in his OP.

At the same time, I'm not sure if further comments would be a violation of the TOS in regards to discussion of moderator actions, so I'm not going to say anything else right now.

Have any of the advocates of this proposal got input from the Community forum moderators about their views on the topic, being that you want it to be in their forum? I don't see that any of them have posted here. Have you consulted with them off-line?

chrissxb, Jenbel, Cholula are the moderators there.

Sure you're not confusing regular OMNI with OMNI/PR? I regularly post on the regular OMNI side and just don't see the unwelcoming tone that you've identified. In OMNI/PR it's best to arrive with a bulletproof vest.

wow, bring on the Hasenpfeffer !! Today there were 3 generations of our family out on the hunt, our group shot 9 pheasants & 3 Hungarian Partridges (or greys). There will be some good eating in the Sweet Willie household the next couple weeks.

Thanks for the Austin bat ideas, I have a nephew that lives in Austin, we'll make sure to visit him during the window you provided.

I am not confusing the two. I understand the are two "versions" of OMNI. I find neither welcoming.

I get that idea from personal experience. Previously, I preferred meeting FTers in person at dinners and DOs around the world, until this thread that was recently closed. I am looking forward to meeting in person those who I "met" in that thread and now consider my friends.

I believe this is an excellent point you made. Whenever anyone entered that thread, no matter who they were or when the joined FT they were welcomed by many folks and made to feel at home.

If lounge-type threads belong in OMNI, then why haven't all lounge threads been moved there? I know the Delta Forum and Continental Forums both have lounge threads. There may be others.

What better way to bring members of various Forums together than to have a lounge thread in Community? It helps that community feeling of FT grow.

Thanks karung99 for starting this thread. I do feel rather lost and homeless.

1) because we were already talking about that with Randy (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/15401970-post100449.html)

2) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...ge-thread.html
has been closed almost as soon as it has been opened

Yes, what was with this anyway? Weren't we encouraged upthread of this to start a CommunityBuzz Lounge Thread? Or maybe I read that incorrectly? I'm up again with early morning insomnia.

Edit: Okay - I guess being up too early has its benefits. I see that a new Community Buzz Lounge has been opened with the approval and under the auspices of the mods. Thank you.