I'm sure its been discussed at the House of Miles, but I'd leave UBB/Infopop board intact as "read only" under the current domain and directory structure.

I'd then start fresh with the new board using the new software, under its directory structure.

flyertalk.com could refer you to the new board, or the "archive".

That way, if you needed to you could link back to old threads from the new board and current links would remain unbroken. There would also be no thread migration issues.

The downside is that you'd have the overhead of keeping the infopop software running forever, which may be something that Randy & co would prefer not to do...


[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited Feb 23, 2004).]

If there is a superior search function on the new platform, and if you know the thread title (presumably from your bookmarks), you should be able to find it very easily, especially if the archives are going to be re-integrated (presumably your bookmarks break now when a thread is archived, no?).

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Don't feed the trolls.

Not presumably...

...definitely.

As proof, here is but one example, which is another compelling reason to improve FlyerTalk.

As someone who has been in the graphic arts industry for 20 years, I feel that the FlyerTalk Internet web site could use a visual design makeover as well. No one has asked for my opinion, which I would have gladly offered in order to help in any way I can.

I think that this is slated to happen with the cutover, but I'll defer to Randy and crew to confirm.

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Don't feed the trolls.

Might have been mentioned elsewhere, but I am too lazy to look (it is the Australian in me! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif )

Some BB's I am on have the ability to have a "sticky" function, whereby an administrator/moderator/God can set a thread status to sticky and it will remain on the top of the thread listing. Will this be an option with the new software?

It would of course have to be used judiciously, you don't want 2½ pages of "stickies" but it could be helpful for FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) or even FQA's (Frequently Questioned Answers! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif ). An example would be a "How to do the AA Platinum Challenge" which could be permanently at the top of the AA forum, would save a lot of the same questions being asked again and again and again and again and ag..<slap>.

Sorry.

Dave

I know for sure that the “sticky” function which you mention is a feature of the vBulletin bulletin board software.

I personally do not know whether or not it will be implemented in the new version of FlyerTalk.

I can forsee big problems on the busier forums like AA and UA with "stickies".

More than the entire page 1 of UA could easily be 20 useful threads of this nature.

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Try and make it down to SYD for "OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23

~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!

It's fairly easy to put the top 20 questions and answers into ONE thread...

Actually, one use in which I foresee for a “sticky” thread is one dedicated to travel specials in a particular forum, such as Delta’s Weekly Fare Specials.

A far more typical use of a “sticky” thread is one which outlines the terms and conditions of that particular forum (the Coupon Connection forum and the OMNI forum are two excellent examples, as each forum has its own special rules) and who are the moderators assigned to that forum.

I may be wrong, but it would seem to me that this feature, as well as many other functions and features in the vBulletin bulletin board software, is fluid enough so that it could be turned on or off at any time as deemed necessary with little or no disruption to the new FlyerTalk once it is in operation.

As long as the Technical Issues forum and Suggestions forum exist in FlyerTalk in the future, improving FlyerTalk as necessary should be easy — much easier, I would think, than trying to improve the current FlyerTalk Internet web site.

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For everybody’s convenience, here are the features of vBulletin bulletin board software, which may help answer some questions and satisfy some of the curiosity of what features could or may be included in the new and improved FlyerTalk.

[This message has been edited by Canarsie (edited Feb 24, 2004).]

How will I ever achieve my personal (secret) amount of FT-posts goal, if 'you' take away the opportunity to answer the same questions again and again ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I think that priceline-oriented site at biddingfortravel.com has the sticky features to outline the FAQ's and to list the hotels priceline offers by categories and by area. That would be a good solution to put an FAQ thread which can be locked by moderators and updated periodically.

This thread appeared only hours after I posted the following statement:

The timing could not have been better!

I think a sticky would be great for threads such as the great thread I.P. made for the NW board just prior to his leaving that lists all the fare class and their definitions (i.e. upgradeable, extra miles, etc.) I still refer to it from time to time, and searching can be a hassle. And new threads re: fare class definitions seem to come up at least once a week too. That's at least 52 extra threads that clots the forum that could have otherwise been avoided, or more.

A question, is it a whole new board system, or just a big update for the current one?

On the issue of 'Stickies.' Currently there are only two forums that we have targeted for that use and they were provided from an above thread - OMNI and Coupon Connection which both have special guidelines for their use. Others may perhaps come into being because frankly there are some excellent ideas above.

The only isuse we still have outstanding from our internal list is the position and use of OMNI. We will most definitely be moving it from FT Travel but am stumped as to where to put it. Some suggest dump it, others glorify it. nonetheless, we will try and make that as painless as possible.

Thanks for the suggestions and most valuable feedback.

Another nice feature would have the site remember your username & password and keep you logged in. I like how it generally does that "per session" on FT, but it'd be nice if it could permanently do that. Similar to how NW's website can "remember" your account number and you have the option of it "remembering" your pin.

Not a necessesity & not high up on the list of things to do, but I think it'd be a nice enhancement.