FT questions...
Aug 13, 2009 | 8:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MA
Programs: DL
Posts: 1,559
FT questions...
I have a few questions. I just thought the best place to ask it was here.
1. I have seen a few users with "FlyerTalk Evangelist" under their name. What does that mean, and what qualifications do you need to get that status?
2. Moderators - I have seen a lot of moderators on here, how do they become moderators? Do they apply or are they just nominated?
3. What does DO stand for? (As in public FT events, like the recent one in ATL for the DL forum)
4. FT's logo, etc...Maybe it's time for a new FT logo, since the current one is kinda plain, IMO needs some enhancement. Another idea, having the posting system in a new format (so when you type a message it doesn't have BB markup - you can view what will actually appear on the screen, and when you view a message in a thread, it has a different format.
5. Sub-forums. I am a organized person. How I have my files set up at school is each class has a folder (Enlgish, SS, math, etc.) and in each folder there are sub-folders, which is word, excel, ppt, etc. If there is one big project, I will create a folder for that project only, next to the word, ppt, excel and other folders. My point is, I wish that could happen to all forums (particurarly with Airline Programs) but I know some forums can't have something similar (like OMNI, TravelBuzz, etc.) But for the future of the DL forum, you could have:
SkyMiles (or whatever the new program name will be) sub-forum - specifically related to the program
Onboard - Flight attendants, seats, food/drinks served on board, IFE, etc.
Ckeck-in/Bag claim - Regarding checking in, OLCI, baggage claim
Airports - Talk about gate moving, new destionations, new routes, discontinued routes, discontinued destionations, etc.
Fleet - Talk about new airplanes being delivered, damage to aircraft, aircraft re-painting, retired aircraft, etc.
Current Events - News stories, IRROPS, diverted/cancelled flights, big topics, etc.
Miscellaneous
I think that subforums would be really helpful when making a new thread because it categorizes things. People that are better with a sub-forum can help in that part while another person can help in a different sub-forum, etc.
That concludes my questions. Thanks for taking the time to read and hope to hear a response.
1. I have seen a few users with "FlyerTalk Evangelist" under their name. What does that mean, and what qualifications do you need to get that status?
2. Moderators - I have seen a lot of moderators on here, how do they become moderators? Do they apply or are they just nominated?
3. What does DO stand for? (As in public FT events, like the recent one in ATL for the DL forum)
4. FT's logo, etc...Maybe it's time for a new FT logo, since the current one is kinda plain, IMO needs some enhancement. Another idea, having the posting system in a new format (so when you type a message it doesn't have BB markup - you can view what will actually appear on the screen, and when you view a message in a thread, it has a different format.
5. Sub-forums. I am a organized person. How I have my files set up at school is each class has a folder (Enlgish, SS, math, etc.) and in each folder there are sub-folders, which is word, excel, ppt, etc. If there is one big project, I will create a folder for that project only, next to the word, ppt, excel and other folders. My point is, I wish that could happen to all forums (particurarly with Airline Programs) but I know some forums can't have something similar (like OMNI, TravelBuzz, etc.) But for the future of the DL forum, you could have:
SkyMiles (or whatever the new program name will be) sub-forum - specifically related to the program
Onboard - Flight attendants, seats, food/drinks served on board, IFE, etc.
Ckeck-in/Bag claim - Regarding checking in, OLCI, baggage claim
Airports - Talk about gate moving, new destionations, new routes, discontinued routes, discontinued destionations, etc.
Fleet - Talk about new airplanes being delivered, damage to aircraft, aircraft re-painting, retired aircraft, etc.
Current Events - News stories, IRROPS, diverted/cancelled flights, big topics, etc.
Miscellaneous
I think that subforums would be really helpful when making a new thread because it categorizes things. People that are better with a sub-forum can help in that part while another person can help in a different sub-forum, etc.
That concludes my questions. Thanks for taking the time to read and hope to hear a response.
Aug 14, 2009 | 12:14 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CMH/CVG
Programs: DL
Posts: 484
The only one of those I can answer is the one about being a moderator. I'm not sure but for a start you could look at the volunteer section under members at the top of the page. I'm not a moderator so i'm not sure maybe PM one of them...
Aug 14, 2009 | 7:34 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,036
1. It happens automatically when you reach 10,000 posts. You don't get a lapel pin or find out the secret handshake, though.
3. "Do" doesn't stand for anything. It's standard UK slang for a party. For some reason a few otherwise intelligent people here insist on spelling it "Doo." Don't ask me why. Maybe has something to do with their toilet training.
4b. You can preview your posts before you post them. Major changes to the way it works are problematical because FT uses a popular bulletin-board software package. Non-trivial changes, aside from involving a lot of work on its part, would have to be redone for each release.
3. "Do" doesn't stand for anything. It's standard UK slang for a party. For some reason a few otherwise intelligent people here insist on spelling it "Doo." Don't ask me why. Maybe has something to do with their toilet training.
4b. You can preview your posts before you post them. Major changes to the way it works are problematical because FT uses a popular bulletin-board software package. Non-trivial changes, aside from involving a lot of work on its part, would have to be redone for each release.
Aug 14, 2009 | 8:29 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MA
Programs: DL
Posts: 1,559
Thanks for the responses
Aug 16, 2009 | 2:36 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,674
Wonder why it didn't take place in this case.
I am not sure your idea of subforum/s would work but ideas for fora/subfora should be under TalkBoard's purview:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...onsidered.html
Aug 17, 2009 | 11:43 am
#6
Founder of FlyerTalk
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 6,540
Let me see what i can do to answer your questions. I'll put my comments below each question of yours and trust that they will help. And thanks for your support of FlyerTalk, you've done well with your contributions.
I have a few questions. I just thought the best place to ask it was here.
1. I have seen a few users with "FlyerTalk Evangelist" under their name. What does that mean, and what qualifications do you need to get that status?
This was started a long, long time ago and somewhat in a different universe than what FlyerTalk is today. But nonetheless, it was originally designed to identify those original members who had become examples of what FlyerTalk was all about - posting to help others and active in the growth of FlyerTalk ... in abundance! Again, it was a different time and it was very rewarding to identify who those members were. Today, some will want the attention and others won't, so it can vary as to whether the notation is on their identity or not. Once and a while someone will lobby to eliminate these special titles and there are thoughts on any number of sides with no real conclusion, so the honorary titles remain and continue to be automatic for any member reaching the 10,000-post level. On occasion a title will need to be updated as it might have got caught in some unknown version of an update to the vB software and we handle those updates on a by-case request.
2. Moderators - I have seen a lot of moderators on here, how do they become moderators? Do they apply or are they just nominated?
With 27-60,000 unique people visiting FlyerTalk on any given day, Moderators serve a valuable role in keeping topics on topic, serving as go-betweens with our members and most of all assisting members in finding things on FlyerTalk and interpreting the rules which are designed for good member interactions and they also serve as line of first defense in the estimated thousands of attacks daily, weekly and monthly from spammers.
The initial Moderators were a leap-of-faith for me. Almost all were unknown to me personally and all I had to go on was their interest in helping our other members. We really got lucky. Later on we moved to choosing moderators based on applications and some due diligence of their posts on FlyerTalk. That still takes place though their has been a great emphasis in the last few years of proactively identifying members who are doing great jobs helping others within forums and approaching them to become Moderators, in essence recruiting the type of member we think Moderators want to be and that is helping other members. There are far greater number of members who aspire to be Moderators than we have positions for because in the past few years each new Moderator has to go through a formal training program and as well be trained by a mentoring/training Moderator and there are only a few of them in the 80 or so volunteers we currently have. So we try and mange their time available to the needs within our forums.
3. What does DO stand for? (As in public FT events, like the recent one in ATL for the DL forum)
This as well was something started by our members as a slang for a member get-together. I think in dictionary terms it can mean "bash: an uproarious party." My first recollection of use of the term (1998?, 1999?) was by Catman. It might have also been used by another original member who was quite helpful with Catman and that member was PremEx. I'm not sure if they did originate use of the term on FlyerTalk to describer member get-togethers, but it was them that I first heard use of the term and since then it has become past of our lexicon.
4. FT's logo, etc...Maybe it's time for a new FT logo, since the current one is kinda plain, IMO needs some enhancement. Another idea, having the posting system in a new format (so when you type a message it doesn't have BB markup - you can view what will actually appear on the screen, and when you view a message in a thread, it has a different format.
The logo? Plain or not, it is fairly definable in today's world and we were really among the first to denote use of the comment balloon (from cartoons) as part of the identity. Perhaps over time we'll see a version 2.0 as part of the Web 2.0 or 3.0 style logos, but I rarely hear from any member or members requesting a new logo so that's likely low on my need-to-do list ... sorry! But it is a good think to think about so thanks.
As for the different format, well, you have control of that ... or actually used to. Currently you can view in the linear format, oldest or newest posts first. We used to offer other formats for our members but I just now noticed that they are no longer optional in the MyFlyerTalk area of "Edit Options." Here is an explanation of the other options we formerly offered and I'll see if there is a way we can return them to you:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/faq.p...thread_display
Not sure why they were discontinued and please let me know if this is what you had in mind regarding formats?
5. Sub-forums. I am a organized person. How I have my files set up at school is each class has a folder (Enlgish, SS, math, etc.) and in each folder there are sub-folders, which is word, excel, ppt, etc. If there is one big project, I will create a folder for that project only, next to the word, ppt, excel and other folders. My point is, I wish that could happen to all forums (particurarly with Airline Programs) but I know some forums can't have something similar (like OMNI, TravelBuzz, etc.) But for the future of the DL forum, you could have:
SkyMiles (or whatever the new program name will be) sub-forum - specifically related to the program
Onboard - Flight attendants, seats, food/drinks served on board, IFE, etc.
Ckeck-in/Bag claim - Regarding checking in, OLCI, baggage claim
Airports - Talk about gate moving, new destionations, new routes, discontinued routes, discontinued destionations, etc.
Fleet - Talk about new airplanes being delivered, damage to aircraft, aircraft re-painting, retired aircraft, etc.
Current Events - News stories, IRROPS, diverted/cancelled flights, big topics, etc.
Miscellaneous
I think that subforums would be really helpful when making a new thread because it categorizes things. People that are better with a sub-forum can help in that part while another person can help in a different sub-forum, etc.
There are magazines, books, Web sites and much more all with different ideas on organization and overall what we have seems to have worked over the past 11 years. Doesn't mean it is perfect but for me, what we have makes sense and I can use it easily. For me, and again, we all have different sets of eyes, what you describe is an additional layer of complexity, moving away from a one-click (or close to) system we currently have. Doesn't mean it is not a good idea in the future of FlyerTalk but I've really tried to rely on our member-elected TalkBoard to manage some of these types of observations so that a number of different eyeballs can decide rather than just mine. For me, it's not broke and I don't want to break it. But then again for me, I'm an old dog and don't want to learn a new trick!!!
That concludes my questions. Thanks for taking the time to read and hope to hear a response.
1. I have seen a few users with "FlyerTalk Evangelist" under their name. What does that mean, and what qualifications do you need to get that status?
This was started a long, long time ago and somewhat in a different universe than what FlyerTalk is today. But nonetheless, it was originally designed to identify those original members who had become examples of what FlyerTalk was all about - posting to help others and active in the growth of FlyerTalk ... in abundance! Again, it was a different time and it was very rewarding to identify who those members were. Today, some will want the attention and others won't, so it can vary as to whether the notation is on their identity or not. Once and a while someone will lobby to eliminate these special titles and there are thoughts on any number of sides with no real conclusion, so the honorary titles remain and continue to be automatic for any member reaching the 10,000-post level. On occasion a title will need to be updated as it might have got caught in some unknown version of an update to the vB software and we handle those updates on a by-case request.
2. Moderators - I have seen a lot of moderators on here, how do they become moderators? Do they apply or are they just nominated?
With 27-60,000 unique people visiting FlyerTalk on any given day, Moderators serve a valuable role in keeping topics on topic, serving as go-betweens with our members and most of all assisting members in finding things on FlyerTalk and interpreting the rules which are designed for good member interactions and they also serve as line of first defense in the estimated thousands of attacks daily, weekly and monthly from spammers.
The initial Moderators were a leap-of-faith for me. Almost all were unknown to me personally and all I had to go on was their interest in helping our other members. We really got lucky. Later on we moved to choosing moderators based on applications and some due diligence of their posts on FlyerTalk. That still takes place though their has been a great emphasis in the last few years of proactively identifying members who are doing great jobs helping others within forums and approaching them to become Moderators, in essence recruiting the type of member we think Moderators want to be and that is helping other members. There are far greater number of members who aspire to be Moderators than we have positions for because in the past few years each new Moderator has to go through a formal training program and as well be trained by a mentoring/training Moderator and there are only a few of them in the 80 or so volunteers we currently have. So we try and mange their time available to the needs within our forums.
3. What does DO stand for? (As in public FT events, like the recent one in ATL for the DL forum)
This as well was something started by our members as a slang for a member get-together. I think in dictionary terms it can mean "bash: an uproarious party." My first recollection of use of the term (1998?, 1999?) was by Catman. It might have also been used by another original member who was quite helpful with Catman and that member was PremEx. I'm not sure if they did originate use of the term on FlyerTalk to describer member get-togethers, but it was them that I first heard use of the term and since then it has become past of our lexicon.
4. FT's logo, etc...Maybe it's time for a new FT logo, since the current one is kinda plain, IMO needs some enhancement. Another idea, having the posting system in a new format (so when you type a message it doesn't have BB markup - you can view what will actually appear on the screen, and when you view a message in a thread, it has a different format.
The logo? Plain or not, it is fairly definable in today's world and we were really among the first to denote use of the comment balloon (from cartoons) as part of the identity. Perhaps over time we'll see a version 2.0 as part of the Web 2.0 or 3.0 style logos, but I rarely hear from any member or members requesting a new logo so that's likely low on my need-to-do list ... sorry! But it is a good think to think about so thanks.
As for the different format, well, you have control of that ... or actually used to. Currently you can view in the linear format, oldest or newest posts first. We used to offer other formats for our members but I just now noticed that they are no longer optional in the MyFlyerTalk area of "Edit Options." Here is an explanation of the other options we formerly offered and I'll see if there is a way we can return them to you:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/faq.p...thread_display
Not sure why they were discontinued and please let me know if this is what you had in mind regarding formats?
5. Sub-forums. I am a organized person. How I have my files set up at school is each class has a folder (Enlgish, SS, math, etc.) and in each folder there are sub-folders, which is word, excel, ppt, etc. If there is one big project, I will create a folder for that project only, next to the word, ppt, excel and other folders. My point is, I wish that could happen to all forums (particurarly with Airline Programs) but I know some forums can't have something similar (like OMNI, TravelBuzz, etc.) But for the future of the DL forum, you could have:
SkyMiles (or whatever the new program name will be) sub-forum - specifically related to the program
Onboard - Flight attendants, seats, food/drinks served on board, IFE, etc.
Ckeck-in/Bag claim - Regarding checking in, OLCI, baggage claim
Airports - Talk about gate moving, new destionations, new routes, discontinued routes, discontinued destionations, etc.
Fleet - Talk about new airplanes being delivered, damage to aircraft, aircraft re-painting, retired aircraft, etc.
Current Events - News stories, IRROPS, diverted/cancelled flights, big topics, etc.
Miscellaneous
I think that subforums would be really helpful when making a new thread because it categorizes things. People that are better with a sub-forum can help in that part while another person can help in a different sub-forum, etc.
There are magazines, books, Web sites and much more all with different ideas on organization and overall what we have seems to have worked over the past 11 years. Doesn't mean it is perfect but for me, what we have makes sense and I can use it easily. For me, and again, we all have different sets of eyes, what you describe is an additional layer of complexity, moving away from a one-click (or close to) system we currently have. Doesn't mean it is not a good idea in the future of FlyerTalk but I've really tried to rely on our member-elected TalkBoard to manage some of these types of observations so that a number of different eyeballs can decide rather than just mine. For me, it's not broke and I don't want to break it. But then again for me, I'm an old dog and don't want to learn a new trick!!!
That concludes my questions. Thanks for taking the time to read and hope to hear a response.
Sep 24, 2009 | 1:11 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MA
Programs: DL
Posts: 1,559
Thank you for taking the time to reply Randy.
If you could reply to the PM I sent you, it would be appreciated.
Thanks
If you could reply to the PM I sent you, it would be appreciated.
Thanks
Sep 24, 2009 | 1:47 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
2. Moderators - I have seen a lot of moderators on here, how do they become moderators? Do they apply or are they just nominated?
3. What does DO stand for? (As in public FT events, like the recent one in ATL for the DL forum)
4. FT's logo, etc...Maybe it's time for a new FT logo, since the current one is kinda plain, IMO needs some enhancement. Another idea, having the posting system in a new format (so when you type a message it doesn't have BB markup - you can view what will actually appear on the screen, and when you view a message in a thread, it has a different format.
5. Sub-forums. I am a organized person. How I have my files set up at school is each class has a folder (Enlgish, SS, math, etc.) and in each folder there are sub-folders, which is word, excel, ppt, etc. If there is one big project, I will create a folder for that project only, next to the word, ppt, excel and other folders. My point is, I wish that could happen to all forums (particurarly with Airline Programs) but I know some forums can't have something similar (like OMNI, TravelBuzz, etc.) But for the future of the DL forum, you could have:
SkyMiles (or whatever the new program name will be) sub-forum - specifically related to the program
Onboard - Flight attendants, seats, food/drinks served on board, IFE, etc.
Ckeck-in/Bag claim - Regarding checking in, OLCI, baggage claim
Airports - Talk about gate moving, new destionations, new routes, discontinued routes, discontinued destionations, etc.
Fleet - Talk about new airplanes being delivered, damage to aircraft, aircraft re-painting, retired aircraft, etc.
Current Events - News stories, IRROPS, diverted/cancelled flights, big topics, etc.
Miscellaneous
SkyMiles (or whatever the new program name will be) sub-forum - specifically related to the program
Onboard - Flight attendants, seats, food/drinks served on board, IFE, etc.
Ckeck-in/Bag claim - Regarding checking in, OLCI, baggage claim
Airports - Talk about gate moving, new destionations, new routes, discontinued routes, discontinued destionations, etc.
Fleet - Talk about new airplanes being delivered, damage to aircraft, aircraft re-painting, retired aircraft, etc.
Current Events - News stories, IRROPS, diverted/cancelled flights, big topics, etc.
Miscellaneous
I think that subforums would be really helpful when making a new thread because it categorizes things. People that are better with a sub-forum can help in that part while another person can help in a different sub-forum, etc.
Sep 24, 2009 | 5:42 pm
#9
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
<just kidding>
Sep 25, 2009 | 9:18 am
#10
Founder of FlyerTalk
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 6,540
And we do know that "Carmen Sandiego" really got the "Where in the World .." idea from how we find me to arrange the secret handshake.
I'll resend the label pin. Silly to think we could try and identify each other without it. Actually, with a tip-of-the-hat to Starwood, I'm thinking of changing to a "design-your-own member label pin" similar to my personal favorite annual task of designing my own personal SPG card (spg.com/mycard).
I'll resend the label pin. Silly to think we could try and identify each other without it. Actually, with a tip-of-the-hat to Starwood, I'm thinking of changing to a "design-your-own member label pin" similar to my personal favorite annual task of designing my own personal SPG card (spg.com/mycard).
Your lapel pin must've gotten lost in the mail. I would ask Randy to re-send it. Regarding the secret handshake, you have to arrange to meet Randy in person to find out what it is. It is just that secret.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
<just kidding>
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
<just kidding>
Sep 30, 2009 | 1:28 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MA
Programs: DL
Posts: 1,559
Just another thought: If you move your mouse over the forum jumper at the top of the page (Miles/Points, Travel/Dining, Community, OMNI) it would be a nice idea to have a drop-down menu listing the forums within that section, especially for OMNI.
Randy, I'd really appreciated if you replied to the PM that I sent you (let me know if you didn't get it). Thank you.
Randy, I'd really appreciated if you replied to the PM that I sent you (let me know if you didn't get it). Thank you.