Originally Posted by Efrem (Post 12225098)

1. It happens automatically when you reach 10,000 posts. You don't get a lapel pin or find out the secret handshake, though.

Originally Posted by tjisnumbaone (Post 12223444)

5. Sub-forums.

Originally Posted by tjisnumbaone (Post 12223444)

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.

Originally Posted by tjisnumbaone (Post 12223444)

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?

Originally Posted by Efrem (Post 12225098)

1. It happens automatically when you reach 10,000 posts. You don't get a lapel pin or find out the secret handshake, though...

Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker (Post 12433833)

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> ;)