Now I know this has been mooted before (apologies if there is a lengthy thread on it already, search isn't wokring), but we really need a comprehensive FAQ. With the noticable growth in traffic, there are a lot of new users who could easily be helped by reference to a sheet of basic questions and answers. That would enable them to interact more fully and also save on time and bandwidth. I know the front page gives outline instructions but it is no longer comprehensive enough.

As a minimum, this should include topics such as:

What are the aims of flyertalk?
What do the administrators do?
How to use the board?
Which forum should I post in?
How do I use UBB codes?
etc. etc. ec.

Other sections could answer some of the basic questions that get asked time and time again about general FF topics. If things get really advanced there could be specific FAQs for the major airlines and hotels, perhaps compiled by the resident experts with reference to questions in past threads. In some cases, it may not be necessary even to write a formal FAQ because we could quote specific posts or add hyperlinks to earlier accurate, comprehensive threads.

Now I'm not offering to write this and I know that it will take a lot of people to come up with a comprehensive list of questions anyway. The technical bits ought to be written by people who really know how to use the software I am however happy to help with my ideas for questions and some answers and with those areas that I know something about.

If some of you would like to take up the gauntlet, we could start with a thread in Omni on 'What questions should be in a general FAQ?'. If noone is bothered, that thread won't happen If you are interested, the idea could be replicated, e.g. a thread in United called 'What questions in a United FAQ?'. If there is enthusiasm, we can build from these initial threads; if they become thorough they will be very useful to almost everyone on the board, not just the newbies.

It may be that the basic (general) FAQ is a task for the folks at webflyer. I think anything more advanced or specific will benefit greatly from the wisdom of all the frequent travellers here.

Thanks for your time, James

[This message has been edited by james (edited 08-17-1999).]

james - good idea - well stated - good points. I know this topic has come up before. Being relatively new around this place myself, the following is the only thread I'm aware of.
http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/Foru...ML/000062.html

My impression is that a lot of people think this is a good idea, but it is floundering for lack of decision leadership, or foolishness ( ), on the part of someone willing to invest some time to actually put an actual FAQ document together.

james, as usual you make good points. I'm asking for a bit of patience on this, as well as some other related stuff, for a bit longer.

I figure I'll have enough time to do stuff when I'm on vacation next week

bryan - what happened to the "Administrator"?