Proposal for "Invite-Only" or "Restricted" area of forum
Aug 31, 2010, 4:06 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,041
To start, maybe limit it to those registered for >1 year and have >100 posts. From there, perhaps some sort of audition panel model (i.e. you will only get an invite if you PM a designated person an idea you have that isn't readily available on the forum and it is approved by 1-2 of the proposed section's moderators)?
This would greatly reduce the 200,000 to (fill in number, not sure) and limit it only to those that contribute their idea (therefore everyone has skin in the game rather than just leeching).
On a side note, I would absolutely volunteer to be a part of the screening process.
This would greatly reduce the 200,000 to (fill in number, not sure) and limit it only to those that contribute their idea (therefore everyone has skin in the game rather than just leeching).
On a side note, I would absolutely volunteer to be a part of the screening process.
Aug 31, 2010, 4:13 pm
#17
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Let me add that the prior discussion heavily involved the Mileage Run Discussion moderators. Do you have them on board with this new proposal?
Aug 31, 2010, 4:15 pm
#18
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
Aug 31, 2010, 4:20 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
There are newbies and there are newbies. To be fair, some newbies even demonstrate more common sense than certain old timers. I've also seen clueless posts from FTers with post count in hundreds (even thousands).
There's no correlation between (common sense+ self-discipline) and (post count and/or membership year).
BTW, who gets to play the "almighty selection/screening god?"
Whatever the purpose of this proposed restricted area is, I doubt it would be in line with mission of FT. Who gets to decide what deals to be restricted info?
Not to mention it's impossible to cultivate virtue on any internet bulletin board.
Aug 31, 2010, 6:10 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: I've gone underground!
Posts: 4,604
Although I never participate in CC and rarely in MR/deals fora, I am in favor of this for a couple of reasons.
On Randy has discussed his original intention of the CC. To be honest, I think some of these deals would benefit from the same spirit. How many of us withhold information or ideas because you're afraid someone's going to spoil it?
Case in point... I got flamed out of the Coin thread 2 years ago because I had a bank teller warn me about excessive deposits prior to the Mint restricting the sales. She told me that someone had made a >$5k deposit and the bank reported it. Some members were upset by my post and began to accuse me of encouraging fraud, etc. The reality is that I was simply trying to pass on the message oft repeated across that and other threads (mistake fares, for example) of "don't be greedy."
Anyway, back to Randy's original CC intent... I genuinely believe a restricted forum based on time/post count/daily post average as a payback for one's FT contributions would be beneficial.
On Randy has discussed his original intention of the CC. To be honest, I think some of these deals would benefit from the same spirit. How many of us withhold information or ideas because you're afraid someone's going to spoil it?
Case in point... I got flamed out of the Coin thread 2 years ago because I had a bank teller warn me about excessive deposits prior to the Mint restricting the sales. She told me that someone had made a >$5k deposit and the bank reported it. Some members were upset by my post and began to accuse me of encouraging fraud, etc. The reality is that I was simply trying to pass on the message oft repeated across that and other threads (mistake fares, for example) of "don't be greedy."
Anyway, back to Randy's original CC intent... I genuinely believe a restricted forum based on time/post count/daily post average as a payback for one's FT contributions would be beneficial.
Aug 31, 2010, 8:08 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
Aug 31, 2010, 8:39 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
Ok - so I read through the last several pages of the US Mint coin & gathered what info I could from the FTG blog.
So, someone posted something off of FT that was information that could have been easily gathered from FT (or even FatWallet and the like).
IMHO, a "restricted" forum still wouldn't prevent the poster to post on a blog. Same thing with Airfare Watch Dog posting stuff that was pulled from the MR forum.
These folks would likely meet whatever restriction you'd want put in place.
If you don't want information shared publically, then don't share it or discuss it on FlyerTalk - make the simple assumption that every post you put is being read by an airline or hotel or rental car or even a credit card lurker. Folks, companies are not stupid here - they realize the value of FT and I guarantee you this site is mined for data and perceptions.
I don't think that a couple of "deals" (which in this particular case, is something that some folks may consider to be bad karma as tax payers are footing the bill for shipping & credit card fees) potentially drying up should make FT an exclusive place. The OP's of this thread has been on FT for less than a year & has about 200 posts...many on FT would consider that person a newbie still...and if there was some sort of restriction approved, it may exclude someone like that.
If you want to be exclusive, maybe go start a forum elsewhere....
So, someone posted something off of FT that was information that could have been easily gathered from FT (or even FatWallet and the like).
IMHO, a "restricted" forum still wouldn't prevent the poster to post on a blog. Same thing with Airfare Watch Dog posting stuff that was pulled from the MR forum.
These folks would likely meet whatever restriction you'd want put in place.
If you don't want information shared publically, then don't share it or discuss it on FlyerTalk - make the simple assumption that every post you put is being read by an airline or hotel or rental car or even a credit card lurker. Folks, companies are not stupid here - they realize the value of FT and I guarantee you this site is mined for data and perceptions.
I don't think that a couple of "deals" (which in this particular case, is something that some folks may consider to be bad karma as tax payers are footing the bill for shipping & credit card fees) potentially drying up should make FT an exclusive place. The OP's of this thread has been on FT for less than a year & has about 200 posts...many on FT would consider that person a newbie still...and if there was some sort of restriction approved, it may exclude someone like that.
If you want to be exclusive, maybe go start a forum elsewhere....
Aug 31, 2010, 10:18 pm
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,449
Sorry but whether it's an exisiting forum or a brand new one it still seems to be the same thing: restricting access. Considering many here vociferously opposed any kind of access restrictions so the chances of such a proposal coming to pass are tiny especially with such subjective entry requirements.
Sep 1, 2010, 3:40 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 470
I realize now that my post was confusing, but I was making a social comment about the purpose of FT seeming to have been completely lost in that thread, which only was further evidenced by a few people now looking to set up a "secret club" to get access to information on FT.
Sep 1, 2010, 5:17 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
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Posts: 32,330
If you want to be exclusive, maybe go start a forum elsewhere....
More to this idea than meeets the eye it seems.
FT is an open resource. Always has been.
That it precisely why it survives.
I've been here over 10 years, and earned many millions of miles from tips gathered from here.
No secret cabals needed. No special handshakes. No insider tips.
I got, like many others, some 1.4 MILLION free airline miles on KLM that any member had access to for months, simply for faxing in their elite statement and taking one paid flight. That gave us several round the world, first class tickets and I still have a bunch not spent.
I made BA Concorde RT flights for $1,200, (as did 100s of others here) stayed at many hotel for $1 a night etc.
The list goes on forever.
Hang in there, be an active member, and read a lot.
The deals are there for the taking. For ALL members. It what the Community is all about.
Sure many loopholes get plugged fast .. that is WHY being active pays off.
.
Sep 1, 2010, 7:18 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: *G, SPG, OW Sapphire
Posts: 2,565
Then FTers would never have learned about the Concorde Hotel Singapore deal, because it's the 1st post/thread from jammin, who would not be on "the list."
There are newbies and there are newbies. To be fair, some newbies even demonstrate more common sense than certain old timers. I've also seen clueless posts from FTers with post count in hundreds (even thousands).
There's no correlation between (common sense+ self-discipline) and (post count and/or membership year).
Are you trying to start a secret club for genii or those-who-do-not-use-FTsearch? The two groups are very different but both fit the above criterion.
BTW, who gets to play the "almighty selection/screening god?"
I can see where you are coming from. BUT...
Whatever the purpose of this proposed restricted area is, I doubt it would be in line with mission of FT. Who gets to decide what deals to be restricted info?
Not to mention it's impossible to cultivate virtue on any internet bulletin board.
There are newbies and there are newbies. To be fair, some newbies even demonstrate more common sense than certain old timers. I've also seen clueless posts from FTers with post count in hundreds (even thousands).
There's no correlation between (common sense+ self-discipline) and (post count and/or membership year).
Are you trying to start a secret club for genii or those-who-do-not-use-FTsearch? The two groups are very different but both fit the above criterion.
BTW, who gets to play the "almighty selection/screening god?"
I can see where you are coming from. BUT...
Whatever the purpose of this proposed restricted area is, I doubt it would be in line with mission of FT. Who gets to decide what deals to be restricted info?
Not to mention it's impossible to cultivate virtue on any internet bulletin board.
Although I never participate in CC and rarely in MR/deals fora, I am in favor of this for a couple of reasons.
On Randy has discussed his original intention of the CC. To be honest, I think some of these deals would benefit from the same spirit. How many of us withhold information or ideas because you're afraid someone's going to spoil it?
Case in point... I got flamed out of the Coin thread 2 years ago because I had a bank teller warn me about excessive deposits prior to the Mint restricting the sales. She told me that someone had made a >$5k deposit and the bank reported it. Some members were upset by my post and began to accuse me of encouraging fraud, etc. The reality is that I was simply trying to pass on the message oft repeated across that and other threads (mistake fares, for example) of "don't be greedy."
Anyway, back to Randy's original CC intent... I genuinely believe a restricted forum based on time/post count/daily post average as a payback for one's FT contributions would be beneficial.
On Randy has discussed his original intention of the CC. To be honest, I think some of these deals would benefit from the same spirit. How many of us withhold information or ideas because you're afraid someone's going to spoil it?
Case in point... I got flamed out of the Coin thread 2 years ago because I had a bank teller warn me about excessive deposits prior to the Mint restricting the sales. She told me that someone had made a >$5k deposit and the bank reported it. Some members were upset by my post and began to accuse me of encouraging fraud, etc. The reality is that I was simply trying to pass on the message oft repeated across that and other threads (mistake fares, for example) of "don't be greedy."
Anyway, back to Randy's original CC intent... I genuinely believe a restricted forum based on time/post count/daily post average as a payback for one's FT contributions would be beneficial.
Ok - so I read through the last several pages of the US Mint coin & gathered what info I could from the FTG blog.
So, someone posted something off of FT that was information that could have been easily gathered from FT (or even FatWallet and the like).
IMHO, a "restricted" forum still wouldn't prevent the poster to post on a blog. Same thing with Airfare Watch Dog posting stuff that was pulled from the MR forum.
These folks would likely meet whatever restriction you'd want put in place.
If you don't want information shared publically, then don't share it or discuss it on FlyerTalk - make the simple assumption that every post you put is being read by an airline or hotel or rental car or even a credit card lurker. Folks, companies are not stupid here - they realize the value of FT and I guarantee you this site is mined for data and perceptions.
I don't think that a couple of "deals" (which in this particular case, is something that some folks may consider to be bad karma as tax payers are footing the bill for shipping & credit card fees) potentially drying up should make FT an exclusive place. The OP's of this thread has been on FT for less than a year & has about 200 posts...many on FT would consider that person a newbie still...and if there was some sort of restriction approved, it may exclude someone like that.
If you want to be exclusive, maybe go start a forum elsewhere....
So, someone posted something off of FT that was information that could have been easily gathered from FT (or even FatWallet and the like).
IMHO, a "restricted" forum still wouldn't prevent the poster to post on a blog. Same thing with Airfare Watch Dog posting stuff that was pulled from the MR forum.
These folks would likely meet whatever restriction you'd want put in place.
If you don't want information shared publically, then don't share it or discuss it on FlyerTalk - make the simple assumption that every post you put is being read by an airline or hotel or rental car or even a credit card lurker. Folks, companies are not stupid here - they realize the value of FT and I guarantee you this site is mined for data and perceptions.
I don't think that a couple of "deals" (which in this particular case, is something that some folks may consider to be bad karma as tax payers are footing the bill for shipping & credit card fees) potentially drying up should make FT an exclusive place. The OP's of this thread has been on FT for less than a year & has about 200 posts...many on FT would consider that person a newbie still...and if there was some sort of restriction approved, it may exclude someone like that.
If you want to be exclusive, maybe go start a forum elsewhere....
Ha!
More to this idea than meeets the eye it seems.
FT is an open resource. Always has been.
That it precisely why it survives.
I've been here over 10 years, and earned many millions of miles from tips gathered from here.
No secret cabals needed. No special handshakes. No insider tips.
I got, like many others, some 1.4 MILLION free airline miles on KLM that any member had access to for months, simply for faxing in their elite statement and taking one paid flight. That gave us several round the world, first class tickets and I still have a bunch not spent.
I made BA Concorde RT flights for $1,200, (as did 100s of others here) stayed at many hotel for $1 a night etc.
The list goes on forever.
Hang in there, be an active member, and read a lot.
The deals are there for the taking. For ALL members. It what the Community is all about.
Sure many loopholes get plugged fast .. that is WHY being active pays off.
.
More to this idea than meeets the eye it seems.
FT is an open resource. Always has been.
That it precisely why it survives.
I've been here over 10 years, and earned many millions of miles from tips gathered from here.
No secret cabals needed. No special handshakes. No insider tips.
I got, like many others, some 1.4 MILLION free airline miles on KLM that any member had access to for months, simply for faxing in their elite statement and taking one paid flight. That gave us several round the world, first class tickets and I still have a bunch not spent.
I made BA Concorde RT flights for $1,200, (as did 100s of others here) stayed at many hotel for $1 a night etc.
The list goes on forever.
Hang in there, be an active member, and read a lot.
The deals are there for the taking. For ALL members. It what the Community is all about.
Sure many loopholes get plugged fast .. that is WHY being active pays off.
.
Sep 1, 2010, 7:42 am
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: *G, SPG, OW Sapphire
Posts: 2,565
The main reason I brought it up is because I wasn't here to vote on or discuss my take on the original proposal. It is partially my support of the original proposal that is currently leading me towards not supporting the current one.
In order for me to be comfortable supporting this proposal, I need to believe that 1) passing this proposal will have the desired effect of increasing the sharing of deals and 2) passing this proposal will not hurt the greater FlyerTalk community by obscuring a center of discussion and assistance that does the great service of attracting new people to the forums. So far, I am not convinced this proposal achieves either objective. I'm open for convincing, but we only have a few more days before the vote closes!
In order for me to be comfortable supporting this proposal, I need to believe that 1) passing this proposal will have the desired effect of increasing the sharing of deals and 2) passing this proposal will not hurt the greater FlyerTalk community by obscuring a center of discussion and assistance that does the great service of attracting new people to the forums. So far, I am not convinced this proposal achieves either objective. I'm open for convincing, but we only have a few more days before the vote closes!
Sep 1, 2010, 8:14 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,330
johndeere19 - the fatal flaw in your master plan is that you seem to assume some superbeing will select only those for access who will swear on 10 bibles not to blab.
You are also assuming of course also that these chosen few will between them (a) source every good deal existing and (b) share them.
Join the REAL world - it will not happen.
Airline and Hotel staff are EVERYWHERE on FT, including posting to this very thread.
100s of them have a lot more posts than you, and they of course will likely get granted entry to this secret club only to be tempted pass on any major snafus they see to HQ.
See the flaw in your plan yet?
It is a DEAD HORSE .. been beaten totally to death with the secret Mileage Run discussion. Take a day of your life and read that, and your see it is a non starter.
Flyertalk is not run by PBS or the Girl Scouts.
It is owned by a VERY much for profit outfit called IB, and they make money from volume and hits and posts and traffic and google indexing etc.
Cute little Secret Forums are not going to appeal to their bean counters.
A $5 Iceland fare generates 1000s of postsand 100,000s of page views. Good for IB, and that is where things will stay methinks.
You are also assuming of course also that these chosen few will between them (a) source every good deal existing and (b) share them.
Join the REAL world - it will not happen.
Airline and Hotel staff are EVERYWHERE on FT, including posting to this very thread.
100s of them have a lot more posts than you, and they of course will likely get granted entry to this secret club only to be tempted pass on any major snafus they see to HQ.
See the flaw in your plan yet?
It is a DEAD HORSE .. been beaten totally to death with the secret Mileage Run discussion. Take a day of your life and read that, and your see it is a non starter.
Flyertalk is not run by PBS or the Girl Scouts.
It is owned by a VERY much for profit outfit called IB, and they make money from volume and hits and posts and traffic and google indexing etc.
Cute little Secret Forums are not going to appeal to their bean counters.
A $5 Iceland fare generates 1000s of postsand 100,000s of page views. Good for IB, and that is where things will stay methinks.
Sep 1, 2010, 8:28 am
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: *G, SPG, OW Sapphire
Posts: 2,565
You are also assuming of course also that these chosen few will between them (a) source every good deal existing and (b) share them.
Join the REAL world - it will not happen.
Join the REAL world - it will not happen.
Airline and Hotel staff are EVERYWHERE on FT, including posting to this very thread.
100s of them have a lot more posts than you, and they of course will likely get granted entry to this secret club only to be tempted pass on any major snafus they see to HQ.
See the flaw in your plan yet?
It is a DEAD HORSE .. been beaten totally to death with the secret Mileage Run discussion. Take a day of your life and read that, and your see it is a non starter.
Flyertalk is not run by PBS or the Girl Scouts.
It is owned by a VERY much for profit outfit called IB, and they make money from volume and hits and posts and traffic and google indexing etc.
Cute little Secret Forums are not going to appeal to their bean counters.
A $5 Iceland fare generates 1000s of postsand 100,000s of page views. Good for IB, and that is where things will stay methinks.
100s of them have a lot more posts than you, and they of course will likely get granted entry to this secret club only to be tempted pass on any major snafus they see to HQ.
See the flaw in your plan yet?
It is a DEAD HORSE .. been beaten totally to death with the secret Mileage Run discussion. Take a day of your life and read that, and your see it is a non starter.
Flyertalk is not run by PBS or the Girl Scouts.
It is owned by a VERY much for profit outfit called IB, and they make money from volume and hits and posts and traffic and google indexing etc.
Cute little Secret Forums are not going to appeal to their bean counters.
A $5 Iceland fare generates 1000s of postsand 100,000s of page views. Good for IB, and that is where things will stay methinks.
Sep 1, 2010, 8:41 am
#30
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
Just face the truth or harsh reality. Publicity is 99.9999999% guaranty when things/ideas get posted on FT. FTers love to share. It won't make any difference even the info is in the restricted area.
Ever wonder why the MR Discussion Forum is what it is today?
