Proposal for "Invite-Only" or "Restricted" area of forum
Sep 1, 2010, 9:01 am
#31
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BUT perhaps some sort of time delay could be implemented when it would be released to the community at large (and subsequently the public). This would give ample time for those dedicated to the site to completely figure out the deals ins and outs and sustainably use it until it is released to everyone to be devoured.
Sep 1, 2010, 9:59 am
#32
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Sep 1, 2010, 3:16 pm
#33
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The more I think about it, the more I'm coming to realize that while the concept may be good in theory, it would never work in practice. I do wish we could figure out a way to accomplish what it is I set out to do, but given multiple issues with time, effort, etc. it just doesn't seem feasible at this point with what's been thrown on the table so far.
Mods, feel free to lock this thread if no further discussions/ideas comes up.
Mods, feel free to lock this thread if no further discussions/ideas comes up.
Sep 1, 2010, 6:39 pm
#34
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I think that this is a good idea for two reasons
- There are cases (e.g. AA first class "sale" on QA) when people want to discuss certain thing among themselves. A "By invitation only" thread would have worked great. Since that wasn't available we set up a mailing list which wasn't nearly as productive to us and also kept us away from FT since during that time it was out top travel related priority. Net result both this subset FT users and the FT site owners lost.
- Slow down propagation (outside FT) of useful information. My suggestion is not to restrict by posts or time (since as was pointed above this will not be effective). An alternative approach is to use and NDA since some people have a big problem using an NDA in an open forum, we can call its TOS. Before gaining access to a restricted forum (or thread) the user will have to agree to TOS which will state that the information can't be used by any business, for commercial purposes or be posted elsewhere.
Clearly this will not stop individuals set on harming the community (at least we will be able to ban them form violating the TOS). However, this will stop the airline and hotels since there is no way their lawyers will let any employee come close to such a forum much less use the information.
Last edited by Sagy; Sep 1, 2010 at 11:23 pm Reason: clarification
Sep 1, 2010, 9:16 pm
#35
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Sep 1, 2010, 9:19 pm
#36
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The more I think about it, the more I'm coming to realize that while the concept may be good in theory, it would never work in practice.
I do wish we could figure out a way to accomplish what it is I set out to do, but given multiple issues with time, effort, etc. it just doesn't seem feasible at this point with what's been thrown on the table so far.
.
Sep 1, 2010, 10:01 pm
#37
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I'd suggest you work with the Mileage Run Discussion moderators. They had some really good ideas with the prior proposal that got voted down. Consider them a resource and seek out their assistance.
Sep 1, 2010, 11:31 pm
#38
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Honestly these deals are gone - reduced to sharing between members in third party forums or emails. Both of the deals you mention for miles were not fare errors but offers readily available to anyone.
What used to happen here is that members shared fare deals, or bonuses that they had found. These are still about, I am told, but no longer on FT. Sad but not unsurprising when you consider our numbers.
I'd be up for some 'lurker-free' zone where we can share in private without the intervention of reps from the travel firms.
However, based on the last vote where a restriction on access was attempted, a majority of the current TalkBoard has no appetite for restrictions. Anyone wanting them (restrictions) had better stand for election - roll on November.
What used to happen here is that members shared fare deals, or bonuses that they had found. These are still about, I am told, but no longer on FT. Sad but not unsurprising when you consider our numbers.
I'd be up for some 'lurker-free' zone where we can share in private without the intervention of reps from the travel firms.
However, based on the last vote where a restriction on access was attempted, a majority of the current TalkBoard has no appetite for restrictions. Anyone wanting them (restrictions) had better stand for election - roll on November.
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, 11:37 pm
#39
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We can fix that, count on me as one that will try to make it happen.
Sep 2, 2010, 7:11 am
#40
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I think that this is a good idea for two reasons
- There are cases (e.g. AA first class "sale" on QA) when people want to discuss certain thing among themselves. A "By invitation only" thread would have worked great. Since that wasn't available we set up a mailing list which wasn't nearly as productive to us and also kept us away from FT since during that time it was out top travel related priority. Net result both this subset FT users and the FT site owners lost.
- Slow down propagation (outside FT) of useful information. My suggestion is not to restrict by posts or time (since as was pointed above this will not be effective). An alternative approach is to use and NDA since some people have a big problem using an NDA in an open forum, we can call its TOS. Before gaining access to a restricted forum (or thread) the user will have to agree to TOS which will state that the information can't be used by any business, for commercial purposes or be posted elsewhere.
Clearly this will not stop individuals set on harming the community (at least we will be able to ban them form violating the TOS). However, this will stop the airline and hotels since there is no way their lawyers will let any employee come close to such a forum much less use the information.
Sep 2, 2010, 11:17 am
#41
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Interesting...if I understand you correctly, you'd be up for creating some sort of "create private thread" option and shoot out an invite on your own thus eliminating the need for moderator intervention? So essentially, it'd be similar to shooting out a PM to multiple users, but with a centralized location where a trusted group can discuss new ideas (of course the group starter would end up being the "gate-keeper" of invites). I'm not sure what the capabilities of this forum are, but that could alleviate some of the issues.
Sep 2, 2010, 3:25 pm
#42
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The more I think about it, the more I'm coming to realize that while the concept may be good in theory, it would never work in practice. I do wish we could figure out a way to accomplish what it is I set out to do, but given multiple issues with time, effort, etc. it just doesn't seem feasible at this point with what's been thrown on the table so far.
That said, I would not currently support this. FT is an open community, and creating a place designated for private discussion does go against the spirit the community was founded on. I still support some measure of protection on MR Deals and giving the Trick It thread a place to live where it doesn't have to be so cliquish, but designating a whole part of the forum for discussion away from a large swath of the FT user base is excessive.
I'd be up for some 'lurker-free' zone where we can share in private without the intervention of reps from the travel firms.
However, based on the last vote where a restriction on access was attempted, a majority of the current TalkBoard has no appetite for restrictions. Anyone wanting them (restrictions) had better stand for election - roll on November.
However, based on the last vote where a restriction on access was attempted, a majority of the current TalkBoard has no appetite for restrictions. Anyone wanting them (restrictions) had better stand for election - roll on November.
Regardless, your last point is valid.
Sep 25, 2010, 7:10 pm
#43
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I personally don't see this happen on FT, there will be no majority for it and lobbying is very difficult for such a motion.
My recommendation is (because I am for stricter protection of superdeals) to keep FT an open information source and probably outsource sensitive information (as it is happening already). There wont be a consensus for a 'high security forum' so I guess that's the max one can do.
~s
My recommendation is (because I am for stricter protection of superdeals) to keep FT an open information source and probably outsource sensitive information (as it is happening already). There wont be a consensus for a 'high security forum' so I guess that's the max one can do.
~s
Sep 26, 2010, 1:33 am
#44
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My recommendation is (because I am for stricter protection of superdeals) to keep FT an open information source and probably outsource sensitive information (as it is happening already). There wont be a consensus for a 'high security forum' so I guess that's the max one can do.
~s
~s
Sep 26, 2010, 2:15 am
#45
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Well, you really only have two options:
-Exclude all those except those "in the know" (status quo)
-Exclude a relatively small number of people to mitigate risks of deals being spoiled (what keeps getting proposed, and shot down, in TB)
-Exclude all those except those "in the know" (status quo)
-Exclude a relatively small number of people to mitigate risks of deals being spoiled (what keeps getting proposed, and shot down, in TB)