MEGAthreads - your thoughts?
#47
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: BA blue, LH Senator, KQ (FB) gold
Posts: 8,215
Thanks for your response, Canarsie. Let me be clear that I am not in any way complaining about the general organization of the Hilton Honors Forum, which I have come to find quite admirable (and am conscious of the amount of work it takes to maintain and for which I thank you and your fellow moderators). Rather, I was introducing (by pointing to a specific thread) a problem with threads that have been in existence a long time (merged or not), even while recognizing the value that those threads have in corraling information into a reasonably manageable format.
I don't think the solution is to abandon the structure that you have established in that forum, but was hoping that some bright bulb would come up with a solution that worked within your overall format.
I like the suggestion made by travelkid of inserting 'signpost' bolded entries. Is that something that is workable (that is, both within the technical abilities of moderators, and a reasonable thing to ask moderators to do), assuming that forum users inform you of the need for such a thing via PM or alert button?
I don't think the solution is to abandon the structure that you have established in that forum, but was hoping that some bright bulb would come up with a solution that worked within your overall format.
I like the suggestion made by travelkid of inserting 'signpost' bolded entries. Is that something that is workable (that is, both within the technical abilities of moderators, and a reasonable thing to ask moderators to do), assuming that forum users inform you of the need for such a thing via PM or alert button?
#48
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Although not meant to discuss specific mod actions, I'll answer that on a technical note - it's actually really rather difficult to insert posts into a thread. We cannot just insert a new post, as it carries the current date stamp, so simply goes to the end. We cannot edit the date stamp. It can be done by finding a post you've made at the appropriate day/time - but that can involve a lot of searching, and you may need to co-ordinate with another moderator if it wasn't on the forum you moderate.
So it is possible - but it's actually very difficult and time consuming. The other way to do it is to copy a post within the thread that someone else has written, but then you have to be very obvious that you have taken over that post despite the apparent authorship by someone else, and even then, no matter how obvious you are, some people won't notice so it's not particularly good practice since it can lead to confusion.
So it is possible - but it's actually very difficult and time consuming. The other way to do it is to copy a post within the thread that someone else has written, but then you have to be very obvious that you have taken over that post despite the apparent authorship by someone else, and even then, no matter how obvious you are, some people won't notice so it's not particularly good practice since it can lead to confusion.
#49
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,996
Thanks for your response, Canarsie. Let me be clear that I am not in any way complaining about the general organization of the Hilton Honors Forum, which I have come to find quite admirable (and am conscious of the amount of work it takes to maintain and for which I thank you and your fellow moderators). Rather, I was introducing (by pointing to a specific thread) a problem with threads that have been in existence a long time (merged or not), even while recognizing the value that those threads have in corraling information into a reasonably manageable format.
You simply helped me reiterate working together with other FlyerTalk members to help further improve the forums in which I moderate.
I don't think the solution is to abandon the structure that you have established in that forum, but was hoping that some bright bulb would come up with a solution that worked within your overall format.
I like the suggestion made by travelkid of inserting 'signpost' bolded entries. Is that something that is workable (that is, both within the technical abilities of moderators, and a reasonable thing to ask moderators to do), assuming that forum users inform you of the need for such a thing via PM or alert button?
I like the suggestion made by travelkid of inserting 'signpost' bolded entries. Is that something that is workable (that is, both within the technical abilities of moderators, and a reasonable thing to ask moderators to do), assuming that forum users inform you of the need for such a thing via PM or alert button?
The index idea would be a viable one to — for example — separate the discussion into two or more parts within a single thread, and those parts could have their own names, such as Hilton Hawaiian Village 2000-2009. One can then jump to an index of the thread to where one wishes to start reading or finding information.
As vBulletin — the software that powers FlyerTalk — is owned by Internet Brands — the same company which owns FlyerTalk — a wish list of technological solutions is certainly not out of the realm of possibilities of what can potentially be accomplished here...
#50
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To be clear as well, I never took it that way.
You simply helped me reiterate working together with other FlyerTalk members to help further improve the forums in which I moderate.That is certainly workable and I would be willing to do that, but I would prefer to see a more technological solution, such as having the background a different color, or an index of some sort from which to start in a long discussion.
The index idea would be a viable one to — for example — separate the discussion into two or more parts within a single thread, and those parts could have their own names, such as Hilton Hawaiian Village 2000-2009. One can then jump to an index of the thread to where one wishes to start reading or finding information.
As vBulletin — the software that powers FlyerTalk — is owned by Internet Brands — the same company which owns FlyerTalk — a wish list of technological solutions is certainly not out of the realm of possibilities of what can potentially be accomplished here...
You simply helped me reiterate working together with other FlyerTalk members to help further improve the forums in which I moderate.That is certainly workable and I would be willing to do that, but I would prefer to see a more technological solution, such as having the background a different color, or an index of some sort from which to start in a long discussion.
The index idea would be a viable one to — for example — separate the discussion into two or more parts within a single thread, and those parts could have their own names, such as Hilton Hawaiian Village 2000-2009. One can then jump to an index of the thread to where one wishes to start reading or finding information.
As vBulletin — the software that powers FlyerTalk — is owned by Internet Brands — the same company which owns FlyerTalk — a wish list of technological solutions is certainly not out of the realm of possibilities of what can potentially be accomplished here...
#51
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
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Posts: 12,079
And airline/hotel/service provider-friendly PR announcements supplied by company reps may not be handled in the same way despite the possibility that some of them could also get stuffed into megathreads or other topic-relevant threads opened prior to the PR announcement.
#53
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,739
I've asked all moderators to follow the discussion in this thread and to be mindful about their thread mergers. They work hard to organize information throughout FlyerTalk. Their goal is to make information easier to find, and they use a broad range of techniques to do that. Many forums would be a mess without their hard work to do this. But it is clear from feedback that thread mergers are overused. I've seen a lot of locking of 2011 threads and starts of 2012 threads today. Less visible will be the undone mergers, where queries will be left to stand on their own. The respectful tone in this thread with sincere input from people about forum structure has been very helpful.
#54
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,739
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/club-...irst-post.html
#55
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Updates on the first post of a megathread is very helpful..
On a few I've visited, some of the updates have not been done for years.. i.e. I think Hyatt or Hilton was like that for awhile..
On a few I've visited, some of the updates have not been done for years.. i.e. I think Hyatt or Hilton was like that for awhile..
#56
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In this specific case, I would argue that the moderator has made a strong effort to keep the first post updated (as stated in the title). Few moderators read every single post in their forum. In the future, use the red triangle to signal the moderator that the Company Rep has posted new information that should be used to update the FAQ in the first post.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/club-...irst-post.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/club-...irst-post.html
Maybe we can work out some alert system, where posts from official lurkers also go as PMs/RBPed to mods? In this thread several clarifications where made, and the sooner we could have them in post one the better.
#57
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,588
We were talking about wikis in the private TB forum, and I really do think that wikis would be an awesome way to solve the MEGAthread problem once and for all.
For example, in the disjointed, hard to read all the way through thread United Global Services Status (Qualification, Benefits, etc.) [Merged], the members could keep the (wikipedia-type) wiki post as a summary of posters experiences in terms of what it takes to achieve UGS status and what their benefits are, even as posters continue to post and talk about individual experiences on page 54 of that thread, with links, if desired, to specific posts/data points backing up or expanding on that summary.
Or, in a Priority Club thread about a specific property the wiki thread could contain a specific format that is used for all properties in that forum that covers things like amenities at the hotel as well as upgrade/club/lounge access experiences for Plats, Ambassadors, etc and mini-bar experiences for us Royal Ambassadors.
The format could be similar in Starwood, but tweaked to reflect the specific benefits of that program at various hotels.
This sort of information contained in a wiki that is collectively edited would make FT far, far superior to even Trip Adviser in terms of be the go-to place for airline/hotel/program analysis by those of us with status, would keep the community feel intact on page 54 of the thread, and would engage posters to feel 'ownership' of the forum by participating in the wiki process.
I think that's the ultimate solution.
But appreciate that the moderators keep working to keep the MEGAthreading to a logical minimum in the meantime.
For example, in the disjointed, hard to read all the way through thread United Global Services Status (Qualification, Benefits, etc.) [Merged], the members could keep the (wikipedia-type) wiki post as a summary of posters experiences in terms of what it takes to achieve UGS status and what their benefits are, even as posters continue to post and talk about individual experiences on page 54 of that thread, with links, if desired, to specific posts/data points backing up or expanding on that summary.
Or, in a Priority Club thread about a specific property the wiki thread could contain a specific format that is used for all properties in that forum that covers things like amenities at the hotel as well as upgrade/club/lounge access experiences for Plats, Ambassadors, etc and mini-bar experiences for us Royal Ambassadors.
The format could be similar in Starwood, but tweaked to reflect the specific benefits of that program at various hotels.
This sort of information contained in a wiki that is collectively edited would make FT far, far superior to even Trip Adviser in terms of be the go-to place for airline/hotel/program analysis by those of us with status, would keep the community feel intact on page 54 of the thread, and would engage posters to feel 'ownership' of the forum by participating in the wiki process.
I think that's the ultimate solution.
But appreciate that the moderators keep working to keep the MEGAthreading to a logical minimum in the meantime.
#58
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On threads with format requests (like post your RA experiences here).
Possible to click a link to get the format or something?
Possible to click a link to get the format or something?
#59
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This post in the New Features forum touches on the topic of megathreads: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/17772203-post221.html
#60
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
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We were talking about wikis in the private TB forum, and I really do think that wikis would be an awesome way to solve the MEGAthread problem once and for all.
For example, in the disjointed, hard to read all the way through thread United Global Services Status (Qualification, Benefits, etc.) [Merged], the members could keep the (wikipedia-type) wiki post as a summary of posters experiences in terms of what it takes to achieve UGS status and what their benefits are, even as posters continue to post and talk about individual experiences on page 54 of that thread, with links, if desired, to specific posts/data points backing up or expanding on that summary.
Or, in a Priority Club thread about a specific property the wiki thread could contain a specific format that is used for all properties in that forum that covers things like amenities at the hotel as well as upgrade/club/lounge access experiences for Plats, Ambassadors, etc and mini-bar experiences for us Royal Ambassadors.
The format could be similar in Starwood, but tweaked to reflect the specific benefits of that program at various hotels.
This sort of information contained in a wiki that is collectively edited would make FT far, far superior to even Trip Adviser in terms of be the go-to place for airline/hotel/program analysis by those of us with status, would keep the community feel intact on page 54 of the thread, and would engage posters to feel 'ownership' of the forum by participating in the wiki process.
I think that's the ultimate solution.
But appreciate that the moderators keep working to keep the MEGAthreading to a logical minimum in the meantime.
For example, in the disjointed, hard to read all the way through thread United Global Services Status (Qualification, Benefits, etc.) [Merged], the members could keep the (wikipedia-type) wiki post as a summary of posters experiences in terms of what it takes to achieve UGS status and what their benefits are, even as posters continue to post and talk about individual experiences on page 54 of that thread, with links, if desired, to specific posts/data points backing up or expanding on that summary.
Or, in a Priority Club thread about a specific property the wiki thread could contain a specific format that is used for all properties in that forum that covers things like amenities at the hotel as well as upgrade/club/lounge access experiences for Plats, Ambassadors, etc and mini-bar experiences for us Royal Ambassadors.
The format could be similar in Starwood, but tweaked to reflect the specific benefits of that program at various hotels.
This sort of information contained in a wiki that is collectively edited would make FT far, far superior to even Trip Adviser in terms of be the go-to place for airline/hotel/program analysis by those of us with status, would keep the community feel intact on page 54 of the thread, and would engage posters to feel 'ownership' of the forum by participating in the wiki process.
I think that's the ultimate solution.
But appreciate that the moderators keep working to keep the MEGAthreading to a logical minimum in the meantime.
- Will this be in the form of a motion to prevent thread merging and establishing Wiki's?
- Who is responsible for the accuracy of the Wiki information?
Thanks