Perhaps TB members could answer this? However, IIRC, based on a prior thread in a different forum, at least one poster is banned/masked from this forum.

This would be okay with me, too.

Though I still don't know why anyone cares about counting posts, period.

Except that ship sailed when OMNI posts stopped counting towards post count. Folks who have been members long enough have been playing under 2 sets of rules. "Consistency" can never happen now.

I can only speak of two FTers -- one cannot post here by his own choice (he asked to be masked from TB Topics) and one cannot post here because he was masked from the forum. I've received PMs from both.

Exactly.

My post count is higher than it should be because I posted in OMNI back when the posts counted. I definitely read and learn from threads in the forums that are relevant to the type of travel that I do, but I still post more in OMNI (well, actually OMNI PR) than I do elsewhere.

I thought Randy made the right decision to not have OMNI posts count. I believe that the Talk Board should continue that policy.

I thought Randy made the wrong decision in counting contest posts.

FWIW, I also think the wrong decision was made in splitting politics and religion from the rest of OMNI.

TalkBoard members are elected to serve all members of FT and that includes themselves as TalkBoard members, you, Moderators and the Community Director as we are all members of Flyertalk and just like you, all have the same issues/concerns/tips 'n tricks that you do and share them as would any other member.

Then run for TalkBoard in the next election

And you as a Moderator are an equal member? I think not.

Then run for TalkBoard in the next election

Well said ^

Thanks! Jenbel, per the post above, yes, people who have not posted on this thread have in fact sent PM's to at least one TalkBoard member.

I'm also not going to pretend it's a massive number nor will I reveal the members or provide the PMs (both of which would violate the TOS) -- I was just answering the question.

I am when it comes to the question 'should OMNI posts count'. However, some TB members seem to think they get a double say in the matter. When trying to get themselves included in a list of members who have expressed views on the matter.. when they have access to the private forums and get to vote, it seems like they are trying to ram their points of view down our throats, instead of listening to us.

Any TB member who is concerned about whether his POV is being suitably recognised by the members is too concerned about his own voice, and not enough concerned about listening IMHO.

Only two though.

Forgive me for being cynical, but at least one former TB/FT member always used to trot out 'I've had lots of PMs supporting my position' whenever she found herself on the least popular side as a way of trying to justify she was listening to members.

The appearance of TB members receiving PMs to justify a position is now taken by me that they know they are losing the argument, and their position needs to be bolstered by anonymous, but always supportive and ultimately (IMHO given past experience) probably fictitious PMs.

In this case, RichMSN has provided enough detail for me to believe him. Generic claims about PMs received (which are surprisingly, always supportive! and always from the side which appears to have fewer proponents) - I simply don't. While I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, experience is also a great teacher.

I agree with you that TB members are different from regular posters.

Just like moderators are different from regular posters.

Having a specific responsibility to FT creates a unique perspective in the way we look at and experience FT. IMHO, there is no way around that reality. That's why I supported TB members taking a year off every 4 years, to go experience FT as just a poster and not as a TB member. It's why I think moderators ought to take a leave of absence from those duties when they serve on the TB, so that their focus is purely on TB and not clouded by their perspective as a moderator. It's why I think moderators should take time off from moderating from time to time.

So I don't need my opinion tallied regarding this issue.

Especially since I was quite explicit when running for the TB that this issue would be a priority for me and that I thought the status quo is, and I quote "stupid, stupid, stupid."

My mind is open to many, many issues regarding FT. This is not one of them.

I got a PM from a poster telling me I should resign from the TB because I never do what's in the best interests of the community, but instead pander to the populist positions.

So no, they are not always supportive! :)

(unless, of course, you want to accuse me of making that up...) :eek:

Darn. You *always* get the fun PMs. Can that person send that one to me, too?

Your post was far more succinct than mine. I'm very open about some topics -- the Seattle forum, for example, where I originally thought it was a great idea and now I'm wondering if there'd be too much fragmentation if we break up the West forum even more.

This one, not so much. This is one of the main reasons I ran, because I thought this particular topic was handled very badly by previous TBs and by the previous host of FT.

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough for you. I personally don't like repeating myself and/or singing the old tunes over and over again, especially when the discussion of counting OMNI has been taking the (wrong) angles over the years.

If you don't mind updating your tally, I am and have always been not counting OMNI.

(bolding mine)

Promise?