MOTION PASSED: Create a 'Points & Miles Blogs' Forum
#16
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: SPG Platinum, UA GS
Posts: 121
At least until the blog basing thing gets boring. Right now they have a thread in MilesBuzz.
Just think what would be possible if all of the snark, all of the nastiness, all of the jealousies (the comments about different bloggers' sexual orientation, the comments about other bloggers' wives-in-bikinis, the impugning of bloggers' motives rather than taking on their arguments, the speculations about their individual personal finnces)... if it were all given its own forum. That would be awesome!! At least if by awesome we mean 'pathetic'.
If Flyertalk needs a forum to discuss blogs, then Flyertak will truly have jumped the shark.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 15,324
Sure there will be! If you give the agents provocateur their own playground, they'll go wild!
At least until the blog basing thing gets boring. Right now they have a thread in MilesBuzz.
Just think what would be possible if all of the snark, all of the nastiness, all of the jealousies (the comments about different bloggers' sexual orientation, the comments about other bloggers' wives-in-bikinis, the impugning of bloggers' motives rather than taking on their arguments, the speculations about their individual personal finnces)... if it were all given its own forum. That would be awesome!! At least if by awesome we mean 'pathetic'.
If Flyertalk needs a forum to discuss blogs, then Flyertak will truly have jumped the shark.
At least until the blog basing thing gets boring. Right now they have a thread in MilesBuzz.
Just think what would be possible if all of the snark, all of the nastiness, all of the jealousies (the comments about different bloggers' sexual orientation, the comments about other bloggers' wives-in-bikinis, the impugning of bloggers' motives rather than taking on their arguments, the speculations about their individual personal finnces)... if it were all given its own forum. That would be awesome!! At least if by awesome we mean 'pathetic'.
If Flyertalk needs a forum to discuss blogs, then Flyertak will truly have jumped the shark.
30 of your 47 posts have been about blogs/bloggers or comments about the discussion of blogs / bloggers. Apparently such things are of interest to you.
#18
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: SPG Platinum, UA GS
Posts: 121
Yes they are of interest, and I have a place to discuss them if I wish now, but have you visited that thread recently? It's been a debate between posters and the moderators over what is acceptable, given the nastiness. Though hopefully my posts have been mostly reasonable compared to some (I have been warned once for my criticisms of bloggers too and had a post removed).
#19
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Everywhere
Programs: Who cares... status is a Red Herring.
Posts: 733
FlyerTalk is going downhill quick if blogger bashing is a forum.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 15,324
People bash airline FFP all the time and nobody's wringing their hands over that.
I don't get why discussion of blogs -- which are businesses for many of the bloggers -- should be off limits.
Is it because we *like* the bloggers or because the bloggers are members of FT? Someone 'splain to me the difference between bashing a referral link in a blog and bashing the latest FFP enhancement.
And for many, "bashing" is "discussing."
I don't get why discussion of blogs -- which are businesses for many of the bloggers -- should be off limits.
Is it because we *like* the bloggers or because the bloggers are members of FT? Someone 'splain to me the difference between bashing a referral link in a blog and bashing the latest FFP enhancement.
And for many, "bashing" is "discussing."
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,336
Then in that case why is a new forum needed at all? If you consider them commercial ventures such as the commercial travel tools providers, then the the discussions should go in the Travel Tools forum; no need for a new forum.
Most bloggers talk about credit card churn (Milesbuzz) or individual programs (car, hotel, air, credit card forums), & generic travel discussion by them would go in Travelbuzz, so I am still not convinced there is enough of a need to create a separate forum for them.
I also have legitimate concerns about the blogger bashing & nastiness that's been experienced in Milesbuzz being given a new venue.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...light=bloggers
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...light=bloggers
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...light=bloggers
A # of blogs are still hobbies for people, but my guess is your intent is to focus on the 3-6 that are more of a commercial nature. Is that enough to justify a new forum? Right now, given that there are current forums available such as Travel Tools, Milesbuzz, Travelbuzz & car, hotel, air, credit card forums, I would say no.
I'm leaning against this.
Cheers.
Most bloggers talk about credit card churn (Milesbuzz) or individual programs (car, hotel, air, credit card forums), & generic travel discussion by them would go in Travelbuzz, so I am still not convinced there is enough of a need to create a separate forum for them.
I also have legitimate concerns about the blogger bashing & nastiness that's been experienced in Milesbuzz being given a new venue.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...light=bloggers
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...light=bloggers
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...light=bloggers
A # of blogs are still hobbies for people, but my guess is your intent is to focus on the 3-6 that are more of a commercial nature. Is that enough to justify a new forum? Right now, given that there are current forums available such as Travel Tools, Milesbuzz, Travelbuzz & car, hotel, air, credit card forums, I would say no.
I'm leaning against this.
Cheers.
blogger has given incorrect information at different times recently about many FF programs.
For the record, I'm currently undecided.
#22
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 212
Two cents from a newbie
I would never see Travel Tools in a forum list and think that discussion on blogs would be in that particular place.
To me, in a perfect world, a Travel Tools subforum would cover tools like EF and KVS and there's be another subforum that would cover blogs.
Both of these subforums would be under a Commercial Posts forum/banner and that's where all the members trying to sell something would be expected to do so. And yes, that should include signatures with referral links.
If you can't tell, I'm leaning yes although I'm not sure the motion goes far enough.
To me, in a perfect world, a Travel Tools subforum would cover tools like EF and KVS and there's be another subforum that would cover blogs.
Both of these subforums would be under a Commercial Posts forum/banner and that's where all the members trying to sell something would be expected to do so. And yes, that should include signatures with referral links.
If you can't tell, I'm leaning yes although I'm not sure the motion goes far enough.
For me, "What is the most useful frequent flyer blog" was quite helpful. I contributed a few posts attempting to stick to the topic in a constructive way. My intent was not to bash or criticize anyone personally, but to share my personal evaluation with others who have been kind about answering some of my questions in these forums. I also hoped, perhaps naively, that bloggers would benefit, assuming they strive to write in ways that are most useful to their readers.
While I am completely supportive of civil and courteous dialogue, and can certainly do without the nastiness that surfaced on occasion, the forthright back and forth on the thread also taught me a lot of which bloggers to follow as I learned who did it full time, who has a staff, who tends to push affiliate links that are not the best deals, etc.
Frankly I do not care that much about or fully understand the nuances re: what content belongs where according to FT rules, but I urge the board to allow FT members to have some place where we can comment on the usefulness of blogs.
Finally, I do not mind the taglines with links to blogs and urge you not to prohibit them in any thread. They too help me evaluate the advice offered, as I can more easily determine if it comes from a blogger or not. And when a member's user name differs from his or her blog name, it helps me connect the poster to what else he or she may write that I read regularly, or have read in the past, or should consider following.
Thank you.
Last edited by TWA44; Mar 30, 2013 at 12:37 pm Reason: fix typo
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Put another way, by virtue of the fact that a blogger is theoretically a "management employee" of their blog are they no longer protected by the rule:
With the exception of public figures, do not post names, addresses, phone numbers or e-mails of other FlyerTalk members. This information will be removed by moderators. Respect the privacy of non-management travel service employees by not referring to them by name.
I would never see Travel Tools in a forum list and think that discussion on blogs would be in that particular place.
To me, in a perfect world, a Travel Tools subforum would cover tools like EF and KVS and there's be another subforum that would cover blogs.
Both of these subforums would be under a Commercial Posts forum/banner and that's where all the members trying to sell something would be expected to do so. And yes, that should include signatures with referral links.
To me, in a perfect world, a Travel Tools subforum would cover tools like EF and KVS and there's be another subforum that would cover blogs.
Both of these subforums would be under a Commercial Posts forum/banner and that's where all the members trying to sell something would be expected to do so. And yes, that should include signatures with referral links.
#24
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Everywhere
Programs: Who cares... status is a Red Herring.
Posts: 733
People bash airline FFP all the time and nobody's wringing their hands over that.
I don't get why discussion of blogs -- which are businesses for many of the bloggers -- should be off limits.
Is it because we *like* the bloggers or because the bloggers are members of FT? Someone 'splain to me the difference between bashing a referral link in a blog and bashing the latest FFP enhancement.
And for many, "bashing" is "discussing."
I don't get why discussion of blogs -- which are businesses for many of the bloggers -- should be off limits.
Is it because we *like* the bloggers or because the bloggers are members of FT? Someone 'splain to me the difference between bashing a referral link in a blog and bashing the latest FFP enhancement.
And for many, "bashing" is "discussing."
FT topics -> Blogger topics -> FT topics ... and around we go.
#25
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in PALMYRA, PA, USA
Posts: 58,510
A # of blogs are still hobbies for people, but my guess is your intent is to focus on the 3-6 that are more of a commercial nature. Is that enough to justify a new forum? Right now, given that there are current forums available such as Travel Tools, Milesbuzz, Travelbuzz & car, hotel, air, credit card forums, I would say no.
Cheers.
Cheers.
After scratching the surface of the current points and miles blogosphere, I realized how naive I had been.
Most of the points and miles blogs are set up to make money or otherwise benefit the blog owner through credit card affiliate programs, google ads, free travel, etc.
Read the existing threads on blogs. I think you will find it an eye-opening experience. It certainly was for me.
And I don't think they belong in Travel Tools, because blogs are not tools in the way software or booking engines are. They are more akin to news outlets. But at your suggestion, I did not make this motion to include blogs with other news outlets because of your concern about diluting the Travel News forum.
And I do think blogs are a unique enough commercial venture...specific to points and miles (the exact charter of FlyerTalk) and directed at FlyerTalkers to be their customers...to warrant their own forum.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,805
(blogs that dont have credit card referrals arent necessarily all about money)
this would be another good forum that will clean up some other forums IMHO
some previous thoughts (and related prior discussions / threads) >
(in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...ech-brand.html which opened with quote of SanDiego1K in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...talkboard.html raising some issues on this topic)
--
other - id still (agree) re considering a churn forum for technical discussion and all credit card signup bonses >
this would be another good forum that will clean up some other forums IMHO
some previous thoughts (and related prior discussions / threads) >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...-flagship.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...ies-blogs.html
[...]
that might be a bridge for those who ONLY look at blogs, to eventually move to main FT forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...orum-blog.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...ies-blogs.html
[...]
that might be a bridge for those who ONLY look at blogs, to eventually move to main FT forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...orum-blog.html
--
other - id still (agree) re considering a churn forum for technical discussion and all credit card signup bonses >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...urn-forum.html
CC churn/etc forum would mainly be an organizational change
"cleaning" milesbuzz (currently 11 of first 25 threads are CC)
as well as moving any and all threads from other forums into one single forum
* additionally it could act as a transition forum for new members who are coming from blogs/etc
also maybe have discussion subforum like mileage run deals [did more recently] - for technical, help, etc
2 - one or two forums
CC churn/etc forum would mainly be an organizational change
"cleaning" milesbuzz (currently 11 of first 25 threads are CC)
as well as moving any and all threads from other forums into one single forum
* additionally it could act as a transition forum for new members who are coming from blogs/etc
also maybe have discussion subforum like mileage run deals [did more recently] - for technical, help, etc
2 - one or two forums
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Mar 31, 2013 at 8:23 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,736
My question is if bloggers have their own dedicated threads, are we going to see the same thing that is allowed for larger companies? I see threads created by companies for the sole purpose of announcing their currently quarterly promotions for marketing. Would a travel blogging section allow for the same type of activities? It seems only fair if they have their own dedicated section as they are recognized as small businesses or part of a larger company.
#28
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: SPG Platinum, UA GS
Posts: 121
My question is if bloggers have their own dedicated threads, are we going to see the same thing that is allowed for larger companies? I see threads created by companies for the sole purpose of announcing their currently quarterly promotions for marketing. Would a travel blogging section allow for the same type of activities? It seems only fair if they have their own dedicated section as they are recognized as small businesses or part of a larger company.
It's hard to imagine how that wouldn't be appropriate in such a forum. And yet there's been a decent bit of hand wringing over the idea that some people could promote competitor sites/products here on Flyertalk.
#29
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in PALMYRA, PA, USA
Posts: 58,510
Let's take the question one step further: if blogs have a forum, and bloggers can participate in promotion of their sites, what about bloggers who are direct competitors of Flyertalk? Does this forum legitimize coming here to discuss their blog's work with events (Frequent Traveler University) and even forums (Milepoint)?
It's hard to imagine how that wouldn't be appropriate in such a forum. And yet there's been a decent bit of hand wringing over the idea that some people could promote competitor sites/products here on Flyertalk.
It's hard to imagine how that wouldn't be appropriate in such a forum. And yet there's been a decent bit of hand wringing over the idea that some people could promote competitor sites/products here on Flyertalk.
FlyerTalk should, imho, be about ALL things points and miles. And organized in a manner meant to allow efficient discussion.
#30
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: SPG Platinum, UA GS
Posts: 121
Rather, Gary and through his blog is working to promote Frequent Traveler University (a community event for Flyertalk competitor Milepoint and which I suppose competes with the Chicago Seminar, run by ingy whose blog is owned by Internet Brands). And the MegaDOs. And links to Milepoint itself.
Discussing his blog, in such a forum presumably Gary would be welcome to say "I've just posted on my blog all of the great stuff going on at Milepoint."
Currently that would be spammy, commercial advertising right?
But if we treat the blog just like a travel provider, giving blogs their own forums, that would be license to do it, wouldn't it?
You're comfortable with that?
assuming, of course, FlyFasterFlyFarther is your first FT handle).