Does the TB interact with IB?
 

Over on ORP there is a discussion about advertising on FT, and Randy mentioned that:

Does the TB have similar interactions with IB as the moderators apparently do (in your capacity as TB members, not the majority of your capacity as moderators also)?

But, but, but... I didn't vote for THEM (or even have the opportunity to vote for them). :(

We get regular updates or heads-up on issues from JohnMcG on the same schedule as do the moderators.

And we have, and many of us use, access to him via e-mail and PM and he responds in a timely manner.

But he encourages all FT'ers to contact him personally so I think he's pretty accessible to everyone here who has a question or issue.

So from now on if I have an idea for a new forum I should just email him directly?

Sounds like the "Traveling While Male" forum may not be completely dead, just yet. ;)

Well if the process now is that McG makes the calls with some member representation from the moderators then I think I could make a pretty powerful case that a mens travel forum would fit in very, very nicely with the new ad packages that IB is selling on FT.

It's all about the throughput, baby! ^

actually every member in good standing had the opportunity to vote for the makeup of members who comprise the TalkBoard. What, it is only a great place when you get what you want? A few of the candidates who i voted for didn't make the final cut either, but at least i am pleased enough that i actually got a say in the process - winners or not. Seems to me there are many, perhaps even you who did not vote for either Mr. Bush or even Mr. Clinton and who still think that living in America is great and haven't exercised their privilege to move out of the country.

Hope you don't mind, but I'll paraphrase you a little, "But, but, but... I didn't choose THEM (or even have the opportunity to extend an invitation for them)." Of course what I'm referring to is some of our members of FlyerTalk. That aside, I'm willing to continue posting and participating on FlyerTalk, even with some members present that I know I would have never invited personally. The good thing is that I've learned to appreciate them for what value they have to me in extending my knowledge of travel information. Which is what i thought FlyerTalk is all about anyway.

Koko, John is going to send you back my way, so you may want to consider that before you even start your petitioning campaign...... and no, it's all about FlyerTalk, baby!

Seriously, if anyone is reading these exchanges, please keep in mind that both koko and chex have a very special place in my heart. They are both members that i've known for a long, long time and are an important part of why FlyerTalk is still here today. I love to engage them in these conversations from time to time and want to make sure that those reading these exchanges don't mistake our parting shots. I have no doubt we'll remain friends, though the idea of the "Men Travelers" forum has caused a rift amongst us! But I'll get over that. I just sense that they both need someone who can balance their positions on certain things, winky, winky! But really, they are quite special – in fact koko has been trying to sell me a larger RV for use in OMNI and then use the smaller RV in this forum. He's such a salesman!

koko, I think there's a personal attack in there, somewhere, right?

I've posted my thoughts on the subject over in the Only John McG Forum....ooops, I mean Only Randy Petersen forum :p:p

Don't worry, I've reported it to a Moderator!

Ahh, I htink you're missing the point. If we extend this to Congress... it's not the issue that I may not have voted for the Representative or Senator who won. It's that a Rep/Sen was put in the position of Representing the Constituency without being voted by those they are "representing".

The Reality is that when the Mods are in front of IB, they are acting in their own Self-Interest.

which is exactly why i have always said that these volunteers are members first. Isn't it good to know that their self-interest is exactly the same as yours?

As for Congress, did you forget to mention there are plenty of examples where your representation may be from an appointment by others to fill out a term rather than elected as you say? What's your thoughts when a significant other is appointed to fill out the spouses term?

I was wondering if you could proved the % of this occuring. ;)
I'm sure you'd admit that this is the exception rather than the rule.

I don't know. Every single one of the Moderators complaints has been:
"I can't...,"
"I 'm not able..."
"I wish..."
"I don't see..."
"I can no longer..."

Even including Moderator-specific complaints...
From anyone's perspective, it seems that they are acting out of their OWN best interest.

Not a single Moderator has uttered anything along the lines of, "I think the Community would enjoy..." -OR- has a Moderator solicited opinions of the general membership? I don't think so. THEREFORE one can only conclude that they are not representing the community, but only their personal needs.

But to bring it back on topic, has the TalkBoard, as a Board, been offered the opportunity to meet IB in person?

WITH a $600 'stipend' for doing so like the mods apparently get?

Fair enough.

Will it take you long to prepare a list where you have uttered the
"I think the Community would enjoy..." in all your 8.874 posts since I'm of the understanding that you put the community in front of your own personal needs. Let me know when that list is ready and i'll send one of the employees over with the wheelbarrow.

Now this has been fun, but i do need to call you out on your use of a moderator quote, "...and really interferes with my duties as a moderator.". The reason is quite simple. Whether knowingly or not, you employed the OMNI gambit, which refers to selective filtering of words. For instance, in this quote you use, right before those words were these words, "It hampers my ability to maximize FT for me as a member...".

Reading back over this i simply have no idea why you would choose to use Moderators as a pawn in this. It is clear the issue is all of our members would like to see Internet Brands respect the culture that has evolved over time in a certain acceptance of advertising and technical solutions for our members. What the hell difference who it is talking to someone/anyone to make it clear what the expectations are from members of FlyerTalk in these two areas. I would think we are all better for it.

This topic is over for me. i'll let your words stand for you, just as i'll let my words stand for me.

I adjusted your quote so that FlyerTalk members may refer to the original quote in which you posted, chexfan.

I am not ashamed. That quote is exactly what I posted.

Now that the Search function has been fixed, I may continue to serve FlyerTalk members in the forums to which I have been assigned ― especially the Hilton forum, where FlyerTalk members seem to appreciate the work I do there regarding the cleanup and organization of that specific forum. Sure, I could spend my own time on myself, but I choose to serve FlyerTalk members voluntarily.

Although it may seem that way to you, I can also assure you that I am not acting out of my own best interests. You are proof of that. I never forgot all of the assistance from you in transferring information from the The NEW FlyerTalk: Helpful Hints, Tips and Suggestions to Enhance Your Experience thread to the Wiki area.

As always, anyone who questions the way I moderate FlyerTalk is more than welcome to contact me and give me constructive feedback on how I may improve myself.By the way, kokonutz ― I have never received a US$600.00 stipend for attending a moderator meeting.

This response by me is not an attack on either of you, I can assure you. I just wanted to set the record straight regarding FlyerTalk as it relates to me.

:rolleyes:

1st of all, I am a participant like everyone else. Why should I be held at a higher standard when I am not representing the community?

But to stifle any attempt that I don't care about this Community, here's a quick start of thinking about the FT Community first...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...7&postcount=13
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...9&postcount=27
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...86&postcount=8
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...67&postcount=2

And of course... the crusade to eliminate non-travel topics from SPAM.

It still doesn't change the fact that moderating abilities were mentioned.

It just does. The point is that there are claims that Mods are just normal members. But they're not. It was claimed that they were representing the FT membership, but I can assure you that many people don't understand why MODS are representing the membership when we have a TalkBoard.

The Mods are a unique disparate sect of FTers that are invited in. They're not representing me. They are representing themselves.

Why are only the Mods' opinions valued? Were other FTers invited to the session w/ IB?

The real answers to many of the questions in the first 20 posts is who really cares.
These verbal sparings seem to be meant for the enjoyment of the individual posters more than anything else.

If the majority of Flyertalkers actually read some of this stuff, they'd be :confused:
As Randy always states, we're here to learn about, and maximize our miles and points; along with passing along valuable info. @:-)

If I recall correctly, Moderators have to apply to join the ranks. From what I understand, not everyone is accepted. The Moderators are there to help individual forum members when the need arises. I've always found them helpful. But who would have the nerve to argue with a Brooklynite anyway. ;)

So when Chexy says [I][They are representing themselves,/I] I don't really understand the comment.

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Why SHOULDN'T the elected TB be invited to interact with IB under the same conditions that moderators are?

Good, good question. I hear the crickets chirping already.

koko, with all due respect, if you'd stop being such an ... for just a moment you might get your answer. The mods were having this meeting anyway - get it? It wasn't about IB, it was about training for consistency among our volunteers and you chex can go ahead and mock this group all you want but frankly it is starting to wear thin. Since at the time of the IB transaction, i insisted that IB be required to continue to support these training sessions, they invited themselves to attend. When that was known, the mods took it upon themselves to also include a few minutes where they could rant to IB about ads and tech issues since they did not know when such a face-to-face thing might happen with IB and other members of FlyerTalk. But now you and chex come along and seem to insinuate that you want IB to hear about theses items, but that if they have to hear of them from the Mods, you don't want that to happen. I simply cannot believe you are that selfish or that narrow minded or that self centered or hateful towards these volunteers that you would even make this an issue.

As for the other answer which seems easy to understand - the TB does not have regular scheduled meeting like the Mods do. TB does not require training or development of best practices. So there is no place where IB could go to easily interact with this group other than online and that already happens.

I believe the question asked has been answered.

But what will never be answered it appears is why you and chex and now RichMSN think it such a real sport top harass another group on members on this Board. You wear your distain on your sleeve. At one time you were all productive and positive members with something to add to FlyerTalk. If this is the type of silly contribution you choose to make over and over again on FlyerTalk, then I'm afraid you will have to live with the embarrassment you bring yourself in front of the eyes of our members.

So koko, whether you like it or not, a group of members of FlyerTalk will be front and center in person with IB about our expectations of technology uptime with FlyerTalk and what seems to be a disastrous breech of acceptance on what advertising best represents FlyerTalk members interest. I am glad that someone, anyone is able to do this.

I hope I make this point very clear?