Do you have to be an expert to post here?
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:01 AM
#1
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Do you have to be an expert to post here?
I am relatively new here, as I have readily admitted many times. I am retired, I have traveled with my family throughout my adulthood, but I don't pretend to be an expert on, well, anywhere. I have enjoyed the comraderie here very much, and I have posted on places I know a little something about, but I have never stated that I am an expert. Thursday night and Friday I did have some free time, plus with the things going on around the world, I stayed on here on and off all day.
Today I read a post that said suddenly I had become an expert and spend too much time here. It was in reference to a couple the age of my wife and I who just started here, so I tried to explain searching and reading past threads - something I had to learn the hard way on my own. They were starting from scratch and I didn't want to send them in a wrong direction about their travels, so I didn't offer specific travel advice, for which I was lambasted.
Needless to say, I am very confused. I thought everyone here was posting travel advice based on their own experiences - whether limited or vast. Most people have been extremely kind in giving me hints and pointing me in the right direction, and I have been trying to do the same - just like the thread I mentioned above. If this is something only long time users are supposed to be doing, please let me know. Thank you!
Today I read a post that said suddenly I had become an expert and spend too much time here. It was in reference to a couple the age of my wife and I who just started here, so I tried to explain searching and reading past threads - something I had to learn the hard way on my own. They were starting from scratch and I didn't want to send them in a wrong direction about their travels, so I didn't offer specific travel advice, for which I was lambasted.
Needless to say, I am very confused. I thought everyone here was posting travel advice based on their own experiences - whether limited or vast. Most people have been extremely kind in giving me hints and pointing me in the right direction, and I have been trying to do the same - just like the thread I mentioned above. If this is something only long time users are supposed to be doing, please let me know. Thank you!
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:11 AM
#3
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Hi Speedbuggy
I try to tell people about places I have visited, hotels, restaurants etc and give my opinion of them.
It cracks me up when people post and tell others not to stay here, don't see that, don't go there. And it turns out they have never even been there!
I like to read posts about places to gather information then research my own and make my own decisions.
The most useless posts I have read are then ones where people tell you not to visit a place because it is too touristy.
Keep on posting Speedbuggy.
I try to tell people about places I have visited, hotels, restaurants etc and give my opinion of them.
It cracks me up when people post and tell others not to stay here, don't see that, don't go there. And it turns out they have never even been there!
I like to read posts about places to gather information then research my own and make my own decisions.
The most useless posts I have read are then ones where people tell you not to visit a place because it is too touristy.
Keep on posting Speedbuggy.
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:18 AM
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As far as I know, you don't have to be one to post here.
Just don't take it personally if your information are refuted and those who challenge them happen to be right. To every rational message board posters, that is a fact of life in an internet message board. Unfortunately, you will encounter some narrow-minded posters here who consider being challenged/refuted as personal attacks or slamming. Ignore them and don't let them get to you.
This is a good board with good travel information.
Just don't take it personally if your information are refuted and those who challenge them happen to be right. To every rational message board posters, that is a fact of life in an internet message board. Unfortunately, you will encounter some narrow-minded posters here who consider being challenged/refuted as personal attacks or slamming. Ignore them and don't let them get to you.
This is a good board with good travel information.
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:18 AM
#6
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Ignore them, Speedbuggy. (Or bunny! Ha!) Your posts are fine, and there are no experts here. Yes, some people get attitudes now and then. But as I was mentioning yesterday in relation to another young, college-aged poster, I think the anonymity gives people the feeling it's ok to be rude. It's not. So, just ignore the comments. (Oh, and it helps to be a little thick-skinned to post here too!)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:20 AM
#7
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SpeedBuggy:
Sometime people hit the "post my reply" button without stopping to re-read and think about the content of what they are posting. It may have been an attempt at humor - which sometimes does not come across well in these posts. DO continue to post, and don't let an anonymous comment hurt your feelings - life's too short!
Cyn
Sometime people hit the "post my reply" button without stopping to re-read and think about the content of what they are posting. It may have been an attempt at humor - which sometimes does not come across well in these posts. DO continue to post, and don't let an anonymous comment hurt your feelings - life's too short!
Cyn
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Aug 12th, 2006, 06:21 AM
#8
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I for one, would like to see more trip reports here. Matter of fact I should get off my butt and post trip reports when I go someplace.
Trip repots that include the transportation and hotels and restaurants too.
Trip repots that include the transportation and hotels and restaurants too.
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:39 AM
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I love this forum; however, some of the people who post here are cyberbullies--the crowd that used to steal lunch money from little kids on their grade school play grounds.
The annoying remarks they make reveal them for the angry, bitter people they are. We can't avoid them, but we can recognize them for who they are and not give them the satisfactions of letting them know that that have succeeded in their goal of hurting us.
The annoying remarks they make reveal them for the angry, bitter people they are. We can't avoid them, but we can recognize them for who they are and not give them the satisfactions of letting them know that that have succeeded in their goal of hurting us.
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:39 AM
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Hi Speedbuggy
I've been enjoying your posts here; you have been noticed (at least by me) and I appreciate your presence.
I've been around for a couple of years or so, and I do agree with those who say one needs a thick skin to hang out here. Not as thick as on some public forums, though!
I find folks here to be generally nice, and very very helpful on all travel subjects. Since this is the US board, I will mention that I planned my trip to AZ last year, using Fodors recommendations as well as some others, and it was a huge success.
Of course, all internet forums will have posters that love to correct, chastise and criticize. It is the nature of the beast. However, I have such a good time with Fodors, that the positives far outweigh the negatives. I drop in nearly every day!
Please do stick around. I've made friends here, and find that some of my established travel buddies hang out here, too. Keep posting, please.
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:40 AM
#12
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"I think the anonymity gives people the feeling it's ok to be rude."
Hardly. Most posters here are mature and thoughtful and give solid advice.
Hello Speedbuggy. No, you certainly don't have to be an "expert" to post here. Although I did wonder, with five children, how you had time to post, lol. But now I understand - enjoy your retirement!
However, when people start posting on every single thread, clearly not knowing anything about the location, it's problematic. The attitude that this is a "free world and I'll post whatever I want because I feel like it" only adds junk to otherwise good information and becomes frustrating. Moosely is a good example of that. Perhaps I was the most vocal about her behavior (trying to be subtle at first) but certainly many others agreed. This is not a playground for the bored...well maybe I take that back...it's a playground for the bored who like to and have traveled.
My 2cents.
Hardly. Most posters here are mature and thoughtful and give solid advice.
Hello Speedbuggy. No, you certainly don't have to be an "expert" to post here. Although I did wonder, with five children, how you had time to post, lol. But now I understand - enjoy your retirement!
However, when people start posting on every single thread, clearly not knowing anything about the location, it's problematic. The attitude that this is a "free world and I'll post whatever I want because I feel like it" only adds junk to otherwise good information and becomes frustrating. Moosely is a good example of that. Perhaps I was the most vocal about her behavior (trying to be subtle at first) but certainly many others agreed. This is not a playground for the bored...well maybe I take that back...it's a playground for the bored who like to and have traveled.
My 2cents.
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:49 AM
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I have enjoyed reading your posts as well.
i think it is fair to say that we share our personal experiences at Hotels, destinations, travel companies, etc.. to help those not in the know of that particular place/thing. i have been coming here for many years and have gotten a lot of help as well as share my knowledge.
No expertise needed!1!
Look forward to your posts!
i think it is fair to say that we share our personal experiences at Hotels, destinations, travel companies, etc.. to help those not in the know of that particular place/thing. i have been coming here for many years and have gotten a lot of help as well as share my knowledge.
No expertise needed!1!
Look forward to your posts!
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:54 AM
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SpeedBuggy, to answer your question, no you don't have to be an expert to post here. I just proved that by answering your question.
But, I really think you're being over sensitive about z's comment on the Alaska thread. You had no trouble chiming in on the Moosely thread yesterday and it wasn't exactly cordial.
Relax and keep enjoying this forum but remember that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
But, I really think you're being over sensitive about z's comment on the Alaska thread. You had no trouble chiming in on the Moosely thread yesterday and it wasn't exactly cordial.
Relax and keep enjoying this forum but remember that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:55 AM
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STW - In regards to your comment, "Most posters here are mature and thoughtful and give solid advice." I would definitely agree, but there are also some people who can't help themselves from being downright rude at times. Thankfully, they are in the minority. Everyone else here is usually very nice, very funny, and eager to help. It truly is a great forum - glad I found it. (Speedbuggy - I'm fairly new too!)
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:55 AM
#17
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Thank you all so much the kind responses. As a senior, I am very inexperienced with "cyberspace" as compared to all of you, and I was ready and willing to accept the "leave it the long time posters." I really don't think sensitivity had much to do with my question, and as some of you on threads with me yesterday saw, I can be pretty cantankerous myself at times. Thanks again. I hope newbies in the future will find this thread hopeful for their beginnings!
Thanks again. I hope newbies in the future will find this thread hopeful for their beginnings!
Aug 12th, 2006, 06:59 AM
#18
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Austin, I wasn't mentioning names, and I wish you hadn't. I was not here for reassurance, at my age you give up a lot of that. But I wanted direction, which I got along with a lot of kindness. The thread you mention was about airport security and traveling with today's threats, for which none of us are experts in this day and age, obviously. Thanks, again.
Aug 12th, 2006, 07:12 AM
#20
welcome SpeedBuggy, I'd noticed your name recently but didn't realize you were new here. I think you would be surprised about the age of many of the posters... cyberspace is new to lots of us. But travel information and the internet are a match made in heaven!
We all know what we know, "expert" is a funny word. For instance, I'd been posting here for years before I even thought to read the United States forums (I read and post about Europe and Mexico where I travel)... and that I know things to contribute about my own home city (Seattle)!
Also I read several travel magazines every month so now and then I can point someone in the direction of an article I saw on the subject they are asking about.
There's all kinds of ways to contribute. And I think any long-time poster will agree with me, if you stick around and post frequently sometimes, someone's going to pick on you or say something rude. That's life on the forum.
kindly, Suze
We all know what we know, "expert" is a funny word. For instance, I'd been posting here for years before I even thought to read the United States forums (I read and post about Europe and Mexico where I travel)... and that I know things to contribute about my own home city (Seattle)!
Also I read several travel magazines every month so now and then I can point someone in the direction of an article I saw on the subject they are asking about.
There's all kinds of ways to contribute. And I think any long-time poster will agree with me, if you stick around and post frequently sometimes, someone's going to pick on you or say something rude. That's life on the forum.
kindly, Suze
