nytraveler

There have been a large number of posts lately in which people ask specific questions - but list no desination. So - they're getting many fewer readers and answers than they would otheriwse.

For perhaps the hundreth time there is only one US board - not separate boards for each state. (States are only to help search for previuos posts - not receive new answers).

So all the new questions go on one long list - and if you just say

Ideas for Lunch

Info on Lodgings

How to get to airport

No one has a clue what state or city you're talking about. You're missing many good answers - and you quesiton will soon fall further and further down the list.

aileen679

moving this to the top.

highflyer

Where are you going?

It's a good try but I think some people don't even read the other posts before they ask a question.

LilMsFoodie

this is not the Newbie's problem but the problem with the Fodors format. An area or state should be required before posting. They have resisted this for a long time but it surely can't be that difficult.

nina

I agree lilmsfoodie, the way they place the search function where it is is very confusing. I think they know this yet there it remains, ever since the board was started. It surely can't be that much of a big deal to change it.

And while they're at it, could they please give us an edit function? Many times I post in a hurry because I'm pressed for time and I would love to go back and edit all my typos. I know we can preview our posts but if I'm rushing, I don't even have time for that!

bodi

I always use the state search and avoid frustrations.

Barbara

I disagree. Fodor's explains this when you post a new thread. People just don't read it. Newbies in particular ought to take a second and read the instructions first.

janisj

bodi: "I always use the state search and avoid frustrations."

Well maybe so, but you are also missing a pretty large percentage of threads about that state. The only threads you will see that way are the ones where the OP remembered to click on a state BEFORE previewing. Once they hit "preview" or "post" it is too late to capture the state.

So IF you do want to, for example, see all the threads about CA, the only way to do it is to page down through the entire forum. Clicking on "California" will only bring up maybe 60% - 65% of them.

mrwunrfl

Barbara, are you a web page or software developer? There is a problem that posts are created without identifying the applicable "Topic" (usually state or country). A developer would say that the webpage is fine, doesn't need fixed, it is the user that has the problem because they didn't read the instructions. 'Foodie points out that the web page has the problem because it permits the user to make a post without selecting a Topic. Obviously, I've spent a bit too much time on this topic.

nytraveler, you could just let it go. People will figure it out. Or not.

Barbara

Gosh no, I'm not by any means a computer expert. But it seems to me that some people are making a huge problem out of not much.

Barbara

An edit function would be nice!

As I'm not great with computers, I pay attention to what I'm doing, usually, and I think if I can manage to navigate this site-and basic navigation is not difficult here-then anyone can. But it does require attention, reading some posts to see what others have done and trying it out for yourself. Some new posters don't seem to want to have to do that.

divingaggie

LilMsFoodie--I agree that it would be easier for most if they made people choose a state or area before posting, but there are times when that wouldn't work, I think. For example, sometimes people are trying to compare different travel destinations, and having to choose a state would limit the number of views and replies. I do agree, however, that people need to be more specific. But I started off a bit naively, and I've learned to be a better "poster" with time. Just my two cents.

Neil_Oz

Maybe I've misunderstood the problem raised by a couple of posters, but there seems to be a workable edit function already. If, after composing, you click on "Preview my reply" rather than "Post my reply" you can review and edit to your heart's content, or so it seems to me.

Or you can just review and fix what you've just typed while you're still in the "Post a reply" box for that matter.

As nytraveler will know, the problem raised also afflects other forums, most of which deal with a whole continent or region rather than just one country. It's an occasional minor nuisance to me, but I agree that it limits the help some posters receive. Of course some will always use vague titles, whatever Fodors does with the site design.

Anonymous

The desired edit function is the one that will allow change after posting.

Neil_Oz

Understand, Anonymous. I truly sympathise with the urge to take back what one has said, but IMO it's an unreal baby-boomer fantasy.

The reality is, as that dodgy Iranian Omar Khayyam said,
"The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it."

Good night!
Neil

Margo_Chester

Bodi, I always use the state search function too - on the Europe forum I choose a country and then hit "search". I understand I might be missing something by not just scroll down the left hand side of the page and reading all the posts, but I simply don't have the time to read the board that way!

Anonymous

"Understand, Anonymous. I truly sympathise with the urge to take back what one has said, but IMO it's an unreal baby-boomer fantasy. "

Not at all. There are other discussion boards that I frequent in which posts are editable at any time after posting. And they are also categorized and searchable much better than here at the skimpy minimalist Fodors board, too. And the advertising isn't as obnoxious. And members can list a profile.

1travelbug

Reading all of the above as well as some other posts of similar nature, it's occurred to me several times now to create a thread specifically for providing our feedback to the Fodor editors publicly. I know we're supposed to communicate directly to the editors using their e-mail address but creating a thread for this purpose might be a way to collectively brainstorm and work off each other's ideas...surely the editors/moderators would be reading it so long as it kept going ttt...

Question for the seasoned Fodorites...do the editors make improvements from time to time or has the site been relatively the same since its inception?

Christina

Anonymous

I've been on here for several years, and the only significant change that I can remember is required registration, which did help to reduce the number of stupid, rude, and harassing posts.

Once in a while they change the colors and other "look" of the page. Oh, and recently links have become clickable. That's it.

nina

"Understand, Anonymous. I truly sympathise with the urge to take back what one has said, but IMO it's an unreal baby-boomer fantasy."

I think you're misunderstanding Neil. It has nothing to do with taking back what I've said and everything to do with the ability to edit AFTER I post without previewing. As I said before, I often post in a hurry, so I don't even have time to preview. I'd simply like the option that I have on all the other message boards I post on, which is the ability to edit sometimes hours after I post when I have more time.