[LuganoPirate]

And links opening automatically in new tabs please Tom.
Happy Easter to all.

[SimonS1]

[quote quote=802519]Thank you again – we are meeting the web development team on Tuesday so all this will be included as part of the redesign of the site and the forum – speed of loading is obviously very slow at the moment and we will also look at the optimisation (as they call it) of the site on mobile devices.
Happy Easter

[/quote]

Another redesign of the forum???

Why not just go to vBulletin, phpBB or Proboards and get something off the shelf? Then add a bit of BT branding.

[Tom Otley]

We are considering it.

The problem is that it would require a separate log in from the rest of the site, which for subscribers would be a pain, or anyone who wants to leave a comment, enter a competition or do anything else.

[FDOS_UK]

[quote quote=802535]We are considering it.

The problem is that it would require a separate log in from the rest of the site, which for subscribers would be a pain, or anyone who wants to leave a comment, enter a competition or do anything else.

[/quote]

Just my opinion, it wouldn’t affect me very much, as I use the foum more than the main site (even though I have a paid subscription).

Yes, some people may have to switch between the sites, but bookmarking would mean initial access to either was easy.

Maybe you could do a Survey Monkey poll of the subscribers and see what the body of opinion favours?

[Flightlevel]

The 1st rule of computing: K.I.S.S. its not bad now you get regular correspondence and new items when they happen and your news too. Not much trollying and the new rule is: you don’t have to be perfect – just good enough!

[stevescoots]

Martyn, you took the wind out my sails, or should that be stole my clothes? Either way your sentiments are exactly mine.

On the point of indirect discussions such as Brexit etc. I think there is a place for it albeit in general postings. I even entered the industry I am in now via a forum thread 15+ years ago on something not in the slightest associated with my industry or business, just a comment on a thread and here I am now. This is social media and for good or ill every, and mean every platform drifts off what it was initially set up for as posters become more familiar with each other. However, it does need sensible moderation. You only have to look at what a mess linked-in is these days! I used to moderate a couple of forums and it is a thankless task
Regarding the BA bashing, this is a UK or Uk Expats centric forum i feel so BA will often be up there. I have flown many dodgy airlines before and just put my head down but as someone just said there is a certain national pride involved and they are the only airline that winds me up on poor delivery because of that. I am unfortunate that in year of posting I have not met anyone from here yet. The meet ups that used to happen (still do?) always ended up when I want in the country!
This is the only FF forum I post or in fact read now as it is not drowning in mass posting and constant personal attacks anymore. I will try to post more but my literacy skills are somewhat lacking in imagination to the point of boring myself at times!

[K1ngston]

As one of the few who has reduced his interactions recently maybe indulge me and allow me to comment Tom…

The old format and forum design was easier to navigate and therefore I felt inclusive in the debate, the way it is today in MHO is cumbersome and I only therefore visit irregularly now.

I remember some wonderful heated debates and we all remember the “professional stirrers” the people who evoked comment, outrage but actually kept the forum up to date and “real”

I have no issue with people like that, they are putting in words a counter argument and allows people to comment, I think we have become to sterile here if I am honest.

Like Martyn says I have met some wonderful people in real life on this forum (Martyn included) and we have socialised on many occasions since. There is nothing wrong with debating Brexit if it has relevance to our travel plans..

I hope you will change and liven things up and I will look forward to contributing more

[FDOS_UK]

[quote quote=802594]As one of the few who has reduced his interactions recently maybe indulge me and allow me to comment Tom…

The old format and forum design was easier to navigate and therefore I felt inclusive in the debate, the way it is today in MHO is cumbersome and I only therefore visit irregularly now.

I remember some wonderful heated debates and we all remember the “professional stirrers” the people who evoked comment, outrage but actually kept the forum up to date and “real”

I have no issue with people like that, they are putting in words a counter argument and allows people to comment, I think we have become to sterile here if I am honest.

Like Martyn says I have met some wonderful people in real life on this forum (Martyn included) and we have socialised on many occasions since. There is nothing wrong with debating Brexit if it has relevance to our travel plans..

I hope you will change and liven things up and I will look forward to contributing more

[/quote]

I agree with your points above – the question is how do we achieve this – I am happy to debate points with anyone, but I don’t want VintageKrug style excesses – if that is the price of you posting more, I could do without you – and I don’t mean that unkindly, it is merely a comment on the line that needs to be observed between lively, controversial debate and flagrant bullying – whcih as Tom posted earlier, dissuades people from posting.

[MrMichael]

An interesting debate, one I am enjoying but not really able to contribute other than to say that a forum without some controversy…but with respect stops it getting boring.

Off topic…sorry…my McMillan nurse (nurse Cutter!) has given me immense support and although has drugged me up to eyeballs ( currently on 27 tablets and two medicines a day after much experimentation) mean I have more energy so will try when not too tired to put me my pennyworth in from time time. Nurse and consultant say I can have one last trip to Europe for less than a week. The prob is getting repatriation insurance, insurance for emergency Will be on my eu card. I have a quote one way repatriation from Naples to SOU for 18k but if such insurance just covering that is out there I would be ntersted. Want to go Srrrento or Amalfi coast. Any recommendations on either hotels e c would subject would be greatly received. And if tom or anyone wants to move this to a diff threwadvplease do.

Thanks for your all your best wishes on this and other threads. My spirits are high…body brok,en but operating on one engine!

Stay safe all…. your all great and your debates make me smile.

[FDOS_UK]

Michael

Lovely to hear from you and delighted you could find the energy to post.

I think we had some respectful and lively debates – not sure that either of us convinced each other too much, but we certainly aired some views 😉

James

[AlanOrton1]

MrMichael – very nice to see your post, and I’d happily suggest heading to Ravello on the Amalfi Coast. Perhaps push the boat out and go for the Belmond Hotel Caruso. It is about an hour from Naples airport via car, though less by helicopter(!)

[Ahmad]

A really pleasant surprise hearing from MrMichael. Wishing and hoping that he will continue interacting at the Forum.

Some random thoughts on the ongoing debate, for whatever they are worth. I agree, that the Forum appears sterile without some debate. Reminds me of Communist Bulgaria when I used to visit there in the eighties. No one smiling, everyone agreeing. Having said that, this forum is still the most informative out there in terms of the narrow content it covers. The older format was more intuitive for the less tech savvy such as myself. The newer has more search options for people who haven’t logged in for sometime to catch up with matters that interest them. I wouldn’t drastically tinker with what has been done to the format. In my opinion, unless people are allowed to say what they feel, they will be reluctant to post their experiences or give advice. Moderation or Policing (if I can use the older term without reprimand) will only lead to further stifling of lively debate and result in a deterioration in content. Persistent offenders can of course be blacklisted but that should be the exception rather than the rule.

[K1ngston]

MrMichael delighted to hear from you, and I wish you well on your travels. FDOS_UK I certainly didn’t mean bullying I deplore bullying of any kind, I was referring to lively debate, sarcasm and the odd controversial comment or thought, I believe we are all adults and can deal with it….

I sadly remember the antics of VintageKrug and whilst many times they were deplorable, the debate remained topical in both some defence and much derision. I am sure most of us in business are used to lively debate…

In closing I agree with you totally Ahmad….

[FDOS_UK]

K1ngston

Thanks for your post – I completely agree and support your points.

There are one of two VK fanbois on here, just wanted to be clear about my view – not that it should be confused with the house rules, which Tom sets.

[FaroFlyer]

Martyn,

I was not intending to say we should not refer to Brexit, or discuss it, in as far as it relates to Business Travel, or leisure travel. What I objected to was the language and tone of some posts. It had become a bit like posts after articles on popular news channels.

I would actually welcome a topic “BREXIT. How might it affect travel?” Would someone like to start this?

I would suggest that the rules for all posts should be:
1 – No multiple exclamation marks. Just one per sentence if needed.
2 – No multiple question marks. Just one per sentence, if appropriate.
3 – No gratuitous use of capital letters.
4 – Emoticons are permitted.
4 – No offensive disagreements or invective. However, in extreme cases you can refer to the poster as heading a municipality between Lloret de Mar and Canyet de Mar:-)

[Author]

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