Hello All,

I'm the admin of the board. I created the board because I enjoy traveling and I wanted to interact with other like minded people. Unfortunately, because of work I'm swamp and have very little time to dedicate to this board any more. About a year ago a tried changing the settings that all users would be required to register. It did not work well, there were many problems and the participation level went way down. So, then I tried the strategy of asking a few active people to help me moderate the site. So far it has worked well. In this particular forum, Sandals, I have asked llund and drperfect to be moderators. Llund recently sent me a message asking me to look at the Sandals forum. I noticed that there are some people who are quite rude. The problem is that on the Internet it’s so easy to be anonymous that psychologically people tend to be a lot ruder than when speaking face to face.

What I’m asking here if for suggestions from you all about what specific changes to do?

A possible change is that I can require all posters in the Sandals board to register.
Another one is to have more moderators.

Admin

I suggest you stop letting drperfect be a moderator because he causes many of the problems.

I agree, drperfect has a history of inflammatory comments (see the one with regard to "new yorkers"). . He needs to go. Llund is more tactful.

i can't make this stuff up, you can go back and read it too easily. i was just talking about the NYers on here who do the "i'm from NY, i know what good food and drinks is.. .. ..blah blah blah". . get real people. this isn't NY, it's a 3rd world country. that was my only point. and before you go disagreeing with my statement, you may wanna go back and take a look at what some of your brethren have said. end of point. didn't mean to get anybody in a tissy. truth is truth.

I would think that a "moderator" should post politically correct statements relevant to a moderator's role.

If we all act as grown ups we should be ok. It has been my experience that people from certain parts of the country are a little more high strung than others. I have noticed this in Mexico, Jamica and on cruise ships. To make personal attacks as a guest is very rude. If you do not want to be identified just dont post. Is it possible to have a person sign on but be able to hide their name to all but the administrator?

I agree, this was one of the first boards I joined. The others you must register in. I haven't seen any signs of abuse on them. It's ok to speak and make your point, but do it with a little tact. We like hearing all the pros and cons about peoples vacations and want to help where we can for them to enjoy it. We have met many new guests from different messageboards and it's even more fun when you meet them in person at a sandals. Nobody likes to be put down, but can be corrected, in a manner that is acceptable.

agreed. However that is not what happens. If one person has a bad experience or gives an opinion on the vacation they have which is not positive, the dr mostly jumps on their case. Particullarly those who are from NY. He always has too make a rude comment. (and yes i read all of the past posts some of them were uncalled for on his part, there was no reason to say such things.) Could it be because he is from Texas. (see i bet that would not be appreciated) hey but truth is truth. And does it matter if you don't identify yourself, what is the difference? I feel someone should not have to register to ask a question or give an experience.

[quote="admin"]Hello All,

I'm the admin of the board. I created the board because I enjoy traveling and I wanted to interact with other like minded people. Unfortunately, because of work I'm swamp and have very little time to dedicate to this board any more. About a year ago a tried changing the settings that all users would be required to register. It did not work well, there were many problems and the participation level went way down. So, then I tried the strategy of asking a few active people to help me moderate the site. So far it has worked well. In this particular forum, Sandals, I have asked llund and drperfect to be moderators. Llund recently sent me a message asking me to look at the Sandals forum. I noticed that there are some people who are quite rude. The problem is that on the Internet it’s so easy to be anonymous that psychologically people tend to be a lot ruder than when speaking face to face.

What I’m asking here if for suggestions from you all about what specific changes to do?

A possible change is that I can require all posters in the Sandals board to register.
Another one is to have more moderators.

Admin[/quote]


I have a question for the Admin. of this board! Why is this board attached to at least a couple other commercial sites? Do those sites, also belong to you?

Thanks in advance

Donna

I think people are use to registering now. If people are truly interested in sharing travel information, they will be willing to register. The cruise critic board that I go on requires registration and is a large board. Cruise directors have mentioned it on the ships. I have seen posts from cruise directors and tour guides. One crusie line even sponsers a party for the cruise critic members. Taking this into consideration, it appears that most people are not afraid to register for a board.

Dr is proving the point again by the above statement. He still does not get it! You are offensive and that is not what a moderator does. Your rude comments cause other ones to be posted and you are a big problem on this board. I guess if some of your "brethren" think it's ok to bash people then it's ok for you as well? If Michael Jackson says that everyone should sleep with young boys then I guess Dr thinks it ok as well.

I honestly believe that there are "guests" who are looking for something to bicker about, even when there is nothing there. How about the phrase 'turning the other cheek'? Let's not be defensive with every posting, but rather, lets move on and not cause contentions.
Can we move on to travel topics???? PLEASE!!!

Why hasn't llund or dr perfect or the admin answered the above question regarding WHY this board is linked with at least two other message boards that I know of (I can't cite them for you now, I have to go into past messages for this same question a few months ago -- that is, if it is not conveniently deleted)?

For t hose of you who don't know what I'm talking about, when messages are posted on this board, they are copied on at least two other message boards (I believe travel agency boards). .

Answer the question!

WE DON'T KNOW!!! just like we didn't know the last 20 times you asked.

I think I know, of course it is just an educated guess. You see this message board (Sandals) is actually part of a larger "Travel Group Message Board" covering subjecys that range from Travel Advice & Suggetions too specific Topics such as England or Spain or a specific Cruiseline or resort like Sandals. This Larger board is supported by Smaller groups like Affordable Travel and others that find it a useful tool for people to have open discussions and their Opinions, at the same time promote their business! On some sites you will find small groups of topics or just a single topic specific for that sites business, other sites how the entire range of topics. I imagine that each topic is monitored by a person in charge of the entire message board in General, but the day to day monitoring (moderator) is probably people who were asked (non payed) to help out because they had a strong interest in that peticular topic (ie; llund & Dr. P). . I read most of the topics at one time or another and have posted as Brian in Cosmos/Globus and as Guest on many others and I believe this (Sandals) is the ONLY topic were the Moderators are so active AND the ONLY one where everyone KNOWS who they are. That in itself is just reason for some of you people to Shut-up and back off the personal attacks and the Double standards some of you have!

Doc, I just love your style Who are you talking to here? I myself have asked this question once before, so.. .. . who are you insinuating that has asked this question 20 times before

Is it not, all right with you that I asked this question? Do you know the answer?

[quote="drperfect"]WE DON'T KNOW!!! [/quote]

No need to shout here Doc, LOL, I was asking the admin for information here out of curiosity, NOT you. Lighten up! It's really, really not a big one bud, just a question.

thanks Brian. That is exactly what happened. We aren't part of the administration and really don't know much about the ins and outs of the board. You probably answered it correctly. Appreciate your input. By the way, I may be asking you about Cosmos/globas trips as we are thinking about doing this next summer.

[quote="Formerly Guest now Brian"]I think I know, of course it is just an educated guess. You see this message board (Sandals) is actually part of a larger "Travel Group Message Board" covering subjecys that range from Travel Advice & Suggetions too specific Topics such as England or Spain or a specific Cruiseline or resort like Sandals. This Larger board is supported by Smaller groups like Affordable Travel and others that find it a useful tool for people to have open discussions and their Opinions, at the same time promote their business! On some sites you will find small groups of topics or just a single topic specific for that sites business, other sites how the entire range of topics. I imagine that each topic is monitored by a person in charge of the entire message board in General, but the day to day monitoring (moderator) is probably people who were asked (non payed) to help out because they had a strong interest in that peticular topic (ie; llund & Dr. P). . I read most of the topics at one time or another and have posted as Brian in Cosmos/Globus and as Guest on many others and I believe this (Sandals) is the ONLY topic were the Moderators are so active AND the ONLY one where everyone KNOWS who they are. That in itself is just reason for some of you people to Shut-up and back off the personal attacks and the Double standards some of you have![/quote]

Very good educated guess Brian. AffordableTours.com uses part of the message board to let their uses post about their tours. Since they don't sell Sandals, they only offer this section as a service to the general public. And they don't pay attention to it.

Whenever I see a forum that has a lot of activity I usually ask one or 2 active members to help out as moderators. You all know Ilund and DrPerfect way much better than I do. I read some of their posts when I offer them the position of moderator a while back. Since then I have left them alone. If any one else would like to contribute, I would be willing to upgrade their status.

I try to get involved from time to time, but I'm very busy. That is why there is a forum where I ask users to tell me about abouse or spam. Unfortunately, its not used much.

Admin,

I really apreciate you taking the time to respond.

Thank you,