To All New Members

[arrowcapet]

Salut mes amis!!! I just joined, thought I'd give a quick shout-out, but I'm going fishing in the morning, so I have to get up in 4 hours....but I'll be back soon. Wonderful to see you all....

[andi]

hello everyone, took me a while to find out the right button to click but I found you, its great to see all the old names from TA on here too, seems like this site is growing by the minute and I wish it all the success it deserves.

[luckyluc]

Mais bienvenue à tous! The traffic is most slower then TA but as can you can see what we lack in quantity we have in quality. I am sure that we will all learn new aspects of Paris together and enjoy the discoveries. Truffaut is out of town for the weekend, but will be back soon. If any one would like to add to the blog section that could be arrange. Now I must try to understand why we suddenly have so many new members all at once!

[les]

The link was put on the TA board, when we were lamenting the loss of you all. Someone (GitteK?) said "they are here..." and gave the link. And shockingly the link has remained up, this was the first time I ever saw it.

I hope it's ok, and you don't feel stalked!

[catherine]

WOW, look at all those names appearing from 'the good 'ol days' on TA when lots of regulars posted. Whatever did we do before they invented the internet?

Someone should do a PhD on how internet communities form - I feel sure that general off topic chats are often part of the process of getting to know other posters and that they contribute in the end to much better on-topic discussion of the travel facts. Some moderators known to us should think about this a bit!

[pemquid]

I posted a reply in the above-mentioned thread with the link eatrlier today, got an e-mail notification that someone else had replied to my posting, but when I went to look, the whole thread was deleted. But--at least it was up long enough for me to find this, and I just signed up as a member. At any rate, I've come over here to read this morning. I'm not an old-timer, a regular, or an expert, but have gained valuable information form the France forum (and last year, Italy). It's a probably a good thing I didn't discover this forum sooner, as we're leaving for France TOMORROW (!!) and I'm still spending way too much time reading and collecting information (LOL)

In all honesty, I prefer the tone and general civility on Slow Travel more than on Trip Advisor, but find that both forums have their strong and less strong points.

Perhaps forums should have 2 boards, kind of like varsity and junior varsity sports teams here in the U.S. The "junior varsity" would be a first-timer's area, where people could post without fear of ridicule or being put down for asking the same thing that's been asked repeatedly by others, and having the "regulars" get irritated. Any experienced people who are kind enough and have enough time could provide help there, or links to previous discussions on the exact same topic. Those who want a more in-depth discussion, the "insiders" or "experienced travelers" ("varsity") could interact with one another in a different area. I sense that this new forum here is an attempt to do the latter, though I haven't started reading postings here yet (I had read the blogs when they first went up but didn't realize their was a discussion forum now).

[iank9]

Hi Everyone,

Following a period of inactivity on TA, brought about in part by rudeness and unhelpful comments from some posters and a period of ill-health, I dipped my toe back in and was delighted to find this board. Having just returned from celebrating our silver wedding anniversary in Paris we are still buzzzing from the wonderful time we had, and then to find this site with it's many useful articles and links means so much to both of us- more planning and exploring for next year's trip!!

Thank you for the time taken to set up the site, and we are looking forward to gaining and hopefully contributing information when appropriate!

Best wishes to all

[GitteK]

I cannot believe that TA actually removed my reply to exeman (or whoever it was) about where all the regulars have gone.
It was not offensive nor did I use bad language, I just posted the link to this site.
This is so scary - talk about 1984...... Is living in America like that all the time

[robertzimmerman]

He who pays the piper calls the tune.

TA is owned by <someone>. They can do as they please. That doesn't mean you have to play in their sandbox.

[GitteK]

Hello again, mes amis !
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k1197010-GitteK_Setts_v_Cobblestones-Paris_Ile_de_France.html
It's time to phone your bookmaker and place a bet on how long it takes TA to remove my post....... Ooooh, I feel so nasty and vengeful and truly up to my Scorpio self this afternoon..... I had better pour myself a glass of something strong to make that feeling last....... ooop, sorry..... "to make that feeling go away" Of course !!

[GitteK]

robert - there are a few other things I would like to do in their sandbox........

[robertzimmerman]

> robert - there are a few other things I would like to do in their sandbox

Yes, but they don't care, so why should you? Move on.

[GitteK]

berkeleytrav - I have sent your question on to Truffaut "chairman of the board", because I agree - it would be easier, if the latest replies were listed first.

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Thanks -- maybe you can answer a different question, which is: what are the flaming flags about and why is there occastionally a thumbs-up symbol?

[GitteK]

I have absolutely no idea........ this board is so hightech it makes me dizzy.....

[luckyluc]

Bonjour Gitte,

I must confess that we are also on a learning curve. Some feature are really nice (eg the possibility of editing one's post) others are a bit much.

For the flamming flag I supposed it indicate a very active discussion. Truffaut will look into it this evening, he is rather busy at work today.

We must send you bouquet of thank you for bring in so many new members!

[holger]

I am not very high tech. However, when you are posting you can add the thumbs up as a message icon. Totally optional like the smilies. I don't know about the flag as it is not one of the options I have found. I am also playing with the tas and colors as well as the smilies.

;D

[luckyluc]

Bonjour Holger, the burning file just added itself when the thread is very active. It is not something we control. I do like the possibility of reading the previous post as I am typing a reply.

[Happygoin]

I, too, have wondered at all the burning flags etc, but it is all superceded my happiness at all the NEW POSTERS!! This is great!

[Shoesy]

I've just joined, and I'm so excited that I'm finding it hard to type. Hi everyone !