Is it just me or is the board "straying" a bit?

[Greg White]

Is it just me or is it that since the board went free access it seems that the quality of post have dropped off. I am here to learn about the Latin culture, the women, ESPECIALLY the women, which agencies to use, which not to use; here from the agency owners directly, hear from SuperMary and other Colombian female members; you know, like it was before just any old troll/spammer can come by and post useless crap.

Am I alone in my observation? If so speak up and I will shut up about it; but the board seems like it has lost focus on the women, the culture, the language, and is about folks with no experience giving advice on crap they no know nothing about.

I don’t tend to give advice, I just paid the board fees when they were due, so I could be a sponge, and maybe add a few funny comments when I saw an opening, but things have changed since the board is now free.

What say some of the old timers?

GW

[HonkyTonk]

Greg, the Board is a constant evolution. It used to be geared toward Colombia only, almost to the point of me having to post about Lima(cough cough)Colombia. It was mostly Colombia, agencies and women. Now it's all things LAmerican + some. I like the broader scope of the Board now as compared to when I 1st got here in '00. If you were able to go backwards thru the Board formats in the past, you'd beg to have it the way it is now

There's still everything you're looking for! I encourage you to post new topics like you just did.

Agencies and women are still great topics. Don't read too much into some of the old timers who lament the "heyday" of LAm. You'll still be a kid in a candy store on your virgin trip.

The Board hasn't changed that much in the 2 months it's been public. There have always been a few bad apples that don't last long.

What would you like to discuss? Ask and ye shall receive!

Bottom line? GringoTalk is better than ever!

[Airto]

Originally Posted by gregwhite39208

Is it just me or is it that since the board went free access it seems that the quality of post have dropped off. I am here to learn about the Latin culture, the women, ESPECIALLY the women, which agencies to use, which not to use; here from the agency owners directly, hear from SuperMary and other Colombian female members; you know, like it was before just any old troll/spammer can come by and post useless crap.

Am I alone in my observation? If so speak up and I will shut up about it; but the board seems like it has lost focus on the women, the culture, the language, and is about folks with no experience giving advice on crap they no know nothing about.

I don’t tend to give advice, I just paid the board fees when they were due, so I could be a sponge, and maybe add a few funny comments when I saw an opening, but things have changed since the board is now free.

What say some of the old timers?

GW

GW,

You are not alone in your observation, things have changed some but I think making the board open was the best way to go. I have noticed a few new members posting bombshell accusations which strikes a nerve among those who have been here for awhile but also I've noticed a few who have years of experience going SOTB or living there that have become members sharing their experience. There may be many more who have just not posted anything yet.
Something else I've notice is that some of us have mention they didn't want to go too far into posting a trip report because the board is open now. Also there seems to be not as many trip reports and I can point the finger at myself on that one. I do plan to travel to Colombia and use an agency this year.
Once again it was good to open the board up, there are many places in Latin America that are rarely mentioned here, and I bet we have some new members who have been to some of these places.

By the way GW, SuperMary is Brasilian.

[Jim]

Greg,

I've been a member since 1999. There are lots of posts which will not be relevant to any one person's situation and we are free to ignore whatever posts that don't interest us.

I am retiring to Subic Bay (Philippines) and I'm sure my comments on this region don't interst over half our members. But since there are beautiful women there who love foreigners, it is of interest to many members. No one is forced to read anything that doesn't interest them.

In general, you can gain only suggestions and starting points from the Internet. Being on the ground, talking to people (agencies, women) and forming your own impression is the best form of information.

[Tinto]

GW,

I'm with HT on this one. Although there are some concerns with going with a public forum I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Probably the main reason it went public was based on an economic standpoint for Ray, and I can't fault him on that.

Increased membership and a broader viewpoint will occur with this new direction. Even one of the negative aspects can be a little entertain when we have a few *characters* showing up like we had recently.

As long as there is good and fair moderation taking place, GT's new direction will continue to be a positive one, as long as they don't get too carried away with all these advertisers.

BTW, I chatted with SuperMary today and the poor thing has been working seven days a week for the past month and has had little time for the internet.

[Greg White]

Crap I forgot that SuperMary was Brazil; My bad! I just remember the early days of some forms related to "online business" stuff I used to be interested in. They were in the early days "pay sites", then they went public and after that, they went straight to hell, as far as credibility goes.

But this it not the same subject matter, so I suppose we will be ok.

I am hoping and keeping the faith.

Hey, how do you guys like my new avitar. It is a picture of little ole me! Imagine that!

Be nice now!

GW