Expanding Message Board

I've started a new sticky topic to cover what we're up to. Stay tuned there for my latest notes. ...and yes, we're expanding.

Who moved my cheese? I like the additional categories.

WOw. When I posted earlier in the day, it was just in "to the west". Suddenly this!

I guess "to the boot" is now just called "Italy", as all the posts previously in "to the boot" have been moved to "Italy".

But now what happens if someone is starting in Austria, going through Germany with stops, and ending in Benelux. Does he post in Austria, his origin, or Benelux, his destination, or Germany, where he is spending most of his time? Or maybe all three?!!!

"But now what happens if someone is starting in Austria, going through Germany with stops, and ending in Benelux. Does he post in Austria, his origin, or Benelux, his destination, or Germany, where he is spending most of his time? Or maybe all three?!!!"

They would post to General Europe.

It also appears that the 'multi country' forums (to the west, to the east, to the north) are still there so questions about itineraries that include several countries would still go in those.

This will make it even more difficult to just take a few minutes to see new questions and respond if one has anything to offer... looks like a big timewaster and bit of overkill. More categories will not make it better...with the more efficient 'search' it doesn't appear there are even as many new questions as in the past.

Have to agree with Terry Kathryn, It is getting too hard to do a quick check. Seems very cumbersome.

I agree with the two posts immediately preceding mine,....tiresome and cumbersome...there is benefit to seeing the posts of adjacent countries when you are making plans to travel in more than one...

I agree too. With more categories it will take more time and be more cumbersome.

Yes, I agree with you last posters. Too much, too many categories, too many places to read and post. I won't have the time to check each category, so I'm afraid it may become just a general Europe thread instead of what we had previously. Or, maybe I just don't like change!

I'm not ready to condemn this change before we've had a chance to see how it works. I like the idea of being able to dodge all those Wales questions--I'll leave them to Ed. When I'm ready to go to Wales I'll check it out.

Let's try it out a bit before we start blasting the new plan. Change is nothing new. We all have to deal with it every day of the year. :)

Pam

With change being difficult for some (me included, although I know to be patient and give it time) in mind, I still agree with others that this is too much. A few of the new categories are a good idea, but there are wayyyy too many now.

I appreciate the webmaster is trying to improve the site but this is overkill, as others said, and not helpful at all.

Although I haven't had a lot of time to try the new format yet, I'm also finding it quite awkward and cumbersome compared to the "old" format. It takes a lot longer to check each section to scan for Threads that I might be able to contribute to. As a result, I'll probably just settle into a routine of checking a few of the sections each day, which may be the same method that others adopt. Therefore some questions may not be getting the same number of replies that they do now, or some questions may remain unanswered simply because contributors haven't seen them.

It would be much easier (IMO) if this had been organized with a slightly different format, with some common groups rather than a section for each individual country. For example, the U.K. and Ireland could have been placed in the same group. In a similar way, the Scandinavian countries and Russia could have been grouped together. To provide an example, travellers to the U.K. often visit more than one country, so with this new format I wonder which section they would place the question in - England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland? Apparently, questions regarding multiple countries are supposed to be placed in the "General Europe" section, so what could happen is that the G.E. section gets overloaded with questions, while the country sections receive far fewer Threads. New members could find the new format somewhat overwhelming?

I'll reserve judgement until I've had a chance to work with the new format for awhile, but so far I'm finding it less "user friendly" than the old HelpLine.

I like it. It is organized and logical. We have a lot more categories to choose from and the ancient, fairly unhelpful Graffiti Wall is going to be phased out.

We all wanted some changes and gave our input. They have obviously looked at some other travel forums and this is going to be similar. Take a look at Fodors or Trip Advisor and you will see what I mean. This Helpline needed a major overhaul and now we have it. Hopefully, it will make it easier for the newcomer to find their answers and to post their questions.

I love it already. It is very similar to Tripadvisor. Now if I want something country specific I can go to that country's particular forum and not have to sift through the mix that entailed "To the West, Boot, East" etc. Not cumbersome at all. I believe Rick's Webmeister is on the right track and is trying to evolve the site into something much more than the quaint old thing it was. Keep up the great work!

I agree with Jo. I think this will bring fewer answers and more to the point because more contributors will specialize in the areas of their strength. And we still have General Europe and Transportation. I assume that To the East, West, North, etc. will go. And I like that we also have Non European section so nobody will hesitate to ask a question which is not about Europe.

Hey - chill everyone.

At first glance, I too found it very jarring, and initially I also thought that "this is going to take forever to scan for new/interesting topics..."

But hey - guess what? If you liked the "traditional" forum organization, I have good news: the previous categories are (mostly) still there, unchanged. "To the East", "To the North" etc are still there. "The Boot" is now "Italy" - no biggie. It appears that things are mostly in additional to the old categories.

Options are good.

I like it. I mostly posted in The Boot anyway, so this is simpler for me. When I need info on another country, it's easier to find it.

I think that General Europe and Transportation should stay as categories. I believe that To the East, North, and West should no longer take new questions. I see that there are new ones there already that should be in individual countries. We should be able to reply to old questions, but not post new ones.

And what about poor little Luxembourg?

I don't like it from my perspective, because it takes longer to brouse the forum...

But... the primary purpose of the website (unless I've completely misunderstood it all these years) is for travel novices to have their questions answered, not for veterans to flex their muscles. So, if it makes things easier for beginners to find the information they need, I'm all for it. Even if it makes it harder for me to show off.

Anyone want to place bets on which subforum will get the fewest hits? My money's on either Montenegro, Slovakia, or Finland.

What, no Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, or Albania? I know these aren't the most popular destinations, but come on, if even Montenegro get's its own subforum...

I don't like it, it is too fragmented and takes to long to browse. I posted a long comment on the Webmaster's thread but the gist is that this makes this board just like Tripadvisor. I do not think that is a good thing. Read my other comment if you want to know why.

Bit surprised Iceland didn't make the cut, especially since I think Rick is planning on visiting there and filming. It is the new "in" destination right now, with the possibility to do layovers, and the budget prices of Iceland Air. Add in stunning scenery and saunas and what's not to like?

I agree - too many categories to keep up with, really. I'm curious to hear, down the line, whether this new setup will be more helpful to new posters / travelers.

With regard to the old forum, a lot of us scanned most or all of the categories and were able to answer many questions just by skimming the list in each category and selecting questions we might be able to help with.

I'm also wondering why certain countries were given their own forum and others weren't. True, Luxembourg doesn't seem to be a popular destination, but a number of people have had questions about it and it was obvious from the forum setup where they should post their questions.

In general, it seems like more work for us volunteers who donate our time and research skills to answer questions.

Before everyone jumps on or off the wagon, I think we need to wait to see the end results. I am sure this is not the final format. I am leaving for three weeks. Will see what it looks like in three weeks.

The new format perfectly fits the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

It's going to be way more tedious and time-consuming to screen for new or interesting posts, or posts to which you might have a useful response.

As my fellow Chicagoan the late Roger Ebert used to say, "thumbs down!"

I really do like change... which is why I have visited almost every country that is listed on the site... therefore, it means I would have to search each category to see if there is something I might be
able to help with...simply not enough time... so I will skip lots of these subcategories when I have a few minutes to check out the site...really dislike it and don't think it needed to change (if I want Trip Advisor that is where I would go) Sometimes less is more...I like simplicity..

Funny how the more things change the more they stay the same.

I started following this website around 1999. At the time there was no "Travelers Helpline", only the Graffiti Wall, with lots of categories (pretty much what we had a few days ago). One of the items was Train Tips. Some of the items (particularly Train tips) on the Wall had a lot of questions asked, some didn't. Eventually the then webmaster (webmistress) came out with the Travelers Helpline and decreed that questions could only be asked on those boards. People interested in rail travel continued to ask questions on Train Tips, so the webm. deleted it. I think eventually it came to be that the Travelers Helpline was for questions only, but people haven't completely embraced that concept.

Looking at the new boards, it is apparent that some of them are for questions, but some are for unsolicited postings of advice. We've pretty much come back to what we used to have.

I feel that the evolution of the site is great. Now people with questions about specific countries can go right to that country and ask their questions. One thing I believe on the positive side, it will eliminate the tiresome "I suggest you get Rick's Europe Through the Back door" etc. That comment should be reserved for General Europe. No offense Rick. The new format will give people with specific knowledge of that country the opportunity to respond to poster's questions from PERSONAL experience, not refer them to the books or their opinion based on no true personal experience for the country involved. Some people have said they do not like to go through all the categories...well then confine yourself to your true experience/love and expertise. This is, after all, a site where people come with specific questions, it is not a social club (perhaps Herr Webmeister you can set-up a "Lounge" where all the old-timers can have discussions about whatever...) (:-) Just kidding.
I hope people will give the new format a good chance before going bonkers...reminds me of my mom when she had to deal with the change from Windows to Windows XP..."Oh this is too cumbersome and too much trouble to deal with". Time marches on folks, change is good.

I think that for my 2 teenage daughters who are planning a trip this summer, the posts being listed for each country might be easier for them to navigate and truly specific which will be helpful for them to iron out the Where and the How Long.I think that it will be more difficult for you seasoned posters to respond as frequently as you do as you will really have to be searching continuously. Many thanks to those who have already responded to my daughters’ posts and here’s hoping my girls can navigate the RS changes and Europe successfully.

Keith,
We know you are out there. (:-)
I am sure that is a bug that the Webmeister should fix...are you listening Webmeister? Don't cause us to be invaded again from across the Atlantic...they just might sail around and land in Washington State this time and find you in Edmonds. (:~>

Oooh, good one Keith!!

Any way to have another subheading just for new posts. I think having all specific countries is great for people asking questions and maybe searching for info down the road, but it's cumbersome for people responding. Just my thoughts

"The new format will give people with specific knowledge of that country the opportunity to respond to poster's questions from PERSONAL experience"

New format won't make any difference whether someone writes from personal experience or not.

One can only hope. (:->

You can see how "successful" the new format is by simply checking a few countries. Most of the country forums (apart from Italy, which has old posts From To the Boot carried over) have NO activity, apart from the Webmaster's own "favorite destination" questionposedin an effort to "kick start" the discussion. I know it has only been a few days, but there should be some activity. With the old format there would have been lots of questions each day.

Austria and Germany are getting posts as well...patience is a virtue.

Austria, thanks to you. But Switzerland,,generally one of the subjects of many many questions, has none,mother than the Webmaster's, at least when I looked. Belgium had one,,Denmark, Norway, Scotland and Wales, among others all had zip when I last looked ( again, not counting the Webmaster's).

Point is to give it time...not just a few days. Rome was not built in a day so give our Webmeister time to work on the whole thing and not be so quick to throw in the towel.

I like this new format. People can quickly go to the place for reading a question about a country that they are interested in. If a person wants to read questions about choices of travel bags, he can quickly go to the place for PACKING. In the previous format, a person would spend much time reading down through the topics in General Europe, and he might not have time to compose a reply to a question, which if he replied to it, he could be helpful to someone planning a trip.

Ron,
Amen to that!

Alex, after 7 posts (so far) I think you have made it clear that you like the new format.

My problem with the new format is that even if it is easier for new posters (and I'm not sure that it is), the fact that it has become cumbersome will drive the people away who take the time to answer all these questions. I think that defeats the purpose.

Combining the Helpline with the Graffiti Wall also has a downside. I am noticing that in categories that ask people to give information, people are also asking questions. Example - Day Tours In Europe - when asking people to recommend guides, etc., someone is asking for a guide recommendation. I think it is too confusing, especially for people who are new to the site.

Categories like To The West are supposed to be replaced by the new individual country categories, yet people are still able to ask new questions to those categories. I don't understand that. I can see why people should be able to reply to a question already asked, but why allow new questions?

I also notice that veteran posters are adding to other posts of advice rather than starting their own post. Maybe I'm wrong, but my impression of headings like Money-Saving Strategies is that each person would provide their tips, not add their tips to someone else's tips.

Like I said, it's all confusing.

If it ain't broke... I was happy with the old format. I check this site every day and with so many new categories it just looks overwhelming. I've learned so much from the other other posters and my first thought was that I'm not going to spend the time sorting through 50 categories and I'm going to miss something. Same thing happened with Tour Member Feedback. All change is not good, i.e. Windows 8.

Oh no, post 8 (so far).
I like Windows 8. :-)
It seems whether or not you like the new format, the best one can do at this point is offer the Webmeister constructive input so he can tweak the new system...sure it won't please everybody. In the end if people are offering good ideas how to improve what is now in place, the site should evolve into a very good and informative forum, even though some think it was in the past, it can be better. Please put your ideas or critiques in the Travel Forum Feedback in General Europe. That way the Webmeister can see them.

We now have a self-appointed moderator too... just like TA.

1) No self-appointed moderation. Only I can appoint that for myself. ;p
2) Alex wasn't exactly wrong. I'm keeping more of an eye on Travel Forum Feedback in General Europe.
3) We are taking in all the comments. As you all know, we aren't quite done yet and we appreciate your patience and input. Some of these changes will make a lot more sense after we get to our changes the week of Jan 20th.

Herr Webmeister,
Thanks for having a great sense of humor. And thanks for saving me from being labeled a "moderator" (:~>

Webmaster...you ask us to be patient as more "changes" are coming. Why did you roll things out in pieces? This site is getting too cumbersome and confusing (sorry Alex). How can we be patient when we don't know what's coming?

I've watched a lot of websites get launched, changed, revised etc. Things always go wrong. Unlike printing which has had hundreds of years to perfect processes, (and yet we still have printing errors) website have been around for not even two decades. So, I admire the plan to roll it out over time and with opportunities for changes.

Pam

I am sure each of us contributors knows certain countries better than others. So if I don't have time I will only check my strong points. And for the person asking question the new system is certainly better. There will be fewer answers but I assume more accurate because those answering will be more specialized in those particular countries.

Andrea said "my impression of headings like Money - Saving Strategies is that each person would provide their tips, not add their tips to someone else's tips". I think having the new heading : Money - Saving Strategies is an improvement. People who want to read something in the topic of money saving strategies can quickly and easily click on the heading Money - Saving Strategies. It is not necessary for them to read the list of all the topics in GENERAL EUROPE. Having the new section for MONEY - SAVING STRATEGIES does not create a problem.

Ron, you misunderstood what I was saying. I don't have an issue with the Money Saving section. What I was questioning was that Person #1 stated their methods of saving money, then Person #2 stated their own methods by responding to person #1's thread. Shouldn't Person #2 start their own thread of how they save money since their tips were not in response or questioning Person #1's tips? I never said it should be under General Europe.

Ilja says,

There will be fewer answers but I assume more accurate because those answering will be more specialized in those particular countries.

I disagree, partly. What I do agree with is that there will certainly be fewer answers because people (I speak directly of myself, however representative that may be) helpers can't be asked to trawl through dozens of sections. When there were only a handful it took relatively few keystrokes to navigate. Now its click a section, look, nothing there, click on Helpline, click on next section, nothing there, repeat. Very tiresome making.

The answers will not be more accurate. The same posters will be answering, and their knowledge isn't improved by focusing it on tiny boxes. In fact, it will be diluted and without threads which pull together and make a pattern the answers will be much less helpful.

To echo Nigel, I generally stick to answering questions on the United Kingdom to give a local's view but would give info from my travels elsewhere if I saw the opportunity in passing. I'm not though going to look through tens of forums on other countries on the off chance. I even have to look through three now to answer questions on my own country.

(Someone didn't get the memo - a Rick Steves e-mail received today referred to Great Britain. Oh my ...)

I approve in general of more specific categories. France and Germany have enough questions to warrant their own. But others can be combined-Scandinavia, the Baltic countries, maybe Czech and Slovakia could be reunited. Poor Luxembourg could be in a Benelux category.

Also, if we could have, at the top, highlighted, in bold, quotated, a section on Money-how to convert, carry, use, and the evil of travelers checks, that would be great. Keep all those same questions in one spot so that new posters could find them.

I counted. There are now 50 categories. Who's going to browse through 50 categories? I predict that the "old" categories that were retained will get - by far - the greatest number of responses.

If anyone remembers "New Coke", this is "New Coke" all over again.

If you want to have too many choices and spend more time searching go to Lonely Planet and click on Thorn Tree. It's nice if you want to find out more about the world than just Europe, which is the focus here, but we should be thankful that even with the new changes it is not quite like the Thorn Tree......YET.

I guess I don't get why To the North, To the West, and To the East still exist if the individual countries in each categety remain. I did notice that a question in the To the West section about Spain was also in the Spain section. Did the Webmaster do that in the reorganization, or does a question in a specific country also automatically gets posted in the region category as well. It will be tough to peruse all the categories for "fun", but I guess if you want to just search for a specific country, things just got easier.

I think I need to give it more time to declare like or dislike.

While I don't mind new form of Travel Helpline, I agree with Karen that some countries could be reunited. For example: Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monte Negro, Macedonia could be in one shelf, Czech and Slovakia in another, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania under Baltics, etc.
Nigel and Marco, I think I can safely assume that your information about UK will be richer and very likely more accurate than mine and on the other hand my information about Czech Republic will probably be better than yours. With a new system most people won't have time to go through everything and will stay with their strong points. Nigel is right, it will be the same contributors but not spread so wide because they will be checking only countries they know the most about.

I guess I don't get why To the North, To the West, and To the East still exist...

If you have looked at any of those categories today, you will see that there is a note which states they will be discontinued during the week of Jan. 20.

To Nancy, thanks for the update. Although I think I prefer the broader categories, based on the concept of the new reorganization, it makes sense that they should go (otherwise, it would be way too confusing and scattered).

The new "Forums" page does not have a link to the "Transportation" Forum, but it is still here.

I've been patiently monitoring the changes. I now have something to add to this discussion.

I too think that there are too many country-specific forums to check, yet too few really useful ones to post in. Dumping everything into "General Europe" is not the answer to that...

The Rick Steves Helpline was not - and should not ever, ever - be a Trip Advisor clone. Many long-time contributors like me are not just "one country" specialists - and don't want to be either!

One thing seriously missing is a regional set of forums. That would help gather the smaller countries, that will never generate the traffic for meaningful responses to questions, into each of their own isolated forums. Many of you have already addressed this issue in prior posts. I can easily see the list of countries scaled wayyyy down. We need a logical set of regional forums, which would actually reflect the groupings of countries that travelers 'bundle' in multi-country itineraries. The obvious ones being stated in above posts. Countries that generate a lot of threads (like Italy, France, Germany, etc.) can be sustained on their own.

Honestly, I will not be answering as many questions under the current format. I will not be checking the 20+ separate forums for the countries in Europe that I have actually traveled and spent time in (not cruised to). I just don't have the time. It was fairly easy for me to monitor 3-4 forums - and I really can't handle more than that. I suspect that the strength of the "volunteer-posters" base to do so will be greatly challenged across the board - not just me.

I addition, here on the Helpline I am a person - not a pseudonym. I am a non-person, silly-named avatar on TA.
Because of this, here I was more inclined to trust my fellow posters - it was a bit easier to spot the shills. TA is plagued.

Here I came to see who was going where, learn from other posters, contribute if I could, and even dialogue with other travelers. On TA, I just 'hit-and-run', looking for a quick answer. Here, we have definitely developed a sense of community. On TA, so-called "country experts" tend to dominate and bash - very few destination forums are congenial - it's just not the nature of that beast.

Here, I would often stumble upon and read a "non-related-to-my-current-travel-interest-thread" and be inspired to add to my bucket list -- great experiences and places that hadn't been on my radar. The motivation to plan a Christmas markets trip came straight from reading these threads on the RS Helpline.

Finally, here, the Rick Steves "Back Door" philosophy of 'slow' and 'experiential' travel has been tangible. Coming here was like sitting around a neighbourhood cafe and shooting the breeze with other like-minded travel omnivores.

Now, I have to pop into a whole avenue lined with cafes and open each door before choosing the one to enter, in the limited time that I have available for my virtual (and real-time) travel-related coffee break.

Up to now, the Rick Steves Helpline has been reflective of a distinct travel philosophy and community. Rick Steves tours would never try to clone a Globus bus tour, Carnival cruise or Sol-rah-rah all-inclusive travel experience, right? So why aspire to emulate TA??

A more intuitive organization of the forums will better suit who we are, how we travel and how we can contribute. The Helpline did need to splinter off the high volume countries, such as France, and expand to offer an "Outside Europe" forum. I just think that this splintering went too far into the TA direction... - Oh - I also seriously miss the "Transportation" forum -- that one was very useful and well attended to.

Rick, are you reading this thread?

I totally agree with what Diane said! (You might want to also post this on the main feedback thread, so that the webmaster will be sure to see it. It's the one he says he is monitoring.)

Thank you Diane. You've said 95% of what I've been feeling and thinking, and done it very well.

Time will tell, but I sense that at least at first, there will be fewer responses from those of us who were "regulars." Making it easier for newcomers doesn't mean it will be better for them. It certainly doesn't feel better for me now.

That "No reply...why not add one?" has got to go.

A resounding yes to Diane's comments. If I want tripadvisor, I go to tripadvisor. I counted on this helpline to be my cozy place, with trusted travelers. Sigh.

Where is the TRANSPORTATION forum? that was very helpful. I find the new website harder to navigate. Julia

So well said Diane, thank you. My sentiments exactly... except you said so much better than I ever could.

When I post it won't let me make paragraphs!!!..... And I don't know how to BOLD or ITALICIZE anymore!

Edit: I know why now... the column to my left, as I write this, is covering those options and I don't know how to make it go away... : /

You have managed to make a complete MESS of what was an interesting and informative site. Might be time to take a break and see if you can make it what it was.....I agree completely with the expressions of Dianne above....

Well said, Diane! I agree completely.

So how do I get the wonderful information from the 2013 posters ?? using Search for "Christmas markets" gave me articles and destinations, but NOT the personal recommendations posted by individuals in 'TO THE WEST" I miss the old Search !

I too agree 100% with Diane's articulate response. A very good (and mostly very courteous - one of the few) web community has been disrupted. Why?

Might it be possible to have appropriate regions with tabs below for related individual countries with all posts shown when viewing the region and just country specific posts when selecting a country tab?

To the previous poster. I think this may help with what you are asking. If you click on Explore Europe, and then choose a country, and then choose a region, it will show all the most recent posts for that topic. Is that what you meant?
I am having a tough time building my background knowledge for future possible trips given how specific everything has gotten.

Although cumbersome, I'm getting used to it. One thing that I am really not liking is the fact that the more recent folks signing up are not using their names. Like Diana alluded to, having folks sign on with names makes it seem more like a community. I much prefer to respond to a "Jake" than a "jk52red".

Webmaster, I apologize if someone has already mentioned this, but can we please have a link to take us to the bottom (and then back up to the top) of the list of replies to a topic? Lots of scrolling now.

I have to say my enjoyment at using the Helpline is diminished. I am giving it a try, but I hate that the links I have read no longer change color so it's harder to rack back and review additional comments. Also, the list of countries is ridiculous.

I design websites for a living. Users accustomed to public "incumbent" website format and layout rarely respond positively to comprehensive site overhauls.

First question: what was the driver? Was it to capture granular analytics about content and corresponding geography, or just for the sake of better (idealized) usability?

Consider your end users: North Americans traveling to Europe who more often than not (but not universally) cross multiple adjacent countries.
Hence, why the previous design worked.

I agree with the prevailing feedback so far: this will lead to Clickapalooza and navigational challenges. We have a salty term for excessive clicks in the trade but this being a family-friendly site, I will not post said term :-).

Although this business (web design) puts food on my table- new is not always better.

Some of the cosmetic changes (multi platform compatibility, etc) is a step in the right direction and long overdue.

Were the structure and hierarchy changes subject to controlled focus groups or invite-only, closed testing environments? I'm curious.

Webmaster: I feel your pain. The journey you have embarked on can be a painful one. But listen to your end users (and not manic commentators- they exist only to shout down everyone else in the room) and you shall find design equilibrium. :-)

Good luck!

Thank you, Barry the Web Designer! The voice of reason.

I hope no one throws tomatoes, but I I like to call a spade a spade.
I do not like the changes at all !
This has taken away the quick viewing and replying IMO .
Can't we go back to what we had? :(

I hope no one throws tomatoes, but I I like to call a spade a spade.
I do not like the changes at all !
This has taken away the quick viewing and replying IMO .
Can't we go back to what we had? :(

As a relatively new "poster" planning my current trip to London, I was wondering where all of the helpful people who were invaluable in planning my trip to Paris went. Although I have gotten some very useful information from the replies I received, I don't see many of you in the "England" category, After reading this board, I guess I now see why. I would agree that I came to this site to get helpful information from the more experienced travelers. By adding more categories, I am concerned the people who give such great advice will find it too cumbersome/time-consuming to hit on all the different sites and thus, by the time they get to the site I am looking for assistance in, they will have had enough posting and log out. Thus, I am unable to benefit from their expertise, which I thought was the purpose of the forums. Just my two cents....have a great day and head over to the "England" site if you have a moment!!

Cici

"By adding more categories, I am concerned the people who give such great advice will find it too cumbersome/time-consuming to hit on all the different sites and thus, by the time they get to the site I am looking for assistance in, they will have had enough posting and log out."

Exactly right. That's exactly what's happened.

I am cross-posting this from my suggestion on the webaster's post at the top of the page:
One problem could be solved quickly just by changing the name Tips and Trip Reports to Topics (or Travel Topics) and Trip Reports.
Then people would know right away where to go with questions about Transportation (when it eventually shows up), Money, etc. Tips could be covered in the same place, but I notice that in his initial comment, the webmaster mentioned FORUM TOPICS.

(Adding here) As for the country listings, for the time being, anyway, I would post questions under General Europe if it is a small country with few posts. Or, if it is a sidetrip from a major tourist destination like Germany, Austria or Italy, post it at the site for the larger country.

I wanted to wait a few days before posting because I am somewhat "resistant to change" (or so my employer tells me once a year at my performance review). Anyway, I've tried - I really have - and I agree with so many previous posters that it is cumbersome and discourages activity. I've spent a fair amount of time looking at General Europe, and also a few countries that I have visited more recently. But as mentioned, I'm not learning serendipidously from others by just enjoying reading threads that have nothing to do with anything I have expertise on or places I have no plans to visit.

I am enjoying, though, the addition of Beyond Europe. Those questions have been creeping in to this forum for awhile and I always found them interesting. There's a great group of travelers here who have expanded past Europe and have something to say. I just hope it stays Beyond Europe and never subdivides any further than that.

Still finding I am not able to read as many questions as in the past and from the sounds of it, seems like more people dislike this new format rather than find it helpful (remember when it was called Helpline??)
I did have a thought that would be reasonable if this were my site and I was trying to help newcomers... what I would do would be to go back to the old categories (which made sense) and leave those questions on the active list for 90 days...after that I would then separate them into the archives under their respective countries...that would allow easier navigation with new questions but would let people research their specific countries in the archives. Just seems like a 'filing' or organizational problem.. I always learned that if you have file folders with one or two items you need to consolidate. Just look at some of the country categories...not much there!

I am one who liked the old Rick Steves' website. I spent time on it every day...... I was always telling people to go to the wonderful website. This is driving me nuts!! Before I could look quickly to see if anything was added to the helpline. The date and number of replies was wonderful. Also when planning a trip you could check the "Best and Worst" for sights, hotels and restaurants to give you ideas. You could have changed a few small things and not redone the whole thing. Sometimes change is not better!!!

PLEASE Listen to your faithful readers who have posted here with their objections (many of them) to the changes you have made. It is no longer a pleasure to look at this site. It is cumbersome, time consuming and non productive. You made changes just for the name of change I feel.