Hotels FAQ » Cheap Hotel » rec.travel.priceline??
Question:
In article s.uiuc.edu>, Deborah Stevenson > my thoughts on this,,,someone could perhaps
contact the techs at > webtv > corp.,,,i`m sure they can help in this matter. i dont have time > myself,,maybe another webtv user could make the call/email > contact…i > dont have time,,,got `work` to do and a family to care for,, dog > included. Philips/Magnavox motto:`Smart,,,very smart` > Nothing webtv corp. can do about starting a new
rec. newsgroup. WebTV is the _last_ place that one would go to for _anything_ regarding USENET 
> The place > to go for info are the David Lawrence posts in news.groups, > particularly > "How to Create a New Usenet Newsgroup," "How to Format and Submit > a New > Group Proposal," and "How to Write a Good
Newsgroup Proposal." So > far, > however, nobody seems sufficiently interested to actually do the > proposal > kind of homework 
.
Looks like _quite_ a job: How to Create a New Usenet Newsgroup Best Greg * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
Response:
In article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > [re new group] > I’ve thought about taking up the flag for a host of > personal reasons of no interest to any one. I am still struggling > with 3 issues. > 1) Name/scope > My interest is to be a place for folks to gather to discuss > using the internet as their main travel planning tool. However, > that seems much broader than what was originally suggested. > But I also think therefore more useful, so I’d agree that that’s probably > a better focus. > I’m afraid .ebooking > might actually be too darn broad. > Actually, I think that’s a really good suggestion. I see what you’re > saying about its not emphasizing bargain travel, but I don’t think that > bargain travel is an electronic-only phenomenon, either. Since I’m not at > the moment a genuine proponent, I don’t want to coopt opinions on what the > group is for .
I’m gonna try to stick for a bit with the original proposition, that is a group for folks getting involved with these various net booking services. I do see quickly though that there are a host of groups which could be popular and take some pressure off of other travel groups. > However, it seems to me that one question is would you > rather put up with posts about ebooking that don’t involve cheap rates > ("What’s up with Expedia?") or posts about bargain travel that don’t > involve the ‘net ("Where’s a cheap hotel in London?"). There might > actually be a place for a frugal/bargain travel group *and* an ebooking > group, but it’s early to say.
Without a doubt. It is my early perception (subject to change) that you actually wanna keep "looking for cheap room" and "does expedia work" separate. The latter is more a users group and what I see as the jist of the original suggestion. > It does strike me, however, that > enterprising souls on an .ebooking group could put together an FAQ that > would be extremely helpful to a lot of people.
Uh, huh. I’m really just beginning to actually use the net, as oppose to just perusing it, for travel plans. I fully expect my first "hard lesson" soon. A place to share these and collect them would be nice. [snip] > 3) Commercialism. > Almost anything along this line is gonna be spam heaven. > I’m not sure the group will work for all the bogus spam that > will fill the group. > One concern I’d have with .bargains, BTW, is that it might have the same > problems as .marketplace in suggesting "SPAM YOUR AD HERE."
Very good point. I need a good word. But I think I am also beginning to formulate the point of view that the originally suggested group should be structured much more like a software users group. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Furthermore, I’ve never been particularly oppose > to an internet based service advertising in some APPROPRIATE > manner in newsgroups. The problem is that "APPROPRIATE" > means when someone SPECIFICALLY posts looking for their > services. And once week is about all that is required MAX. > And there will be the inevitable web based "magazines" > and newletters that will feel absolutely positive that > the group is the perfect forum for posting their daily/weekly > newsletters, or more importantly, pointers to them to get > their hits up. > Are my concerns valid? Are there ways to avoid them? > It might be worth examining how other groups have dealt with these > questions (rec.arts.books comes to mind as one that has dealings with > commercial services). There’s an advantage in that there *is* a > .marketplace group so it’s pretty easy to say "There’s where that > post goes, buddy." Certainly I’d suggest writing restrictions into the > charter and developing a thick skin for accusations of netcopping should > people on the group be so bold as to suggest that commercial posters need > to keep to said charter .
I think I might have to wander over to a software users group and see how they handle it. The problem being of course that there are probably fewer spammers associated with a specific software packages than with a broad public issue like travel. > Ultimately, I’d like to see a group that was rec.travel. > not_wanting_europe _on_$5_day but if there isn’t a group > for those folks who do, the latter will be a swamp land for this. > I confess I haven’t quite figured out the meaning of your phrase–frugal > non-European travel, maybe?
No, its more like "3 stars or better travel" kinda idea. Whenever I read something about frugal travel or saving money on travel plans, it always seems to be aimed at the hostel crowd. My hostel days are past, but I still prefer to get the most for my coin. I may limit myself to 3 star and above, but there can still be strategies to making the most of it. > If the idea crystallizes in this thread, I’d suggest crossposting to other > .travel groups for further discussion. However, it sounds to me like > we’re still missing that magic individual who’s volunteering to write the > proposal–or are you on the verge of being convinced ?
Verge is a tad strong, but I can see the edge from here Before you buy.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In article SNIP > 2) Moderated? > The only reason for moderation is to avoid the "I got > circumsized at 35000 feet" posts. moderators always seem to > be path one to a dead dull group. It is also one hell of a > huge job from what I hear. > 3) Commercialism. > Almost anything along this line is gonna be spam heaven. > I’m not sure the group will work for all the bogus spam that > will fill the group.
My biggest concern would be 2 and 3. I don’t see how it could possibly be a moderated group as there would be so many posters with one time "I want to fly from Ouagadougou to Roanoke day after tomorrow." Moreover, the feel of the group – travel pricing – will certainly draw a TON of wholesales, bucket shops, and TAs to the group which will 1) create a load of spam 2) create nothing but bidding fights on the group and 3) create a load of e-mails saying "call me, I’ve got your quote". But, if we can get rid of the KRICH97 quotebeaters crap and similar trash, it might make r.t.a. a bit better. Of course, how could we deal without "How much is gas", "Is your penis circumcised" and "wetbacks falling out of aircraft." Rich
Response:
my thoughts on this,,,someone could perhaps contact the techs at webtv corp.,,,i`m sure they can help in this matter. i dont have time myself,,maybe another webtv user could make the call/email contact…i dont have time,,,got `work` to do and a family to care for,, dog included. Philips/Magnavox motto:`Smart,,,very smart`
Response:
> my thoughts on this,,,someone could perhaps contact the techs at webtv > corp.,,,i`m sure they can help in this matter. i dont have time > myself,,maybe another webtv user could make the call/email contact…i > dont have time,,,got `work` to do and a family to care for,, dog > included. Philips/Magnavox motto:`Smart,,,very smart`
Nothing webtv corp. can do about starting a new rec. newsgroup. The place to go for info are the David Lawrence posts in news.groups, particularly "How to Create a New Usenet Newsgroup," "How to Format and Submit a New Group Proposal," and "How to Write a Good Newsgroup Proposal." So far, however, nobody seems sufficiently interested to actually do the proposal kind of homework . I’ve no particular interest in the creation of said group, but it’s a proposal I’d actually consider. I’ve got my reservations about it (it’s awfully specific, and it looks like a crosspost magnet) but I also think there’s been enough volume on the subject to make it an idea I wouldn’t instantly dismiss. I wonder if there’d be some broader topic, like rec.travel.online-services, that would work and cover some other relevant areas as well. Deborah Stevenson
Response:
In article [snip] > I’ve no particular interest in the creation of said group, but it’s a > proposal I’d actually consider. I’ve got my reservations about it (it’s > awfully specific, and it looks like a crosspost magnet) but I also think > there’s been enough volume on the subject to make it an idea I wouldn’t > instantly dismiss. I wonder if there’d be some broader topic, like > rec.travel.online-services, that would work and cover some other relevant > areas as well.
I’ve thought about taking up the flag for a host of personal reasons of no interest to any one. I am still struggling with 3 issues. 1) Name/scope My interest is to be a place for folks to gather to discuss using the internet as their main travel planning tool. However, that seems much broader than what was originally suggested. I agree that .priceline is a tad specific. I’m afraid .ebooking might actually be too darn broad. I’m thinking that the focus actually might outta be something like rec.travel.ebargins or some such focus. Basically a place for folks looking for rock bottom travel bargins (.rockbottom? nah, too sex cross posts This could actually be a relief to rec.travel.air for all those "I need to find the cheapest price to Bataharia" kinda posts. Name is important though because no one really reads the charter or FAQ. Sad, but true. 2) Moderated? The only reason for moderation is to avoid the "I got circumsized at 35000 feet" posts. moderators always seem to be path one to a dead dull group. It is also one hell of a huge job from what I hear. 3) Commercialism. Almost anything along this line is gonna be spam heaven. I’m not sure the group will work for all the bogus spam that will fill the group. Furthermore, I’ve never been particularly oppose to an internet based service advertising in some APPROPRIATE manner in newsgroups. The problem is that "APPROPRIATE" means when someone SPECIFICALLY posts looking for their services. And once week is about all that is required MAX. And there will be the inevitable web based "magazines" and newletters that will feel absolutely positive that the group is the perfect forum for posting their daily/weekly newsletters, or more importantly, pointers to them to get their hits up. Are my concerns valid? Are there ways to avoid them? Ultimately, I’d like to see a group that was rec.travel. not_wanting_europe _on_$5_day but if there isn’t a group for those folks who do, the latter will be a swamp land for this. Strangely enough, there are already rec.travel.bargin.backpack but no just plain rec.travel.bargin. Hmmmmm Good startin’ place I’d bet ya. If I get this goin’ maybe I can start a "rec.travel.first_class" Before you buy.
Response:
[re new group] > I’ve thought about taking up the flag for a host of > personal reasons of no interest to any one. I am still struggling > with 3 issues. > 1) Name/scope > My interest is to be a place for folks to gather to discuss > using the internet as their main travel planning tool. However, > that seems much broader than what was originally suggested.
But I also think therefore more useful, so I’d agree that that’s probably a better focus. > I’m afraid .ebooking > might actually be too darn broad.
Actually, I think that’s a really good suggestion. I see what you’re saying about its not emphasizing bargain travel, but I don’t think that bargain travel is an electronic-only phenomenon, either. Since I’m not at the moment a genuine proponent, I don’t want to coopt opinions on what the group is for . However, it seems to me that one question is would you rather put up with posts about ebooking that don’t involve cheap rates ("What’s up with Expedia?") or posts about bargain travel that don’t involve the ‘net ("Where’s a cheap hotel in London?"). There might actually be a place for a frugal/bargain travel group *and* an ebooking group, but it’s early to say. It does strike me, however, that enterprising souls on an .ebooking group could put together an FAQ that would be extremely helpful to a lot of people. > Name is important though because no one really reads the > charter or FAQ. Sad, but true.
Absolutely true. > 2) Moderated? > The only reason for moderation is to avoid the "I got > circumsized at 35000 feet" posts. moderators always seem to > be path one to a dead dull group. It is also one hell of a > huge job from what I hear.
I don’t know how recently formed groups have been dealing with this decision, but my gut reaction is that moderation is a no-win situation for the moderator and that, especially in a group where a lot of people will be asking one-off questions and never posting again, the time delays, etc. are a real drawback. Unless there’s a demonstrated trend in the other direction with some supporting reasons, I’d suggest unmoderated. > 3) Commercialism. > Almost anything along this line is gonna be spam heaven. > I’m not sure the group will work for all the bogus spam that > will fill the group.
One concern I’d have with .bargains, BTW, is that it might have the same problems as .marketplace in suggesting "SPAM YOUR AD HERE." > Furthermore, I’ve never been particularly oppose > to an internet based service advertising in some APPROPRIATE > manner in newsgroups. The problem is that "APPROPRIATE" > means when someone SPECIFICALLY posts looking for their > services. And once week is about all that is required MAX. > And there will be the inevitable web based "magazines" > and newletters that will feel absolutely positive that > the group is the perfect forum for posting their daily/weekly > newsletters, or more importantly, pointers to them to get > their hits up. > Are my concerns valid? Are there ways to avoid them?
It might be worth examining how other groups have dealt with these questions (rec.arts.books comes to mind as one that has dealings with commercial services). There’s an advantage in that there *is* a .marketplace group so it’s pretty easy to say "There’s where that post goes, buddy." Certainly I’d suggest writing restrictions into the charter and developing a thick skin for accusations of netcopping should people on the group be so bold as to suggest that commercial posters need to keep to said charter . > Ultimately, I’d like to see a group that was rec.travel. > not_wanting_europe _on_$5_day but if there isn’t a group > for those folks who do, the latter will be a swamp land for this.
I confess I haven’t quite figured out the meaning of your phrase–frugal non-European travel, maybe? If the idea crystallizes in this thread, I’d suggest crossposting to other .travel groups for further discussion. However, it sounds to me like we’re still missing that magic individual who’s volunteering to write the proposal–or are you on the verge of being convinced ? Deborah Stevenson
Response:
I’m sure I’m not the only person here who has noticed that many of the current posts to this newsgroup (rec.travel.air) have one thing or another to do with Priceline.com, and much of the time it has absolutely nothing to do with air travel. My point being – Priceline does sell airline tickets, but they also sell hotel accommodations, groceries, mortgages, cars and, now, gasoline. My concern is that, over time, this forum may become inundated by people looking for ideas on an appropriate Priceline bid. Perhaps I’m being VERY premature, but I’m wondering if consideration should be given to adding a newsgroup such as *rec.travel.priceline*, or some combination thereof, to the usenet hierarchy to minimize this effect. It’s just a thought! BTW, I have absolutely no interest in taking the initiative in creating this newsgroup; however, I thought I would pass on the idea for others in the group (if they wish) to mull over. –Tom To e-mail me, remove no-junk from address.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m sure I’m not the only person here who has noticed that many of the current > posts to this newsgroup (rec.travel.air) have one thing or another to do with > Priceline.com, and much of the time it has absolutely nothing to do with air > travel. My point being – Priceline does sell airline tickets, but they also > sell hotel accommodations, groceries, mortgages, cars and, now, gasoline. My > concern is that, over time, this forum may become inundated by people looking > for ideas on an appropriate Priceline bid. Perhaps I’m being VERY premature, > but I’m wondering if consideration should be given to adding a newsgroup such > as *rec.travel.priceline*, or some combination thereof, to the usenet hierarchy > to minimize this effect. It’s just a thought! > BTW, I have absolutely no interest in taking the initiative in creating this > newsgroup; however, I thought I would pass on the idea for others in the group > (if they wish) to mull over.
Sounds like a fairly good idea. Gonna have to figure out how to include any of the other similar services. rec.travel.internet? .be-your-own-TA? .ebargins? .how-to-read-the-fine-print? Before you buy.
Response:
I’m up for it. How do you start a newsgroup?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m sure I’m not the only person here who has noticed that many of the > current > posts to this newsgroup (rec.travel.air) have one thing or another to > do with > Priceline.com, and much of the time it has absolutely nothing to do > with air > travel. My point being – Priceline does sell airline tickets, but they > also > sell hotel accommodations, groceries, mortgages, cars and, now, > gasoline. My > concern is that, over time, this forum may become inundated by people > looking > for ideas on an appropriate Priceline bid. Perhaps I’m being VERY > premature, > but I’m wondering if consideration should be given to adding a > newsgroup such > as *rec.travel.priceline*, or some combination thereof, to the usenet > hierarchy > to minimize this effect. It’s just a thought! > BTW, I have absolutely no interest in taking the initiative in > creating this > newsgroup; however, I thought I would pass on the idea for others in > the group > (if they wish) to mull over. > Sounds like a fairly good idea. Gonna have to figure > out how to include any of the other similar services. > rec.travel.internet? .be-your-own-TA? .ebargins? > .how-to-read-the-fine-print? > Before you buy.
no comment untill now