I'm currently involved in both the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum as well as Bootsnall. From a more technical, interface type level, I think Bootsnall is a superior forum, but what do you all think about the two in terms of information shared and culture of the participants?

Also, are there any other travel forums out there that comes close? It seems like Bootsnall is the definitive website/webforum for travel, (at least, backpacking/independent type travel).

There are tons of trolls on thorn tree. I think it's really obnoxious. It's also hard to find what you want there. I'll browse once in awhile, but rarely participate.

We're pretty clutter free over here, and we've got a real friendly bunch.

The "Scorntree", as it is rather accurately referred to, is not much moderated. So no one sorts through the posts to kick off trolls. No one deletes posts that are abusive in a racially or sexually insulting way. The aggression towards women in the SEAsia branch alone is pretty awful.

Anyone can say anything, so insulting matches for no reason at all are common. Sometimes you can get useful answers on there, but you often have to wade through piles of obnoxiousness and attitude. And sometimes incorrect information, especially regarding whether an area is dangerous.

In short, BnA is way better.

This topic has been discussed quite a bit on BnA, but I'm too lazy to look for the threads. Use the searchy tool for "Thorntree" on here and you'll find lots of amusing/horrifying anecdotes.

I agree with the others...It seems that constructive posts are a rarity there. I was a bit shocked to find a thread about safety in Guatemala basically devolve into a discussion on why 'whiteys' should stay the hell out...

Needless to say, I prefer Bna...

Everything that has been said has been pretty accurate, but there is some good information to be found there. You just have to sift through the garbage to find it.

^^Exactly. Every once in a while, if I can't find the information I'm looking for here, I put the battle helmet and flack jacket on and head to TT. The environment is just a lot more hostile than BnA. Post a lazy, ill-conceived question....expect an involuntary enema.

At least here the enemas are usually voluntary.

they are mean on thorntree they attack you're ideas instead of helping you realize why it might not be the best idea with good helpful reasons to back them up...

this is a far superior site

Generally, I agree with what has been said about the TT. However, I believe it got a bit better ever since they closed the politics branch. *Surprise*
Then, the recent change in the TT search tool was one of the most stupid decisions I've ever seen on any of the websites I frequent. What are they thinking?

I have to say, that BnA sometimes lacks a bit expertise for certain less traveled regions and countries. Example: I'm currently doing some research for our cycling trip in Asia - and it's rather difficult to get answers to my obscure questions around here. The TT on the other hand has a couple of brutally well informed people for cycling and per example some of the more remote places in Indonesia.

Don't get me wrong - I check BnA every day. I don't login to the TT every day. But there is certain info that I can't find on BnA - and I'm going to be more likely to find it on the TT. If they'd only fix that search tool again....

quote:

Originally posted by elAdi:
brutally well informed people

And then there's also the brutally misinformed people.... who unfortunately seem to also be the ones who post their opinions most frequently on there, and get pissy when they're contradicted.

I think my "favorite" example was some moron who copped an attitude when I pointed out that the yakuza (Japanese mafia) were active in the Philippine sex industry. He posted that anyone who thought that must be very stupid. I posted some links backing up that info -- I mean come on, even the Lonely Planet guidebook notes that fact, and they're not exactly a journalistic publication. He didn't acknowledge his own error (and I suppose his own denial of the reality for women who work in that trade), but at least he STFU-ed after that.

Whoa, guess I needed to vent. Pardon. *DAMN YOU SCORNTREE! DAMN YOU!!!* Okay better now.

Okay back to the thread title.

Let's recap:


THORNTREE

- trolls. obnoxious. clutter.
- SCORN SCORN SCORN. sexist mofos.
- 'whiteys' out of Guatemala
- good info hiding under the garbage mountain, sift first.
- involuntary enemas. bring flak jacket and helmet.
- mean mofos (i.e. MORE SCORN)
- crap-ass search tool. Useful obscure info, but beware the brutally informed cyclists standing guard around the info.
- YET MORE SCORN! From brutally uninformed sexist mofos!


BOOTSNALL

- clutter-free.
- we're nice.
- our search engine doesn't suck.
- more praise
- voluntary enemas (usually)
- more praise
- more praise
- some specialized info lacking


THORNTREE: - 6 (and I'm being generous with the credits here)

BOOTSNALL: + 6

Clearly, if you have a really weird question, TT is the place to ask it. But if you're traveling closer to the beaten path, or just want to commiserate about how you're not actually traveling at all, BnA is far more fun.

And hey, in order to increase our score, all you have to do is go to some weird, out of the way places and report back the next time someone has a question about it. The perfect solution.

The moderators on BnA are much better looking (although lower paid.)

quote:

And hey, in order to increase our score, all you have to do is go to some weird, out of the way places and report back the next time someone has a question about it. The perfect solution.

I think that this is the best solution to the "problem"

I think TT is an interesting read and there is often some good information there. However, I have never got the sense that it is a "community" site. So I have never hung around long enough to notice any of the nastier stuff.