Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[introducinlyric]

This, i thought could be the thread where we throw around ideas for Jo's guidebook. I probably should have posted it in General and Anything forum...oh well
I think my idea of the local guides from local people should make it in the guidebook. i suggested it in a previous thread, where i thought if Jo collected information from ppl living in certains areas and got info on where they like to dine out, their favourite bars ,hotels, parks and general activities in the area. it could be represented in guidebook under the heading "MyNewYork" - a local guide from a local expert..or something to that effect. and you could have various ones like "My Sydney" "MyLondon" etc etc
there's my idea
i'll think of a few ideas of how your gona set it out coz you did say that you werent sure how you were goin to go about doin so

[starlagurl]

Where I think you should start is, asking all the people who wrote starter kits and FAQs in the past if they would like their starter kits in the book/blog.

First check if they are completely original though, it's very important that they are not plagiarized!

[introducinlyric]

Where I think you should start is, asking all the people who wrote starter kits and FAQs in the past if they would like their starter kits in the book/blog.

First check if they are completely original though, it's very important that they are not plagiarized!

yes very true !!!

[inasia2008]

I agree! I like the idea of a local travel guide by a local person! You can't beat that!
So will anyone allow us to use their starter kits for research/use in the book? Please let us know here and name the starter kit you wrote?
There doesn't seem to be too much interest in this book, please do take this seriosly, we really do want to try and give this a go!

[ScottWoz]

Where I think you should start is, asking all the people who wrote starter kits and FAQs in the past if they would like their starter kits in the book/blog.

First check if they are completely original though, it's very important that they are not plagiarized!

Mine (NZ) was original. I'm not a local, just nailed NZ over a decent timeframe. The problem is keeping things up to date..

[Paul]

Hey, you can use the Thailand one as well.

Not plagiarised?? The quick facts I researched from somewhere and I don't think I changed much from the sources and the info on visas I got from either Thaivisa.com or the Thai govt site and again probably paraphrased a bit there. The rest is all original from my thoughts and experiences and you are welcome to use it.

I do like the idea of the info from locals. The "my Bangkok" or whatever. That is something that some very popular guidebooks don't do - they seem to be written by foreigners for foreigners who want to have a foreigner's experience. So I think that aspect would make your book different and "better".

A question I might typically ask a receptionist in a new area for me: what do you do on time off? Or where do you eat? etc. A guide book with this sort of info from local people would be great and maybe would get the travellers out of the tourist hovels and into the locals lives a bit more.

Good luck with it.

[starlagurl]

FYI: I wasn't implying that anybody was plagiarizing, I just mean it's important to double check.

[editorinchief]

So can people just put here if they are okay with us using their Starter Kits/FAQ's as per Louise's suggestion? I need to keep this on track and its getting a bit all over the place now, let's keep it in one place and try and get some real information together, I do appreciate everyone who has shown their support, but I need to crack on!

Please just out a yes or a no and which SK is yours!!!! Thanks!

[ScottWoz]

New Zealand. Go for it!

[starlagurl]

I'm doing one for Ontario right now, can't believe I didn't do one myself yet...arg!

You can use the Ontario one, it's all original material.

[inasia2008]

Cool! I have put Scott's and my own in there now! Believe it or not I have actually managed 21 pages so far!
Will add the Thailand one from Paul next! Thanks...

[inasia2008]

Now added Thailand and Canada so we are up to 37 pages! Just need to find a good format to set it all out in!

[inasia2008]

Louise can you fill in those missing blanks for me on the Intro page?

[inasia2008]

Any takers on Australia, USA?

[introducinlyric]

Hey, you can use the Thailand one as well.

Not plagiarised?? The quick facts I researched from somewhere and I don't think I changed much from the sources and the info on visas I got from either Thaivisa.com or the Thai govt site and again probably paraphrased a bit there. The rest is all original from my thoughts and experiences and you are welcome to use it.

I do like the idea of the info from locals. The "my Bangkok" or whatever. That is something that some very popular guidebooks don't do - they seem to be written by foreigners for foreigners who want to have a foreigner's experience. So I think that aspect would make your book different and "better".

A question I might typically ask a receptionist in a new area for me: what do you do on time off? Or where do you eat? etc. A guide book with this sort of info from local people would be great and maybe would get the travellers out of the tourist hovels and into the locals lives a bit more.

Good luck with it.

thats exactly what i was talking about - great to hear that you think its a good idea too

[introducinlyric]

Any takers on Australia, USA?

ill help hun but id prefer just to do a "MySydney" as ive already started one not too keen on doing rest of Aus as ive only been on the Eastern side havent ventured to the west of Australia

[inasia2008]

Okay I think for bigger countries like Oz, USA etc I might have to break them down into smaller areas! So Sydney is fine! I'll just do a main heading for Oz, I am doing the same for the UK!
I am going for the My New Zealand titles I think! I like that!

[introducinlyric]

Okay I think for bigger countries like Oz, USA etc I might have to break them down into smaller areas! So Sydney is fine! I'll just do a main heading for Oz, I am doing the same for the UK!
I am going for the My New Zealand titles I think! I like that!

hehehehe that's cool. cant believe you've done soo many pages so far. when im finished with my sydney one ill email it too you..will have to get ur email first though

[inasia2008]

Okay the email is strawberryshake4me@gmail.com! If anyone wants to do the same, please feel free! The hardest part is actually getting people to let me use their work, once I have it I can just copy/paste but then we have to work out a format for the writings!

[introducinlyric]

Okay the email is strawberryshake4me@gmail.com! If anyone wants to do the same, please feel free! The hardest part is actually getting people to let me use their work, once I have it I can just copy/paste but then we have to work out a format for the writings!

have you got any ideas for the format yet???
MySydney guide wont be "commercial" like with the predictable touristy hot spots. one im writing atm is based entirely from my own preferences and places i frequently visit e.g bars, restaurants , parks , festivals, wknd getaways and attractions etc etc