Now, numerous people, are giving conflicting advice here than the host to the newbs.

This is happening with greater and greater frequency.  

We are all human and all make mistakes from time to time. Swim has made his share in the past, but lately there are just more and more, to the point where I am surprised when he gets something right anymore! Obviously that should not be the case when someone has their name in red. I don't know what the issue is, (PUI? Health? Tiredness? Burned out?) but he is definitely not suited for the job anymore. I was really hoping he would have voluntarily stepped aside when he could have walked away with his head up, but he is now just an embarressment to himself and TER.

I'm not sure how moderators work here, or if that person is the only one, but shouldn't there be a provider name in red in addition to the client name in red? If that's already the case just ignore this. I personally didn't even notice the red, or if I did I didn't know that it even meant that person's word is held in high standard. Just thought it was another person like anyone else.

Last year GaG suggested two hosts. A provider and a hobbyist, and of course Debra's name was floated on the provider side. I have been firmly behind that proposal. I also believe Debra would make a great host . There are other qualified people yourself included.  

Swimtreker is a "host" not a moderator. While he doesn't have any moderator abilities, his name is in red, and it means he represents TER and his words are held to a higher standard. On one hand you are correct. It really means nothing and he is just a regular member like the rest of us. On the other hand most people do notice the name in red, and do hold him to a higher standard.  

There are WAY too many public issues on a week in and week out basis that swim messes up that a 15 second search would give him the answer.  

I do think that a sample size of two is too small. Some of the questions here are more of an opinion nature than a straight up correct and wrong answer sort. Maybe have 5-10 each of providers/hookers and hobbyists/mongers (I don't want to get in trouble with terminology).  

An actual pinned, newbie FAQ would go a long way in helping the newbs. There are proly 10-15 questions that are asked over and over again.  

And you are correct. I know of no one that personally dislikes swim and I have referred to him here, and other places, as the "good guy host of the NB."

maybe don't know there is a search function or a Self-Help Center.

Many Qs are almost desperate pleas for help: "Help! I don't know where to start!" and that's why I also like a personal reply that can direct someone to a few paragraphs rather than an entire multi-page Self-Help or FAQ.

As a newbie I'll give my recent experiences.  

The current host has gone on cruises, taken days off to play golf and when he's gone, the board seems to function fine. I scrolled back on the board and noticed from 5/25 through 5/31 there were a dozen or so threads and no posts by the host.  

While it's nice to have someone in "authority" to be the go to person on a board such as the Newbie board, that person needs to be there all the time and much more importantly be correct ALL the time.

We are thinking Hawaii.

Oh man!

That means I don't get to travel for it!

Stop your bitchin'. lol

Not only will TER not do any of the things being suggested, they will do exactly what they want all the while poking fun at those making the suggestions.
This is exactly why there's no point in making suggestions here.  It's like pissing in your blue serge suit: it gives you a nice, warm feeling and no one knows you did it.

You don't honestly think the old volunteer mods logged 80 a week on these boards just for free VIP, did you? Just how stupid do you think we were? and yes that was most definitely a rhetorical question, PLEASE don't bother answering it. lol

When TER sacked the volunteer mods there were originally supposed to be hosts of other boards but none were ever put in place.  No one noticed.  Just as no one would notice if there was no host on the Newbie Board.

Not true that no hosts were ever put in place. There were hosts for the Atlanta Board, (She posted on this very thread), the Florida board, and the newbie board. Their tenures were short lived except for the newbie board host, which is the only one that remains. Since all the other boards function without a host, I have long felt that the newbie board can as well, and truthfully it has been for years.

Well Jake is well meaning, kind of like our current host. lol

What are you wearing, " Jake from State Farm ."   . Hahahaha love it

Or for that matter, I can't remember the last time you fucked up on the Newbie Board either.