Lonely Planet differs greatly from Wanderlust. Because Lonely Planet is based on the print model it is not nearly as interactive and conducive to conversation as Wanderlust. Lonely Planet provides the nuts and bolts in information for travelers. And the on-line discourse gives practical, yet unproven information. Lonely Planet recognizes that fellow travelers can be one of their biggest assets in providing and updating information. They receive over 10,000 letters and e-mails from people on the road. Their aim is to share the information with the travel community, but they warn that the information has not been checked, so browsers should tips at their own risk. The site is a place for travelers to go and help out fellow travelers. Lonely Planet does a good job of sorting through the e-mails and posting the information in an organized fashion. For each region they have sections broken down into the following categories.

At Wanderlust there is Table Talk, an on-line discussion area. Browsers must sign up to be a viewing and contributing member of the Salon on-line discussion community. Once a browser registers, they are allowed entry into the discussion area. Like any community, there are standards and guidelines for appropriate behavior. These are explained to browsers after they have completed their registration.

• We encourage browsers to register and contribute under their own name.
• In no event should you post messages under someone else's name.
• Obey copyright laws and regulations.
• Do not post messages containing gratuitous personal attacks against other Salon members.

Basically the rules are made to "make Table Talk a welcoming and civil place for everyone." They do not screen the messages before they are posted because they trust that the members are mature enough to follow them. At Wanderlust, for example, a topic like "Supermarkets- Microcosms of Society" is proposed. Then browsers have the opportunity to add any comments about supermarkets that they wish. The result is an intelligent discussion by some 17 or 18 (at last check) people. From their entries you could tell that the contributors all have an interest in travel and have experiences associating supermarkets with foreign cultures.

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