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Post by Alan on Dec 15, 2009 19:35:02 GMT -5
Hello friends,
Just wanted to take a moment to get some ideas from the membership regarding ways in which the web-site can be improved.
I have most certainly noticed that not as many are posting as is the norm in the winter, but I also understand the Christmas season keeps us busy as well as the spate of warmer than normal teperatures in most places for this time of year.
Anyhow, one thing I don't do often enough is ask everyone what can be done to make our little site better than it currently is. We have in the past restructured things many times and I am never opposed to doing more or less, this site belongs as much to all of you as it does to me and even moreso to you than to me, if none of you were here it'd just be the weird guy from Indiana talking to himself (which isn't that far from normal for me anyhow).
So, any ideas?
More interviews?
More interaction from known plant breeders?
Make things more compact/comprehensive/restructure the layout?
Share with us and we will see what we can do.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and happy new year and that you will continue to share your friendship with all of us here at homegrown goodness!
Love you all
Alan.
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Post by plantsnobin on Dec 15, 2009 20:05:08 GMT -5
It really has been terribly slow here lately. I don't know that there is a fix for it, lots of people log on, but not many contribute to any dialog. Maybe people are too busy with seasonal shopping, or aren't feeling well. I think that there is a lot of misery going on for a lot of people with the economy too, maybe people aren't feeling too chatty.
I personally would love to see a site where breeders were more active, telling us about what they have done, and where we can buy their creations. I have said it before, now is a great time to let the world know what is available. I know that breeders can be an independant bunch, each working on their own on their pet project, but if there were a way to put it all together it would be great. I don't really even know what I am suggesting, a grower co-op maybe? Something like the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, but with a focus on your own creations? I don't know, I am just rambling I guess. Husband won't be home till late and I have no one to talk to.
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Post by pugs on Dec 15, 2009 20:16:24 GMT -5
I don't know how to get more people talking. There didn't seem to be as many trade lists this year and I think having people post them in the Hip-Gnosis Seed Development: Available Seed and Breeding Projects made them hard to find.
Another thing, at least for me, is all the stickys. Some places you have to page down a page or two to find the active threads. Also, some threads are stickys in all places. I know I give up and just log off, after I've opened the same thread many times.
Also, I seem to say the wrong things. I've come to think of myself as a thread killer. I post and the thread goes dead.
Finally, I just don't have the time I was spending here any more. I'm trying to do some remodeling, maybe some new hobbies and I haven't been well myself.
Just some thoughts and ramblings.
Pugs
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Post by plantsnobin on Dec 15, 2009 20:54:16 GMT -5
Pugs, for what it is worth, I don't think you have ever said anything that would be 'wrong'. Sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well and I hope you feel better soon. Sometimes our interests change and we move on. Good luck with the remodeling and new hobbies.
I wonder if changing the families put some people off? Maybe we are afraid of putting things in the wrong place? I do remember way back someone complaining that it had gotten too, I don't remember what she said exactly, but maybe too 'technical'? Could it be that newcomers log on and see that and think that it is going to be over their heads?
And here is something totally tongue in cheek---could it be because we don't talk politics here? Is it possible that lots of people say they only want to talk gardening, but deep down, they love to see a train wreck???
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Post by mybighair on Dec 15, 2009 22:27:08 GMT -5
Things have been a little quiet of late but I don't necessarily think it points to a problem with the site. I know for my part I only post when I feel I have something to add to a thread, and that the more focused I have become in my breeding projects the less room I have in my head for other subject matter.
I do check in most days and read the new posts but I rarely feel I have much to contribute.
I think we all tend to focus more heavily on threads about, or relating to subjects we already have an interest in. Ass most of us have been inspired to peruse our own projects, and as we have so many better informed people to respond in any given field that is not our focus; perhaps people just don't feel they have anything constructive to add.
There are a few thing I intend to post myself at some point, I'm just going to need a bit more time to organise my thoughts on things so I don't end up posting a bunch of incohesive rambling nonsense. Right now I'm still digesting a lot of the results from the past season, tracking down breeding material, and sifting through related research.
I don't think there is to much to be concerned about, it's just the further down the road we get the more confident we are in our next step so we seek less advise. I have noticed a lot of new members posting, and the older members are as open in sharing their knowledge and experience as they ever were.
This is still the best gardening forum on the net by a mile.
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Post by Alan on Dec 15, 2009 23:28:36 GMT -5
Some great feedback here.
Karen, I agree 100%, particularly about the politics thing.
Pugs, please don't feel like your feedback isn't wanted buddy, don't feel bad, I've got nearly 3,000 posts and many of them go without ever being responded to, I think the breadth of material here to digest just generally overwhelms people and you are a very valued member my friend. Hope you get to feeling better soon my friend.
By the way, the blood brothers corn you sent is forever more on my grow list!
MyBigHair, thanks for the compliments my friend, I'm glad you feel that way, and I most certainly agree in a lot of ways which is part of the reason I was asking for advise, I want to take this to the next step, the next evolutionary step so to speak.
Maybe a database of projects, perhaps a Homegrown Goodness/Hip-Gnosis blog with guest posts about projects and advice for those of us interested in such! We all have the seed and the experience now, I think the thing now is getting that information and seed out there and more available and to people who will use it! Does this seem like a good idea to anyone? I think this thing can become so much bigger than it is, a loose collective of like minded individuals but a collective none the less and I'd love to run a more coherent collective "project" to enhance and go along with the site here.
Thanks guys, keep the posts coming.
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Post by oldfatguy on Dec 15, 2009 23:47:05 GMT -5
Hold a "Weeding in your Bikini" contest. Not to brag or anything but I look hot in a thong.
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Post by sprout on Dec 16, 2009 3:48:35 GMT -5
Hi
I've meant to post a number of times in various threads, but didn't.
Though I've read a ton of books and have developed some similar interests to a number of you here (breeding/varieties, perennials) I'm really quite a newbie as far as actual growing goes in comparison which is why I stay silent.
I'm already bored with the other boards I go to because of the frequency of posts seeking the same old advice so in my opinion it's no bad thing that there's not loads of talk, besides there's already so much to absorb here already. As you suggested above this place can be a little intimidating, but I see it as a place to graduate to maybe.....
BTW, I'd love a follow up on Carol Deppe's projects, as suggested in another thread somewhere.
Really, just wanted to say hi and let you know I very much appreciate this forum as it is.
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Post by flowerpower on Dec 16, 2009 6:57:09 GMT -5
I do think we have too many "sticky" threads. We can eliminate some of those. I know some of the topics are a little intimidating to new gardeners. Some of them scare me. lol
If people want to talk about politics, there are plenty of places to do that. I really don't want a politics section here. This is the only gardening forum I post on now. Other ones are either too basic for my needs, or are so full of drama, I don't want to deal with it. And if we start a political section, I won't post here at HG either.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Dec 16, 2009 7:34:36 GMT -5
Alan, this is a great website! I'm not posting quite literally due to time. I have a sweater and hat set to finish for my granddaughter's Christmas, I JUST finished a sweater I've made for my husband that took a year and a half. I've baked rum, lemon lime and fruit cakes. Mike's birthday was last Friday as was the Annual beekeeper and master gardeners holiday luncheon, school for the boys, decorating outside and in... If I spent the kind of time on the computer I really could... NOTHING would get done. Well, my butt would get a lot wider  Pugs, I was flabbergasted at your post because I feel EXACTLY the same way! I go back to see all kinds of posts dead after I've said something. I DO have some suggestions though. I've pondered this for a bit. I don't know about technical feasibility, that would be something for you administrative folks. 1. Delete the fun but off topic threads after about a month. Like the "F Word" thread. That was great and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I'm glad no one stopped the flow while it was going. However, it's now dead and useless, compost it! 2. Occasionally threads sort of change directions so that it starts out cucumbers but ends up tomatoes, so to speak. It would be cool if there were some way to cross reference threads like this outside of just the search engine. 3. Consider some sort of instruction on using the search engine. I had a tough time figuring it out when I first arrived here. I'm great with it now, but it was pretty frustrating in the beginning. 4. Don't be down on yourselves! You can't expect people be here all the time. If they were, eventually we would run out of good information, funny things, ideas, etc. This is a wonderful website! I have a blog that I don't write on as much as I write here! Also, I'll HOPEFULLY be writting a novel within the next couple of months. So I'll be kinda slow through that. I REALLY REALLY need to get it done before garden season rolls around again. There's Fullen, she's gone because she's teaching school but I bet she's counting the days till she can get back to hanging out here again. So, have patience, and maybe bake a few cookies. Here's a quick recipe to help keep you busy... 2 in fact Christmas Ornaments 1 c. applesauce 1 c. cinnamon Mix to a dough, roll out and cut with cookie cutter. Use a small straw to make a hole for threading and allow to dry at least 24 hours. You can decorate with frosting or whatever you fancy. Christmas Coal - For the naughty kids in your life, like mine! ;o) 3 ½ c. - 700 gm. sugar 1 c. - 230 gm tap water 1 ¼ c. - 200 gm powdered sugar (icing sugar, 10x sugar, confectioner’s sugar) 5 drops lemon juice 1 egg white black food coloring or food grade charcoal crushed 1. Prepare a rectangular 9” x 13” pan by lightly greasing it, then lining it with a sheet of wax paper and lightly greasing the paper as well. 2. Measure sugar into a heavy saucepan and pour water over it. Avoid sloshing the water up the sides of the pan. Put on a burner at medium heat and do not stir. It will take 10 to 15 minutes for this syrup to come to temperature (126 c. OR 265 f.) 3. While syrup cooks, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice, egg white, and food color into a very stiff paste. A knife drawn through the middle should leave a cut. If you are using liquid or paste food color, you may need to add more powdered sugar to achieve this consistency. 4. When syrup comes to temperature, turn off the heat and quickly add the frosting blob and stir it in quickly but carefully. As soon as it is blended, pour it into the prepared pan and allow it to cool. The mass will “billow” as it first goes into the pan, but it sets up VERY quickly. LEAVE IT ALONE UNTIL COMPLETELY COOLED! 5. When it IS cooled, break it into chunks and store in air tight container till time to put it in stockings. Happy Holidays to all of you and to all of you a good life. |
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Post by mnjrutherford on Dec 16, 2009 8:21:23 GMT -5
Nearly Forgot!
There should be a "Sum of All Knowledge" section. This should have papers written on best practices as garnered from all threads as well as FAQ. I'm thinking that this should be a printable archive if possible; as (this is the doomsday crier within speaking) the web might go away but the information within should not die. I for one would want to have a paper archive of much of what is here.
Maybe this section should not be available for comment as are the regular threads? The main papers should be "locked" against modification by anyone other than administrators.
Even if the web does not die, we are working towards not being media reliant.
OK, back to yelling at the kids...
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Post by mnjrutherford on Dec 16, 2009 9:12:08 GMT -5
Some topics for the archive series should be, COMPOST, MULCH, TOMATOES, CABBAGES, CUCUMBERS, PEPPERS, MANURE, LATE BLIGHT, EARLY BLIGHT etc.
There should be a standard format for the papers with the same data type found in the same section of each paper. I haven't thought much about the compost/mulch/manure type papers. But here is an idea for the plant specific type papers:
________________
TOMATOES
Varieties - This is not an all inclusive list but does have most, if not all, the varieties we have personal experience with.
All Good
Bad boys
Cavernous Traps
Do Right
(format should be alphabetical and should be in columns if at all possible to take up less space)
ZONE 3 - Limited growing potential in this area.
Members in this zone include: A Person, B Person, C Person
NARRATIVE: Compilation of experience of all persons living in this zone.
ZONE 4 - Limited growing potential in this area.
Members in this zone include: D Person, E Person, F Person
NARRATIVE: Compilation of experience of all persons living in this zone.
ZONE 5 - Good growing potential in this area.
Members in this zone include: We have no members living in this zone.
NARRATIVE: Compilation of experience of all persons living in this zone.
ZONE 6 - Excellent growing potential in this area.
Members in this zone include: G Person, H Person, I Person
NARRATIVE: Compilation of experience of all persons living in this zone.
______________
The narrative portion should include suggested varieties for each area.
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Post by ottawagardener on Dec 16, 2009 9:12:30 GMT -5
Wow, I have no more suggestions other than the ones listed. Maybe it was because MNJ posted so now I feel I should just move on Okay, kidding aside. Honestly, I think this is a great website and the problem with a lack of communication may just be because, at the moment, no one has anything to add. Sometimes people just get website fatigue or feel they have nothing valuable to contribute so don't bother. Some are just waiting for the same old, same old to pass so they can leap on something new. I think my advice, therefore, goes to the posters. 1. Don't be afraid to chatter about growing, growing techniques and plants. Sometimes chatter leads to some very interesting and informative directions. 2. I know it's tres cliche but 'There are no dumb questions' 3. Please give me the results of your trials even if they are an absolute failure or 'in progress' On that line, if you are snap happy then post some pics. 4. More variety reviews please. I want to know! 5. Post some open ended questions about interesting subjects. All resources: books, websites, videos relating to aforementioned subject will be appreciated. Ultimately, what I'm trying to say, is that how much work we put into this website, will dictate what we get out of it. On that note, I'm sorry I haven't posted anything to interesting recently, but my gardening activities are really being curtailed by the upcoming move. Did you know that I have to turn my veggie patch into lawn next year? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. This so goes against my inclinations. It's to sell the house. At least the front yard which is at least 2/3rds garden will remain as a giant perennial bed. |
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Post by mnjrutherford on Dec 16, 2009 9:14:14 GMT -5
Oh yea, one more thing, if this post dies with my posting, I'm leaving for Oregon to cry on Pugs shoulder in the morning! ;o)
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Post by ottawagardener on Dec 16, 2009 9:15:28 GMT -5
MNJ: I seem to be posting at the same time as you. Great ideas! I'll try and keep posting so it ends on me, 'k.
It would be great to have some more interviews from well established breeders but I would also like to hear from HG members about their projects, plot conditions, and favourite varietites.
Telsing
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