Orchids Wikia Anybody?

[epiphyte78]

There's this prominent notice informing me that I haven't posted in a while (lurking is bad m'kay) and should contribute something without feeling intimidated.

So I contribute to you this relatively new orchid website... Orchids Wikia... and would be interested in hearing your brutally honest thoughts about the site, its potential and whether or not you'd contribute to it.

[Dorothy]

Any site that sends you a prominent notice to contribute does sound intimidating ..
I wouldn't call that an encouraging way of maintaining members ..
I already have this site in my favorites ..
Thanks

[epiphyte78]

Heh, actually, with regards to the prominent notice...I was referring to this forum.

It's not sent though, it's displayed near the top of the page and I'd copy and paste exactly what it says but it's gone now.

[Ray]

Personally, I'm not a fan of any site in which "facts" can be modified by others, as the results tend to be unreliable.

In a forum such as this, knowledge can be shared, compared, and corrected, as negotiated. The entire content of a thread might be totally incorrect, but they are all aired, rather than appearing to be the "final truth".

[cb977]

LOL...the notice on our site (and others) is just a way of encouraging folks to get involved

I agree with Ray on this one...in a forum, things can be discussed and folks can come to their own conclusions.

In a site such as wiki, too many cooks in the kitchen It allows for bad information to be taken as fact...and we all need as much good info as we can possibly get

[cowboy51278]

Originally Posted by Ray

Personally, I'm not a fan of any site in which "facts" can be modified by others, as the results tend to be unreliable.

In a forum such as this, knowledge can be shared, compared, and corrected, as negotiated. The entire content of a thread might be totally incorrect, but they are all aired, rather than appearing to be the "final truth".

there has been a lot of discussion on myspace about this site as well. everyone seems to have the same feeling about it as you and sue. seems to make sense to me, there is going to be a lot of misleading info there I think.

[epiphyte78]

Thanks for your responses everybody.

Actually, each article in the orchid wikia comes with its own forum that can be viewed by clicking the "Discussion" tab on the right side of the page.

It's fairly easy to distinguish facts from personal observation by checking to see whether or not the article sites credible sources...as this article does...Coelogyne nitida - Orchids Wiki

Just like I sincerely doubt that any of you would change any of the facts in that article it is fairly unlikely that any other orchid people who visit that site would change any of those facts as well. All changes are monitored though so in the rare case that an unsubstantiated change is made the admins can easily revert the change.

I tend to avoid generalizations but for the most part I've found orchid folk to be fairly trustworthy folk who do not go around changing facts for the heck of it. Now, cacti folk are another matter.

[cb977]

Now, cacti folk are another matter.

...
no offense to the cacti community

[Marty]

hahah Dorothy, you're a riot !!! literally

community that focuses on providing the best information on orchids and orchid culture.

I thought we already filled in this niche

[Don Perusse]

I'm not switchin' and that's all there is to it!!