I'd like to hear your opinion...

[cb977]

regarding the Social Groups that were started here at OB.

When they first became available, I thought it was a great idea for project discussions...and then it took on a life of it's own.

I've noticed a difference here...as have some of the other members of Orchidboard. The great discussions we always had with folks from around the world no longer take place in the main forums, they're discussed in the social group threads.

I've asked Marty if there is any way we can dispense withe the private groups...

but before we do that (or at least see what can be done about removing them), we'd like the opinions of our members...after all, it is OUR community

I have been contacted by a few people about this and I stand in agreement about how things have changed somewhat around here...

I like the way we used to do things...

how do you feel about the social groups staying or going? Now is the time to speak up

[Royal]

I was open to the idea, even joined a few and started one. I've not noticed any direct negative impact on the other forums, but I'm also kind of apathetic about the groups. I don't think they help me connect with members in any significantly different way than the forums.

I guess what I'm saying is, I won't be heartbroken to see them gone. They're ok, but eh'.

[playtime8978]

I like to be able to read all threads that have information about growing different kinds of orchids and advice off people that grow them even if I do not own one so that I can learn as I go so that if i am tempted by one in the future I can go ahead knowing some of what I need to do for it, I dont feel I can join the groups I dont have an orchid of as I have nothing to add, I dont think anyone is saying I cant but I do like the free access the forum has over the closed environment of the groups. I am not saying I dont want them I am sure a lot like them as they are talking just to like minded people but surely the people that would reply and read in the forum are the same but it is open to get the interest started in people who dont already have the genre

[Ethan]

I thought I had noticed a decline in forum posts, but I figured it was just my imagination. I had heard about the social groups, but I haven't checked them out. Most days it's hard enough to keep up with the forum posts.

Having said that, I obviously wouldn't be sad to see the social groups go. I like checking the new posts every day in the forums because I like seeing discussions about ALL orchid groups. If seeing all the discussions means checking the forums and the social groups every day, then I'm a little hesitant. Like you said, Sue, it was nice the way it was before!

[Zoi2]

I also miss the diverse discussions. This is a perfect board to learn about plants, growing habits and help with problems. With all of the specific social groups, we are all missing a lot of useful information.
Joann

[Lagoon]

The OB doesn't seem to be as lively as it once was, perhaps the new social groups are taken a toll on the rest of the forum. I do like the idea of these groups, but I would not miss them if they were gone.

If the social groups can be kept, I would like to see them for anything other then orchids.
What about the other things we grow as social groups?
Hoyas -- Cacti & succulents -- Aroids?
Perhaps outdoor gardens? Trading board??

[RosieC]

I also like to read the diverse posts about all sorts of orchids I don't own (as well as those I do), and I feel that the social groups are just taking these discussions away, hiding them away is small private groups.

Apart from the recent general Phal group I don't feel any of the social groups apply to me as I don't grow those orchids and so feel shut off from reading them. I miss reading the interesting discussions on these other types of orchids and other topics.

I would say "Do we really need these social groups". Most of them are for a particular Genus and we already have the Alliance sub-forums where we can discuss particular Genus groups. Surely it would be better to add new sub-forums for areas which might be felt to be missing from there.

For example maybe a sub-forum for Species Phals would be apreciated by members. Personaly I think this would be better than a social group for Species Phals (not picking on them specifically, just an example) because then everyone, beginners included would feel free to read what was there and perhaps get interested in Species Phals as a result.

Personally I feel that even as a member for several months now and a regular poster on the main forum, that I am excluded from discussions which would maybe interest me because they are in a social group which is outside my existing small range of 'chids.

How much more would complete beginners benefit from these discussions being more open and available to them (not that I'm far above beginner myself).

Just my (or maybe a bit more).

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

The OB doesn't seem to be as lively as it once was, perhaps the new social groups are taken a toll on the rest of the forum. I do like the idea of these groups, but I would not miss them if they were gone.

If the social groups can be kept, I would like to see them for anything other then orchids.
What about the other things we grow as social groups?
Hoyas -- Cacti & succulents -- Aroids?
Perhaps outdoor gardens? Trading board??

I agree with this and almost wrote something similar myself.

We have sub-forums for the grouping of various orchid discussions as I did say in my above post. What about social groups for people with common non-orchids interests.

The whole of this forum is for discussion on orchid topics, by people with an interest in orchids. Social groups on topics about orchids are therefore somewhat superfluous. Either that or they have the danger of making the main forum become somewhat redundant.

Just another from me.

[CoolPhrog]

I agree 100%, Sue. I'd like to see things go back to the original format.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

If the social groups can be kept, I would like to see them for anything other then orchids.
What about the other things we grow as social groups?
Hoyas -- Cacti & succulents -- Aroids?
Perhaps outdoor gardens? Trading board??

I agree with this too. The group I started was for Carnivorous Plant Growers and in the description we specifically made a plea that the CP group NOT take away from the regular forums. I don't think it really has, anything I post there also gets its own thread in the forums. If there was a CP forum here, I'd post it there.

Would it be better to keep a few non-orchid groups, or add a whole bunch of non-orchid forums to the Orchidboard? Both ways would have non-orchid stuff mixed in with orchid stuff, but at least a forum would be public.

What about "sub-forums" for non-orchid in the Off-Topic forum section?