Marty,
I think the first of the two options you've outlined would work best for us.
All the replies posted here bring up credible points. Since I started growing orchids only 2 years ago, I've done lots and lots of reading on the subject. I've had numerous conversations with people about how they grow their collections. The one thing that I've learned from all of it is that...everybody has their own way of growing. What I've done is read it all and then pick and choose which of their suggestions works for me...in my conditions.
If member articles were to be implemented here, they should all start by saying "this is how I grow my orchids, in my conditions, which are: ______ " and the person's conditions should be listed. I think the "conditions" part is where a formula should be used.
Am I making any sense?