I'd like to hear your opinion...

[Psyguy10]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

It doesn't seem there is THAT much activity in the social groups that it would be taking away from board activity - I wonder if the board seeming to be slower is due to the more frequent 'refreshing' of the 'new posts' - I am sure a number of posts 'get lost' that way - make sure to check the quick links 'todays posts'

i agree with Sonya, there isn't much activity on the social groups to actually make much difference in the forums... but thats just my opinion, i also agree with Gin: it's that time of the year people rather be outside messing with their plants instead of talking about 'em i must admit tho... i'm lax with checking the social groups, but i'm also equally lazy with posting in the forums so... go figure oh well since the groups are pretty much nailed in the coffin there isn't much i can say... *cough* scapegoat *cough cough*

[kiki-do]

I'm sure now that summer is approaching, many will spend less time on the computers and more time in their gardens, on vacation, and/or doing numerous outdoor hobbies. Not me! I usually spend my Orchid Board time in early morning or in the evening or both. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in OB posts, I miss an entire day! I'm trying to quit......where oh where did I put my OB patch. Just kidding,
I'm glad you are asking these important questions, but I do think that regardless, you will see some drop in useage due to the season.

[quiltergal]

I really thought the social groups were redundant and never really "got" what the intended purpose was that wasn't already covered on the board.

IMO (please don't flame me it's just an opinion) I get tired of answering the same question over and over again. New folks who come here usually have a reason and that reason is usually a question or a problem. They don't understand right away how the board works or how to look for things on their own. So they just post their question. If there was an FAQ section in the beginner forum such as how to repot, when to water and fertilize, why won't my plant bloom etc. then perhaps there would be fewer of those unanswered questions. I for one spend a lot of time repeating the same stuff at work many times a day. I just don't have the energy to do that here too. It's not that I don't want to share, I do, I just wish I didn't have to share the same stuff over and over again. Perhaps there are other long time members besides me who feel the same way......a burned out resource. Could be why there is less traffic on the board and questions left unanswered. End of rant.

At any rate I won't miss the social groups. I don't have time for them anyway. Thanks for asking!

[Andrew]

I've got nothing against the social groups but as others have said, the inability to be notified of new posts and the duplication of subject groups already present in the forums meant there wasn't enough incentive to become actively involved. They do, however, suggest thatthere is some interest in expanding the sub-forums. As others have said, non-orchid forums for succulents, carnivorous plants, aroids seem to have a potential audience. There were also a few groups like the wild orchid hunters that fill noticebly missing gaps in the current line up of forums.

[cb977]

My thoughts are here, written in blue:

Originally Posted by quiltergal

IMO

I get tired of answering the same question over and over again. New folks who come here usually have a reason and that reason is usually a question or a problem. They don't understand right away how the board works or how to look for things on their own. So they just post their question. If there was an FAQ section in the beginner forum such as how to repot, when to water and fertilize, why won't my plant bloom etc. then perhaps there would be fewer of those unanswered questions. I for one spend a lot of time repeating the same stuff at work many times a day. I just don't have the energy to do that here too. It's not that I don't want to share, I do, I just wish I didn't have to share the same stuff over and over again. Perhaps there are other long time members besides me who feel the same way......a burned out resource. Could be why there is less traffic on the board and questions left unanswered. End of rant.

Any newcomer could find answers to all of those questions by doing a search...but one of the best things about OB is the way we treat newbies and their questions. Of course, there are times when a question is posted and I think " that's been answered already!" but then I realize that not everybody who visits our forum is familiar with maneuvering around a site such as ours...and I have no problem with answering the same question over and over, for different people.

What does get a little tired is when the same person asks the same question over and over...having a special forum with those basic questions and answers probably wouldn't change anything.

I'm willing to answer any question I have the answer to. I just haven't been feeling my best and with working on the project, haven't had the extra energy.

Now the project is over and I can get back into "the zone"

At any rate I won't miss the social groups. I don't have time for them anyway. Thanks for asking!

[Gin]

The thing that is aggravating to me is when a new grower says.
So ! I got an orchid what is it? No picture and not a description . You ask them to post a picture or at least a description and they never come back to the post ........ (My radar is broken ) ... Gin

[dave b]

There are social groups? Huh. I use the main forum as the means of communicating or sharing orchid stuff with others. Not as a means to find additional groups to join.

I second quiltergals thoughts. I backed off the forum many months ago, as it was being bombarded by new folks. Great to have them on board, but the same questions were being asked daily, more than once a day. There were so many instances where a person could have found their answer if they had spent a few minutes working and reading on their own. That this forum has been so friendly to all, is also the unfortunate aspect that has opened itself to this issue. Not saying it needs to become less friendly, just noting what ive seen.

Ultimately, the problem lies with so many of the people on this planet sitting behind their computers. No one wants to take the time and read and research stuff for themselves. They buy an orchid (from the grocery), A.D.D. kicks in and they hit up a forum with a bunch of questions.

Maybe im an oddity (OK, i am), but years ago I went to my local library / bookstore and was lucky enough to find quite a collection of material which i read. Then i went to forums and didnt say much for a while, but read a lot. It worked.

[cb977]

Gotta jump in here...

first, we're getting totally off track in the thread...the question was whether or not the social groups should stay or not. It's been answered...they're going to be removed.

As far as newcomers asking questions, no matter how many times they ask...it is and always will be just fine with me

I learned what I know by asking questions, as have many other folks here. I've seen SO many members of OB start out asking questions, sometimes more than once and sometimes when the answer was just one click away BUT...some of those people are the same people who now answer the repeated questions from the next group of new members here.

Some of the comments I'm seeing here are disconcerting as they remind me of the things I've seen written on "other" forums...which I do not participate in precisely because of the semi-hostile environment.

I have people contact me directly rather than post on the board because they are nervous about "doing it wrong" or "asking too many questions" or "asking dumb questions" and my answer is always the same...we have some of the finest folks in the world right here being very generous with sharing what they know. No matter how many times I have to write the same thing over and over again, our newcomers should never be made to feel bad about trying to learn.

When I'm looking for smilies to add to our arsenal, I am constantly amazed at how many are available...and how nasty they are!

OB will never ever become one of those places where folks don't feel comfortable

Okay...there's my rant

Now, can we get

[dave b]

Aww, the caffiene was just starting to kick in.

Point taken, my apologies.

[shams]

You kick ass Sue!