social groups vs forums ???

[s.kallima]

I am a bit lost with all the new social groups starting discussions on species or group of species, and these discussions could as well be in the regular forums which have already a lot of categories...
And when I get online, I check the new posts with the regular command, and the ones in social groups don't appear anywhere, so I miss all these new social group threads...
It looks to me like if social groups and forum are 2 different worlds, but talking about the same things , or like if social groups are reinventing the forums

Am I the only one in this case ?? Maybe I missed some explanation about the links between these 2 worlds...

[cb977]

The social groups are for very specific conversation. I started the one for the upcoming project because once that process starts, there will be a lot of back and forth amongst the members participating and it will be easier to track those conversations.

The other groups that have been put together are just another way of having a more precise discussion on a certain subject, such as Phal Species, or Phrags rather than lumping them into the general Slipper forum.

Nothing should change within the forums, the groups will not take the place of the forums. It's just another layer of communication.

[flhiker]

I think the idea is so people who have a certain interest can interact with same like minded people without the hassle of looking through all the threads. The forum is for a broad base. The group narrows down a certain interest.

[flhiker]

You are fast Sue!

[Tindomul]

I agree, just a new outlet for them orchid juices. However I hope that people don't stop posting in lets say, the Phal forum because of the social group for phals.

[cb977]

If the posts in the main forums are affected by the social groups, then I think the social groups would need to be eliminated.

We are not trying to alienate anybody...just taking advantage of a newly available option.

[s.kallima]

Thank you for the answers, I understand the idea, and it is just the beginning of this tool, so I'll give it a try...
It is just that aside from the 2009 project group, the treads I can read in the other social groups aren't much different from the regular forums... for now.
No offense ;-)

[Royal]

Here's my thinking: I thought about starting a flasking or seed germination group, but thought it might take away from the propagation forum. The Propagation forum is a great place to get some answers as is. But if a few of us were to want to compare notes on say, media formulas or germination of a particular species, I'd start a group. Forums are open, and subject to comments that, in certain instances, can just muddy the subject.

I'm trying it out too, but for me it won't replace the forums. "Another layer of communication" is a good way to put it.

[quiltergal]

I have to say I wondered the same thing. I can understand setting up a social group for a specific purpose such as the project group, but I don't see the value in duplicating posts in the social groups and the forums. It also seems somewhat exclusive to me and sort of the antithesis of what I've come to think of OB as being.....a place to share knowledge with others. Just my .

[snow]

i agree terry.the forums are there if anyone wants to know something about a certain topic. starting new groups sounds a bit isolationist to me. just because i am not into flasking; does not mean that some day i would,n,t be. hope i did not step on too many toes.