Let's talk more about what's going on lately

Debbie - I agree with you! I think that may have been why the sale was kept from Dave. I thought the same thing after Dave cleared up my questions. :-)

LOL becky, I would be reading those papers with a magnifying glass. It was just too quick.

OMG jumping in WAY LATE!!! I just renewed my membership and I'm SO glad I did. Now more than ever we need to show our support for the best of the best that DG is. I would like to mention that I am crushed that no one consulted with me about this MAJOR change to my world. I mean REALLY!!! What about MY needs???? but s'ok I forgive everyone.

Welcome Michael!!! (waving madly) Perchance do you like to dance? Singing is oft known to erupt on DG too ^_^ In case no one mentioned it yet: We LUV Dave and Admin. AHEM We NEED Dave and Admin. O and our luvly writers and their luvly articles and PF and WD and GH and everything we have now. Thanks muchly Michael and other new guys.

I am glad things appear to be working out....I just hope the new owners realize how how much Dave and all of Admin mean to us. I also hope they realize how very much we would miss the wonderful articles. I have learned so much from so many of the articles. We have some very talented writers and their loss would be a tragedy.

Okay, to summarize, we want Dave, we want ALL admin, we want articles by our members, and we want the writers to be paid. We don't want an onslaught of ads, we understand you must make a living (like all of us), and, we are quite aware that this could be the very best forum on the entire internet. IB, I don't know what the heck, but NM selling DG and NOT using Dave as a bargaining chip = bad negotiation. (Note: Namemedia? You could have made so much more!!!). I'm sure by now, IB, that you are getting a clear idea of 'How It Should Be Done'. Lucky IB, I, as a former player in the mega corperation world, know that you scored bigger than you could have imagined. Let your new Flagship guide your other interests...

and i would like my own parking spot please.

mamajack you're sooooooooo good.

Hey, you've got your very own customizable home page... parking yourself in your computer chair just doesn't get better than that. ;-)

^_^ critter. Note to Michael and new guys Critter is one of many of our beluved writers who we cannot live without. ps Yes I can nag as well as dance ^_^ pss Dave has always known this.

I am so glad the transition from NM to IB is going more smoothly than what was originally posted!

I would also like to see the search functions of the site improved, and I imagine Dave would love help taming that giant!

An Internet search engine brought me to DG, but the articles made me stay, and later become one of the writers. I am a little anxious to hear of IB's plans for future articles, too! Regardless of what they decide, I want all to know that I have had fun writing and enjoyed the responses from the readers for the few articles I have written.

Bev

I was away for a few days, too, and like many have spent a great deal of time reading through...

Personally, I still get nervous with a buyout or takeover. I had an experience working for an intimate quality company that was boughtout. This was a medical company. One day I was highly regarded for the excellent care I provided...the next for how much medication I could pull out of each expensive bottle of medication. The patients suffered for the change in direction in many ways. When a new manager came in that was over me that had no idea what I even did, it was my last straw. It was the only job that I ever left without moving onto a better job opportunity. I quit. It wasn't about change...My profession values did not mix with the new company.

Enough of me, but why I wrote that was that I found DG searching for information on something and that led me to PlantFiles. I found it so unique. I could garden virtually all winter! But after stepping into forums as a new person, I was amazed at the genuine kindness of the DG community. I had never before seen this. The lack of Pop Up ads was worth trying a trial subscription to see the rest...and since this, this unique community of people have not only added to my passion and knowledge of gardening, but they have also shared plants, seeds and most notably themselves. Almost all of my trades have a new friendship attached to each.I even think of the friendships that are acquired participating in a co op buy! I believe Critter had addressed the topic of the strength of our community previously in one of her well-written articles.

This community kept me together via my parents computer last year while I was hours away from home caring for my dying mother of breast cancer, while my father's life was teetering on its edge in three consecutive intensive care units in three different hospitals. There was no better support group to be found! Everyone that communicated with me directly or through the Prayer thread that Critter started kept me glued together through the MOST stressful time of my life. I will forever thank not only DG for this, but the community of people that make Dave's Garden what it is today. I have read in other previous posts from others that reflected similiar personal experiences. No information-only cookie-cutter site could have done this for me.

I thank Dave for the simple format that is easy to read and easy to navigate. For many, this no-clutter layout is attractive. I thank you Dave for the wealth of knowledge within one site that worth every dime of my subscription. I cannot believe that I would pay for the use of a website...except for this one, Dave.

But I will alway remember that when I was brand-new, there was a person named "Dave" that sent me the first dmail to ask if I needed any help getting around the site. I cautiously and suspiciously replied. I wasn't sure who would be asking and why. I had no idea that the real Dave would be as involved to do such a kind thing. I will never forget this. Thank you, Dave. I just wasn't use to this visiting a web site. Amazing.

So, I ditto much of the multitudes of previous posts. Michael, welcome. I encourage you to be very cautious to change a good thing. Keep it simple. Keep out bombarding us with ads to increase revenues as a business, yet losing your following that Dave worked so hard to gather us together under. Starlight's idea of a coupon page is a great idea. Dave is a real gardener...who better to keep directly involved. If you put a general manager that cannot even keep the simplest of plants alive in charge of this site...if you plaster us with ads just to make money...it just won't be Daves Garden...it won't even be. Quality vs quanity. People vs. pure financial gain. Clarify your values of this site early. We will all be watching and waiting...my checkbook will stay in my purse until I see what you will do, not just what is said.

Lastly, communication is also a prominent value I have seen Dave keep to high regard. Not only is he more likely to jump in promptly to clarify a rumor...he is just as likely to kindly remove from membership those that ruin the experience of being here for the vast majority. He is on ready to take action on troublesome behavior; yet so open to listen to his community to hear us out before taking final action on big issues to us, like the co ops. Thank you, Dave. I urge you, Michael, to not only give Dave a position in your company, but to actually give him an active position and to listen to his ideas and give him the creative license to take this site even to higher levels. Please give him not only the responsibility, but the authority and accountability that must come attached to make it work...and to allow DG to grow.
.

(No, I am not Dave's lawyer!)

Admins
DG is the only site I visit where the admins maintain a helpful and friendly tone throughout the community. That in itself is a huge feat! When there have been eruptions between members, they've been dealt with quickly. It's a safe place, totally owed to Dave and his admins here. These are seasoned and knowledgeable admins who are as helpful as they are experienced.

Coupons
I think a coupon page is an excellent idea! I know I regularly Google for product names or categories and coupons and/or coupon codes, and I use them. Sites like http://retailmenot.com are a huge draw for me. I often learn of new businesses while browsing the latest coupons at sites like those. I would love to see home and garden coupons here at DG, especially knowing the revenue generated from their placement here and possibly sales generated from them would benefit the owners.

And talk about targeted marketing...Our geographic and demographic details could pull up coupons for local nurseries and other related businesses. Marketing need not only be for national or mail order businesses.

Maybe a coupon page like the marketplace page. Not pop up adds though.

Sounds good to me.

I Just saw this thread, I want to say thanks to dave, all the admins , and contributors... The site never siezes to amaze.

It's nice not only to know there is a dave in daves garden, but that you take the time to read and personally respond to the fan mail..


all the best, thank you for a wonderful site, and good luck going forward.
-joe-

RatherBDigging: Well said! You have put into words what all of us here have been so heartily trying to convey to the new ownership of this website. Thank you!

I love the idea of a Coupon Forum/Page ... especially if there would be coupons from companies selling plants and gardening products! ^_^

i wonder ow much daves garden users spend on garden supplies and plants yrly. if you added it all up it would be in the millions. i spend at least 100 a month even in the winter, and we are not rich. i hope dh dosnt see this post ... shhhhhh i dont think he knows. i hide plants lol

^_^ ... I bet it would be in the Billions!

When are the Top Watchdog ads coming back? I actually enjoy those.

lol we will only admit to millions

Yeah, i second that, no pop up ads, please!

I only spent $702 last year. ... probably 300 of that was plants.

We did a survey last year, and I think the typical spending was a few hundred $$ each. So if that statistic was representative of all members, it's not quite billions, but certainly a chunk of change.

Folks do spend alot of money and not just gardenign things. heck coupons for soil and fertilizer alone woudl brign a bunch of peopel running, but knowign they have other areas. I know I wait til I get a oil coupon in the mail before I go by oil. I may have to buy 4 to save a buck, but i knwo I gonan us e them and a buck is a buck.

Light bulbs and shop lights for winter sowing inside. I sur e the cookign forums would love stuff too. Food and bake ware coupons. But definately don't want to have to go to another site and don't want pop up. Just want to download al the coupons I cna us e and go shoppign with them. : )

It would be a dream if the coupons were not restricted to the United States. I know that the majority of DGers are located in the States but it sure would be nice if Canada and perhaps other countries could benefit from the coupons too. I love hearing that my family here benefited from some special offer but it is discouraging when us Canucks get left out most of the time. Just a suggestion. Don't know if it is do-able or not but just had to plant that seed.

Ecstatic to hear that the people at IB seem to be on board with you Dave. If they are keeping tabs on this thread they will realize what gems you and your admin staff are. I know that they will be amazed at the sense of family that lives in DG. Here's hoping the transition goes smoothly^_^.

Elaine and Otis

Sometimes there's not much to add to what's already been said, in so many ways...So, ditto.
Barbara



This message was edited Jan 26, 2010 10:57 AM

Thanks so much for keeping us in the loop with everything that is happening, Dave. It really makes DG seem like one big family. I hope things continue to run smoothly with IB. There may be some changes, but I think it will end up OK, judging from what you have told us about the company and the people you talked to. I sincerely hope there is a place for the other administrators, as well, they do a great job and are often not noticed or under appreciated, I think! (not by you, Dave)

Re: how much people spend on gardening, I think people generally underestimate that, since they buy in dribs and drabs. I know I do! I'd love to see a gardening products coupon page- anything to save money!

I've been buying Dynamite since getting my free sample- it doesn't seem to be any more expensive than Osmocote or other brands out there, and I like the fact that they haven not only the macronutrients NPK in them, they have other macronutrients and micronutrients, depending on the blend you buy.


This message was edited Jan 26, 2010 3:00 PM

Hi Terry, so good to see you posting. LOL the ones that said a few hundred dollars a year, must have had their spouses looking over their shoulder when they filled out the survey. :) Or they didn't count co ops, gloves, dirt, fertilizers, seeds, freight, and all the many other goodies we just have to have.

Debbie

Melody? Joan? we need to see you post please. Ya know, just to comfort us spoiled folks.

I'm here...just letting Dave drive for now.

I'm here too! Thanks for asking. ^_^

Hi Melody. I don't blame you, it's just nice to here from the passengers riding with him. :)

Hi Joan, we cross posted. Thank you all , so much, for being right here for us.

You are all in our thoughts constantly.

Have a great day sweetpeas! ( I had to add a s )

Debbie

This message was edited Jan 26, 2010 2:22 PM

Thanks!

The things we do every day are still needing to be done, so we're keeping those running smoothly so that Dave can take care of business.

I'm all smiles now :) It's great to hear from y'all too :)

((Waving HI!!)))

Hap

To our Wonderful Admin. Staff:

~ ~ Waving ~ ~ Hi, from Florida too! Sending my thanks and recognition that you all so deserve. I know each of you have helped me out in one way or another in the few years that I've been a subscriber. Even though some of us might not see you pop in to post very often, it's soo nice to know you are there behind the scenes taking care of business to keep this place running so smoothly! Thank you all so much!

I found something on IB's website relating to articles. They have 5 openings for free lance writers for writing articles about home gardening and home improvements

this should be the link to the job description

http://tbe.taleo.net/NA5/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CARSDIRECT&cws=2&rid=328

How neat! I hope our writers jump on that!

5 openings, and they pay $10 per article... I think I'll wait and see what happens with Dave's negotiations. I'm guessing he'd prefer that to our trying to make an end run around him. However, I'm encouraged to know that they do like to have articles and are willing to pay for them, so they'll hopefully not reject the DG writing team outright. Thanks!

Hi, just got here and have been reading a lot on this. I can imageine the feeling of another big fish taking over and all the uncertainties that comes along with it. Wishing Dave and his team best of luck in this new deal and keep up the good work. I've enjoyed this site tremendously. Hope it'll continue to stay this way...clean and free of pop-up ads.