question on population( 15,552)

When you list the population.... Is that paid members?

The population includes all members - subscribed and not subscribed.

oh! was adding up 15556 by 15$. That would be a nice chunk of Change

Even that wouldn't be enough.

Would keep ME together body and soul.

It's not enough for the soul. I don't think any amount of money would "keep one" for the soul.

But I digress.

A lot of people think DG is basically free for us, or else it doesn't cost much money or other resources to run. It's a very sharp nerve that gets hit with me when this kind of subject comes up.

Currently DG pays the monetary bills, and absolutely nothing else. Neither vols (who works at least 40 hours a week on it) or Trish (who also works hard on the site) or me have ever received a single dime of it.

I'm not complaining - I'm just setting the record straight (again) for anyone who thinks we're over here getting rich off DG.

dave

well, Its gotta be something for you. no one does all this for just something to do. Its not just the world wide fame! I am sure its ming boggling for the average person to understand. But. Just to let you all know. You . your wife and staff are appreciated. As you can tell , people freaked out when they could no get on Sunday. You all have touched some lives with your site and its is appreciated. For alot of us. Its the first thing we do when we awake and the last thing we do before we sleep. Check DG. And someone must be there at all ties, just sitting infront of this screen. cuz you all asnwer our silly qquestions in the blink of an eye. Not to mention posting photos. and PDB and each and everything else.
I for one am glad when I was looking up something along time ago in a search and found this site. I try to pass it on to people I meet. You all are doing one heck of a great job and you are appreciated.

Definitely. We know that. :) And we continue to have fun every day (as far as I know) :)

I just wanted to set the record straight again. It's important (to me, at least) that people know everything, within reason, that happens behind the DG doors. It's not all fun and games, but it's definitely worth it for us.

sure do wish it did pay off monetarily though Dave. sure do. and one more time....THANKS!

It always amazes me when people assume DG is an empire. Obviously, the basic equipment alone is a chunk of change going out, not to mention the expense of servers, connections and all the things I have no idea about. It would be nice if you could make it profitable, even minimally, because that would go a long way to insure its continuing presence. I thank you for not caving in to the same temptations other sites have and not forcing us to view annoying ads and receive spam. I don't know how you do what you do, but I am always happy you do. If you get a chance to get rich and keep it the DG we love, I say more power to you.

I second what Aimee said, and if there's any way I can help out I'm willing to donate my time to do that. I'm not real knowledgeable about plants yet, but I'm learning and I'm not bad with a computer. I've done what I can to get more subscribers too.

Dave, if there's more I can do, please let me know. I'm willing to learn and do whatever I can to keep this site and family together. I love this place!!!

Now, here are some more people that deserve an award. You have provided such a wonderful service for all of us. I wish you the best with some wealth thrown in besides. We all appreciate you guys so much. I don't know what I'd do without DG. Thanks for being you.

It costs money to run a website, especially one with as much traffic as this one, but it also takes time and effort and much blood, sweat, tears and pulling of hair to have something as wonderful as DG. This seems more a labor of love than a money making machine and I'm actually surprised that the subscriber base even pays your expenses and that's not including labor! Keep up the good work; you've built what I think is one of the best spots ever to be found on the web. Heck, DG even rivals some of the old BBS groups from before the internet days.

maybe someone will do a special on television or radio about Dg

Here-here..for Dave Trish and Vols..you all have brought so much pleasure and knowledge to so many.
Hip Hip Hooray!!!
Cheers,
Carol

Pats on the back go a long way...glad many of us aren't afraid of doing so! A good suggestion there ming about the TV show, that would bring on some publicity!
(Course now, if there were a "donation box" somewhere on the premises I'd contribute to that from time to time in an effort to help out more.)

Dave, does this mean you are NOT listed on the NYSE???
LOL
Don't let this touch a nerve, I just thought you would appreciate a bit of humor. I think what you, Trish and others have done to establish and maintain this site is fabulous and we (the whole DG community) are your only compensation! You are appreciated!!!
Candee

Speaking only for myself, I will agree it is most definitely a labor of love - my kids would say I'm ALWAYS on the computer (and at DG), but that's not *quite* true, lolol. Some days are funner than others, for sure :)

It is very rewarding to know that we are helping bring gardeners together to share their succeses and woes, solve problems, and (in some cases) save themselves some money and heartache through the clever suggestions and tips that are generated here (along with the praises and warnings in the Watchdog.)

Regarding the publicity - one of the most helpful things you can do is to talk about Dave's Garden with other gardeners. If you belong to a garden or pond club, print out the media kit (link at the bottom of the page) and take some copies to your meetings. When Elena had her plant sale this spring, we had DG fliers at the "checkout" stand - lots of people picked up one, and sooner or later some of those people will look us up on the web, and eventually some of THOSE might subscribe.

Find gardening websites with lists of links and email the webmaster; ask them to include DG, the PDB or the Watchdog (or all three!)

So far we've gotten the Watchdog mentioned in print in a recent issue of Organic Gardening and the latest edition of Garden Gate. With some luck and perseverance, an article in Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living or an HGTV show (or a myriad of other national venues) isn't out of the question. It just takes time and effort on everyone's part to keep "talking up" DG.

The second (and perhaps most important) thing that DG members can do is to actively participate in the features here: add your comments and ratings to the Watchdog (you'd be amazed how excited companies are to get feedback!) AND contribute your photos and experiences to the Plants Database. The bigger and more complete those features are, the more members (and possible subscribers) we attract.

I know many of you already do these things as a matter of course; thank you VERY much. If you haven't spent much time checking out these features or contributing to them, please do - the variety of opinions and experiences from our members are what makes those features so helpful and interesting to others :)

HEAR! HEAR! to everything which was said until now. Especially the thanks towards Dave, Trish and go_vols, thank you all again fom me.

I would have NEVER imagined in 100 years, that I would dive into the computer first thing in the morning, to see what Grannies, Grandpas, Daddies and Mammies had to say about their Morning Glories, Hollyhocks or Lilies...... but here I am, and I love every minute I can be on here. Such a great crowd of people you will find NOWHERE on the internet at the moment, and believe me I've not just surfed the internet, I've jetted around.

Horseshoe's idea of a wee donation box is maybe not a bad idea, and if there is any other way we can help, then just let us know. I've told many people about DG here in Hamburg, but most have that wee bit of apprehension due to the language problem, but I'll have to find someone someday!!

Keep up the great work, and we'll all try to help that wee bit extra.

Thank You

Wintermoor

This is undoubtedly the best gardening site on the web. I have view many others and they don't even compare to ease of use and information. This site is excellent in every way!! I would not have a problem with Dave increasing the rate to $24 a year - - just think about it - - that is only $2 a month. That is very cheap for such great service, entertainment, information and a wealth of friendships. Many of you have said how Dave's makes your day and a couple dollars a month is something that most of us would not miss.

Dave . . I think that you are truly amazing with what you do and the service that you provide and you are always so quick to assist and make something better. I also appreciate the support Trish and go_vols.

Someone recently asked me if I surf the net. My answer was, "No,I have already surfed and landed." Then I shared with them about DG and how it is almost the only place I go on the Web. Thanks-a-million for such a great site!

LOL, Dorise, that's how I am, too. There's just *always* something going on here. There's always an interesting bit of discussion about everything from brugs to books to everything else - and often I find myself popping back and forth between watched threads because they're posted to by the time I get done posting to another!

I can only echo everyone's sentiments about us being appreciative for all that ya'll do, Dave, Trish, Vols, etc. This is absolutetly the greatest garden site!!

I was furious a few weeks ago when the local Philadelphia Inquirer mentioned three "best garden web sites" (One I refuse to mention!!), and DG wasn't one of them! As far as I'm concerned this IS the best garden site on the web!

Thanks so much for all you do for us -- we surely don't have a clue as to how much work and money go into keeping this site up, running and constantly improving, but we do know how much ya'll care about us members, and for that, we are very, very grateful!

Now say WHAT!? MOM!...get me a web address for that "inquirer" and I'll send them a piece for something to think about.

I just bought a hosta from a lady via ebay and I've sent her the link to DG via email. I told her that if she really wanted to know more about hostas (and trade them) this was the place to be. I think that's kind of what go_vols was referring to. It's as simple as making a suggestion.

I know there are very few people here that would like to see ads on Dave's Garden, but I, for one, would not object to it. Small boxed ads on the bottom of the home page linking us to sites that are garden-related would be fine with me. I can choose to go there or not.

Really, it would be a good idea to write to the Philly paper. Just a friendly, "I saw your article about online gardening places, and there's one more you should know about..." or something similar. Even a few letters to the editor are a positive thing if they get DG some press. A lot of people read the OpEd pages of papers, where maybe not so many would read the home and garden section. Let's go for it! Anyone have a link to their article handy?

How about a phone call to HGTV????????

"eyes"

How about one of you with beautiful gardens gets a spot on HGTV and keeps plugging DG by saying all you learn from here?

Horseshoe: Here's the link: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer

I don't know who to write to, it was in one of their Sunday supplement papers called the "Inquirer Magazine". I'm not sure who you would contact, that's why I didn't write to them myself.

people stop whinging and leave the guy alone to do his stuff

I find it hard enough to keep on top of my 3 small websites and understand that he and the gang work all their spare time keeping DG under control and doing things that are requested. no sooner said than done!!

Mark

Whining? I haven't seen any whining ~ just praise, to which I add my own.

I talk up Dave's every chance I get. That's the best way, IMHO, to get more subscribers and thus insure the site's continued existence. I wouldn't object to small ads (there is that empty space to the right, over there below the menus and the 9-11 memorial ~ you know how us gardeners keep trying to fill empty spaces. *grin*). But if Dave doesn't want to go that route, I'll help all I can by trying to sign up more people. Then they'll talk and maybe sign up a couple more people, and they'll sign up more, and on and on...

This is so true, Linda. That is why we have headed the roundup in Texas as "DG & Friends". Plus, once they get to know our lovable little characters, they won't be able to stand not having a daily dose of us........:)

"eyes"

Yeppers! And I'll be on my bestest behaviour to lure them in. *grin* I think I'll print up something to give to the newbies ~ something outlining the goodies here and payment methods to entice them even more and so they'll see a little more how easy it is to sign up.

Dave

I am like some others who say the price we pay is a treat for me as I wouldn't go back to any other site now that I am on Dave's.

I would pay the $2.00 a month as well as I get that back ten-fold with my trades. I got more than my ten-fold at the Round-up and wouldn't have if I wasn't a member of Dave's.

This is my Family and you can put a price on Family.

Thanks Dave, Trish and go vols for all your hard work, and making Dave's the best garden site on the web.

Mike

Thanks for the kind words. :)

Hey Wingnut: Click the "Media Kit" link at the bottom. That page was created specifically for the purpose of printing out and passing around at local groups and such.

dave

Cooooooooooool! Thanks, Dave. Made my job lots easier. I was going to write up a whole page of info, now I'll just click and print! I think I'll save that page to my hard drive, too. We're taking our gypsy house (camper trailer) and will have the 'puter and printer with us, but maybe no phone line. So if I run out, I'll be able to print more regardless. I hope I run out! LOL!

Thanks, Linda & DAVE!!! We'll do our bestest!!!!!

"eyes"

Thanks Dave and Trish and Vols
I'm sure no none knows how much work you do for the site.
Its appreciated.

Paul

A few months back, I think some one did a count and there were only about 500 paid subscribers. So you see nobody is getting rich on here!! So it is truly a labor of love!!

Man, there's 15,995 members now. It's amazing how fast this site's growing, yet is still maintained and has order. Kudos, DG team. :)