On-line Botanical Classes Taught by D.G. Experts

tiG: I think that newcomers would actually benefit from this. The threads in the GIA would appear in the search engine just like the other threads, plus, if they are newbies and are so inclined, they can simply load up the GIA thread list and scroll down and check 'em out one by one.

It becomes a central place.

But you didn't answer my question: Does my proposed solution fix your concerns?

dave

oh, sorry!!! how ever you want it bossman!! and yes, that would keep it at the top of the forum pages if it has new postings too.

I'll be changing the sort order to alphabetic soon, and then will change the subjects to be like:

"Brug: subject..."

so that the same subjects are grouped together nicely.

dave

Oh thanks Dave that would be great, the adding more information would be wonderful.
That was my problem, I would find something great and forget to bookmark it, then got worried about computer crash. Tracey

Alrighty, the forum is open for replies!

Dave, please add "Finding No Kill Animal Shelters Quickly" to the G.I.A. http://davesgarden.com/t/365193/. Thank you.

More hyperlinks
http://davesgarden.com/t/29194/
http://davesgarden.com/t/30530/
http://davesgarden.com/t/26806/
http://davesgarden.com/t/39283/
http://davesgarden.com/t/135311/
http://davesgarden.com/t/171105/
http://davesgarden.com/t/4769/

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This message was edited Monday, Nov 18th 10:50 PM

It's starting to come together, just a bit MORE of copying & pasting :~)
http://davesgarden.com/t/365844/
http://davesgarden.com/t/366827/
http://davesgarden.com/t/365845/
http://davesgarden.com/t/365843/
http://davesgarden.com/t/365168/
http://davesgarden.com/t/365173/
http://davesgarden.com/t/364957/
http://davesgarden.com/t/363920/
http://davesgarden.com/t/362681/
http://davesgarden.com/f/tropicals/60
http://davesgarden.com/t/361789/
http://davesgarden.com/t/348502/
http://davesgarden.com/t/326620/
http://davesgarden.com/t/345865/
http://davesgarden.com/t/345261/
http://davesgarden.com/t/339564/
http://davesgarden.com/t/341374/
http://davesgarden.com/t/331986/
http://davesgarden.com/t/325645/
http://davesgarden.com/t/317887/
http://davesgarden.com/t/316649/
http://davesgarden.com/t/310445/
http://davesgarden.com/t/310925/
http://davesgarden.com/t/308749/
http://davesgarden.com/t/302294/
http://davesgarden.com/t/296322/
http://davesgarden.com/t/283793/
http://davesgarden.com/t/289082/
http://davesgarden.com/t/288507/
http://davesgarden.com/t/283353/
http://davesgarden.com/t/284803/
http://davesgarden.com/t/275743/
http://davesgarden.com/t/265396/
http://davesgarden.com/t/273222/
http://davesgarden.com/t/276633/
http://davesgarden.com/t/272989/

Wow - very cool! I like your idea to have a prefix to the threads and have them alphabetized. Way cool.

What about putting a link to the Archives at the top of each forum page?

Maybe put a line that says for further information on this subject,please check the Gardening Information Archives Forum and highlight the forum name to be a clickable link.

It might make it easier for newbies to navigate and you could go directly fo the forum if the information that you're seeking isn't on the forum.

I, too, have been concerned about how newbies (and even established DG'ers) will find the valuable information contained in the GIA -- the name "Gardening Information Archive" might, for example, confuse people who haven't followed this discussion, and don't know that the archive contains a wide range of information on topics other than gardening.

Hmmmm. Well, I know Dave has already christened the thread, but what if we called the forum something more self-explanatory:

How-to Gardening Threads
or
Archived Threads
or
Online Botanical Classes
or
Botany Help
or
Expert Advice Archives
or
Gardening FAQs
or
????

Sounds good to me. Just decide amongst yourselves what the name will be and I'll change it. Easy as pie!

i vote for Gardening FAQ's, since most info provided were 1st hand experienced by contributors.

I too vote for Gardening FAQ's
Paul

Words like "botany," "botanical," "gardening," "garden," and so forth, still convey the impression that the forum is exclusively garden-related; so, among the terms suggested above, I would favor "Archived Threads." Another suggestion would be to name the new forum "Reference and Resource Archive," or to use a similar phrase to convey the idea that the forum is a compendium of information on many subjects.

Personally, I think a name like "Reference and Resource Forum" would work, because the threads are open for responses and additions, whereas the term "archive" implies that they were created in the past and are set in stone. JMHO.

...or how about simply "FAQ's"? Since Dave's Garden is, by definition, a gardening site, visitors would assume that gardening threads comprise the bulk of the forum; so the word "gardening" in the forum's title would be unnecessary.

Members of the community who are looking for information about non-gardening topics might not even think to look into a forum entitled "Gardening FAQ's," etc., because it would seem that the forum didn't relate to anything else. For example, someone seeking information about how to make hyperlinks (one of the actual threads on the new forum) would probably not look for that information in a forum whose name is associated exclusively with gardening.

This message was edited Tuesday, Nov 19th 5:27 PM

I think the idea of a link at the top of all forums is an excellent idea.

How about "Archive of Classic Threads"?

Here's a good one http://davesgarden.com/t/165606/sweet%20potato%20vine

How about MIT(Most Informative Threads)Archives?

Here's my two cents worth:

I agree with Melody, that a very visible link from the G.I.A. forum to the beginning of that particular subject matter or question, would be extremely helpful for everyone.

Excellent idea, White Rose! Within the G.I.A. are actually well organized Q&A's. Why not just go with "Q & A's" or "Q & A's with Helpful Tips"? On the other hand, "Helpful Tips" could be part of the introductory explanation on what this new forum contains, besides questions & answers. The words gardening and/or botanical are self-implied, since we are all at Dave's Garden. So, I vote for "Q & A" forum.

Dave - here's another valuable tip for our new forum.
http://davesgarden.com/t/366289/

This message was edited Tuesday, Nov 19th 11:24 PM

Love what you've done with the FAQ Forum -- and thanks for implementing Melody's idea to put a link to it at the top of each forum, that is very helpful.

I think it will be great to have a fast and easy way to get at info on a particular plant. Sometimes you do not even know what you are looking for, you just want general info.

It will really help when the info on the different plants are grouped together so you do not have to go thru long lists looking for your plant type. However lots of times info is mixed in on threads.....what starts as one topic switches and can turns into several topics. Sometimes you need to read lots of threads to get the info you need which is great fun unless you do not have lots of time to surf. There is also a lot of fun banter interspersed that you could do without when searching for technical info. LOL I am a guilty of that!!

Anyway, I know this forum is built on the concept of threads and I know nothing about building a site, but is it possible Dave to also have some rooms off of Dave's that are specific to certain plants and have the entire room devoted to it with just info and pictures on that plant? Similar to the one that brug guys have just made on their own? The ABADS has a great informational site that gives all sorts of info that is easily accessible. You could also link the Dave's members' stores that sell the plants that are featured on that page. I know when I was looking for info on hydrangeas last summer I had to look at tons of websites in addition to Dave's, most of which were plant stores to get all the info I wanted on them and see lots of pictures on one page to decide which hydrangeas I wanted for my yard. Same thing with the coleus when I became coleus obsessed! It took a lot of time.

Just an idea. It would be very time consuming to add but it could be fun!

Brilliant Dave!!!

This is the forum which puts the cherry on the top of the cake.

All we need there now are a couple of good jokes ..... I'M KIDDING HONEST!!!!!!

This forum has definitely raised DG above every other site now.

Well done Dave, and Shirley for the suggestion.

Wintermoor

I have been thinking about this all day. It would be easy to keep the general format of Dave's in the plant rooms. But instead of having threads initiated by Davers, there would be set thread headings that are the same that go into each plant room. Example: How do you root cuttings of this plant? Then Davers who know the plant would post their version of the answer on the thread. That way interested parties would be able to scroll down till they found a post that was originated from the same zone as they live in. It would also be so great because it would give wide and varied opinions on what worked for different people. It would have so much more useful info than the usual sites I have come across.
So we would have the database for individual plants and the plant rooms for a general category like coleus or hydrangeas.
Then each plant room could have a gallery with pictures of plants with their names that Davers posted. They would be as many as possible on one page so you would not have to keep going to different pages to see them all. I would like them to be big enough so you would not have to take the extra steps to click to enlarge then click to go back.

Hey, I am just dreaming here.............. LOL

Dave & Go-Vols,
Love this new forum!
Here's about the only thing that I
and can help with:
http://davesgarden.com/t/136037/woodchucks
OD ;-)
http://davesgarden.com/t/343923/woodchucks

This message was edited Thursday, Nov 21st 12:23 PM

More links....
http://davesgarden.com/t/90746/
http://davesgarden.com/t/365297/
http://davesgarden.com/t/365348/
http://davesgarden.com/t/365261/
http://davesgarden.com/t/364373/
http://davesgarden.com/t/363204/
http://davesgarden.com/t/359923/
http://davesgarden.com/t/340539/
http://davesgarden.com/t/362336/
http://davesgarden.com/t/327844/
http://davesgarden.com/t/310791/
http://davesgarden.com/t/306760/
http://davesgarden.com/t/299454/
http://davesgarden.com/t/284922/
http://davesgarden.com/t/286907/
http://davesgarden.com/t/244615/
http://davesgarden.com/t/278568/
http://davesgarden.com/t/239377/
http://davesgarden.com/t/256979/
http://davesgarden.com/t/236501/
http://davesgarden.com/t/248135/
http://davesgarden.com/t/209283/
http://davesgarden.com/t/242553/
http://davesgarden.com/t/235608/
http://davesgarden.com/t/232711/
http://davesgarden.com/t/240177/
http://davesgarden.com/t/233590/
http://davesgarden.com/t/222827/
http://davesgarden.com/t/218640/
http://davesgarden.com/t/215629/
http://davesgarden.com/t/214447/
http://davesgarden.com/t/191728/
http://davesgarden.com/t/209895/
http://davesgarden.com/t/202454/
http://davesgarden.com/t/177975/
http://davesgarden.com/t/194247/
http://davesgarden.com/t/157394/
http://davesgarden.com/t/178071/
http://davesgarden.com/t/190209/
http://davesgarden.com/t/166530/
http://davesgarden.com/t/177669/
http://davesgarden.com/t/120435/
http://davesgarden.com/t/113413/
http://davesgarden.com/t/136048/
http://davesgarden.com/t/116284/
http://davesgarden.com/t/120423/
http://davesgarden.com/t/125273/
http://davesgarden.com/t/124782/
http://davesgarden.com/t/95354/
http://davesgarden.com/t/88776/
http://davesgarden.com/t/94805/
http://davesgarden.com/t/79835/
http://davesgarden.com/t/93346/
http://davesgarden.com/t/88982/
http://davesgarden.com/t/87720/
http://davesgarden.com/t/82187/
http://davesgarden.com/t/85035/
http://davesgarden.com/t/14578/
http://davesgarden.com/t/80248/
http://davesgarden.com/t/74344/
http://davesgarden.com/t/77790/
http://davesgarden.com/t/77965/
http://davesgarden.com/t/73849/
http://davesgarden.com/t/77328/
http://davesgarden.com/t/75056/
http://davesgarden.com/t/74853/
http://davesgarden.com/t/72630/
http://davesgarden.com/t/66578/
http://davesgarden.com/t/72750/
http://davesgarden.com/t/67056/
http://davesgarden.com/t/64838/
http://davesgarden.com/t/60946/
http://davesgarden.com/t/60811/
http://davesgarden.com/t/58571/
http://davesgarden.com/t/58756/
http://davesgarden.com/t/56196/
http://davesgarden.com/t/49811/
http://davesgarden.com/t/50252/
http://davesgarden.com/t/43495/
http://davesgarden.com/t/47665/
http://davesgarden.com/t/48399/
http://davesgarden.com/t/45567/
http://davesgarden.com/t/38798/
http://davesgarden.com/t/44665/
http://davesgarden.com/t/31884/
http://davesgarden.com/t/32906/
http://davesgarden.com/t/39991/
http://davesgarden.com/t/37006/
http://davesgarden.com/t/38727/
http://davesgarden.com/t/36888/
http://davesgarden.com/t/34463/
http://davesgarden.com/t/24680/
http://davesgarden.com/t/30821/
http://davesgarden.com/t/32159/
http://davesgarden.com/t/15207/
http://davesgarden.com/t/30921/
http://davesgarden.com/t/28297/
http://davesgarden.com/t/18321/
http://davesgarden.com/t/24346/
http://davesgarden.com/t/16972/
http://davesgarden.com/t/16885/
http://davesgarden.com/t/6059/
http://davesgarden.com/t/18667/
http://davesgarden.com/t/10711/
http://davesgarden.com/t/6918/
http://davesgarden.com/t/5017/
http://davesgarden.com/t/5333/
http://davesgarden.com/t/5506/

WOW! Someone's been busy. ;)!

Wingnut - Now you know how I spent my Saturday night :~)

Thank you for the suggestions, Shirley. I have finished going through each one and I have moved around half of them to the FAQ forum.

Why only half? I'm being pretty picky about what gets moved in there, because I want the forum to only contain the "cream of the crop" of threads. Also, I want the information to remain as generalized as possible, so I didn't move the threads that were specifically about the heat tolerance of Deutzia scabra, or the pollination technique of some obscure plant in China that few have ever heard of.

Also, many of the threads linked to above contained things that made them inappropriate for the FAQ forum.

1. Some of them had no content at all. The original poster and/or most of the replies in the thread were deleted by the poster when they left (this happened a little over a year ago).

2. Many many of them are simple questions that someone then did a quick Google search, posted the hyperlinks they found, and then the questioner just said "thanks". That's not enough content for the FAQ forum.

I'm looking for threads that actually contain -real- information (not links to elsewhere) about stuff that is truly frequently asked and would be interesting to a large amount of people.

If folks want to know the specific pruning habits of Lagerstroemia indica, they can use the search engine to easily locate it (if it exists).

Again, the suggestions you gave above were a big help, and a huge amount of them did get moved. Thanks again!

Dave

Thanks for the info. I'll try to keep it more generalized and appealing to a larger viewing audience.

Shirley

Adding to the forum....

http://davesgarden.com/t/331394/
http://davesgarden.com/t/349882/
http://davesgarden.com/t/359645/
http://davesgarden.com/t/248483/
http://davesgarden.com/t/366900/
http://davesgarden.com/t/367724/
http://davesgarden.com/t/320563/
http://davesgarden.com/t/311038/
http://davesgarden.com/t/313107/
http://davesgarden.com/t/299014/
http://davesgarden.com/t/276899/
http://davesgarden.com/t/262056/
http://davesgarden.com/t/237403/
http://davesgarden.com/t/238966/
http://davesgarden.com/t/225146/
http://davesgarden.com/t/222273/
http://davesgarden.com/t/230975/
http://davesgarden.com/t/219792/



This message was edited Sunday, Nov 24th 11:32 PM

Good links - thanks!

Dave, please consider adding a "Back to the top of this page" navigation link at the bottom of the FAQ forum page.

You mentioned the following in your post on 11-24, "Some of them had no content at all. The original poster and/or most of the replies in the thread were deleted by the poster when they left (this happened a little over a year ago)"... Are you therefore saying don't look for information or link it going back further than 01/02?



This message was edited Monday, Nov 25th 10:33 PM

No, the age of a post doesn't matter. The content does. If the thread is filled with empty posts, it's worthless.

True however, the posts that I linked DID have valuable information. They weren't blank. Am I getting a different view than you get? Don't know how else to explain it.

Many of the threads had huge gaps of missing information, where the poster (sometimes even the thread-starter) had completely removed the contents of their post.

Dave

I'll have to make a point of scrolling to the very end of the threads to make sure that their isn't missing information. Thanks for making me aware of this.

I finally spent a little time tip-toeing around the new FAQ and I LOVE it! I am going to have to get busy too (but no way as busy as Shirley --- good grief, good going, girl!)

Roses:
http://davesgarden.com/t/363487/
http://davesgarden.com/t/366179/
http://davesgarden.com/t/349524/
http://davesgarden.com/t/344662/
http://davesgarden.com/t/323213/
http://davesgarden.com/t/295637/
http://davesgarden.com/t/255960/

Kathy-Thanks for your links on Roses. It will be valuable information for everyone at Dave's F.A.Q. forum. Your help is greatly appreciated :~) Shirley