PDB challenge update

With two-thirds of the month behind us, we've made some good progress:

~500 new descriptions/comments
~500 new images
~9500 checkboxes marked

I want to commend everyone who's been busy getting us to this point; a lot of entries are now much more complete, and useful to all of us.

Of course, there are still a LOT of entries that need details added, or comments. Please remember, you don't have to be an eloquent writer to do this.

I'm not trying to single out anyone here, but the comment on this entry is what I consider a near-perfect example: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/51658.html It's plain-spoken and helpful. When I read it, I immediately wanted to learn more about the plant, and try growing it.

And of course, more detailed, technical descriptions are always welcome, for those who have the information and inclination :)

So we have a goal to aim for: let's aim for 1,000 comments and 20,000 checkboxes by January 31. I know that sounds like a lot, but if everyone will tackle one or two entries, fill them out and add a note, we'll easily add another 500 comments and 10,000 checkboxes over the next few days.

Soooo, new fotos are alright also?

Lavanda, absolutely - photos are welcome anytime (as long as they're your own or you have permission to post them.)

This time of year, most gardeners don't have any new photos to submit, so this contest is focusing on getting the existing entries completed.

We've had two annual PDB contests/challenges in August, and they focus on new entries, photos, etc. Last August several people suggested holding another challenge in January, since we have more free time on our hands to research and add details to the entries.

Today was such a beautiful day here. It is currently 72 F no breeeze, sunny.....
and dusk.....
as I drove down the highway I kept seeing things and thinking betcha they dont have this one or that one.

Before I ever landed here, I have been photographing
flora, fauna, and food. (and even throw in some
people now and then ;-)) just for achange

Have some good stuff already.

and of course it is my own stuff, as an aspiring
writer, I unnerstand copyright laws completely and
rilly appreciate the copyeight imprint you put on posts.

And I rilly CAN read, write and peak correct english, spanish, frecnh and portugese....I just get into these
moods sometimes....

Now to cook suppah- hubby due home in 15 mins!

You want us to DOUBLE the amount we've done so far in 10 days??? Oh my aching fingers LOL.

Y'all have done an incredible job of keeping up with our "report an error" messages! I think you deserve a big hand of applause! Yay! Woo-hoo! Way to go!!!!

Kathy, rub those fingers...and email a few of your closest DG friends and ask/remind/cajole/demand they join you in the challenge. Sharing the load makes it very do-able. (And you know I'll be with y'all, working on it, too!)

so how are we doing?

I went out on a photo session just for ya'll.

Lavanda, did you post the photos yet?

NO- I have to do mine the "old fashioned way", with film, take to develop et al. Sorry, I am wanting to see them too.

so, go_vols, how are we doing statistically ? on PDB

Lavanda, I also have a 35 mm camera, didja see my lavender photo? half-buried under the snow! That pretty baby is 4' tall.

Well, so far we've added approximately:

700 new descriptions (aka notes or comments)
650 images
12,000 checkboxes

Please keep in mind we're focusing on completing the current entries by making sure each section has the correct checkboxes marked, and adding comments to existing entries.

(Photos are icing on the cake, and new entries are alays welcome, but they're not our focus for this challenge.)

Lupilov, yes I saw the lavender and emailed you about it.

Also saw the lavender-scented something.

Would love to hear form you how it is (really lavender scented), etc

How do you change your fonts like that?

I'm not sure what you need... do you want people to go over all the plants in the data base to see if they can add the missing info?

Crimson, yes - that's exactly what we need to do. We have a lot of entries, but if all they have is the plant name and photo, that's not much help to readers trying to know whether the plant is suitable for their garden.

How can I help? Where would I start? Go to each category and research each plant on the web? I wish there was "growing tips" in the plant entries too. It would be nice for novice like myself to know if the seed should be surface sow or what depth it should be sown, temps for best germination... I know, one thing at a time!

This message was edited Friday, Jan 24th 9:41 PM

Crimson, that is where the Comments section comes in. Any special info you have learned from growing it (or seeing it grow in others' gardens) should be mentioned there.

Will one of the contest categories be "Who bothered the editors the most often?" LOL

How we doing, going into the home stretch? Deadline rapidly approaching!

Oh, ugh. With all the system problems we've had, I'm beginning to think our poor challenge was doomed from the start!

Assuming (hoping/praying) the system remains up today, we'll have the final cutoff at 12:00 pm midnight tonight. (Otherwise, we may need to back up and punt!) Stay tuned!

So what's the verdict?