Need some extra eyes on the PDB :)

The PDB is quickly picking up speed, and now has almost 16,000 images. And the saying, "success breeds success" is true - we're finding the bigger it gets, the faster it grows.

Which is GREAT. But we're also finding that some comments and captions are inappropriate (questions on where to find/buy a particular plant, etc.) or badly mangled grammar and syntax. Some users mistakenly think the PDB is an ID forum, and toss an image into the first entry they come across, with a request to "please ID this" in the caption.

Baa, PoppySue and I work daily to keep up with the new entries, but even between the three of us, things fall through the cracks.

Please keep your eyes peeled for wrong/inappropriate information or misplaced images. Don't hesitate to alert us when you find something wrong - just include specifics about what is wrong, and your suggestion for correcting it.

Where to look:
1. The daily newsletter is a great way to quickly look over the images and comments.

2. You can check out the PDB photo forum whenever you get a minute, and flag anything that needs to be fixed.

How to let us know:
You'll find a "report an error" button in the upper, right-hand column of every PDB page. If you're looking at an entry or image that needs correcting, click that link and it will record a link to that page, making it easy for us to find what you're referring to.

For those of you who already do this for us, please accept my heartfelt thanks. And thank you in advance to those who will start doing it now that you know you're needed! :o)

Will do Terry! I didn't know Poppysue works on the PDB. I have noticed how smart she is and I love reading her informative and complete comments she makes. You guys do great work!

Will try to check it out, know you guys can use all the help you can get. I never bother much because afraid of causing you more work, but will not be so cautious now to flag problems!

Is there a way to keep pictures out that do nothing towards describing a plant or parts thereof, without stepping on the well-meaning contributor's toes? Lately a lot of photos of very poor quality are cluttering up the works. :~(

Not to duck our editorial responsibilities, but sometimes constructive feedback is easier to swallow from a peer than an editor.

Case in point: yesterday someone pointed out that a photo's watermark was difficult/impossible to read because it was dark blue on a darker background. I encouraged them to post a comment to that effect in the PDB photo forum. It's a great place to offer comments (positive or otherwise, but please be considerate and constructive) about the quality of the photo. It can lead to getting to members getting to know each other better, and may spur the contributor to see if they can't find a better-quality image to submit as a replacement.

At some point, we may take the next step and hold images in a queue until we have a chance to consider and approve them, but at this point, it's still an open format.

Also keep in mind that your monitor affects the quality of images, so an image that appears too dark or blurry may be the first sign your monitor needs to be replaced, rather than a poor-quality image. ;o)

I'll try to keep an eye out too but not sure if I'll be much help

Terry: what about something like this from GWDog?

Nt sure if this is on target, but the latest person Klehm Songbird sings the praises of that company.

Then adds anothr paragraph about another business and asks questons.

Is this something that would stay or be edited?

Just curious.

Love, Lavanda

The PDB is working hard to earn a reputation as an authoritative (if easy-to-use and understand) repository of accurate information as well as opinions submitted by gardeners.

The Watchdog is different in that it is strictly opinion (hopefully supported by facts that are documented.) Within the disclaimer, we state that we generally don't edit or remove comments, (we do when one is blatantly off-topic, off-color, or it starts a back-and-forth between those who have previously posted comments.) One reason for this position is that if we started editing and tweaking the comments within the Watchdog, a company could reasonably argue that we changed the intent behind users' comments through subtle manipulation - suddenly their opinion is *our* opinion. Better to leave well enough alone whenever possible :)

God point, O wise woman

BTW, that user's comments in the Watchdog led me to look, and sure 'nuff - Klehm's and Red Barn have the same address. I've noted them as now "affiliated" within the GWD (good tidbits of information sometimes come from unexpected places, lolol!)

Back to the PDB and Ulrich's comments - one thing I do want to encourage everyone is to keep an open mind when you get feedback (positive OR constructive) in the PDB forum about your images. I'd like for us to move toward an informal "peer review" environment, where the information we add is routinely scrutinized by other users, and we accept the pointers and suggestions that come from the review, without becoming defensive.

There's no need to get in a huff if someone suggests that your plant is a different cultivar, species, or even genus than what you thought it was. You might wind up proving you were correct all along, or you might find they were right. We ALL make mistakes when documenting our plants, and many nurseries make mistakes when labeling the plants we buy :)

I was just afraid there might be reactions like: "Who the dickens (sure) does HE think HE is anyways?!" Especially if my name pops up more than once or twice: "Who elected HIM judge and jury?" etc.

Terry, it is in large part due to the info I have gathered here that I have found out many of my plants came mis-labeled from nurseries!

I wholeheartedly support the idea of informally writing (in public comments or privately by e-mail) the approach you suggest.