DG sense of community?

In the forum voting yesterday, some folks voiced a concern that we might diversity our community too much through such a wide array of forums, and I do agree that this is a danger. On the other hand, DG has always had a diverse group of people, and I see DG as a collection of smaller "community pockets". We all come together in certain forums (Like General, DG, Garden Talk, etc), yet each pocket has their own little place to call home (Like Farm Life, Market Growers, Perennials, Houseplants, Aquatics, etc). This is my take on it. What's yours?

Dave

[ Removed by member request. - Admin ]

I kinda think that the topic-centered "community pockets" complement the general forums nicely, and they should grow and flourish. But I'll second karma's opinion about region-specific forums: I really enjoy seeing posts from everywhere without going into specific regional forums. And I wouldn't be sure what to post in my regional forum vs. a topic-related forum.

'Course maybe this is just because I wish I were in a different region. :)

Hi Folks,

As some of you know, I've not been "actively participating" for the past almost three weeks due to a family emergency. I've read a few threads here and there as I grab a quick bite of lunch or a quick cup of coffee.

Because of this absence, I feel like I've "lost touch" with the pulse of Dave's Garden. (I'm sure I'll get it back when my nephew is back on his feet again and I have more time to participate.) But it has kind of given be me the perspective of being a "newbie" to DG again.

I joined in November of 2000 and there were only a few forums then. I read almost every forum many times a day. Currently there are 51 forums. That is a lot to look at. There are some I don't think I've ever read anything in. There are others I read everytime I log in.

I have mixed emotions about the subscriptions. Yes, I can shorten the "scan" of the home page by only subscribing to certain forums. But on the other hand, I don't always take the time to venture into other forums since they aren't conveintly on the home page. Does anyone follow what I'm saying? "Out of sight, out of mind."

Someone mentioned they like how the forums are catagorized on the page for marking your subscriptions. I do too. Maybe categorizing them on the forums page would help keep them organized so you can see the "community pockets" and the "community at large." And maybe moving the "forums" link right under the "Home and Help" link would make things easier for people to wander around town a bit more and still keep the "Home" link as is with the subscriptions you mark handy.

As far as gardening by zone, I've lived here all of my life. I'm still learning how plants and my zone interact! So I can't really voice an opinion here on that subject.

One unrelated point I would like to make mention of is the "Help" link. One section has "Threads of Interest." I have submitted some to Dave to add to the list and others or Dave has added some as well. To all members, if you are reading a gardening thread that would be of great interest to the community at large, please send the link to Dave to be added to the list.

I've got a lot of catching up to do when my nephew gets back on his feet. I'll have to take my vacation just to catch up on my reading threads!

Just my two cents, for what they are worth,
Sharon

Hi Dave, I missed the vote yesterday... I don't know how.... I spend enough time on here. I think with more forums I seem to miss more and post less. I've even posted on certain topics and forget where the thread was. I suppose if you want to keep the population climbing the more forums the better ~ Gotta keep the masses happy. But I do like the tight knit community here and hate to see it all divided up. You get to know a lot of the people in here and when they're spread over dozens of forums you miss a lot of them. It's a hard call to make. The bigger the population the more spread out we'll all be. I don't know how you can keep up with it all anymore yourself. My garden interest are so varied I like to read all the threads but that has been impossible with all the new forums. One thing I really like is the casual "backyard gardener" feel .... You know.... kinda like leaning over the fence to discuss those new petunias with your neighbor. I prefer the small community atmosphere myself and I know it's selfish ... but I hate to see it get sooo BIG. I suppose you can't keep the small community feel if the community isn't small anymore ;o)

[ Removed by member request. - Admin ]

What else can be said? I don't know when you sleep, but you're doing a heck of a job w/DG. The variety of people and viewpoints is what makes it so great for me.

Hi Dave,

I think that while we are all very interested in seeing this as a community, that it is you and Trish who keep it that way. I have been some other places, and the feeling was that someone set it up and let it run itself, or that someone set it up and didn't want anyone else having ANY input - not here! You guys are present and active and give us all the feeling that we are wanted.

Seems like everytime I log on, there are new forums. I've done the subscription thing, but I'm thinking of going back and just checking them all. Not that I get to all of them EVER, but scanning down through, I'm liable to see a name that I know and check it out. I am VERY happy in my little corner, but I ramble a bit.

I do realize that you need to keep this managable, and I appreciate all of your efforts. I'd say that when YOU start feeling overwhelmed, then perhaps you need to sit back and (oh, here comes that awful word) prioritize. As I am wont to advise my children, it's ok to get in over your head, just as long as you know how to swim

thank you, thank you,
Kathleen

I think you said it right, Dave, when you said that we are a diverse group of people, and IMO, that is what makes DG the great place it is.

I've found that my interests change, my circumstances change, my goals change. With such a diverse list of topics available on the forums, I can select my topics of interests to read and/or post.

For example, until 2 weeks ago, I never visited the Market Growers forum. But since I've come upon an idea that I think would work for me, I check that forum daily for ideas, etc.

As for sense of community, the fact that we ARE diverse is exactly what makes this such a great community....learning, sharing, encouraging, teaching. Just like the communities we live in, we are each one different, with our own unique circumstances, goals and ideas, but we are a community none the less. As for DG, well.....gardening/farming are the ties that bind us ALL together.

I think people like spending time at DG so much that they only want to extend their stay by talking about other things they love, with people who share a common interest.

I love gardening and love to immerse myself in it. On the other hand, its also fun to see what crafts, recipes, art, wildlife, children and other fun things make up these other gardeners lives.

I like my subscriptions and the entire list is only a click away for me if I want to do some additional browsing. What was the question? LOL!

I will keep it simpile:
YOU THE MAN DAVE!

Change is Growth,,,Growth is Change

Both are very good things

This message was edited Monday, Jun 4th 10:50 PM

So many good points by everyone.

Dave,I think you and Trish will be able to keep the 'community' feel that we have by staying with the hands on approach. There are so many of us,but we all feel like neighbors.The world is getting smaller by the day!

I was initally happy about the forum subscriptions and still like them,but I'm with Kathleen...I think I'm gonna check 'em all. I used to check out little visited forums if I saw a friend's name in the post...It's led to some new interests and new friends.

We are such a diverse bunch now that all should have the choice whether to subscribe to a forum or not.We've grown so fast in the last few months ,it's mind boggeling.When I signed on the first week in Jan,I was in the 300's somewhere as a new member.Now it looks like we will sign on 300 new members in the next two weeks!

It's like a child that's getting older and more independant,you want to keep them little forever,but you also are proud every time they act more grown up.

The evolution of Dave's Garden will be handled in the most thoughtful ,caring manner that is possible I'm sure.When the caretakers love the community as much as we do,it's the only way it can happen.There will be growing pains,but most of the time we won't even notice.As long as all of us are careful to be tolerant of diverse opinions,but spirited discussion is encouraged,we will all be healthy contributors to this lovely garden of friends!

Well said Melody!

A diversity in forums, allows people to zoom right in on their particular area of interest, without having to wade through postings which don't interest them. It also allows the opportunity for people to find new topics of interest to explore.
You're doing everything just right, Dave! Trust your instincts, they seem to be right on the mark.

Missed the vote perhaps. I haven't subscribed to any forums because I like to wander and browse, though there are specific forums (Xeriscaping, Trees, Organic, Tomatoes, Market Growers, Heirloom) I tend to visit regularly.

I missed the vote too - I haven't been here long, but I feel a great sense of community here. I've interacted with many of the same people on different forums. I, too, orginally visited for the 'Houseplants' forum, but then found other topics that also interested me, equally! It's the diversity that holds my attention! I love, for example, that you have a Computer Talk forum, and I can post a question about computers to other plant lovers, rather than going to a site populated exclusively by computer 'geeks', as they often call themselves, who may humble me for my ignorance. Always something new, yet many of the same people from forum to forum.

I missed it too. A friend of mine informed me of this website and said that she liked it better than the one we belong to because it offered so much more. It took one visit and I joined , I just love all the different things that are going on here. Something for everyone and help when you need it, that's nice.

I think I was the one that originally said that I was afraid all the forums were diversifying us too much. I have missed some important posts because I was in the wrong forum (like missing the chat Tuesday night). However, I like the forums being specific to subject matter. If we only had 2 or 3 forums, and had a specific question, it might be hard to go back and find it if we had an answer after dozens more posts had followed the original.
So it's kind of a Catch 22. Perhaps really important posts should be repeated in all the forums, to make sure no one missed them.........?

[ Removed by member request. - Admin ]