PDB Questions

Dave or Terry I have some questions.

What criteria does it take for a plant to recieve a negative comment ? I am noticing more recently that plants get negative ratings, because the person can't grow it. haha, I guess I'm defending the plants here- but I dont think it makes it a bad plant if you can't grow it! :) I figured it was for plants that were invasive or maybe toxic. Maybe there could be a comment next to the rating that reminds people of that?

Another question. Is there anyway, that when we're doing the 'big search' you could have a 'search within these results' option? I think it woudl help when I'm trying to find a plant to help on the id forum, ie., I search Crassula and instead of searching through all the 17 pages, I have the option of narrowing it down to those that produce pink flowers within the Crassula search. Did that make any sense?

Full of questions aren't I :) You're the best!

Art - I'm not Terry or Dave, but I know that when you add a comment about a plant in the PDB you choose (as the commenter) whether you give it a Positive, Neutral, or Negative rating. I believe that the negatives are strictly a judgement of the commenter.

I second Art's suggestion of a search within the search results. Something akin to parametric search. Search on 'Heuchera' in the genus field gives say a total of 38 results. Then you can select to filter on another parameter, say Bloom color Pink. This would whittle it down to 38 results. Then foliage parameter of variegated might leave only 2 results. I've seen electronic component manufacturers/distributor sites that work this way and it really allows you to narrow large volumes of data down.

Brenda

Well, I can address the first question (and just "second the motion" on the enhancement request ;o)

As to the ratings of plants. On one hand, the rating works just like the GWD ratings: same rating scale, same mechanism. Both are fairly subjective, but a negative rating in the Watchdog needs to be backed up with some evidence/facts, whereas anyone can malign a plant and have litle fear of being sued for libel.

That makes the PDB ratings a little different. For example, I can dislike a tomato because I thought it was too mealy. Someone else might think it had great texture, and consider it their favorite. Both opinions and ratings are helpful to other readers, even if they're total opposites. As long as the person gives a reason for their opinion of a plant, I don't see any reason to create a set of criteria that must be met in order to give a negative, neutral or positive.

I'm hoping we'll have a LOT more comments submitted to the PDB this year. When you think about it, the name, iamges and details are "just the facts" - important, but a little dry. The comments and opinions are the "heart and soul" of the entry, and the PDB.

Thanks y'all. That clears it up for me. I know that its really subjective and that its up to the poster to decide- I just thought it was funny when I saw someone give a negative post to a plant that had 14 other positives, because they kept killing it! Haha, it's not chapping my hide that bad. And I'm really glad you agree about the search enhancement. I'm a little addicted to the ID forum, so it would make it so much easier for tracking down plants! :)

I agree the PDB comments help so much. Especially multiple comments on each plant so that I can see a full range of what a plant will put up with/prefer.

Oh! I remember another question/suggestion I had for the PDB. In the comments section, could you post the location/zone with the name of the person that posts a comment?

For example,
On April 21,2004, art_n_garden (Zone 7b) or (Lubbock, TX) wrote:
This plant does well in shade and likes lots of water.

Because this post will do no good to someone in 10a with a humid climate or whomever ya know, it would only apply to people with similar conditions as the ones I raised the plant in. I find myself trying to track down the location of a person who has commented a lot- and its kind of hard, since you have to go back to their Dave's member page., and by that time I've already forgot what they said and I have to go back and look again. Is that an issue for anyone else?

I agree I am in zone 9b and I forget that someone in zone 5(Gardenwife) has a different starting, and bloomtime on their plants. I met a lady that lives in Alaska, she says that her plants don't start blooming until june, mine do in early march.

I third that zone suggestion for the pdb! I do the same thing, track down where they are and then can't remember why ... back track to the comment. I thought it was just me ... LOL!

Of course, the info would only be available if the member made it available, just like in the forums.

Cheri'