Dave, how about some Über-tools

I still have a long list of plants which I would like to enter and looking for ways to make it easier to enter them.
I usually pick a genus, do my research on it, verify existing PDB species entries to avoid double entries and then enter the remaining missing ones alphabetically (enter, submit, back to add after confirmation,...)

It would be nice to have an extended "Add a new Plant" screen with the following additions:
-preselect plant options, especially "Category" so that I don't have to enter them for each entry (species in one genus are often the same category)
-ability to enter multiple synonyms on the same screen
- sanity check button to verify if another entry of species and/or synonym exists

That's my current "Überwerkzeug" wish list.
I'm sure others want to have some different ones.

Sounds great. Let me give it some thought!

dave

How about the ability to later add Common Names just like adding Synonyms?

Recently, I was thinking that the ability to add common names would be good, but then I really thought about it. Some plants could end up with 10 common names, because their grandma always called some plant by some name and that is what someone knows it as - even if grandma came up with it and no one else knows it by that name.

I have filled out an error report and asked a common name to be added and don't mind doing continuing to do that. That gives Terry the chance to double check the internet for other refrences to the plant being called by that name.

Actually using the error report to suggest another common names gives Baa, PoppySue, and/or Terry a chance to check it out first ;o)

The original request in this thread is quite a bit different from this sidebar conversation, but I think I speak for the editors when I say I don't mind adding a common name via an error report. I try to use it as opportunity to look for any other frequently-used common names for the plant, plus do a quick once-over the entry.

As to PanamonCreel's original request, it would be nice if Dave can find a way for users entering a slew of new entries to easily add plant attributes at the same time.

And at least one common name (to bring the conversation 'round again) should - if at all possible - be added at the time the entry is created. Even if it's simply the genus name (not to engage in the whole common vs. botanical name debate!) But please add one. Pretty please. It's soooo much easier to add it then, versus placing the burden on the editors to finish the entry after-the-fact.

Sorry Baa and Poppy Sue!! Please forgive me. Did not mean to leave you out. I know you work hard on maintainging the PDB too.

That makes sense; I stand corrected.

I agree with PC above. It sure would make it easier. I still have a problem with the colors on the daylilies, like amber, orchid, yellow, (can we have one that is not pale or bright maybe just yellow?) near white(I really think this one needs to be there).

Colors are a problem. I try to practice the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid) when checking colors, but it's hard.

I posted a request for 'near white' a while back, since there is no such thing as a white daylily, yet the whiteness of the bloom is usually what's so cool about the near whites . . . even if white could be changed to "white/near white".

What I've ended up doing is checking both White and Cream. But that isn't really accurate.

What would really be cool, in the daylily section anyway, is a section for 'secondary color'.

Cheri'

Oooops Terry, didn't know that I should put the Genus name as common name in case there is no common name.
I'm not sure why it is necessary since the PDB search queries all across the names but will do it from now on (you must have had some choice words about me in the past LOL).
Can Dave make it so that the Genus name is automatically placed as Common name in case of an empty field?

Milan

hehehehe, no....no choice names. A slight eyebrow raised, and maybe just a tiny audible sigh, which no one hears anyway.... ;o)

I don't know if Dave can do a "default" that way. The reason for both is it helps with subsequent forum posts, such as for pictures that are posted to the entry, and the list of plants you've added that displays on your member page. Although Dave has perhaps overcome some of those problems (it used to leave a blank subject line if there was no common name...)

Anyway, if you add them to future entries, I'd be grateful :o)

I just noticed that "white" got changed to "white/near white" . . .

woo hoo! Thanx Dave!

Cheri'

;o)

Why not just "White" AND "Off-white"?

that would have worked, too. This is fine, tho, for daylilies. =)

Cheri'

Adding a new checkbox to any list means one of the editors must go through and edit affected entries - anywhere from a handful to thousands. When we can make a change that expands an existing attribute without destroying its original meaning, we usually try that option.

To someone seeking a "white" flower among Cannas, Daylilies, etc, "near white" is as close to the desired impression of white as is possible. ;o)

Thank Terry, not me. :)

dave

alrighty then . . .

Thanx Terry!

Cheri'