Plant Trading made easier

Greetings

I am proposing that a change be made in the method we use to trade. I would like to see a link/icon on each forum page that would be direct, to the specific plants/seeds/cuttings available from traders. Example: If I am in the Canna forum I could click on an icon, see who or what is being traded now and in the recent past. I would also suggest that there be a delete option when the trade is complete.

I went to the trade page, it is huge, with entries that are years out of date. I would like to see things kept current, without the archive entries. I would like to be able to remove my offer to cut down on mail to answer.

Dale,
I like the idea of a delete option when the trade is completed.
Patti

Dale, I have no trouble with your suggestion when it comes to the first part.

If Dave would enable you to delete a tread because the trade is finished that would enable you to delete posts that belongs to other people. they may want the info that's there if they loose the tag on the plant.
If Dave would allow delete option on plant trading someone would want the same option on the seed trading and that would create problem for me. (not allowed to import plants from US).

I got seeds third hand and the person couldn't remember if it was a dat or brug but knew who she got the seeds from. That enabled me to go to seed trading and find the right info, even if the trade was over.
If delete trade was an option we may had to wait two years to find out what we had.

If she hadn't remember who it was we still could have found out what we got by following her posts.
People also forget who they got seeds/plants from and may some day want that info
A delete option would take that away

You have the CLOSED button on both forums or you can simply edit on your first post and say that the trade offer is closed and also state that please no mail. Some(most) people will honour that and some wont

On the top of both trade forums you have the option "See only open/unsolved treads" if you push that you will see a lot less treads. We "only" have to make people push that closed buttor better and there will be a lot easier to find interesting things that are up to date :0))
Janett

Janett,

I understand your concern. I would not want someone to reach into my records and delete information. What I am suggesting is to seperate current/active trading information from archival records. This would be done by having the icon appear at the top of each forum, only active trading would be displayed and the display would be controlled by the person offering the plants, seeds etc. The files would remain in 'Plant Trading' where research of previous trades would be made. I am not suggesting any kind of change for the growing, cluttered "Plant Trading' files. The person making the offer would control only files under the active icon of the forum.

In the trading process most people have files under their Dmail. You can't get rid of those files from your account. You would not lose your records.

The issue of 'unclosed' offerings is a problem for the site managers. I would further suggest that there be a time limit, under the new active icon on the forum page, of 6 months or a year. That would help reduce the clutter that people leave behind. I have no interest in trying to get my fellow members to take care of their e-litter in this site.

I would like to be able to trade with people who are actively trading the items I am looking for.


This message was edited Apr 23, 2006 6:58 AM

You mean something like this (see pic) linked to a button like the WATCH............. where the trades show up like they do when you "hit" the |search this forum|

There can also be a multiple choice (look on pic) for the number of forums you target so your trade target both the forum you have something from and that you want to get something from.

Still unsure of the delete thing, whether Dave would allow it :) but most certainly a CLOSED button.
Janett

Janett,

Your photo shows a very professional design, it is like a search engine for trading and I like it. I could use it with ease. I had something simpler in mind.My idea comes from a desire to use my time more wisely, less browser time. I like your idea better than my own.

Just an aside-Delete buttons here? not a part of the web design. 2/3 of my dmail is in a file I call 'trash'.

This message was edited Apr 23, 2006 11:30 AM

This message was edited Apr 23, 2006 11:32 AM

Hehe I only made two screenprints, moved them to Paint and cut and paste a bit.
Janett

Dale have you tried using the link near the top to limit the trading forum to only open trades?

Terry,

Yes, and I got 48 pages. It can take a long time to weed though all the offers. Boredom sets in after about 50-60 offers. Hundreds of offers for plants that will not grow in my climate 10A. I want to trade with ease, not extensive research. I would rather get the bad news quickly.

I think this is a WONDERFUL idea and would support it 100% - how about the rest of you?

I think it is very much needed. That's why I don't use any of the trade tracker, trading lists, diaries, etc... not user-friendly enough for me. I like it short and simple.

I agree!

Great idea!