The forum has grown hugely since I first came on board … many more regular posters, and many more that pop in, come and go etc.
I believe the forum has been in this form for about ten years and there was at least one other before that, is that right? When did you join Dove? It seems posters such as @punkdoc and @Topbird were in the previous forum too...? Maybe since the beginning?
It seems (just an impression) that there has been a big change in regulars through Brexit and Covid times - an exodus. I know a couple of stalwarts have died in the last four years and others got very ill. Maybe it's just life's changes, but the pool seems smaller than it did in 2018.
I had little appreciation that the forum had such a reach and I wonder if readers from afar have adjusted their preconceptions of British life and attitudes. I do not know how closely the opinions expressed here reflect the mood of the country but some themes have come through strongly - vehemently anti-Brexit, in the main - scornful of our government, especially Boris Johnson - staunch supporters of attempts to control the spread of Covid - quite divided on the merits of the BBC - interested in the idiosyncrasies of our language.
I suspect the socioeconomic status (percieved or otherwise), age and to a certain extent, sex, may have something to do with those conclusions. As to whether they reflect the mood of the country as a whole? I suspect not.
@fire - as you tagged me I've skim-read through this thread and (like @Pansyface) I'm not really sure where it's going....
I wasn't on the earliest BBC forum, but I've been on this one for years. I occasionally meet other members and exchange personal texts and emails. I put some personal info up on the chat threads but (apart from my late cat's name) I've never used real names when talking about people / relations and the nearest I've come to giving my address is to say I'm in mid-Suffolk. I have always been very aware that what I write on here can be read by anyone with internet access - registered or not.
It's also one of the reasons I rarely join in with the political / divisive threads - especially once they start getting nasty - and I am very careful about who I give 'proper' info to (email address etc) (less than 10 very well established members).
I have always been aware that the forum can be searched world wide by people just seeking good information about gardening. That is why I always take pains to say "In my opinion / experience" or "I think...." when answering questions - unless I'm 100% sure of the answer. I would hope I've never been deliberately rude or belittled anyone's taste or lack of knowledge.
On the knowledge / archive front - I have been very irritated of late by some posters who answer a question and state something as fact - even when it's controversial or downright wrong. Some poor bu$$er (usually a new gardener) could take that advice and end up making serious and expensive mistakes. That is why those of us who've used the forum for a long time are often quick to step in with things like that. You may remember a particularly unpleasant episode a few months ago with a new poster.... Caused all sorts of ructions.
On the whole, I think this forum functions pretty well. There's a wealth of really good gardening info on here and, when I first joined, that was all I used. I gradually started to join in with the chat threads and now I really enjoy those.
I regard this forum as my favourite garden club which I don't need to change out of PJ's to attend. I get to have a good natter with my mates, pick up some tips and tricks and (hopefully) help somebody else along the way. Occasionally kind members send free plants and seeds😁
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
I think that I am a comparatively recent member. I am close to one or two other members, regard them as friends. The forum serves a very important role for me, as for complicated reasons I lost many of my real life friends some years ago.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
I certainly see the other members of the non gardening threads I post on, as friends, sort of pen Pals! I’d like to keep it that way, so rarely take part in the discussions on politics, or religion. I’m unlikely to change anyone’s views, and they are unlikely to change mine, but it’s good to hear how others are coping with their lives, and share some of highs and lows of mine. Its sensible to be careful what one posts, re personal or identifiable information, but I find reading the threads an enjoyable alternative to browsing the news. At least when I read something sad on here, I can offer condolences, and rejoice with the Reasons to be Cheerful!
On the whole, I think this forum functions pretty well. There's a wealth of really good gardening info on here and, when I first joined, that was all I used.
Wholeheartedly agree with the above sentiment. It's an excellent forum for gardeners whether new or experienced. Straightforward queries are usually answered fairly quickly - if more info is needed, that is usually requested in a polite manner and generates a more informative response. Where experience/practice of one poster over another diverges, at least the enquirer has a choice to consider and can always re post if a problem ensues. I can't see what else one would either need or expect from a specific interest forum. Threads on a particular subject can go "off point" but nothing wrong in that. One thing often leads to another and can result in amusement or even making you think twice
could somebody (preferably Fire) tell me what the nub of this thread is.
It seems to be about
(a) people coming onto the forum and looking for facts and not finding what they want and/or
(b) warning of potential shady characters who are trying to gather personal facts about people on the forum and/or
(c) a tendency to navel gaze by long standing members when they should be more “welcoming” to “younger” visitors and/or
(d) what?
Maybe you are expecting me to be arguing about something. I'm not. I am flagging up some personal reflections on how this forum sits in the wider world that it doesn't tend to acknowledge much. Millions of people read the forum, millions of people use it for research, it's an internationally used resource and one of the world's best known and recognisable gardening brands via the BBC (GW). In actuality the users of this forum are a very, very large and diverse community, even if it doesn't feel like it. I think it's worth celebrating and considering.
“… how this forum sits in the wider world that it doesn't tend to acknowledge much …”
How does the forum not acknowledge the wider world?
There are regular posters from France, Belgium, Scandinavia, Eire, Croatia, USA and Australia amongst other places. There have been regulars posting from Italy and Greece too in the past, but time takes its toll … at this time of year there are not so many folk gardening so not so many new folk … but as spring arrives they will arrive too. It happens every year 🌱
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have met one of two members when, in the olden days, we could organise a day out to Kew or wherever. This helped me to realise that I was interacting with real people. I visualise members but often have to rewind when I find I've even got the gender wrong. Anyway, meeting a few humans has made me realise that I am interacting with real people . In real life, some I would cross over the street to avoid and some I would invite in to ignore the deficiencies in my garden.
PS I would never cross the road to avoid anyone I've actually met.
Posts
As to whether they reflect the mood of the country as a whole? I suspect not.
I wasn't on the earliest BBC forum, but I've been on this one for years. I occasionally meet other members and exchange personal texts and emails. I put some personal info up on the chat threads but (apart from my late cat's name) I've never used real names when talking about people / relations and the nearest I've come to giving my address is to say I'm in mid-Suffolk. I have always been very aware that what I write on here can be read by anyone with internet access - registered or not.
It's also one of the reasons I rarely join in with the political / divisive threads - especially once they start getting nasty - and I am very careful about who I give 'proper' info to (email address etc) (less than 10 very well established members).
I have always been aware that the forum can be searched world wide by people just seeking good information about gardening. That is why I always take pains to say "In my opinion / experience" or "I think...." when answering questions - unless I'm 100% sure of the answer. I would hope I've never been deliberately rude or belittled anyone's taste or lack of knowledge.
On the knowledge / archive front - I have been very irritated of late by some posters who answer a question and state something as fact - even when it's controversial or downright wrong. Some poor bu$$er (usually a new gardener) could take that advice and end up making serious and expensive mistakes. That is why those of us who've used the forum for a long time are often quick to step in with things like that. You may remember a particularly unpleasant episode a few months ago with a new poster.... Caused all sorts of ructions.
On the whole, I think this forum functions pretty well. There's a wealth of really good gardening info on here and, when I first joined, that was all I used. I gradually started to join in with the chat threads and now I really enjoy those.
I regard this forum as my favourite garden club which I don't need to change out of PJ's to attend. I get to have a good natter with my mates, pick up some tips and tricks and (hopefully) help somebody else along the way. Occasionally kind members send free plants and seeds😁
I am close to one or two other members, regard them as friends.
The forum serves a very important role for me, as for complicated reasons I lost many of my real life friends some years ago.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Its sensible to be careful what one posts, re personal or identifiable information, but I find reading the threads an enjoyable alternative to browsing the news. At least when I read something sad on here, I can offer condolences, and rejoice with the Reasons to be Cheerful!
Straightforward queries are usually answered fairly quickly - if more info is needed, that is usually requested in a polite manner and generates a more informative response.
Where experience/practice of one poster over another diverges, at least the enquirer has a choice to consider and can always re post if a problem ensues.
I can't see what else one would either need or expect from a specific interest forum.
Threads on a particular subject can go "off point" but nothing wrong in that. One thing often leads to another and can result in amusement or even making you think twice
“… how this forum sits in the wider world that it doesn't tend to acknowledge much …”
How does the forum not acknowledge the wider world?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I visualise members but often have to rewind when I find I've even got the gender wrong.
Anyway, meeting a few humans has made me realise that I am interacting with real people . In real life, some I would cross over the street to avoid and some I would invite in to ignore the deficiencies in my garden.
PS I would never cross the road to avoid anyone I've actually met.