Lots of interesting thoughts and discussion here. @Dovefromabove@punkdoc@wild edges@Chicky I entirely agree that a disfunctional search system gets in the way of being able to use the knowledge held here as a proper archive. even if I know the title of a thread I still can't find it on an advanced search. Very frustrating. The mods don't seem interested in the site, which is odd, given it must generate a load of ad revenue. I agree that using Google as a search engine for this forum is often more useful.
Hi all, to use the wonderful Google search engine features to search for keywords only on this site, the Google recommended way is to type the following into the Google Search box:
I suggest we can magnify that learning by being forward-looking and outward-looking
Are we not?
Are we starting threads and responded with a view that the writing is adding to a bank - almost like writing an article - that thousands of people might refer to over the years for advice? No. I don't think so.
Did @B3 start her thread on 'plants that root in water' as a resource that 42k people would look up to learn from? Almost certainly not. That's not at all a criticism of B. It's just not how we think of the threads, I suggest. Four years ago I started an off hand thread asking for people's experiences on replacing decking with paving. It's since been read by 11k viewers. Plants for bees 14k. Mozzies in ponds 13k. I didn't know at the time of writing that people come to those threads mostly via Google. (I'm not suggesting that most people read the whole thread or even much of it). But, given my background in community online education, I am interested in that angle. It's not sad or negative - more, it's valuable and exciting.
I suggest people tend to orientate to what is visible. On the forum the chat back and forth is visible. The majority of forum readers and users are not. Unless we look at stats we would never know they are there or what they are doing (which is why website stats are so interesting).
My point is not to question that social role of the forum either.
But we are more than a few people having a chat. I use the forum most days
to chat with friends.
@AnniD I should hate to think
that's it's considered to be some kind of Gentleman's Club, reserved for
the privileged few.
I do wonder if there is a crowd that see the regulars as some kind of Diogenes Club where secret Masonic handshakes are needed to enter and be accepted. "Do I have to roll my trouser leg up in some special manner? Will I have to whisper to the head of the order "the crow flies at midnight". Is it all a bit intimidating?"
There is, after all, a fairly good chance that you will be told that your choice of plants are in bad taste. As someone noted last year, the group doesn't seem to like salvia Hot Lips, Bowles Mauve, bananas, bedding plants, and a set of other 'common', 'brash' plants. "I would never have that monstrosity in my garden" is a common response to a question posted by a new arrival.
[Our] knowledge archive is contained in the brains of its contributors …
Simply referring a questioner to an earlier thread is often not what questioners consult the forum for...
😊
My point is that the vast majority of readers, users, viewers are using historical threads as an archive. That it is exactly what they are here to consult. They are not asking questions here, the majority will never start a new discussion or make any post.
That's not at all to undermine the great usefulness of live discussions and the people as archives too. Pretty much whole garden has been informed, shaped and planted with the direct help of this forum. I'm just trying to broaden the gaze a bit to see all the other people the forum inform - the silent majority.
No, you're not pansyface. Your point of view is just as valid as everyone else's on this forum. The point is we are all different with different views. It would be boring if we didn't express them.
Posts
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.