I think one of the delights of the forum is the knowledge that we are all in the same boat. This past year has seen weather, for many but not all, that has been unusual and it is helpful to hear how others have coped with it and how many people have lost plants due to the wet/cold/searing heat. It means we are not groping in the dark for answers, or if we are groping (sorry) then at least we are all seeking the same answers.
I think it is lovely that new gardeners can come to the forum for advice. When I was young the gardener's bible was written by Dr DG Hessayon but now that we all go to the internet for knowledge, there is so much more to wade through and it can be difficult to find the gold amongst the dross. The forum enables those with years of experience to pass on their knowledge.
As to non gardening threads, why not? To exclude those would be like expecting any group of people to stick to the point. It's nice to ramble sometimes and that rambling can lead to new insight or just well needed relaxation.
Many years ago, I was informed by the OP that other threads were available. I was gutted and felt like withdrawing from the forum. Fortunately, I had been on the forum a while and decided to persevere. I'm glad I did. If a new member gets a similar reaction to a post, they are unlikely to hang around.
A forum is a place to chat with like minds, rather than just answer questions succinctly and directly to the exclusion of other subjects. It takes a lot less effort to scroll down a page or press the back button, than it does to complain people are typing 'too much' or not holding your attention with subject matter. For some people, chatting on the internet is a welcome break from loneliness or lack of adult conversation, many people are very shy or have communication problems, or can't speak, there are people who can't/don't get out, etc etc.. and if they want to digress or talk chit chat, I'm struggling to find a problem with that. If a forum isn't what you think it 'should' be, it's not a forum issue.
Bring it on! I'm sure if the mood takes us, we can all carry of a toga with the right amount of vino! Looks like we are a collective after all!!! I see a new Carry on film in the making! Carry on up the Forum!..... Anyone got Frankie Howard's agents number????
Posts
If a new member gets a similar reaction to a post, they are unlikely to hang around.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
For some people, chatting on the internet is a welcome break from loneliness or lack of adult conversation, many people are very shy or have communication problems, or can't speak, there are people who can't/don't get out, etc etc.. and if they want to digress or talk chit chat, I'm struggling to find a problem with that.
If a forum isn't what you think it 'should' be, it's not a forum issue.
https://youtu.be/Va_ON4_NLdU
Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
Looks like we are a collective after all!!!
I see a new Carry on film in the making!
Carry on up the Forum!..... Anyone got Frankie Howard's agents number????