@nickoslesteros l have absolutely no idea what's involved in running a forum, and l suspect there may well be problems invoking the Gardeners World name, but l find it so sad that the years of knowledge, friendship and general carry on of this forum is to be shut down without so much as a consultation with the people who use it.
(I'm not so naive as to think the outcome wouldn't be the same, but even so...). The layout, pm facility, etc. etc. so easy to use.
@AnniD It's not impossible. The way I see it is there are two options - but both very tricky given time constraints:
1: If the code which delivers the forum isn't too entwined with the rest of their site, migrate to a new platform and host.
2: Use open source software to create a new forum and move over. But this is probably very difficult with respect to getting traction.
Also, I have no idea how actively moderated it is. That would take resource. Would probably need 'community' moderators an an unpaid resource if people were keen to keep it going.
I do think it is a massive shame. I have been a bit all take and no give on here (as I am a new gardener), but there does seem to be a very strong community here.
I actively avoid things like Facebook. It would be a shame if this was only available behind the gateway of what is nothing other than a large US data harvesting operation.
I have looked in at Gardeners Corner and l believe there are several GW Forum members on there who might be able to comment. I don't know if they have a PM facility though ?
Poking about over there on GC, the equivalent of PMs seems to be "conversations" - more than one other person can be included. From your profile page there's a "start a new conversation" button. I haven't tried it yet.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
@clematisdorset Surely this could be taken on as a project for somebody. It's not that large a forum. I've worked in technology field for over 20 years, and heck, I'd be prepared to take a look. Not sure if GW would be keen, mind you, or I imagine this would have been done already.
I've no idea what I will do without this forum!
Yes, quite agree. Did you see the archive link that @fire put up up thread. Might that work?
An archive would be superb, but would take a lot more to keep the open working community going. Tbh, I hadn't realised that this wasn't a BBC venture any longer so I guess it wouldn't be in GW's interests to take a significant proportion of their online traffic (because this is what they call us - traffic) somewhere else and risk not viewing their adverts!
I actively avoid things like Facebook. It would be a shame if this was only available behind the gateway of what is nothing other than a large US data harvesting operation.
There are no cirs under which I would be willing to use FB for this reason.
The sad thing is all these threads will exist in perpetuity out there in the cold, silent depths of cyberspace, just with no one able to see them.
I have belonged to several private forums, where you pay a small amount monthly for it to be hosted or have ads. It does need someone techie minded to run it and constantly beat of spammers, etc, plus people willing to moderate. It can be organised ... but probably not in a week.
Posts
The layout, pm facility, etc. etc. so easy to use.
1: If the code which delivers the forum isn't too entwined with the rest of their site, migrate to a new platform and host.
2: Use open source software to create a new forum and move over. But this is probably very difficult with respect to getting traction.
Also, I have no idea how actively moderated it is. That would take resource. Would probably need 'community' moderators an an unpaid resource if people were keen to keep it going.
I do think it is a massive shame. I have been a bit all take and no give on here (as I am a new gardener), but there does seem to be a very strong community here.
The sad thing is all these threads will exist in perpetuity out there in the cold, silent depths of cyberspace, just with no one able to see them.
In the sticks near Peterborough