Any suggestions for the format of the forum?

[Dave]

If anyone has any improvements or suggestions please let me know.
Thanks
-Dave

[thekingpin]

Personally I don't like the way that you have seemed to centred everything. I think that it looks a bit odd. I suggest that you put it back to how it was.

[Dave]

Yes I'm sorry about this, I was tinkering with some of the code and poof! I don't know what I changed but I will revert back to left aligned tonight.

Thanks for noticing
-Dave

[Dave]

Its been fixed!

[twirly]

Already told you about the problem..but now it's working just smooth and fine

[Shady Character]

Could the main banner be made narrower? On my browser it's forcing a horizontal scroll bar. (1024x760 resolution but not with a maximized window.)

[Dave]

I agree the banner is a lil to big...especially if its causing problems on peoples viewing areas. Would you like the height of the banner to be shortened or the length?

[Shady Character]

I think something at most 75% of what it is now should be sufficient in both height and width. It hasn't been too long since I've had to worry about web design stuff, but I doubt many casual home users are using resolutions above 1024x760. (If I'm wrong it's time to ask my boss for a new monitor!)

Apart from the banner the rest of the page elements fit just fine. It's everything above the link line that begins "User CP" that runs off the screen even when the window is maximized--which I resist doing since I've usually got around seven programs open at once.

[Dave]

What size monitor do you have?

I just made a smaller header...go to the bottom left hand of the page. Click on it where it says "small banner". That should solve the problem...I'm not too experienced with web graphics...so hopefully this will do temporarily until I have time and resources to make a better one
Let me know if the smaller header looks better centered or to the left like it is.
Thanks
-Dave

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Hi Dave. I have been growing orchids for about 45 years. I am here because I am unhappy with the 3 other forums I visit. Looking over your forum, I must tell you that there is no way I am going to go to all those sub forums/sections to see what has been posted. (*)I can understand going to a particular appropriate heading to make a new post, so that those that want to, can just look at very specific areas. But what I want is a summary forum that contains all posts, where posts can be responded to, but where we can not start new post, see (*) above. This 'divey it up plan' is what killed the AOS forum before it got going again. If you could have a composit forum, it would make my life much easier, and that of others like me who will be mostly just answering questions of the newbies, with a little jem picked up occasionally along the way. Cynthia

Hi Dave,

I have a suggestion in response to Cynthia's post. It might be in the best interest of the site being so new to take on a "resident" expert until others join. Some of the websites just fizzle out because there is no expertise and lots of newbies. Experienced growers don't usually want to spend their time tutoring and so they don't go/stay elsewhere and the site dies. I think when someone poses a question, it's great to have someone answer the post so folks don't get discouraged and never log in again. Just a thought.........?

Forums are great in concept but some folks need and want real help and responses...

So whatever can be done to attract both experienced and unexperienced growers should be explored IMO.

Thanks Good luck with the new group

kanda

[Dave]

Hi Cynthia thanks for the suggestion. Let me try to understand, you do not like the way these subforums below are setup...You would like these "subforums" to be full forums?
General Orchid Cultivation
Sub-Forums: Growing Cattleyas, Growing Phalaenopsis Orchids, Growing Lady Slippers, Growing Vanda Orchids,

If so I can make the subforums into full forums just Orchid Pests and Insects and Orchid Greenhouse and Sunrooms

As for composit forum, on the mainpage of www.orchidgeeks.com it lists the 15 most recent threads and posts which could be expanded to more if needed. You can also click Statistics - Top 5 to see the top 30 threads. Is this something you were thinking of? Or were you thinking of just say one forum called "summary" which contained all posts and threads for the whole board?

[Dave]

kanda, good point, I was waiting until the forum got bigger but I don't see why we can't elect or start looking for an orchid expert/ Moderator now. I am starting a new job this week, so I won't be able to be on here as much as I would like

I will make a thread for an orchid expert / Moderator

[Shady Character]

That works much better.

[pikespeak62]

I'd like it better if the new posts were first,rather than having to scroll through all the replies to get to the newest.
Anyone else?

i have to agree. the new AOS has made it just too hard to enjoy orchids by limiting interaction. orchid growers are curious folk and willing to help, keep it simple, fun for all, and orchidites will flock.

[PennieNH]

I agree that the most recent should be the first. I am still very new at this (orchid) and like reading all the current questions. It is helping me get a better understand of the care needed. Thank you all again. This is a wonderful site!!

[pikespeak62]

Maybe an option to read posts either new to old.........or old to new?

[jerrymeola]

I agree with Cynthia

You have two types of viewers for these forums. Old timers who like to share their information and newbies that want to know where to look for answers. A listing of all posts allows more experienced growers to browse for questions to answer. Also you listing as "care" etc may frighten off newbies with basic questions if they thing the listing is for posting answers not questions.

also none of the flower forums have anyway of letting someone know if an answer posted by someone after your post was a reply and interesting. Look at www.dpreview.com a photography forum that keeps track of every thread to which someone has replied and marks the thread on your person page as new everytime a new reply is made. Threads can last for weeks with back and forth conversations between members. I always feel bad if a month after I made a statement in a reply to find the person had asked me a question and I never know about it to reply again.