Not many Newbies?

I too find said user a little odd. Perhaps the information isn't simply being absorbed. My mum and sister are like that when I dish out gardening advice. I've seen on other forums as well that certain users want an answer really quickly and so will make a thread on multiple forums / sections until someone gives them a response. There is however a lack of continuity imo with this user I should mention too.

I noticed my thread up there and I do agree it is long running and probably off putting to many new users (I'm considering ending it once the final bits and pieces are done). But I have also found it to inspire several new members of what hard work can achieve (I like to think so anyway), which stops me from abandoning it. I've directed the thread to several people I know in person when they ask about the garden and my hope is that they will eventually join the forum once they have been exposed to the thread enough times.

 

Yes, that sums up my thoughts too. Always very polite though ...

I'm not understanding why you think that JJ? I doubt anyone would look at the start date of a thread and be put off by it - or the subject matter of one/several threads either. On that criteria I would never have joined any forum ... and on this one I never participate in the long running chatter threads - I don't have the time! - but I know they are there (and probably was aware of them when I joined)

My Blog is like that - I hope one day to formulate it into a "If you are just embarking on a large garden with a limited budget here's my thoughts". When I built my kitcar I was amazed at the number of blog where people, not content with working all day and spending all night in their garage!! also decided to document every step of the way, in particular how they solved all the tricky problems others were likely to encounter too, but also all the mistakes they made so that others didn't fall into the same trap.

I think each blog that details the trials and tribulations of the author is a very useful resource to anyone who wants to attempt something similar - whether it is a standalone blog (with a completely disjointed set of comments, many of them banal or spam) or a long running thread in a forum with the author's updates and announcements interspersed by wise counsel and words of praise & encouragement

Viva Gardening, Fishing, Golf, Astronomy, Rock climbing, <AddYoursHere!!>

To those of you saying "Facebook" my question would be: why are the other main forums getting plenty of newbies and "routine" questions, and not this one? I'm sure we don't know the answer! but I started the thread because I thought it would be worth examining the forum's navel - so to speak.

 

Off the wall thought:

I have often wondered if Forums (any of them really, not this one/gardening specifically) should have an easy "Ask a question" ability.

The issue is generally Spam though ... but I expect the IT bods can come up with something to mitigate that.

So I am thinking something like:

Username:
Email address:
Password:
Subject:
Text of question:

Probably a Captcha (those wiggly writing things to detect Human-or-Not?)

all on a single page/form.

Punter could get a "Click here to confirm" EMail. If they click that then put the message live, if not then await a MOD to check if its SPAM or not. Probably disallow any URLs in the text.

As a side-effect the User would also be created, so they are then also a member, going forwards.

Slight snag if they use an existing Email address. If the password matches the one used before then that's fine. Use the UserName they selected last time too. If not then hold it for moderation ...

I'm ignoring whether this would be something "easily" doable with the Xenoforo software ... but would be interested to hear if people think the idea has merit on its own.

 

Actually, doesn't need UserName. They could choose one, later, if & when they fill their Profile. Until then they could be a username like USER1234

 

A few minutes ago



Members 14 (3 hidden) and 64 'Guests' (which might include a few members who haven't logged in), but only 20% members and 80% non-members and it's always like that, so perhaps they just find what they need, or only have a read and depart. It's different overnight when it can be something like only 2 members online and approaching 100 Guests.

 

Well unless we get some newbies participating here on this thread and letting us know why they are going elsewhere to ask basic gardening questions then we may never know!

Kristen I agree with you to some extent regarding "The Cosy Club" atmosphere possibly putting off new members. It is a very friendly and sociable place with plenty of "in" jokes. Great if you're part of "The Club", not so great if all you want is an answer to a basic question.

Some people don't want to be part of any club - they just want to grow things and that's fine. This club atmosphere is bound to happen though when you have a group of people who are interested in the same thing and have also met in real life and that's fine too. TBH to me, it's becoming a forum which is good to join if you already know a fair bit about gardening but there are better places to go for info if you're a complete novice.

I've also noticed that the only member of admin who has commented is Clue. I would have thought this issue would be of concern? Every forum needs an injection of new members who actively participate as this adds vibrancy and life otherwise the place becomes boring and stale.
Perhaps Admin should be looking at why beginners aren't wanting to join and going elsewhere?

I think Nigel makes a good point. If you look at the home page there is the "New Members Introduction Section" and then below this there is "Gardening Discussion." The section for beginners is entitled "Beginners Garden Development." This title to me is odd. It makes it sound as if the only people who should be posting there are beginners whose gardens currently look like a "bomb site." It doesn't (to me) encourage beginners questions like, "When should I prick out my seedlings?" or "How many tomato plants should I plant in a hanging basket?" or "What is 'hardening off'?"

Perhaps there could be a more prominent and inviting beginners section located beneath "New Members Introduction." I think this would go a long way in encouraging more novice gardeners to enrol and ask questions.

ETA: CORRECTION .....Zigs has also commented!

 

I frequent a music forum that is quite a cosy club, with only maybe 25 constant posters. They don't get many new members and maybe they are scared away, however, if a newbie posted a thread seeking newbie help the long standing members would be all over it trying to help. It's strange but maybe the cosy club does scare people off.

It doesn't bother me, I can be in the club or not but as long as I can help where I can and receive help when needed that's fine.

I'm tired, very little of that made much sense. *yawn*

 

Press-gang a few perhaps?

 

I went through the LIST checking all the Likes etc and some have clicked those, although not commented per se.

I reckon this thread has more AGREEs than LIKEs clicked ... which suggests there are some relatively strongly held views

Subjective view, but I don't think Agree is used all that much on Gardening threads, compared to LIKE button Perhaps even LIKE is a bit OTT for gardening topics and we should add a "Maybe" Voting icon?!!

 

I logged out and came back as a Guest, but couldn't find the benefits of joining displayed anywhere, such as being able to view uploaded pics full size in addition to being able to post.

 

I'm a new member to the site. I found it because I "googled" a problem that I had (even at my age you don't know everything) and was directed here.
I have been gardening for around 60 years so feel that I have a fair amount of knowledge about the things that interest me but I must admit that I would probably have felt intimidated
coming onto the site as a complete novice. My original impression was of a cosy site with a regular inner sanctum but despite that I joined and do try to join in when possible, but how to get new blood in, I honestly do not know.

 

Thanks for your feedback Lykewakewalker,
Jenny

 

Maybe we should have more fights? I belong to a forum that seems to have frequent...disagreements (which is getting rather tiresome), and they get new members all the time. I'm just kidding obviously, but just something I noticed.