Hi everyone, Maybe strange coming from me, as I'm a very "quiet" visitor of this forum, but am I correct in thinking that since the Garden Stew had it's make-over, it's got a lot quieter here on the forums? Especially where photo's are concerned? Or am I seeing things (I tend to do this occasionally)?
Elf, I have noticed fewer posts, and perhaps fewer photos. I hope it is just that, for many of us, our gardens are winding down for the year and there is less to discuss and photograph. I'd so hate to lose the friends I've made here on the Stew, and am looking forward to making new ones with new members.
Spring and Summer are the busy months for most members, family activities, gardening and vacations take up most everyones time. I haven't posted nearly the number of photos this year as in years past but that's because in the Spring it was too rainy to take the camera outside and many of the plants were beaten down by the rain. And during the summer with only 3 inches of rain in the last almost 4 months, the plants are really suffering and not a pretty sight. I have taken photos but just haven't been posting them like I should.
You're correct GardenElf, it has been quieter. My own theory is that along with some unaccommodating weather as Toni mentioned, the change of forum software is a factor along with the peoples browsing habits moving away from forums to social media sites. Normally members will tell me if there are technical problems with the site but I haven't heard anything so I don't think it's that either.
Frank, this is one of the easiest sites to use and peruse--so technical problems, as you said, aren't the difficulty. It took me a while to learn the new protocols. I'm not very computer knowledgeable, but if I can adjust, I think everyone else could, too! Perhaps we just need to be patient; keep posting interesting topics; and try to build the membership by inviting friends aboard.
Yep, nail on the head MG! There are lulls every year. While granted this year's lull is more noticeable than most, posting community-minded thread such as questions to the community (like you do yourself) always works. What would life be if it were all ups and no downs
I don't have a garden now so don't have much to say. I think that I am going to start doing more blogging like I used to do. I have a story that I wrote for our writer's group. I will try to get it on a blog soon. dooley
I find it more cumbersome to maintain "My Garden" photos since the upgrade. Doing forum posts without the "garden" is easier. With no reason to keep the garden diary I haven't been as motivated to do so. It was often my reason for visiting and spending time on the site and browsing. Have also noticed a definite "aging" and and/or disappearance of many forum participants. Social media is definitely the play ground of most now. With fewer participants here at the Stew there just aren't as many posts to read and that lessens my reasons to visit. I love looking at others garden photos. Some exceptional gardening blogs have gone quiet too. The writing generation is becoming quieter.
All good points Jewell. One of the unfortunate side effects of getting the older forum software to communicate with the newer software was that the older features had to take a back seat somewhat. It was a choice between that or dropping some features altogether but I didn't want that to happen. I could have left the old forum software in place but it was getting outdated and didn't display correctly on mobile devices which are growing in popularity. I never realised truly before now how much the Garden feature, while not missing, is basically hidden in a lot of people eyes now. I'd love to rectify this somehow, maybe this idea deserves a new modern site of its own, separate from the forums?
Well, I just posted about why I've been awol.....which, because I'm such a motormouth, I'm sure has had a significant impact on the forum! Just kidding. I know it's not always all about meeeeee!
Guilty as charged. Life happens. Incredible hours of work and the garden this summer have kept me away. Just now starting to wind down.
life happened here, and i'm not big on huge changes so it is taking me a lot longer than normal to get used to this new format... i really did like the old format a lot more, but i'll survive and eventually start posting again. I think i will be around more often and start sharing my pictures, but i haven't been on my pc for so long, i have soooo many photos to go through >.<
I haven't posted this summer either but I have been here everyday reading all what everyone else has to say. We had such a bad winter and a very late spring that flowers and gardens were a real downer. There really wasn't much to post about this year. I am not on social networks either. I find them a real waste of time. I'll be around, not going anywhere as Gardenstew is a great place to be!
My life is busier than ever nor do I do social media, but with the new format I really haven't taken much time to learn it other than to post a few replies now and then. So as to not make offense either I have made sure to not post any opinions, either.
