My two cents- When the GS site was changed/updated it did take me awhile to get re adjusted. I am not computer savvy, so it takes me longer to figure stuff out, plus my computer is an old thing. I found that posting pictures is not as easy. I have to re size them before I can even post on GS. The past few months have been busy for me and others, as we are outdoors in our gardens, and in my case working in them. So GS will certainly become quieter. All that being said- I always want to be a part of this GS community. I enjoy reading and hearing about everyone's gardens, activities and lives.
I only visit Twitter now and again, mainly to mute or blog who I don't want on mine. I never go to FB although I have an account. I have my sites to keep updated so that takes time each day. No frank you could'nt, you would be open to hackers if you don't update. Other sites have 'quiet periods'. Wait till the weather turns bad, snow etc the members will run for cover, hopefully here.. K
I've been thinking about this topic for a couple of days, and here is what I came up with. I was on Urbanspoon until it changed its format and became difficult to navigate, so I haven't even looked at that site for a few months. Chowhound recently changed to look more "trendy" or something, and I find I enjoy it less and less--I probably won't be around much longer there. I'll be with GardenStew 'til the cows come home--simply because this a friendly, informative, and very helpful forum and I want to know how things are with the members. However, those who are newer members and haven't established relationships with other members, or those who are not hard-core Stewies, may decide to move on or move out. Change is just that--meaning that there will be differences. The Stew will survive under Frank's guidance and Eileen and Toni's watchful eyes, but it won't be exactly the same as before. Within a month or so I'd bet that we will pick up both new members and traffic. (Note I am not betting the farm since it isn't paid off yet!).
I'm just lazy I don't like this format as much as the older one but then I don't like any kind of change. I've been too darn lazy to learn this new one. I check in pretty regularly though. I enjoy "meeting" new people but sure miss some of the old "Stewbies" too
I love the new format, I have just been SO busy this season that it's all I can do to keep up with new posts! I have been taking pictures etc this season with great intentions of making posts, but just haven't had the time. I'm hoping things ease up soon
This inactivity I have noticed as well. I have had it very busy this year and last and have also had not as much time as usual to post on here. That is one thing. Another thing that I have noticed is the difference between the software presentations of the old and the new website. I can work with either; but for me personally, I found one aspect of the old software much handier. When I would log on, I could go directly to a forum page and there I could see new threads that were posted and newly posted responses to already posted threads at a glance. I found it quick and very handy for me. Now, finding the same things are findable, but not as effortlessly as before. Some days it bothers me and other days it doesn't...I think that it has to do with how much I have on my plate at the time I log on. At any rate, I have listed the one thing that I find a negative ...and I can see that this could discourage some visitors, but not necessarily. There are many things that are good though and the foto uploading for incorporation into thread postings is as smooth as silk. I do not have to first resize and send Photobucket before using a code to post on GS. I like this improvement very much, because I like to post foto's with my threads. Ach, there are trade-offs to be sure. I am just glad that this website exists, as I seriously doubt that I would use another one were Frank to remove GS.
Hi @Sjoerd have you tried the "Latest Posts" link just below the main menu? I think this is the same as the page that you miss from the old Stew format.
I keep at least two tabs open for GardenStew. I click on Forums just under the GS logo at the top and then open Latest Posts in another tab and just refresh both several times a day to stay caught up.
Hey Frank----That's it! Oh happy day....... I am amazed at myself that I can look so many times and just look over that button time after time. Thanks so much for making that clear. Thanks for your in-put too Toni. I izz a happy bunny innit, mate.
Thanks for lighting a fire under my feet Sjoerd because I'm happy to announce the the Latest Posts count is now back!
Hi all, Very odd indeed, I never got any e-mails that there had been replies to my post! Hence I never looked, thinking there was nothing to read. So far, we haven't yet managed to fix the internet connection on 1st floor of my house, it's one big nightmare. Result: I have a really nice room, with a really nice desk, and a (not so nice any more) laptop, but an internet connection that's pretty lousy. Most of the time I choose to do other things rather than sit and try to post anything, it's just too frustrating to wait for pages to load. Only some evenings, when I'm at my BF's, I get to catch up a bit here (like now). Glad to hear lots of people don't post, but are around regularly. So I'd like to just say Three Hurray's for Garden Stew, all you Stewbies, and, last but not least, Frank!
Ya, we all get busy at times with life, not to mention our gardens. I kind of go in spurts. Some days are just to busy to do much else, but to try and keep ones head on straight. Plus I will never be a social media gal. I do not even have a smart phone. I just do not want that dictating my life as well. I do enjoy my time here catching up on our Stewbies lives.
Hi @gardenelf , if you view your account preferences you will see two checkboxes that say: - Automatically watch threads that you create or when you reply... and - and receive email notifications of replies If you check both of those that should solve your problem