Suggestion: Requiring location info when registering

[KennedyMarx]

Is there a way that the forum will require someone to fill out their location info before they get their account activated? It would certainly put an end to most of the new people being asked to do it when they ask for advice in their first post. We already now if it's just in a sticky it won't be read or done.

 

[M. Frary]

I always wonder why people don't fill it out when registering. I did when I registered because I thought I was supposed to. Maybe they don't because they think one of us will be a cyberstalker. Shhhhh.

 

[coh]

It slows people down too much, they've got to get that all important question answered, "I just bought this bonzai, what is it and how do I take care of it?"

 

[QuintinBonsai]

It slows people down too much, they've got to get that all important question answered, "I just bought this bonzai, what is it and how do I take care of it?"

Bingo.

I don't believe it should be mandatory as some do wish to remain anonymous. And that I can respect. Though it's not like the forum is asking for an exact street address. A simple "city and state, or county" is all you need. Post a picture of your tree(right side up). Be humble, be open-minded to criticism, and understand that the bonsai veterans are not gods.

 

[jk_lewis]

It slows people down too much, they've got to get that all important question answered, "I just bought this bonzai, what is it and how do I take care of it?"

Goodness! You're getting to be such a cynic in your old age.

Join the crew.

 

[jk_lewis]

and understand that the bonsai veterans are not gods.

But almost . . . almost.

 

[dick benbow]

I tried often to make that request in a new thread to find out where they were located but it seemed like talking to the wall....

So anymore when I run across that situation I pass and go on to another thread.

I find this the same in my Koi chatline threads. getting a pond of fish thru winter is quite different from florida to wisconsin. So we're not alone with this frustration.

I do know people are like water....they take the easiest path...

 

[coh]

Goodness! You're getting to be such a cynic in your old age.

Join the crew.

What can I say I am 52 so I'm rapidly approaching grumpy old man status. That, combined with recent events on the forum...

Actually I do think it's a good idea to require that info but I know it's never going to happen - so why not make a joke out of it.

 

[jkd2572]

At least a zone.......

 

[RedRav]

Where Are You? Zone ???

I have been looking for folks who live near me. Because, our weather would be the same, and possibly events could be posted/shared if one wants to attend. That is the ONLY reason I feel we would need location info. At the very least, post the Zone you are in, or have a mandatory field where one has to enter their Zone in order to proceed with registering. I am in Northern CA, but am only finding folks who live in South Carolina, Chile, Florida, etc. Obviously their climates are way different and bonsai care is also different. Very important stuff.
Oh, and if we could filter the threads to see just our own Zone if we wanted, that would be cool too!

 

[M. Frary]

I would like everyone's home address,phone number and when possible any credit card numbers or bank account numbers. Not for anything illegal. Really. Just pm me with that info so I can start my retirement.

 

[Dav4]

I have been looking for folks who live near me. Because, our weather would be the same, and possibly events could be posted/shared if one wants to attend. That is the ONLY reason I feel we would need location info. At the very least, post the Zone you are in, or have a mandatory field where one has to enter their Zone in order to proceed with registering. I am in Northern CA, but am only finding folks who live in South Carolina, Chile, Florida, etc. Obviously their climates are way different and bonsai care is also different. Very important stuff.
Oh, and if we could filter the threads to see just our own Zone if we wanted, that would be cool too!

And that's why giving just giving your usda zone isn't enough. The climate in zone 7 in GA is a lot different then zone 7 in Utah or Washington

 

[symbiotic1]

I'm all for requiring at least the zone info. This seems like necessary and vital information, even just plain common courtesy, especially since almost everyone's first questions involve how to care for their new trees. Maybe it seems strange to those new to horticulture/bonsai so they don't think to put it.

The way I see it, if you're coming here to ask for advice then you need to give the advisors at least a basic set of information, otherwise you end up with would-be responders passing over the thread instead of asking for the 50th time for someone to post their location.

If someone isn't comfortable giving out at least their zone and/or local region, they might just have to research their own answers in the threads as guests in exchange for preserving their privacy...

(Wow, reading that back I guess even us young'ins can be grumpy too )

 

[Great Falcon]

with respect to all, just my two cents, I don't need to know where you live or anything else, if I know the answer you will know it too when you ask, remember when you started, you just need it an answer you didn't start by saying this is my name and number, and my address, sooo can you tell what kind of water I need to use on my tree, nobody in Bonsai Art new anything when got the first tree.

You will stop learning when you stop teaching,
You will learn more when you start teaching,

Great Falcon
& Little Bear.

Blessings to all,
May the Creator be with Y'all this New Year And many more to come.

Happy New Year Everyone

 

[Vance Wood]

Bingo.

I don't believe it should be mandatory as some do wish to remain anonymous. And that I can respect. Though it's not like the forum is asking for an exact street address. A simple "city and state, or county" is all you need. Post a picture of your tree(right side up). Be humble, be open-minded to criticism, and understand that the bonsai veterans are not gods.

Good thing too, if we were, lightening might strike you and you would die.

 

[KennedyMarx]

with respect to all, just my two cents, I don't need to know where you live or anything else, if I know the answer you will know it too when you ask, remember when you started, you just need it an answer you didn't start by saying this is my name and number, and my address, sooo can you tell what kind of water I need to use on my tree, nobody in Bonsai Art new anything when got the first tree.

You will stop learning when you stop teaching,
You will learn more when you start teaching,

Great Falcon
& Little Bear.

Blessings to all,
May the Creator be with Y'all this New Year And many more to come.

Happy New Year Everyone

Happy new year!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Oh, and if we could filter the threads to see just our own Zone if we wanted, that would be cool too!

Hmmmm.... I'm not as old as coh (but really close) and so I'm not so grumpy.

I really like this idea. However in order for it to work I would have to create a discrete number of zones for people to choose from when they register, else you would search and if your search term didn't match exactly, you wouldn't show any content. For example I could pick the 50 states, and maybe separate Cal into north and south. Even so, there are a lot of other states that have significant regional variations... I'll have to think about it...

 

[Vance Wood]

Hmmmm.... I'm not as old as coh (but really close) and so I'm not so grumpy.

I really like this idea. However in order for it to work I would have to create a discrete number of zones for people to choose from when they register, else you would search and if your search term didn't match exactly, you wouldn't show any content. For example I could pick the 50 states, and maybe separate Cal into north and south. Even so, there are a lot of other states that have significant regional variations... I'll have to think about it...

Just my opinion I don't mind so much telling a newbie that they have to, or at least should, include where they live as an important function of any question. I don't want an address, but living in Michigan does not give an address. Sarasota Florida should not be confused with Anchorage Alaska. Personally I like the soft ware changed as little as possible now that you have it working well.

As to the Grump factor well what can I say?

 

[coh]

Hmmmm.... I'm not as old as coh (but really close) and so I'm not so grumpy.

Fear not - you'll get there!

I really like this idea. However in order for it to work I would have to create a discrete number of zones for people to choose from when they register, else you would search and if your search term didn't match exactly, you wouldn't show any content. For example I could pick the 50 states, and maybe separate Cal into north and south. Even so, there are a lot of other states that have significant regional variations... I'll have to think about it...

Would be nice to search on zone or location. Speaking of search - the other day I was searching for a plant called "plectranthus" (which is a type of herbaceous perennial occasionally used as "bonsai") and I got the following response:

The following words are either very common, too long, or too short and were not included in your search: plectranthus

Huh? Obviously the word can't be too short or common, so is there a length limit? Maybe it needs to be increased, I had another word give me the same response not too long ago (but can't remember what it was).

 

[KennedyMarx]

Fear not - you'll get there!



Would be nice to search on zone or location. Speaking of search - the other day I was searching for a plant called "plectranthus" (which is a type of herbaceous perennial occasionally used as "bonsai") and I got the following response:

The following words are either very common, too long, or too short and were not included in your search: plectranthus

Huh? Obviously the word can't be too short or common, so is there a length limit? Maybe it needs to be increased, I had another word give me the same response not too long ago (but can't remember what it was).

I got the same result when I searched for cotoneaster.