Let's clean up this board.

[MediaHound]

Originally Posted by jason

I am as much as the next person a banana freak,,but still think it would be nice to be able to post a picture of a palm or a heliconia,or a canna,or a ginger or a alocasia or philodendron etc..... I feel as long as it is a plant or something related to plants -tropicals,or some lighting setup for your plants that it should be allowed,,,having so many different cool plants i feel it would only be a shame to only allow just bananas to be posted so everyone could see them,,just my opion,Jason. But I do understand it is bananas.org and not TROPICALS R US . hey theirs an idea!!!LOL!!!

No problem - if we add a category "Other Plants" we can put those on the homepage. But perhaps people would not upload their homecoming photos (nobody has done this yet, thanks) to it and so it would so to speak be slightly on topic at least. Thoughts everyone? Would you mind other plants going on the homepage? We could do a category for banana relatives and one for non-banana relatives and perhaps just do the relatives on the homepage. Let's kick this idea around a bit.

[MediaHound]

Originally Posted by Ahava

Mayhaps there should be a thread catagory that's titled something like "Life After Bananas" or some such, where people can post things (within reason) about their pets, cars, or a topics like that, where they can get to know each other a little more. Because the thing that attracted me to this board, was not only the bananas but the family oriented atsmophere, and the willingness to help (Thanks so much Ms Kitty for all the help you've given me... and everyone else). So if there are those that are not interested, then they do not have to go to that thread and look at what they feel is too non-banana oriented. I think it would be a shame if this forum did turn militant and kill off the familyish (forgive the spelling) atsmosphere. To me that's apart of this forum's charm, and because people have opened up about themselves, and are willing to share some personal things about themselves, makes me feel a little more trust towards them, makes them seem more human so to speak. Like alot of others said, it is wintertime for many, and there's only so much you can do with bananas when you can step outside your door and step into a snow drift (love that winter's picture thread Taylor!) However I look forward to spring whatever it will bring us, and I'm sure with springtime and warmth alot of the "experts" will come back to regale us with their knowledge again because it is... the growing season. Just my two cents. Thank you all. ~Amber/Ahava

I like the idea but we have it already, that's what the Tiki Hut is for...

Other Topics This forum is for posts relating to anything other than bananas - general chit chat, etc.

Tiki Hut (2 Viewing)
All other posts go here. Banana jokes, travel stories, anything else you would like to chat about.

[MediaHound]

A member has pointed out to me that someone that is visiting the board or is new to the board sees the title under a member's name and it says, "banana guru", "Senior member", etc., might think that person knows alot about bananas. Some members may have "Senior Member" under their name and perhaps may not feel educated enough to give much advice about anything except personal experiences. And some may have "junior" when infact they are an expert!
So perhaps we need another way to distinguish someone as a "banana guru", or "senior member" other than by the number of posts they have posted. I understand and realize that problem now that those labels could cause.
The way it is now, depending on post count, that label changes IF the member has not overwritten it with something custom.

This is the table the way it is now:
Title - post count

Junior Member 0
Member 30
Senior Member 100
Junior Guru 400
Senior Guru 1000
Gone Bananas 2000
Almost Nuts 4000

(remember, that label changes automatically ONLY IF the member has not overwritten it with something custom. It's the line of text that appears directly below the username in posts. If the member has something custom, as indicated in the control panel here, [under 'custom user title'] it will always remain custom unless the custom bit is removed)

What would you guys suggest please that we use for the automatic user title table instead?
I would be glad to change it, just give me some suggestions and some guidance here.
We can even add some intermediate ranks as well... It was supposed to be fun. Some of those like Junior and Senior were part of the default site software that the programmers initially created it with! But on our site, in actual use, they might be or are bad label names to use...

So in replacing them, additionally, I can add a totally new feature - "certified expert" plaque perhaps, or something to that effect, and only the moderators can assign it.
Depending on amount of useful information being posted, or otherwise apparent knowledge of bananas, and perhaps "thanks" count, we can assign these one by one.
This way we can appoint "titles" to members, with their acceptance, of course, so new members and visitors would know who to go to. Thoughts? I think giving this area of the workflow of the site some attention would be very useful, moving forward.

[Ahava]

Originally Posted by MediaHound

I like the idea but we have it already, that's what the Tiki Hut is for...

See that's what I thought, but... I assumed that must not be really it because of all the reactions that is coming out about this. I mean I'm not a moron or at least I hope not *grins*, and I did read the little description, I promise I really really did ^_-, but well, people are getting bent out of shape over things, and it seems people are putting them in the right threads. I don't really see the true issue then other than the picture posting.
So what I think is this, if people post nonsensical stuff in the Tiki Hut...? (within reason) What's the real problem? That's what I don't quite get? *scratches head confused*

Tiki Hut (2 Viewing)
All other posts go here. Banana jokes, travel stories, anything else you would like to chat about.

[MediaHound]

Yea, nobody broke a rule, its sort of nipping things in the bud. Terry (TLTurbo) and I are friends and I know he cares about the site, he saw some direction it was headed and so voiced the concern.
People were getting cabin fever, posting off topic images and threads, perhaps a few off topic threads to weed through... I may have not read each and every post as I once upon a time was able to (been really busy this month) so I may have missed a thing or two as to whats transpired the past few weeks, though.

[MediaHound]

Already from this thread we have some ideas at hand:

1. The image rotator on the bananas.org homepage needs attention on what goes in and what stays out, that I will handle programatically.
2. automatic User Titles need attention, they are misleading, that I want to determine a new set of titles with you guys, so lets talk about them as suggested three posts up
3. "Banana Expert" plaque can be setup to assign a special rank, as deserved on an individual basis.
4. Hall of Fame direction is being revisited

Did I miss something? I think that sums it up so far.

[Randy4ut]

Originally Posted by MediaHound

No problem - if we add a category "Other Plants" we can put those on the homepage. But perhaps people would not upload their homecoming photos (nobody has done this yet, thanks) to it and so it would so to speak be slightly on topic at least. Thoughts everyone? Would you mind other plants going on the homepage? We could do a category for banana relatives and one for non-banana relatives and perhaps just do the relatives on the homepage. Let's kick this idea around a bit.

I like this idea, but hate to limit it to banana relatives. I do like the "other plants" idea to be added to homepage...

[Randy4ut]

Originally Posted by MediaHound

Already from this thread we have some ideas at hand:

1. The image rotator on the bananas.org homepage needs attention on what goes in and what stays out, that I will handle programatically.
2. automatic User Titles need attention, they are misleading, that I want to determine a new set of titles with you guys, so lets talk about them as suggested three posts up
3. "Banana Expert" plaque can be setup to assign a special rank, as deserved on an individual basis.
4. Hall of Fame direction is being revisited

Did I miss something? I think that sums it up so far.

Jared,
I would like to put in my 2 cents worth in on #2 and #3, so here goes...
As far as #2 goes, I would just as soon it be blank unless a member chooses to add something on their own as long as it is not misleading to visitors and newbies, like you said.
And for #3, I like that idea with the moderators and/or admins assigning the "plaque", as long as the member is willing to take on the "title".
While I am at this post/reply, let me personally thank you and Ron and Gabe for all the hard work that you all do and rarely get any praise. The three of you are the best set of "overseers" of the BEST forum on the web, in my opinion. Keep up the good work, guys!!!

[mskitty38583]

well i guess i can add my 2 cents in here now. i have been watching this thread for the last few days. i was very shocked to see even though my name was not brought up, i was put into it. i have never exceeded a 'pg' rating on anything that i have posted, unlike a few others on here. did i say anything..no i did not. i just by-passed what i thought should not have been posted. i may not be an expert when it comes to all things bananas, but i do have a very extensive hands on experience growing other things. as far as me being called a senior gru or whatever my title is, i thought it was all in fun. apparently i was mistaken. the hall of fame thing was another thing that i thought was a fun thing. who cares how may post you have weather it 250 or 16000. i have held my peace...till now. i do not appriciate the snide remarks about sitting at home all day long posting 50 in one day. if you would have taken the time to read the post instead of jumping to conclusion you would have seen i ask a lot of questions. and for your little information, i dont own one banana tree, i own 22 of them with 4-6 more fixing to be ordered..and as for the other snide comments 'user has 950 post and ask how far apart do you plant them'...you dont know till you ask. i agree the tiki hut is where we have been putting off banana topics, as far as i can see. and yes some of us do live in regions where most of us cant plant or do anything positive on the outside in our landscaping, so i agree we do get cabin fever. i am one of the fortunate one who has a whole room dedicated to the growing of bananas and other plants as well. relitive to nanas and not. so with that said, i believe the mod and admins have done a great job. i love this site.this has been the best forum i have seen online. we all love bananas here, we are all addicted to them. we probably have a lot more in common then just these two things. my last comment on this whole thing is probably going to upset a few, IF YOU DONT LIKE MY POST AND YOU DONT LIKE MY PICS...DONT LOOK AT THEM! you have an ignore button that jarred has graciously supplied just for that reason. until the time that jarred or one of the mods or admin tell me that i am doing something wrong...what you see is what you get. sam

[STEELVIPER]

LOL sometimes mskitty you can not help but look at your post or pics, because they are everywhere! Don't get me wrong i like the fact that we have someone like you here. You seem like a fun person. And you liven up the place. I just think that we need to stick to the post set up. If you want to talk about your pets or post pics of your pets, do it in the tiki hut.We have a chat room also. But do not post or talk about what you had for lunch or what you doing this weekend under cold hardy species. And so on. (just an example.) Im not just talking or picking on you. As for the rank thing. I think labels should be allowed like senior member, or guru for members that have been here awhile. Senior member = 1 year, member=6months, jr guru after a year and a half and so on. After a year plus of being a member on here. I have learned so much. I went from only knowing that a banana is a yellow long fruit, to fruiting my own, to germinating wild species like chessmani and helens hybrid etc....

[natedogg1026]

Nuttin but love for ya Sam.: p

[Ahava]

Originally Posted by natedogg1026

Nuttin but love for ya Sam.: p

What he said *points up* ^_-

[mskitty38583]

if it wasnt for this forum...id still be thinkin i could only grow nanas in fl. yall have taught me a lot, and i appriciate it. and there aint nothin but love for all yall!! .

[CookieCows]

SteelViper said, "After a year plus of being a member on here. I have learned so much. I went from only knowing that a banana is a yellow long fruit, to fruiting my own, to germinating wild species like chessmani and helens hybrid etc.... "

I don't know you SteelViper but I would never have thought that you were new to bananas only a year ago. I believe that the owner and moderators care not only about being able to bounce knowledge, ideas, access to new fruit, rare fruit amongst themselves and the higher learned professionals/gurus but they also love to help and watch people like you continue to climb that ladder. Some of us will grab hold, test the waters and fall off .... disapear after deciding that we tried it and it didn't interest us enough. I don't know that it won't happen to me. I began my quest in winter to be ready to roll come spring. The more I know the higher % chance I have of sucsess which would give more desire to continue. I love the idea of edible landscaping and I love being outside and smelling the dirt and air and striving towards self sustainability not with packets of dried food in my pantry but knowing how to grow good fresh food.

I'm learning more than text book banana growing from the members of this forum. I've been given alot of food for thought. All this chit chat might bore the heck out of the members that are on a different educational/professional level and I know that personality differences often times go hand and hand with that. I'm not trying to put people into seperate categories but wanted to indicate that I understand from experience that it's normal for people to gravitate to others like them but in no way cut themselves off from the whole. Here are my thoughts thown into the pot.
1. Along the thoughts of a special guru plaque for the more experienced ... with that privlege give them a closed section of the forum where they can converse with each other. The rest of us can read the threads but not post. If we want to ask a question about something we read there .. maybe an 'ask a guru' section? As the questions and conversations evolve with those of us that are climbing that banana ladder of knowledge .... some will reach the top and the moderators will recommend that they be admitted into the guru group. It would also be nice if all the people in that group would post a short about me paragraph so we can know who they are and what they do.
There are so many people that aren't in that group that have enough knowlege to help us newbies with the more basic questions. A stepping stone environment giving everyone a comfortable place.

2. On another line of thought if you want this to be a forum of select type of people. The hall of fame people then do that! Have there be an acceptance form to be admitted to the forum based on your knowledge. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. People should be able to congregate with who they want. You as the owner and moderators might not have the time to take on a huge forum and this one obviously is growing from what I am reading. There are lots of other forums out there that meet the needs of what people need to know to grow bananas. You'd be leaving no one high and dry.

Deb

[the flying dutchman]

Deb, this board is for everybody interested in Bananas. All the members are equal
and this will not change!!!
All those rankings and the Hall of Fame were just meant as a little 'Thank You'
to members, nothing serious at all.

Jarred is now looking how he can revise it in a way all members can live with it. So, all ideas and input are welcome, thank you!!

Ron

[CookieCows]

Oh ok.. I was just sensing the need of a place for discussions between the professionals on topics that alot of us might not relate too in our level of exerience. I wasn't referring to the past reasons for the hall of fame.. was just a thought that coincided with something the software provided ... my misunderstanding.

Deb

[STEELVIPER]

In a year plus Deb, you will be a guru.Trust me. This board and its members will teach you a lot. I went from asking to answering questions in no time.

[Zac in NC]

Originally Posted by the flying dutchman

It has all to do with the fast growth of the board. I think these are minor
problems wich can be solved.
Within an year we will have 1000 more members and that will make running
the board not easier.

Now, I think i know the board ZAC is talking about, but this has only 300+
members sofar.
And he and I know what happened to the other English board when they
had around 800 members, its not there anymore. It has split up in 2
seperate boards because of all kind of nasty posts and attacks on mods
and even on the owner.
I have seen this all happening and I don't hope this happens here.

Ron

I think that board was ended because the person who began it got tired of being in charge of it, and there is only one board now, as far as I know. I do know the Hardy Palm and Subtropical board tried a split a while back because of bickering. I post on so many boards, and they are all different.

Zac

[jason]

Originally Posted by CookieCows

Oh ok.. I was just sensing the need of a place for discussions between the professionals on topics that alot of us might not relate too in our level of exerience. I wasn't referring to the past reasons for the hall of fame.. was just a thought that coincided with something the software provided ... my misunderstanding.

Deb

Just an idea but what if you based your decision of who gets a certain label ,on the plants that they grow and their pictures,that would give some pretty good indication of how smart they are when it comes to plants and the level of their experience ,sorry if that sounded dumb it was just an Idea!!_jason.

[bencelest]

" Deb, this board is for everybody interested in Bananas. All the members are equal
and this will not change!!!
All those rankings and the Hall of Fame were just meant as a little 'Thank You'
to members, nothing serious at all.

Jarred is now looking how he can revise it in a way all members can live with it. So, all ideas and input are welcome, thank you!!"



I am taking the 'Hall of Fame" seriously. That's my thought. It is not how much you posted but how much you know about bananas. My suggestion is that members should have a vote as to who should be in the Hall of Fame. Like I think in Boxing or in other sports.
If it's all for fun it should be name something else.
That's my thought.