Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 05:47:31 PM

Title: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 05:47:31 PM
Before you joined the SRGC forum community did you ...

Watch without registering?
Register and watch from the sidelines?
Join in as soon as you became aware of the forum?

Are you a fully paid -up  member of the SRGC?
Title: Re: SRGC forum member poll
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 05:49:11 PM
I joined the forum and began taking part with days of meeting Ian and Maggi for the first time at the AGS Dublin Group discussion weekend.

I'm a member of the SRGC
Title: Re: SRGC forum member poll
Post by: WimB on January 12, 2009, 06:02:18 PM
Hmmm,

I did the first two things:

first I watched without registering and then I registered and watched from the sidelines.

I'm a member of the SRGC but I don't get paid for that! Should I get paid?  ;)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member poll
Post by: ranunculus on January 12, 2009, 06:05:34 PM
I joined the SRGC twenty two years ago - enrolled on the forum in November 2006 (shortly after becoming aware of its existence) and posted for the first time almost immediately.  I have been a damn nuisance ever since.  :D
Title: Re: SRGC forum member poll
Post by: Linda_Foulis on January 12, 2009, 06:35:03 PM
I lurked for a bit, found out about the seed exchange, joined immediately  ;D, and have been a member ever since.  Still mostly a lurker though.  I've been a member for 3 years now I think and will no doubt be a member until I'm compost.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 07:02:22 PM
46 views and only 4 replies  ???
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: David Nicholson on January 12, 2009, 07:16:05 PM
Joined in as soon as I was aware of the Forum and haven't shut up since ;D  Joined Forum first and then shortly after joined SRGC.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: johnw on January 12, 2009, 07:21:19 PM
Before you joined the SRGC forum community did you ...

Watch without registering? - occasionally landed on the site searching various plant pix
Register and watch from the sidelines? no
Join in as soon as you became aware of the forum? yes, when I realized it was easy to sign up.

Are you a fully paid -up  member of the SRGC? - yes, for 22 years

Have posted many blurry photos in the meantime.

johnw
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2009, 07:30:15 PM
Quote
46 views and only 4 replies
Yes, Mark, but you have started this poll in the open area of the forum so masses of folk will read it, but they can't answer because they are not registered..... ::)



May be a valuable excercise here, though, because it will show folks that you do not need to be a fully paid-up member of the SRGC to take part in the Forum..... but  I should remind folks that you DO need to be a Member of the SRGC to take part in the Seed Exchange and to receive the twice-yearly Journal etc.... Aslo, this forum cost money to keep the website  open, so if you enjoy the Forum and would like to support it and the SRGC, without whom this Forum would not exist, then why not join up......see this page on the main site www.srgc.org.uk .....   http://www.srgc.org.uk/member/member.html     I mention the main site because I have found that some folks find the froum via a search online and do not actually know anything about the main website and the SRGC !!  ::)

Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: janine on January 12, 2009, 07:45:31 PM
Hi.  I am a member of the SRGC.  I registered with the forum when i found out that it existed but still mostly watch from sidelines. 
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: LarsB on January 12, 2009, 07:51:27 PM
I registred as soon as i had founf the site, which was via Paul's Pleione site. I'm a really lousy alpine grower and would normally not consider joining an alpine society, but the srgc seems to be a bit different and i actually thought about joining the other day, without doing anything about it, yet. Seed exchange is always nice but i always start more in the spring than i can care for during the summer, so maybe it's not that good join :)

Lars
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: maggiepie on January 12, 2009, 08:07:21 PM
I found SRGC, emailed Maggi, joined, paid the fees, started selecting seeds from the exchange, all in the same day.
Filled out my seed forms and sent them off the next day.
Think I read the forums for a few days and then posted. ::) ;D ::)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Paul T on January 12, 2009, 08:22:38 PM
Found this, registered immediately, and you've not been able to shut me up since.... much to the chagrin of many here I would imagine.  ::)  At the time funds dictated I couldn't afford to join the SRGC, but I have done so since then, then again after a year off. :o  This time I joined up for 3 years, so I didn't have to think about it for a few years.  ;)  I've still never participated in the seed exchange.... I joined as a "thank you" for providing this forum as i get so much enjoyment here and meet so many new friends.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2009, 08:40:49 PM
Such diversity, from the modest to the precocious to the downright hyperactive..... I think all human life may be here.... 8)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: sippa on January 12, 2009, 08:55:49 PM
Yes I have been lurking for some time.  I am now registered and am a member of SRGC.  Next step I will introduce myself in the New-be area.

Marianne Kuchel
Vermont, USA
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: David Pilling on January 12, 2009, 09:04:36 PM
I recall I looked for seed exchanges on Google, found the web site, read it a bit, joined the SRGC and then registered on the forum.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 12, 2009, 09:05:09 PM
Joined the SRGC 10 years ago
Discovered this Forum 3-4 years ago - was flabbergasted by the zillions of magnificent pix by JOF, Ranunculus, Mark, etc.... and was mesmerized by so much knowledge about plants in general and alpines in particular out here that I never left....  I registered virtually immediately and then started to take part in the discussions shortly after that..  I haven't regretted it   ;)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: David Shaw on January 12, 2009, 09:07:50 PM
We joined the SRGC in the mid 1980's and, looking back at the old forum, I see that I was posting by March 2002.
This is a great club and a wonderful talking shop, we have had so many benefits from being members of both.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Carol Shaw on January 12, 2009, 09:08:23 PM
Such diversity, from the modest to the precocious to the downright hyperactive..... I think all human life may be here.... 8)
Maggi - like the new avatar  :)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: tonyg on January 12, 2009, 09:20:44 PM
4 questions - 4 answers
No: No: Yes: Yes
One more question - are we having too many polls? ;)  (There are plenty of interesting, fact filled threads to plough through :))
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2009, 09:42:18 PM
Yes I have been lurking for some time.  I am now registered and am a member of SRGC.  Next step I will introduce myself in the New-be area.

Marianne Kuchel
Vermont, USA

 Welcome, Marianne, good to have you here. We'll look forward to hearing more about you and your gardening passions later  8)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 12, 2009, 09:46:51 PM
And in answer to the last question Mark, some may be inclined to answer "Mind your own business!"
For the record, the lot of you are babies. I joined SRGC in 1961, same time as AGS.

I guess we're not having too many polls so long as people still answer them. But.....
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2009, 09:51:15 PM
Maggi - like the new avatar  :)


Thank you!
----------------------------------------------

For Ian and I, we have been closely involved in the Forum of the SRGC from the beginning  8)
Since he began writing the Bulb Log in 2003 he has had less time to participate in Forum threads but I have had much more involvement in the New Forum as a Moderator.
So the questions do not quite apply to us since we are part of the forum furniture!

Are you a fully paid -up  member of the SRGC?   Oh, yes, both of us, from the 1980s some time...... before that we got the Journal passed on to us by a neighbour!!  :-[ We joined the AGS at the same time.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2009, 09:55:09 PM
Quote
some may be inclined to answer "Mind your own business!"
Indeed, I expect that those folks WON'T answer!

Interesting to see how some are not full SRGC members and how quite a few full members came first to the forum though....   ??? 8)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: maggiepie on January 12, 2009, 10:02:19 PM
This is my first poll and I am finding it very interesting, picking up a few more snippets about people helps you get to know them. ;)
How else would I know Lesley is almost due for her 50th anniversary, the mind boggles, at least mine does.
Who has been a member the longest?
Had to watch what I was saying there  ::)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: annew on January 12, 2009, 10:04:40 PM
I joined in as soon as Mark told me about it. I was already a SRGC member.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Gunilla on January 12, 2009, 10:08:23 PM
Often when I googled for information about plants I ended up here or at the bulblogs.  I started to read Ians bulblogs every week and then registered on the forum. It took some time before my first posting.    I am a member of SRGC.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: mark smyth on January 12, 2009, 10:09:02 PM
really, Anne?!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: tonyg on January 12, 2009, 10:13:07 PM
And in answer to the last question Mark, some may be inclined to answer "Mind your own business!"
For the record, the lot of you are babies. I joined SRGC in 1961, same time as AGS.

I guess we're not having too many polls so long as people still answer them. But.....
I bow to a Senior authority - I was indeed a babe in 1961 ;D  a fact I pointed out to Michael Upward on holiday soon after his retirement from the AGS.  He became Secretary of the AGS in 1961 .... his reply to my comment was predictably brief! ;D

I joined the forum because I wanted to talk crocuses with other enthusiasts.  The current standard of discussion is fantastic!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Casalima on January 12, 2009, 10:13:24 PM
Forum member since Nov 2006.

SRCG member on and off since 2003 (according to the journals on my bookshelf). I now have a 5 year membership to avoid the off moments! And I managed to sign myself up twice for 5 year membership - so I passed the "double" on to a dear friend!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2009, 10:18:55 PM
Forum member since Nov 2006.

SRCG member on and off since 2003 (according to the journals on my bookshelf). I now have a 5 year membership to avoid the off moments! And I managed to sign myself up twice for 5 year membership - so I passed the "double" on to a dear friend!


 That is extremely generous of you, Chloe, I'm sure Graham (SRGC Membership Secretary, all round Good Guy and Busy Bee) would have given you your money back!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 12, 2009, 10:22:25 PM
Quote
How else would I know Lesley is almost due for her 50th anniversary, the mind boggles
So does mine..... she'll want a HUGE cake!  8)

 Just thinking, Lesley, that anniversary of 50 year membership will be in 2011..... year of the International Conference....... yippee!! A GIANT CAKE opportunity coming up!!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: ChrisB on January 12, 2009, 11:11:28 PM
I was told about it by Sue Gill.  Then someone posted about a subject I am interested in, and Sue gave me the link.  After that I joined in and I see I have spent almost 7 complete days of my life here since.  Yikes!!!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Roma on January 12, 2009, 11:17:17 PM
I joined the forum in November 2007 but had been 'lurking' for a while before then.
It took me a long time to start posting, but after a bit of prodding from Maggi and much trial and error got started.  I won't say I've got the hang of it yet but I don't lose my post too often now.
I joined the SRGC about 1976 or 1977.  I remember I showed a few plants at the show in Aberdeen in 1977 not long before I applied for the job at the Cruickshank Botanic Garden.  It may have impressed Fred Sutherland enough to give me the job.  He retired soon after I started and left me looking after his beloved rock garden.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 13, 2009, 12:33:47 AM
I joined the Forum initially when I was active on Alpine-L so didn't have much spare time to particpate on the old Forum and didn't post much at all. When I dropped out of Alpine-L I started spending way too much time on the Forum!
SRGC was the first international group that I joined though I let my membership lapse whenI went overseas. I re-joined around the turn of the century (1999 I think) and have since become a joint Life Member (along with my partner, Will) so I'm in it for the long haul!

Maggi,
the idea of a Forum get-together (with cake!) at the 2011 conference is a definate goer!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: johnw on January 13, 2009, 02:53:18 AM
I joined SRGC in 1961, same time as AGS.

I had no idea the SRGC was so progressive back then. Hope you got the toddler's discount.

johnw
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 13, 2009, 09:03:23 AM

May be a valuable excercise here, though, because it will show folks that you do not need to be a fully paid-up mamber of the SRGC to take part in the Forum



I'm a fully paid up mamber - er - member - and joined the forum early on. I find it a fantastic site and a terrific way of communicating with other enthusiasts, as well as showing off and seeing beautiful plants, wildlife and places of interest.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: TC on January 13, 2009, 11:39:40 AM
I think I joined the SRGC in 1990 after being persuaded by my better half to do so - she having joined a few years prior.  My experience of clubs prior to this was that they were run for the benefit of the ruling cliques.  I found that the SRGC changed my opinion for the better. Members could not have been more helpful - even to people like myself who can kill plants with a look !
I heard about the forum at one of the plant shows and lurked for a while before I jumped in.  Instead of the confidence of youth, in old age, your "Ego" has all but gone and you can make postings that have little of practical value to add to any discussion and you don't care !!  The forum contributors are a tolerant bunch.
One thing that does impress me is the quality of the English used by our non-native English speaking members.  To post on the forum in something other than your native tongue requires a lot of courage  These people should be applauded for their contribution in taking this from a cosy parochial chat line to an international forum.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Martin Baxendale on January 13, 2009, 12:19:02 PM
For the record, the lot of you are babies. I joined SRGC in 1961, same time as AGS.

You beat me, Lesley. My first junior SRGC membership was in 1967 after I built my first small rock garden at our new house in Gloucestershire, aged 15, after moving down from Scotland. But I used to look at my parents' SRGC and AGS journals before that ad grew a few alpines in wooden tubs from the age of 12. My earliest SRGC memory is of visiting the Knox-Finlays' garden in Perth with my mother on a SRGC outing aged about 9 or 10.

I think I noticed mention of the web site in some SRGC literature and went to have a look out of curiosity.

Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Katherine J on January 13, 2009, 12:27:14 PM
I've found the Forum via Ian's Bulblog, about a year ago Seeing that I don't have to be an SRGC member, joined Forum and posted at the same time (I think  ::)). Nowadays I'm mostly lurking.
Joined the SRGC a little later. Since I don't have a real garden, I don't want to join much clubs (to many seeds to withstand  ;D), and I decided the SRGC was the best of all. :D
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Casalima on January 13, 2009, 12:47:47 PM
You beat me, Lesley. My first junior SRGC membership was in 1967 after I built my first small rock garden at our new house in Gloucestershire, aged 15, after moving down from Scotland. But I used to look at my parents' SRGC and AGS journals before that ad grew a few alpines in wooden tubs from the age of 12. My earliest SRGC memory is of visiting the Knox-Finlays' garden in Perth with my mother on a SRGC outing aged about 9 or 10.

My almost 12 year old daughter couldn't really care a hoot about gardens and plants, but my 8 year old son knows lots of the faces and nicknames on the Forum, likes to have a look at the Bulb Log every now and then, and can possibly even identify a Galanthus ... There is hope  :D

And I rather think the SRCG is the best of all, too!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: art600 on January 13, 2009, 01:22:08 PM
Member of SRGC for many years before discovering Forum by accident.

A treasure trove of advice, laughs and fantastic photographs.

My collecting habits have expanded through the good advice of forumists and I have made many friends.

It is simply the best.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 13, 2009, 08:28:37 PM
Thank you Tony (G). I shall enjoy thinking of myself as the "Senior Authority." :)
John I don't think there was a toddler's discount (thank you for that too), anyway I was 16 at the time but there were bonuses. I had personal letters of welcome from men such as Harold Esslemont, E B Anderson and Roy Elliott and was made to feel very much at home immediately. These letters are of course in my little store of treasures to keep always.

But I HADN't thought of SRGC membership in terms of an anniversary. You're right Maggi, BIG CAKES in 2011!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: David Nicholson on January 14, 2009, 07:44:49 PM

...............One thing that does impress me is the quality of the English used by our non-native English speaking members.  To post on the forum in something other than your native tongue requires a lot of courage  These people should be applauded for their contribution in taking this from a cosy parochial chat line to an international forum.

Can I just second what Tom has so eloquently written above.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: mark smyth on January 14, 2009, 08:09:33 PM
Well said. When you think how many people know of the forum here in the UK and Ireland yet they stay out of sight
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 14, 2009, 10:59:10 PM
I agree too, with Tom's comment, especially when I read or listen to, with horror, the copy produced in what wshould be well produced newspapers, TV news etc. NZ's lot are appalling. I heard someone say on a TV thing a couple of nights ago that she had "advantagized myself" meaning, she'd taken advantage of something. Good God!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: David Shaw on January 15, 2009, 08:42:15 AM
A further facet of Lesley's story is that by 1961 the SRGC already had a world wide membership, long before the advent of the internet.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: TC on January 15, 2009, 11:02:04 AM
I agree too, with Tom's comment, especially when I read or listen to, with horror, the copy produced in what wshould be well produced newspapers, TV news etc. NZ's lot are appalling. I heard someone say on a TV thing a couple of nights ago that she had "advantagized myself" meaning, she'd taken advantage of something. Good God!

I think that this is a generation problem,  The number of university graduates I have met who cannot speak grammatical English is worrying.  For example, " we done it "  and "we have went".  These examples crop up frequently.  I remember I lost the place with someone - supposedly well educated -when they made the remark " they don't never give you anything"
I asked what then had they been given.  The reply was that they didn't give me nothing.  I then said that if they didn't give you nothing then they must have given you something.
A blank look.  It was like being caught in a revolving door so I gave up the struggle.
As for predictive text, it may as well be written in runes !  On this subject, I keep seeing the expression "lol" used in this context.  What does it mean or is it a profanity ?  A thought, will any of our contributors own up to using this form of shorthand English.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 15, 2009, 11:11:31 AM
lol ;D   ( edit by M: lol = laughs out loud... not, as I thought for a long time  "lotsof love" !)Seriously, though, I agree with you Tom. It is normal speech in my school for both kids and adults to say: "the bell's went"; "are yous going to the tuck shop?"; "you have two choices"; "I done my homework but I forgot it" (and I have a Ferrari at home ::)); "can me and Jamie go to see Mrs X?"; "can I sharpen my pencil?" (I don't know, I've never seen you try. ::))

Still on school. Our 4th year pupils did their prelim exams before Christmas. Some absentees are catching up now by doing them as they return. One such pupil was put into the maths/computing workbase to do his on his own. He finished by morning interval, handed his paper back and departed the scene. Later, staff came into the base for lunch. "Where are my two packets of crisps that were in this cupboard?" "What's that cooking smell?" A bit of detective work revealed that not only had the lad eaten the member of staff's crisps, but he'd gone into the fridge, found a sizzle burger, cooked it in the microwave oven and eaten that too! ;D
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2009, 11:30:42 AM
Quote
Who has been a member the longest?
Of our Forumists ... I would think that  Otto  has been an SRGC member the longest, followed by Franz 8)


Quote
by 1961 the SRGC already had a world wide membership, long before the advent of the internet

Memberships of clubs and societies of all types (be they gardening or golf)  are falling recently... I don't just think it's a "credit crunch" effect,  though that must impact to a degree, I think that it is not the fashion in the world at the moment to be involved in such activities.... it is a boon to the likes of the SRGC, however, that the internet allows our overseas members to take part in this activity of the club and so have a greater feeling of inclusion. Thank goodness that the SRGC is able to maintain it membership numbers without excessive losses at this difficult time.
I gather from the recent publications from the AGS of their annual reports, that their membership numbers appear to be around 5500, which is not so very much more than the SRGC ( around 4400, I think). Considering that it is not so long ago that AGS publicity claimed a very much higher membership figure it seems that other Societies are faring worse. I know that money is tight around the world, but I urge you to support as many of the specialist clubs as possible for they are great repositories of knowledge and deserve our support.

With the numbers of Registered Forumists currently at around 750 (even allowing that some of those are not SRGC Members) the Forumists still comprise the largest SRGC "Group"... with a greater number of members than any of the SRGC's UK based geographical local Groups!
 Congratulations, Fellow Forumists.... we're a success!

Not sure where he asked the question, but Mark asked if "we" had any members in Estonia ....well for SRGC the answer is Yes!
 Not entirely sure about the Forum Members..... but I can tell you the SRGC  is visited by folks from 151 different countries every month... including Estonia!

Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: ranunculus on January 15, 2009, 11:32:26 AM
He possibly expected a practical exam, Anthony?

Never avoid responsibility on an empty stomach.

LOL?  (Laugh Out Loud, Tom)   SRGC judges use it all the time.   :D
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2009, 01:00:38 PM

LOL?  (Laugh Out Loud, Tom)   SRGC judges use it all the time.   :D

 As opposed to WTF... which is very rude  :-[ and more often heard from exhibitors, viewing the judges' decisions  :-X :o ;)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 15, 2009, 01:04:13 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: ranunculus on January 15, 2009, 01:07:40 PM

LOL?  (Laugh Out Loud, Tom)   SRGC judges use it all the time.   :D

 As opposed to WTF... which is very rude  :-[ and more often heard from exhibitors, viewing the judges' decisions  :-X :o ;)

I thought it meant; 'What tremendous foliage'?   ;)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 15, 2009, 01:21:55 PM

LOL?  (Laugh Out Loud, Tom)   SRGC judges use it all the time.   :D

 As opposed to WTF... which is very rude  :-[ and more often heard from exhibitors, viewing the judges' decisions  :-X :o ;)

I thought it meant; 'What tremendous foliage'?   ;)


Which, of course, it does........ when you hear ME say it  ;D
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Carlo on January 15, 2009, 01:25:01 PM
That's exactly what it means! (good one...)

I, for one, choose not to employ such shorthand (there, now the other question was
answered...). It might help shorten some of my posts, but I just can't bring myself to do
it.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: J.B.Wyllie on January 15, 2009, 01:40:29 PM
We had a lot of fun when last in Gothenburg teaching Henrik OTT , OMG, etc. Ian may be able to extend the list.

Jean
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: ranunculus on January 15, 2009, 01:44:38 PM
B.D.S.?


Bulb Despot's socks!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: TC on January 15, 2009, 01:53:27 PM
"[i]Yous"[/i]  is a common word in Central Scotland, Ulster and Geordie land.  "You" being 2nd person singular and "yous" being 2nd person plural.  It has a logical use and maybe should be accepted as a useful word.  If you are addressing a group using "you", it could mean an individual or the group.  "Yous" defines it as everybody.  No ambiguity.
It reminds me of a time in St. Andrews when Cindy and I were in a restaurant and the waitress came up to us and politely asked "what does yous want".  The reply should have been "wes wants something to eat"
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: kap-horn on January 15, 2009, 01:57:09 PM
Going back  to the initial question:

I don´t know how long I watched before registering, but after doing that I needed a long time to come out of the sideline  :-\.
But I swore, I did it on my own impulse! I read Mark appeal to come out of the dark in the christmas greeting thread later!
I´m a srgc member since 2007 because of the excellent seed exchange. Thanks Maggi, I managed to order online  :D

Karin
edit by M: Excellent, Karin, I'm pleased it went well!  8)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Kristl Walek on January 15, 2009, 03:24:23 PM
I was a member of SRGC, AGS, NARGS (and various chapters), as well as many individual specialist groups (Primula, Clematis, Penstemon, Cacti & Succulents etc) for many years; many, many years ago, long before the advent of the internet. It was the only way of connecting with like-minded souls and participating  in the seed exchanges.

I am now a member of none; nor have I been for a number of years. If I were inclined to financially support one by membership, it would be SRGC. I am now less interested in the "benefits of membership" (seed exchange, journals, etc) than I am in making contributions myself in whatever way I am able through donations of seed as a non-member, writing articles etc. I suppose this is part of the "service mentality" that comes with age.

My greatest lust is for knowledge---am greedy for information and learning. It motivates my entire life. And in that sense, what has happened to our world since the internet and the on-line gardening forums is indeed magical for me.

I joined this forum about two years ago, as I recall, being rather discouraged by Alpine-L and seeking a friendlier, more international participation and a more expansive mind-set. I grab every stolen moment when I am not overwhelmed with my business, to be here; have no issues with participation when I have time to do so.

From the beginning, I was warmly welcomed, never judged, and my learning curve has swept upward again; a most titilating thing for certain!!!!!!






Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: ranunculus on January 15, 2009, 03:39:07 PM
Eloquently put, Kristl.  (Though I have never thought of this wonderful forum as - 'titillating' ... until now)!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Susan on January 15, 2009, 07:48:57 PM
Having a look at my back copies of the Rock Garden, it would appear the first was June 1982. (Over quarter of a century). This meant that I have just spent several hours reading that first copy again - no wonder I was hooked!  There was, and still is, nothing on this side of the world to match it. The seed list of course, was another reason to join.  I used to spend part of my Christmas holiday (often at the beach while my husband looked after the children) poring over books so I could get my order in.  Now it is all so much earlier and the order is back well before Christmas.

I joined the Forum very early on, probably after reading about it in a Rock Garden. That was in the days when there was only about a page of members registered, now I see that there are 25 pages.

It has been one of the most wonderful things to have evolved in my gardening life.  Such a great learning experience.  I have taken advantage of the 5 year sub offer - just as well, as our currency rate has dropped quite dramatically. 

Long may it prosper.

Susan
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 15, 2009, 07:54:46 PM
A further facet of Lesley's story is that by 1961 the SRGC already had a world wide membership, long before the advent of the internet.

Very true and I certainly wasn't the first from "abroad." There were at least 2 NZ members of AGS in 1929, within weeks of that Society's starting. They were Sid Frazer (mother of Margaret Pringle, known to many, and grandmother of Francie Herlund, known to many more) and Carl Teschner who was I think in his mid seventies when I joined, as a teenager. Fine and generous gardeners, both of them.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 15, 2009, 08:11:54 PM
"[i]Yous"[/i]  is a common word in Central Scotland, Ulster and Geordie land.  "You" being 2nd person singular and "yous" being 2nd person plural.  It has a logical use and maybe should be accepted as a useful word.  If you are addressing a group using "you", it could mean an individual or the group.  "Yous" defines it as everybody.  No ambiguity.
It reminds me of a time in St. Andrews when Cindy and I were in a restaurant and the waitress came up to us and politely asked "what does yous want".  The reply should have been "wes wants something to eat"

But if "yous" is accepted as the plural of "you," we'd have to accept "sheeps" as the plural of "sheep" which could get tricky as in jest, we here in the deep south frequently have a little dig at the "yous" brigade by calling them "ewes."
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 16, 2009, 08:59:10 AM
"[i]Yous"[/i]  is a common word in Central Scotland, Ulster and Geordie land.  "You" being 2nd person singular and "yous" being 2nd person plural.  It has a logical use and maybe should be accepted as a useful word.  If you are addressing a group using "you", it could mean an individual or the group.  "Yous" defines it as everybody.  No ambiguity.
It reminds me of a time in St. Andrews when Cindy and I were in a restaurant and the waitress came up to us and politely asked "what does yous want".  The reply should have been "wes wants something to eat"

But if "yous" is accepted as the plural of "you," we'd have to accept "sheeps" as the plural of "sheep" which could get tricky as in jest, we here in the deep south frequently have a little dig at the "yous" brigade by calling them "ewes."
Especially if you are in Aberdeen! ::) ;)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on January 16, 2009, 09:24:42 AM

Carl Teschner who was I think in his mid seventies when I joined, as a teenager. Fine and generous gardeners, both of them.

I've been growing Hebe "Carl Teschner" for a long time - nice to know where it came from...  :)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: olegKon on January 16, 2009, 11:46:20 AM
While browsing the net for some information I needed a year and a half ago I came across Ian's Bulb log which I found extremely interesting and useful. This is where my acquaitance with the SRGC and the forum started. I've been a registered forumist for a year now enjoying a friendly atmosphere in the group of highly knoledgable people devoted to gardening with plants of my interest. The next step was to become a member of the SRGC. The most striking feature of both the forum and the Club for me is that they are... "personal". The point is not a colourful membersip card but the people whose presence you feel. I can't miss the opportunity to say here "Thank you" to Maggi, without her we wouldn't have half of this charming atmosphere. I'm happy to have been among all the forumists for a year of my being a member
Best wises to everybody
Oleg
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: SueG on January 16, 2009, 01:31:14 PM
Hmm
I rejoined the SRGC about 7 years ago and came onto the forum as soon as I was aware of it as an occasional poster when I can fit it in around work (I know I have to pay the mortgage somehow, but it is such a nuisance when work interferes with my gardening).
Having been off the forum for a few weeks I might eventually catch up again.
Sue
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 16, 2009, 02:40:16 PM
Blasted polls!

It is a regular occurrence at work to receive telephone calls requesting participation in this or that opinion poll and my constant answer is "No thanks, goodbye"

I feel the urge to continue to express my opinions on this subject as it relates to this forum but it would only make work for Maggi so I will desist.

Paddy
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 16, 2009, 08:39:31 PM
This is one guy's answer to cold calling. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5z4Vs26-TI
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 17, 2009, 01:32:41 AM

I've been growing Hebe "Carl Teschner" for a long time - nice to know where it came from...  :)

I think Hebe 'Carl Teschner' is the same plant as H. x Youngii.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: gote on January 25, 2009, 11:51:27 AM
I noted this thread today so some of my comments are a little outdated.

I stumbled on this forum by a google search for something I do not remeber what.
I then lurked for some time; do'nt remember how long.
Registered and later (don't remember how late) became a (usually  ;) ) paid up member.
I never get my seeds ready to send so early that I can contribute but I really appreciate the seed exchange.
I probably post too much and too often.

I do not understand the reference to runes They are not worse than using Latin letters for English.
Acronymes like CPU for Central Processing Unit are internationally understood but LOL, BDS etc are not understood by us non-scots.
The only one I really like is AFA = Another F***ing Acronyme >:(

Göte
PS
This the best Forum I have seen on the web and that for many reasons.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Paul T on January 25, 2009, 12:17:58 PM
Thank you Tony (G). I shall enjoy thinking of myself as the "Senior Authority." :)

Lesley,

So we should just refer to you as "gran" or something then, should we?  What do the rest of yous fink? ;)

For reference, I use LOL in emails, and <grin> to clearly show when I am laughing at something.  Here, I use the smiley face emoticons as they show nicely what I am wanting to say.  As you can see from most of my postings I laugh a lot!!  ;D
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: TC on January 25, 2009, 04:40:39 PM


I do not understand the reference to runes They are not worse than using Latin letters for English.
A


I did not mean to insult your Scandinavian heritage but only that I find predictive text as unintelligible as runes or cuneiform.  As a matter of fact I like runes and I know an artist who incorporates them into his pictures to give some deeper meaning to the subject.  A bit posy to me !!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: gote on January 25, 2009, 05:03:07 PM
I am not offended. My point is merely that runes are just another alphabet just as Cyrillic or Greek and no more difficult.
Göte
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: fleurbleue on January 25, 2009, 06:26:59 PM
hi
I am a french gardener and love many sorts of plants.
It's my first reply on this forum because I don't speak very well english but I often read your posts.
I have found the srgc website searching informations for a plant and decided immediatly to become a srgc member to benefit from seed exchange.
I have been a srgc member for three years and  I am waiting impatiently for the seed list every year.
I read regularly the Ian Young's bulb logs and Wisley alpine logs  where I learn many things.
Kinds regards for all
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Carlo on January 25, 2009, 06:36:50 PM
fleurbleue,

Please consider joining us more often. Your English is terrific...and I for one would love to hear more from France. Are you familiar with Olivier Filippi's nursery, book, and work? What part of the country do you garden in?
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Michael J Campbell on January 25, 2009, 06:39:36 PM
Hi fleurbleue, welcome to the forum, you will get lots of information here and meet lots of like- minded friends.

Cheers.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: David Nicholson on January 25, 2009, 07:18:03 PM
Hello fleurbleue, your English is excellent and I hope that now you have joined us you will post for us as well.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 25, 2009, 07:54:53 PM
A warm welcome from me too, fleurebleue. Your English is very good and MUCH better than my minimal French, though I have figured out Blue Flower.

Gote, we here in the south of New Zealand absolutely LOVE our northern counterparts, i.e. those in the north of NZ, especially Aucklanders. As we perceive them, they're rich, arrogant, and don't acknowledge that life exists south of the Bombay Hills (a part of south Auckland). Perhaps you know the very pleasant sweets, jaffas, which have a chocolate centre and an orange-flavoured outer coat. But we have another, a JAFA, which means "Just another f..... Aucklander." In a small Central Otago town (near me)  a few years ago, some Auckland immigrants opened a cafe/bar which they called "Jafa's." So they know we really do quite like them - usually.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: fleurbleue on January 25, 2009, 11:53:56 PM
CARLO, DAVID, LESLIE, thanks for my "english" but I have written my post for a long time with my dictionary on my knees lol
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Paul T on January 26, 2009, 03:58:43 AM
Nicole,

And I bet you spent a LOT less time with that dictionary than I would have if I was trying to type it in french!!  ;D  Welcome!!
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Heinz Meyer on January 26, 2009, 11:21:56 AM
Hello everybody,
my name is Heinz Meyer, I come from northern Germany and I am a member since last autumn in the SRGC. Here in the forum, I have been about a year read-only member, I've never dared to write here because my English is not good.

 Greetings!
          Heinz
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2009, 12:43:28 PM
Greetings, Nicole and Heinz, great to have you join in. 8)
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: gote on January 26, 2009, 02:02:27 PM
Lesley,
I am not surprised.
If you travel in Bavaria you will find that the locals say that Preußen starts ten miles north of where they are. (They will never forgive Bismark that he dragged their Beautiful Freistaat into Germany.)
In Sweden we say that Lappland starts ten miles north of us.
The Danes say that Asia starts on our side of Öresund.
Only in your case it is the South Island that is closer to the pole.
You are upside down. I do not understand that you do not fall off  ??? ??? ???
Göte
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 26, 2009, 07:28:14 PM
Well gravity I suppose, but that would only make us remain attached. How can we still be upright with the sky above? I suspect the ancients were right after all and the earth is flat.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: tonyg on January 26, 2009, 10:50:45 PM
Hello everybody,
my name is Heinz Meyer, I come from northern Germany and I am a member since last autumn in the SRGC. Here in the forum, I have been about a year read-only member, I've never dared to write here because my English is not good.

 Greetings!
          Heinz
Hello Heinz
Your English is much better than my German :) 
You should find some German friends here who you can share news with using the Personal Message system but I hope you will share some with us all too.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 26, 2009, 11:55:47 PM
Dear New Members,

It is a pleasure to have your company. Please remember that we do not read your postings to see if you have good English. We are simply interested in you, your plants, your garden, your comments, your stories and it seems to me you are all well able to tell us about these important things.

Please start posting. Postings from other countries makes this forum so very interesting. When I log on here I can see what people in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, America, and many other place in the world are growing and I can see plants I would never see otherwise. Your contributions will be very welcome here and we look forward to reading more from you.

Paddy
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: ranunculus on January 27, 2009, 07:54:55 AM
As a quick follow up to Paddy's excellent welcome ... it is so easy to post images with little or no additional text ... we only need to know your location and/or the name of the featured plant.  We would welcome any contributions to this magnificent forum.  Thanks Paddy.


 
Dear New Members,

It is a pleasure to have your company. Please remember that we do not read your postings to see if you have good English. We are simply interested in you, your plants, your garden, your comments, your stories and it seems to me you are all well able to tell us about these important things.

Please start posting. Postings from other countries makes this forum so very interesting. When I log on here I can see what people in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, America, and many other place in the world are growing and I can see plants I would never see otherwise. Your contributions will be very welcome here and we look forward to reading more from you.

Paddy
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Joakim B on January 27, 2009, 03:33:39 PM
Nice to see new members active and You have already been welcomed by other but You have my welcome as well.  ;D
I think that most people are very forgiving for any errors in English if the message is interesting. As You might have seen there can be misunderstandings even between native English speakers from different countries but these are easily solved.
Participate and enjoy the nice spirit.

Regarding the forum I found it through a search for hepatica and I joined almost instantly (the forum) and posted about a thing a new. I later chose to become a member of the SRGC as well since the forum is such a good place to be. The great magazine became a nice bonus when I saw it and I enjoys it a lot.

All the best
Joakim
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Heinz Meyer on January 27, 2009, 05:58:33 PM
Thank you for the warm welcome, my English is not as good, but there are very good translation programs on the Internet.

Greetings!
         Heinz
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 27, 2009, 08:06:12 PM
A warm welcome too, from those of us in the southern hemisphere.
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: kaydale on February 14, 2009, 05:27:16 AM
I joined the SRGC when I was about 15 (13 yrs ago).  Mainly for the seed exchange because I love growing rare bulbs.  I got life membership about five years ago.  But didn't find the forum until three or four years ago.  Lurked alot and posted a bit.  Still more a lurker than a poster. ;D
Lesley
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: arillady on February 14, 2009, 08:52:38 AM
Have only just noticed this thread - head in the sand I guess at times.
Yes Lesley NW Tasmania is lovely - reminded me of NZ. I joined the forum after someone mentioned it and found others I knew from the gardening world of friends. I felt uneasy that I was contributing to the forum so I joined the SRGC - especially for the seed exchange and the wonderful members that this society seems to have and of course for the journal information as well. This forum seems to be the most active, with the most knowledgeable members over a vast array of plant subjects.
Pat T
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: fleurbleue on February 15, 2009, 05:10:42 PM
I agree totally with you Pat and I am happy an english speaker tells all these words instead of me  :D
Title: Re: SRGC forum member - informal poll
Post by: cohan on February 18, 2009, 09:59:13 PM
the site came up in searches, and i have had a couple of articles etc saved for a couple of years; i think the forum also came up in searches, and i had seen it mentioned by kristl in other places, plus i had a link or two forwarded to me by kristl;
i'd meant to join the forum for a while, but hadnt due to heavy involvement in some other online groups (several yahoo groups-cacti and succulents, indoor gardening  etc)..

still hoping to find some elusive contacts in or near my area or at least climate, and always enjoy lots of stuff thats outside my area, so finally got around to registering in the forum yesterday..
not, thus far, a paid member of the group..
cohan
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