New NARGS Discussion Forum opens

[Maggi Young]

Breaking News, Friends! 

The new NARGS Discussion Forum has opened for posts today: Saturday, January 30, 2010

This link will take you to the Forum :  http://nargs.org/smf

The Forum may be read by anyone but you must be a NARGS member to post there.

Some familiar names have already made their welcoming posts to the new system.

For the time being you will need to follow the instructions on the main NARGS page to be registered to make posts.

http://nargs.org  = website for the North American Rock Garden Society

NARGS have chosen a version of this very Forum (from SMF) so much of the user details will be familiar to you, I would think.

The SRGC wishes NARGS the best of luck with this new feature for their website and we hope it will prove very popular with their Members.

[TheOnionMan]

Maggi, glad you posted this announcement

I jumped in and took a look around the NARGS Forum.  I do sincerely hope that many others will start joining in soon.  I think the NARGS Forum will require much more advertising to increase the ranks and get the thing going, isn't much activity there yet.  I have a few initial comments and observations (and I did offer most of these up to the moderator, Hugh MacMillan).

1. Color scheme is indeed unfortunate, makes things much harder to see.  All concerns pointed out to the webmaster Hugh MacMillan have been quickly addressed.

2.  For those familiar with the SRGC Forum interface, the NARGS Forum interface will be familiar as maggi suggests.  That's a good thing.

3.  The list of topics seems too brief, and not North American centric enough. The list of topics is open to formulation, managed by Todd Boland.  Already specific genus topics have been added.

4.  There is no General forum category yet, they are definitely open to suggestions, and a General forum is likely.  It seems from the get-go, to be much more focused on just discussing alpines & rock garden plants.  But one of the great things about SRGC, is the ability to, and sanctioning of, discussing things that might be considered off-topic (puzzles, arty photos, you name it), but nonetheless fun and adding to the enjoyable experience being on SRGC... after all, we're not just about plants are we?

Some of the more traditional Alpine gardening forums, such as Alpine-L, I think suffer from too strict a focus on alpine and rock plants, heaven forbid a plant is taller than 1' (30 cm), and people have to apologetically preface postings as "off-topic".  At SRGC, this is not a concern, nor do contributors have to worry about being chided for having broken the off-topic rule (of course, within reason I'm sure, Maggi will make sure of that ).

5.  When sending a email message through the forum, it requires a verification code be entered... annoying.  Hopefully that can be turned off.

6.  Can only post 3 images with each message, not sure why it is that restrictive compared to the SRGC limit of 10 images per message.
     *This has been increased to 10 images per message, yay. These details have been worked out by awesome NARGS Forum webmaster Hugh MacMillan!

[Paddy Tobin]

Mark,

You must realise that many of the forums on the SRGC came about over time as people posted on various topic - many off topic. The significant aspect of the SRGC is that those organising and running the site, Fred, Ian and Maggi (are there others? Apologies if there are) were always open to what the site members wanted and always sought to facilitate the members. It is, to use that very frequently used phrase, "user-friendly" and that is the secret of its success. The approach of the moderators is friendly and the approach of the members is equally friendly.

The NARGS site may well develop along these lines also.

Paddy
Paddy

[Maggi Young]

6.  Can only post 3 images with each message, not sure why it is that restrictive compared to the SRGC limit of 10 images per message.

I have noticed that the limit size for uploads on the NARGS site is VERY BIG so that may be why there is a limit of only three per post...

But one of the great things about SRGC, is the ability to, and sanctioning of, discussing things that might be considered off-topic (puzzles, arty photos, you name it), but nonetheless fun and adding to the enjoyable experience being on SRGC... after all, we're not just about plants are we?

Well, No, McMark, most of us are not just about plants and it has always been the idea of the SRGC forum that we provide an "interface" here that can be as close as possible, in cyber space,to the real meeting of friends for a gossip and a discussion.

Naturally I contend that the vigour of the SRGC Forum is due in no small part down to that very ease of communication, where we can veer ( as in real life) between matters of life and death and matters  for people and plants and happy moments of relaxation and simple social intercourse ..... as I say, you would expect me to say that, wouldn't you, but I do think the number of forumists and the happy band of lurkers back up my assertion!  
Other lists, other clubs, do not wish to operate that way and that is their choice, of course.....for myself I get the feeling that the NARGS site is not going to be too straight-laced..... with the likes of Panayoti Kelaidis and Malcolm McGregor there, there is little fear of that, I'm sure!


Paddy, thank you for your kind assessment of the situation.... which is as we would hope you see it!



It took a good while for the first incarnation of the SRGC Forum to gather speed and I do hope all NARGS members will join in their Forum to make it an interesting and fun place to be.

[Paul T]

I wonder if having it closed to posting by non-members of Nargs will put other people off.  I visited and posted here for some time before I actually joined the SRGC.  Then again, I like to interact, rather than being a lurker like so many people who visit here are.  Knowing that I cannot post there means I doubt I will bother visiting, unless for a specific genera or purpose that I know they can fulfill.  I'd much rather just stay here and enjoy the friendly community. 

[TheOnionMan]

I wonder if having it closed to posting by non-members of Nargs will put other people off.  I visited and posted here for some time before I actually joined the SRGC.  Then again, I like to interact, rather than being a lurker like so many people who visit here are.  Knowing that I cannot post there means I doubt I will bother visiting, unless for a specific genera or purpose that I know they can fulfill.  I'd much rather just stay here and enjoy the friendly community. 

Paul, the few remaining "wrinkles" in the NARGS Forum user interface have been worked out... it is only just beginning, not a huge level of activity yet, but it is ready, just like a plump seed, ready to burst forth into exuberant growth.  I urge you to sign up and become a NARGS Forum member, open to anyone that wants to sign up, and start participating in that forum.  It is young to be sure, just getting off the ground, but I am highly encouraged by the willingness to make this a success based upon the initial contributions of founding members and my recent dealings with this venue.  I believe the NARGS could benefit greatly from those members abroad, particularly those from such rich and diverse geographically distinct areas as New Zealand and Australia.  Please don't write-off the NARGS Forum until you've given it an honest try, we welcome you there, and all others who would like to contribute.  Hurrah!

[Paul T]

.. it is only just beginning, not a huge level of activity yet, but it is ready, just like a plump seed, ready to burst forth into exuberant growth.  I urge you to sign up and become a NARGS Forum member, open to anyone that wants to sign up, and start participating in that forum. 

Mark

I don't think the Nargs forum works as you suggest.  The initial posting here states that you must be a NARGS member to post in the forum.  A clear line on the Nargs forum page states......
News: Welcome to the NARGS forum!  To contribute posts you must be a member of NARGS.  Non-members are welcome to browse the posts
I am not a member of NARGS, so that counts me out.  That was why I was talking about not being able to contribute. 

And anyone who says "well you should just join NARGS, it doesn't cost much" obviously has no idea of life in the real world (or they obviously have money to burn and if they feel like it they can pay my membership for me?  )..... where we have to pay lots of other bills and have to be rather selective about which groups we join or we'd be bankrupt.  I am a financial member now of very few gardening groups, only those where I feel I can justify being a member, and some of them I have scrimped and saved to remain a member of between work contracts etc. 

I would never have become a member of the SRGC if I hadn't become a member of this forum community (I joined the SRGC to "pay them back" for providing this wonderful forum), so only allowing posting by those who are already a member of NARGS itself would discourage some people from joining (like me) while I'm sure it would force others to join the society itself just so that they could post.  Unfortunately, given I cannot "try before I buy" (like here in the SRGC forum  ) I will not be racing to join NARGS itself, just so that I can take part in their forum.  I have a perfectly wonderful non-exclusive community to love right here. 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I think everybody within the SRGC is quite convinced that the fact of this Forum being open to all who simply register has gained a lot of new members... and rightfully so !! 

[TheOnionMan]

As follow-up to earlier posting on the subject of the NARGS Forum, it is my pleasure to announce:
NARGS Forum Open Registration begins today, Monday, January 31, 2011 

NARGS Forum participation is now available to any registrant whose request is validated and approved by the NARGS Forum Team.  Those interested in joining can go to http://nargs.org/smf and click on the Register button.  Approval may require up to 24-hours (probably much faster, but depends on the number of requests).



We already see some familiar SRGC names over on NARGS, hope to see more of you there.

Mark McDonough  (aka McMark )
NARGS Forum Lead Moderator & co-Administrator
Alpine-L List-Owner & Grand Poobah
The Onion Man

[Maggi Young]

How exciting it is to hear this news. I know that the NARGS Web Team have been working hard to get all this in place and we wish them all the very best in encouraging more foumists to NARGS and so more NARGS members.
I can't think what a suitable blessing might be for this venture..... Bon Voyage?

[TheOnionMan]

One thing worth pointing out, that few forumists can realize, is just how much work goes on behind-the-scenes with the "open registration" part, on SRGC, NARGS, and I'm sure with most any other forum.  The biggest challenge is the security review of all registration requests, to prevent spammers and internet miscreants from gaining access to the forum.  The internet waters are full of sharks, constantly cruising around on their hunt. 

Thanks to Maggi for sharing her experience dealing with would-be forum infiltrators, the threat is a real one that has to be vigilantly dealt with. I'm sure a significant portion of Maggi's time every day, is reviewing applications, ensuring SRGC Forum is a safe haven for us true plant lovers. On NARGS Forum, we have armed ourselves with an arsenal of utilities and procedures, to verify all registration requests before approving them.  It is a sad state of affairs, the internet evil-doers already far outweigh valid requests; we had 5 bogus registration requests in the past 1-1/2 hrs alone.

[Maggi Young]

So exciting to see new members arriving inthe NARGS Forum already.... some familiar names and faces, I notice..... well done, you Scottish rockers for supporting our brothers across the water. You folks are really international rock gardeners!

[Maggi Young]

Folks, news about  the NARGS Forum  from Mark McDonough:

Important Announcement!

On Wednesday, June 12, 2013, the NARGS Forum will be closed, for transition to the new NARGS.ORG web site.  The NARGS Forum as we know it will be very different, using a web-based interface instead of the SMF forum software familiar to NARGS and SRGC forum users.

Regarding NARGS Forum logins, I've been provided with the following information: all current NARGS Forum users, whether a NARGS member or not, will maintain their original USERNAME and PASSWORD with which to login. Any NARGS forumist wishing to change their password can do so by clicking the login link and select the "request new password" tab. As before, people not already members of NARGS Forum can request a password to log in.

My understanding is the functionality and capabilities of the new web-based NARGS Forum, are comparable to what we had previously. No doubt there will be some edits and tweaks necessary to get things converted over and running smoothly.  Please bear with us during this transition; I'm along for the ride, as are our Moderators, as fearless explorers without much knowledge of what's in store ahead of us; the forum just being a piece of the much larger overhaul of the entire NARGS.ORG web site.

Mark McDonough
NARGS Forum Lead Moderator

[TheOnionMan]

Thanks Maggi, for picking up on this announcement and posting it here. No doubt our announcement on NARGS Forum will have been missed by some of our UK/European/NZ/OZ friends (due to the time difference and our last minute announcement), so your re-posting helps spread the news, much appreciated.

[Maggi Young]

As ever, Mark, happy to help. Hope the changeover goes smoothly.