Wow.... I almost gave a smart aleck response like "If you have to ask, you just don't get it."

I've been around the net and been a member of dozens of sites. This is the only one, where I can come to read every post, share my ideas, and in return, learn a whole lot, yet never once have I come across a single negative or offensive post.

Gardening is my passion, the members here do everything they can to feed that. The people here are as much a part of my garden as my flowers.

I don't have a problem with the site.

It's the members.

Friendly people

This site never seems slow to me and posts appear immediately. And info aside, it's the COMMUNITY that GW offers and fosters, IMO.
Kris

For me it is the availability of information and knowledgeable advice that I simply could not get anywhere else.

Ditto! :)

I like it because when I post questions around 2am, I get a response at 3am. Hahaha :D

GW members are always awake and ready to help!!!

Yeah, I agree it is the people! I came here a few years ago with some questions on fruit tress. I had responses in minutes.

then I started coming here more when almost each time I googled a certain garden subject something came up from garden-web.

Now I usually search here for info etc...

The people are great and they seem to be so helpful here. I learn so much and just like it here.

I don't have many site issues and it does not seem slow to me but I have cable modum nothing seems slow these days.

Karen

Why not? lol I don't have any problems with it at all. I love the vast variety of topics!

My gardenweb community is much friendlier than my neighbors...and much more knowledgeable!!

There are prob other sites out there....I haven't had to go looking. Everything I want/need is right here.

I think it's because everyone on here is nuts!! especially in the winter sowing forum.. I myself have about 60 containers in my back yard with plenty more to go.. so i guess i am right there with you all!! Although i dont post very often, i love to have my morning coffee reading all the posts, because im a second year gardener and have already learned so much from you all, and you guys crack me up!! thanks everyone..

It is the members. Friendly and lots of great advice.

Plus when we get OT, it can be down right hilarious!

I haven't looked for any other sites. This is an instance where the grass is not greener on the other side!

The people here are so helpful and knowledgeable. I have learned soooo much and know I will continue to.

the only websites that are free of any of those "problems" are so full of ads, professionals and hidden agendas they have no real value to me - so even if there are issues(I have never had any of those you speak of) the common sence, neighbor to neighbor banter makes it all worthwhile .....

Oh my goodness,
How can one even answer this question,like so many of you,i have my coffee with each and every one of you,every morning,i have laughed with you,felt sad for you,cryed at times,and will defend all of you with a whole heart,you guys are part of my gardening life,i would be lost with out all the wonderful advice,humor,and real life stories,that i share with others,mant,many times.I read postings to my hubby,and we talk about them at different times.

I have not gone to other sites,execpt the hosta forum,and composting,from time to time,they are not the same,some one always wants to start an arrgument,and heaven forbid,if you get off topic,there will always be some one who must let you know,and not in a nice way.

For me,there is no reason i will ever have to go any where other than here,i get all i need from all of you,you all have become the wheel on my wheel barrow,take it away,and it is no good.

Oh, and i do not have any trouble with this site being slow,guess i am one of the lucky ones,eh.Even if i did, i would still be here. :0)
cAROL

I have written the FAQs for several forums here. Spike gave us a forum a long time back. This is HOME.

I don't have problems with speed here but I have a cable line and a very fast computer. I don't think that GardenWeb is notoriously slow, (and this is the first I've heard it) but because a lot of the posters are retirees and using a hand-me-up computer from a child or grandchild they have the usual issues with older computers and they have those same issues at many other websites. (especially if they're on dial-up)

This is not a newer website, but it is the biggest tree in the forest. There are good people here, they don't drink koolaide on this forum. Every now and then someone with emotional issues visits the GW but these people don't stay around long, they go someplace else where they find other people to give them and their personal problems the attention they seek.

BTW, where did you get your stats?

T

i ain't got time to look for another one...lol.

and, i love all of you here on this forum, in particular
:-)

Linda

I'm a newbie to GW, but the amount of information, knowledge and expertise here is astounding. Just take a look at the number of forums on various topics, plants, and techniques. Whatever your gardening interest, you can find it here.

I have noted that various forums have very different "personalities"--some very open and helpful, some very technical, some edgy and somewhat off-putting. But these differences are the result of the members; the information they convey is still top-notch.

The WSing forum is in a class all its own. I happened onto this forum originally because I was intrigued--I had never heard of the term or the process. Two plus months later, I check in here everyday and hope to continue doing so. The camaraderie, knowledge, acceptance, empathy (yes, Token, "I fried them all"), and wonderfully good-spirited people here are like family.

RE: the technical aspects of GW, I've never had a problem with this site and don't find it slow at all. I'm on a cable connection, too.

I may be a lone voice in agreeing that the site is clunky, and I would go so far as to say ugly. I do get tired of battling the popups. It's not overly slow for me, but not particularly speedy either.

But as everyone's said above, at least as far as the wintersowing forum is concerned it's the best gathering of people I've seen on any forum on any topic. Everyone is kind to newbies (so rare on the web), helpful with information, and incredibly generous with seeds. I also agree that some other forums are not so nice and tend toward the snobby. But even those are still better than forums I've visited on work and hobby-related issues.

For me there is nothing like gardenweb on the whole internet.

It's the members.

That sums up the good and the bad. :)

Yes Nancy Drew, I'm talking about us.

I've tried other sites. I get my questions answered here and the occasional email from a member I'm familiar with asking things and answering questions for me. It's a good community.

One cracked pot recognizes another cracked pot!!LOL!!
-B

I'm new to this site this year and have not found it slow. I've learned so much...IT'S the MEMBERS. Everyone has been supportive and encouraging with a great sense of humor. I NEVER feel stupid asking a question or making a comment. It's like everyone wants everyone else to succeed. This is the FIRST forum every I've gone onto and returned regularly. I have my first cup-a-joe with you in the am and my final Diet Coke at night. Smart folks with good hearts, which I am grateful for.

All of the above :-)

Carrie

It's definitely got to be the people, and the wealth of knowledge shared, I have not found as much all in one place as I have here. Most importantly I love the humanity of it all.

I'll admit I was turned off at first by the inefficient search feature and like the ease of use of other forums that have html editing tools within the pages and let you view only unread posts.

{{gwi:363963}}
I finally downloaded this text formatting toolbar for my Foxfire browser and now its just as easy for me to add pics and links in this forum as any other. I wish I had a similar toolbar for Explorer. I know some people have work arounds using google or some such to make searches more effective. If your one of them, PLEASE share.

retiredprof took the words right out of my mouth! This is by far the best site for all gardening needs.

The WS forum is the greatest. This is the nicest, most friendly group around. Some of the other groups can get a little "snobby" at times. Not so here. People on WS don't care what kind of plants you grow or where you grow them. WSers are very helpful and my questions are always answered. And then, of course, there are all of the OT conversations that we have that always brighten my day. I can't imagine not having this site to rely on.

shinyalloy_5, that is a good idea, I may have to download firefox again. I had it once before.

I will look for an explorer one. I do use google toolbar for my spell check needs.

Karen

I am a newbie and have only spent time at this forum so far, but find this site to be great. I came here specifically to learn WS. So I guess my comments are really for the WS forum. Why is this place so great? Hmmmm. First, the members. Second, the members. Third, the members. Lots of information is out there, but I have never found such friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful people. Thanks for making me feel so welcome. Geez, I am tearing up;o)

Blessings,
Dea

Why are you posting this on the Winter Sowing site? If you have a problem w/ the site I suggest you contact the Webmaster.

GW is never a problem for me, and apparently many others. It is the friendliest site I've found, with the most knowledgeable people!

Get over it.

I have looked at other garden websites and found them either too difficult to navigate or too slow or they required some pay support. Pay support would be still ok if I could figure out how to get around. GW is simple, easy and has nice knowledgeable people. When I was remodeling my bathroom I found plenty of support on home forum of GW- did not have to go anywhere else. While I get once in a while to other forums WS is my favorite as my life rotates a lot around growing plants from seed. I spend much time on hosta forum during the summer and that about all time I could afford to spend on the web anyway.

Irisgirl, I don't think the OP (Klavier) has a problem at all. I think he/she was just saying why he/she loved GW, despite a few kinks, and was wondering why we love it too.

I have to agree with everyone else here. GW has great people, and a great wealth of information. My day is not complete without a visit (or five or six!) to GW!

:)
Dee

Hi Iris,

klavier has posted more than a few times here, and many of us have contributed seeds to the memorial tree program at SUNY Binghamton.

To counter the bad, GW must have something very very good to offer. What are the good sides of gardenweb? The sides that keep us all coming back? For me it is the availability of information and knowledgeable advice that I simply could not get anywhere else.

This sounds more like an appreciation of humanity than a critique of servers ;-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Hey, those are tree seeds in milk jugs!

I have loved Gardenweb since I started lurking about 4 years ago and frequent many different forums. There is a wealth of knowledge here, and for the most part it is a peaceful and friendly forum environment. There are many many forums out there on the WWW where flaming, profanity, and personal attacks are common. I have enough stress and headaches in my real life - I don't go to the virtual world for more of them.

The forum format IS old and clunky though - the Search feature is archaic, it is difficult to post photos, and there is no edit feature for the posts (after they're posted). BUT I like the fact that it is a simple text forum, that way the focus is on the text and what's being written, instead of a zillion little emoticons dancing around, and flashing avatars, and lots of visual clutter that I find very distracting. Although it would be nice if posting photos were simpler (because a picture speaks a thousand words sometimes, esp. in gardening).

I landed here in Jan 2005 with a new farm under my feet. Gonefishing and Trudi had me at the first word. Hope to give back as much as they gave me. I spent a soild 30 days every night doing searches on every ? could think of. It was wondful. Sadly Gonefishing is gone, miss him so much but will do a search on him and read his words from time to time.

The excitement in this forum is worth it. Trudi is doing a good thing here.

ML