yes and yes and yes...and new ppl don't seem to read any (at least current) threads which often indicate in title whah they are all about :(

Alexandra,

I am sure everything you said is true. From the point of view of the tireless regulars (Gill and Rina, just to name the two above) who, with admirable and almost creepy amount of patience, never lose their temper answering the same questions over and over and over and over and over again, having sticky posts or subtopics ("C&S Dos and Don'ts", for instance or, dare I say it, "C&S ID Questions") will at least give them something to point towards.

Pagan

I've thought of this as well. It's so much of the same issues over and over (and over). I too admire the patience of those who compose much the same answers for different postings.

It might not help much, but how about a general cactus/succulent care write-up in the FAQ section? Maybe Houzz would be willing to add a comment at the top of the forum page indicating that some help can be obtained in the FAQ section.

socks

It has been requested by many members to have a 'sticky' and some other very useful suggestions have been made, but Houzz doesn't do anything about it, not sure if the ppl even got answer?

I get it that especially ppl new to plants think their problem/question is unusual and they are the only ones with that question...it also amazes me how many ppl get really excited about photos on pinterest and generally on net, that are very often misleading - plants arranged beautifully, fantastik photographs - but all wrong for the plant. And sometimes when told it is all wrong, they don't take it kindly. If I want answer to a specific question, I look for a site with some credibility - but it is difficult to tell them apart when you don't know anything.

Many ppl do not read F&Q section. And there are some that get answer to read and/or search and get upset - they think nobody cares...these things probably happen all the time, on many different forums.

I get the impression that Forum Moderation is not something specific to forums, or that there are even appointed Moderators; From what I can surmise, if a post is flagged, a faceless & nameless administrator deals with the situation as they see fit, but nothing is posted to notify other members of outcomes, or explanations...

case in point:

I was participating in a thread, and the topic was quite specific to one particular plant & issue.

A new member joined the discussion, and asked a completely unrelated question, about a completely different plant. I pointed out that this was a 'threadjack' and it was probably better to begin a new thread.

Another member came in, reassured/encouraged the new member, and slapped me down, so I responded that fine, if threadjacking was acceptable, then pardon my intervention.

I subsequently received email notification that this last comment had received a further response. In email, the comment is only partially legible.... But on accessing the thread, the comment was entirely missing. (This was on my 'phone; I thought maybe the phone app was simply behind with keeping up with posted comments) I accessed the thread on my home computer and sure enough, the response was not there; together with that member's every other contribution to the thread, it had obviously been erased.

No explanation, no clarification, no advisory note or PM to me about anything. Just Gone.

This left the thread slightly disjointed, but I could only surmise that the full response (which I never managed to read in full) must have violated some regulation, prompting whoever was alerted to it, to take the decisive action they did.

I am not arguing with, or questioning the intervention. I'm merely illustrating my rationale behind my above conclusion....

Actually , who's being Off topic now? People were responding to your abrupt borderline rudeness Ms Parker. We try to do things with a gentler hand here that doesn't smell like an overlord. It does not mean that sometimes thorns and feathers do not fly. Right now, your entry is not about the lack of a good soil FAQ to point repetitive questions too. I actually think this is quite important. I think this issue of the same questions over and over has driven many of the good knowledgable people off through boredom. The overall tenor of this form is not what it once was.

"creepy patience"... LOL...Rina, you go girl. I try for patience but sometimes I just won't open the thread or , I think its my turn to do the honors and get my karma point for the day.

Alright, ON TOPIC:

I think it would be a great idea! Another thing though. There are also sooooo many ID my plant threads. I think there should also be an ID section also that have some rough and basic ID pointers (leaf shape, color, flowers, structure habits, etc.) of course complimented with pictures. I think that might put off a lot of unnecessary posts.

I don't know, maybe it's just because I'm not good at identifying haha.

This forum really just needs subtopics in nested menu format, at least for the items I mentioned above. This will require Houzz to edit their forum template though.

Failing that, I swear that "search" field can NOT be where it is now; It's not obvious even when viewed on a computer and it is practically invisible on a smartphone. "SEARCH" has to be under the forum title, below the "Related Topics" subheader. And it has to be in flashing red font to be e%$#ing visible, maybe inside a big thought bubble attached to an Oogachaka Baby gif. If that doesn't encourage its use, I don't know what will.

Pagan

p.s. also it will be good if everyone had a conservatory in their yard

"People were responding to your abrupt borderline rudeness Ms Parker. "

It was not I who had their posts deleted. If my comment was seen as 'borderline rudeness ' goodness knows how bad theirs must have been.

"We try to do things with a gentler hand here that doesn't smell like an overlord."

Could have fooled me. Pot calling the kettle black, much?

I have never once ever been rude or offensive to anyone here, and I have not violated any regulations or risked moderation. But you deem it perfectly acceptable to call me out over something which ultimately seems to be a concept of your perception. If this discussion is of any purpose, it is to indicate those members I would best avoid directly engaging with.

Have a nice day.