Stuart~Who are these "Picky" people who are giving you such a hard time!?!

Picks is an individual choice. You choose to participate when you select to view the picks page. You choose to become active when you choose to Pick a post. You choose your own criteria for a Pick. It's the most clear-cut way to let another blogger know that a post is appreciated. No matter WHY it's appreciated the fact is that someone picked it because they enjoyed it. And if many people picked it then many people enjoyed it~end of story.

Stuart, please don't change the Picks and please don't let a few people's silly complaints skew your vision for this site. Blotanical Rocks and so do you. :)

I love being able to pick. I don't pick every single post at all. To me a post is worthy when it has great pictures and great information. I pick for different reasons and not because I want points. I like to see who picks my posts. That helps me see that some people really do like what I post and are viewing my posts here on blotanical. Some site users will never be completely happy with how a site is run. I don't have any problems with blotanical. The picks are great and showcasing those who do well and are popular is not a crime either. Keep doing what you are doing Stuart and sticking to your guns.

I do have a question about the current posts or current list. I've noticed that the first in the list isn't really the last that has posted. I'll see a post some ways down the list that I did not read and was not there an hour ago. Why does this happen. And when I do a post sometimes it shows up an hour later and other times half a day later. Just wondering I don't mind that it happens that way.

Hi Stuart. I like that the picker receives points for picks, but could the pickee also receive points for having their posts picked? (say that one fast)

For instance, I pick a post that I think is worthy, but that post might not make it to the Top Picks page. I would still like for them to be rewarded in points in addition to their well-deserved 'pick count bragging rights'. Just a thought. -Jen :)

Today my latest post made it to the top ten list for the first time. Wow! What a thrill! I am already incredibly motivated to put forth my very best for my readers, and having that show up as an acknowledgment felt really good, I have to say. None of us are creating blogs in a vacuum. We are all motivated to share. If Stuart has created a place where now and then we get to shine, well, I say bravo. May we each experience that now and again for the work, love and creativity we bring in this endeavor. Thanks, Stuart. Much appreciated.

In case anyone should think that I lack discretion and pick just to get points, I wanted to share which posts aren't usually picked by me.

*Those that have offensive language or are off-color in any way. I personally find cussing offensive and will stop reading that particular post. It gets no pick from me.

*Those that are in a foreign language that I can't understand. "A picture is worth a thousand words", those that have pretty pictures still get picked, even if I can't read the words.

*Those posts that are in-your-face about a topic, whether that be homeschooling, (which I myself do), environmental or political. It is just a turn-off to me personally.

*Posts that are political in nature.

*The posts from blogs that take too long to appear on my screen.

What gets a pick from me:

*Any post that I find enjoyable, entertaining, educational,or edifying. Thankfully most fall into this category.

I would prefer; instead of going from the name of the blog/post, we could scroll through the posts. And then make the picks along the way.
I find it very easy to look at those who already got a few picks and pass by those who have no picks at all. I find it a bit difficult to get known if you not already are. But I do love to pick!

...me and my english... I hope you understand the meaning of this. I just hate to use my dictionary all the time...

Stuart,
As a very new 'blotanist' my words may not weigh in for much, but... As a very new blotanist it makes me feel welcome and excited to see that a few of my posts are picks- it DOES make a difference, and I am more active through blotonist rather then through blogspot because of it! The 'picks' also help me navigate to the things I want to see. No system is perfect I am sure, but, this system does allow a new member to feel welcome and enthusiastic about blotonist.
Just my two cents worth.
Thanks.
Melissa

Any large system like you have created with Botanical is going to have critics so don't let that bother you. I think the picks are good. They let you see what other people like. I'm proud when one of my posts gets picked or makes it to the top ten.

I have one suggestion that may satisfy some people. You could set up a page that has "The Most Viewed" posts. Maybe that would help. Or just let that stat pop up next to the picks. I don't know how hard that is to implement.

I've enjoyed Botanical since I found it and I think you did a great job. It's connected quite a few people in the garden blog world!

Hi Stuart!

Maybe it's the latent professor in me, but I really enjoy "rewarding" posts that I find endearing or informative with picks. They deserve the accolades! I'm just sorry I don't have time to look at *all* the blogs every day, but I do try to look down the list and check out the ones whose titles appeal. I agree with those who say to stick with the system--it's a nice way to say "good job!" to us blotanists when we do it right.

Ignore the nay-sayers. "Picks" is fun & useful - I almost always pick posts that have something to do with squirrels. So if anyone wants my vote - more squirrel posts!

"Try pandering to the public that votes."

I hope that was just a slip of the pen and not the message you are really trying to push. While I enjoy being popular just as much as the next person, there are things I won't do to get there. That's why my blog doesn't have ads. I want to be able to write unfettered and not worry about what sells. When garden bloggers do that, we put ourselves in the same position as the garden magazines we criticize.

Blotanical continues to be a great resource for finding new garden bloggers. It will be interesting to see how it evolves over the long haul.

Because my website is not a typical blog (it is constructed of 10 blogs linked together to act like a regular website) my new posts do not show up on blotanical. But that does not stop me from coming here and enjoying everyone else's. I read and read and read! I like the picks list because it helps me find new posts by having them all together. Being rather new here, I hadn't even realized doing picks gave me points! I just enjoy reading and showing my support to the writers I most enjoy.

Stuart, I don't think I'm a very competitive person. But I do like a system where I can give compliments to blogs and bloggers I enjoy. Comments are one way, picks are another.

My last comment was confusing perhaps. The reason my posts do not show up on Blotanical, I believe, is because the home page does not change. Sorry for being too vague.

MSS - you've taken that line out of context. The point was that if you are trying to increase your audience, as some bloggers are trying to do - and rightfully so, then you will need to find out what the greater audience is looking for and appreciates.

If we don't care what others think and couldn't care less whether people visited our blogs then we should continue creating content as if in a vacuum. No comments, no appreciation and minimal traffic.

But, if we want to grow and transform our blogs into something that is appreciated by more than ourselves then we need to produce content that is appreciated by others. And finding out what they like is a continual testing process.

That's not to say that we become all things to all people and give up our own personalities for the sake of trying to please the masses, but there is some balance in all this. To not be willing to change to suit your audience is just as extreme and, in my opinion, as ridiculous as trying to satisfy everyone.

To each their own but the advice was given in the context of Picks. If you want more of them then grow, learn and change. If you don't care about them, then stay the same but don't criticize others who want to get ahead.

I was unaware that I had criticized anyone. Please accept my apologies. Whatever the slight, it was unintended.

MSS - sorry, the YOU in the last paragraph was not pointed at YOU. It was a proverbial YOU meaning US or WE. I wasn't saying that you, specifically, were criticizing anyone so you have nothing to apologize for. My bad :o(

There are many posts that I don't pick ... either they aren't garden related, or they are just one liners with a link, or they just plain don't interest me. And I find I'm getting more picky about picking! But the posts are there, so why not pick away if you are so inclined.

If you are after points there are more ways to accumulate them than just picks. Why not visit a new member and leave a friendly message, or start up a conversation with another member via the messages. This encourages others to visit your plot. And all of those things will add to your points and the points of others.

But the most important thing is to enjoy Blotanical.

Interesting discussion, as always...people choose posts for different reasons, as outlined by several members above. I will select ones that HAVE NOT been picked if they're interesting (may have been missed because of the way the feed picks them up) and especially if they're newer members because I like to see them encouraged. I don't pick anything commercial like 'work from home' posts I saw yesterday, or if one blogger puts up half a dozen short posts all on the same day , I'll probably check out one rather than all of them. Like Robin, I'm not interested in anything strident or didactic about a topic, being a middle of the road type writer who likes to encourage others, not browbeat them. and I love cats, so if there's something funny about cats (cats, gardeners and writers often go hand in hand) they'll get my pick whereas posts about someone's baby probably won't.
As the French say, "Chacun a son gout"--each to their own tastes. The main thing is...this is all meant to be fun. Crafty had a real good discussion going on her website about what makes a good blog experience for readers, and she was spot on with that, as she was with her comment above. Messaging new members both gives them encouragement and points AND drives new traffic to your blog. I call it blogging Karma. :-)

jodi wrote: (cats, gardeners and writers often go hand in hand)

I have noticed that, too. Maybe an idea for a whole new category of blogs. If so: I'm in!

Barbee' and jodi - you might have to start that one on your own. Not much of a cat lover I must admit. I certainly couldn't eat a whole one!

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ewwwwwe! Now, I guess we better get back on subject. Sorry, Stuart, I didn't mean to high-jack the discussion.

I will say, I tend to be turned off by crude language, but there is one blog I stick with in spite of that simply because she writes on subjects of great interest to me.

I like the picks. I use it to get to posts of blogs I don't visit everyday. I do pick my friends. You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends nose. Sorry, silly got out again.