Thanks for letting us know what happened, Stuart, and especially thanks for working so hard and getting the site back up and functional again.
I'd missed Blotanical so much!

I appreciate your efforts and can imagine how frustrating that whole scenario was for you.
Glad it's working out. :)

Thanks for the update, Stuart. We all really appreciate the hard work you put in to make Botanical so great.

Oh, dear Stuart. I wish you weren't on the other side of the continent, because you deserve a group hug, a round of Fosters or Guinness or lemonade or strong coffee, and our neverending thanks and support for all you've been through over the past couple of weeks.

A bunch of us did try to keep one another informed as much as we could, (once we heard from you what was up) and I'm sure that all will be well in the community. One thing that a lot of people probably recognized is how much we rely on Blotanical as an essential part of our gardening world--our garden friends world--and I hope that people take the time to post their appreciation to you.

You've put so much into this site over the past three years and I wish there was more we could do to help. I'll keep being a cheerleader and if there's anything I CAN do from here (and from 12-13 hours time difference, I'll certainly pitch in.

Great to see you back Stuart. You must have been tearing your hair out. But don't panic - it will take whatever time it takes and will all happen in the end. As for us - well, I think it might have done a few of us good to see that there was life outside Blotanical ... :)

LOL considering your problems: my security code is "better whacked" ;)

Stuart, the philosophising around 'what will happen if cyberspace suddenly implodes' has always fascinated me. It was interesting to see how people spread the news to 'hang in there, Stuart - and Blotanical - will be back'.

Wish you luck! I still don't understand how (or even if) all the work you put into Blotanical can benefit you financially, but I do know that you are making a contribution to the way human society will function in future...

To put it a little more simply: thanks for everything!

Jack

LOL considering your problems: my security code is "better whacked" ;)

Stuart, the philosophising around 'what will happen if cyberspace suddenly implodes' has always fascinated me. It was interesting to see how people spread the news to 'hang in there, Stuart - and Blotanical - will be back'.

Wish you luck! I still don't understand how (or even if) all the work you put into Blotanical can benefit you financially, but I do know that you are making a contribution to the way human society will function in future...

To put it a little more simply: thanks for everything!

Jack

Stuart, to give you one weeks notice is very hard. I am glad that you found another sever. I already have an tweet account just for you and will add the new one. I have never 'tweeted' or intend to but have 72 followers! I think most of us missed Blotanical more than we expected, there are other alternative but none as friendly. Like Jodi, I wish there was some way to show our appreciation but I will keep clicking on adverts (providing they are not charities).

Thank you for all your hard work. Best wishes Sylvia

Dear Stuart

Thanks for this. Although the vanishing of Blotanical didn't affect me as much as it did other people because I have links of my own to the blogs I have found and enjoy here - I did wonder why you hadn't sent a newletter about what was happening and was puzzled when it all looked just the same when the site went up again - so I'm grateful for the explanation.

Although I am not a member of Twitter, I managed to find Twitter notes around the place and read the terms and conditions and considered joining. I don't understand Twitter but suppose I would work it out if I did join.

Some Blotanical members were thoughtful about those of us who might have fallen out of the loop and put explanations on their blogs - which helped.

I'd like to add my thanks to the others who have thanked you for the work you do and agree that even if you never make enough money from it, you are helping the world by it. I'm sure this isn't over-stating it because although the connections between members is gardening, the connections we make through Blotanical aid international understanding (well, certainly, certainly mine!).

Best wishes to you and your long suffereing family.

Lucy

Thanks for all your wonderful comments - it's certainly reward enough and I, like you, enjoy being a part of this awesome community.

BTW - I didn't create the community, just the venue!

Of all times for your electrical service to go off. Bless your heart. Sorry you had to go through all that. You seem to have risen to the challenge very well. Thank you from all of us.

Stuart, What a nightmare! When Blotanical went down, many of us got in touch with one another to share information. So, in that sense, the community was often strengthened as people forged more communication strands. When Blotanical came back up in its hobbled mode, I was amazed at the time and effort Blotanists (including myself!) put into finding workarounds and continuing to pick posts.
BTW, I don't agree that you've only created the venue; the way that the venue is structured plays an important part in creating the community. -Jean

Thanks, Stuart! Like everybody, I was terrified when Blotanical crashed and so grateful to Joy for giving me an interim update. And, of course, thrilled to have you and Blotanical back!!! Talk about providing a public service. "You should get a medal or be even made a knight!"

It's always great to get the update, but we knew things would smoothe out eventually with Stuart at the helm. They always do. :) I sure did miss seeing all those 'familiar faces' every day, though! As always, thanks for your continued support and hard work, Stuart. Cheers!

Oh Stuart, no worries. We're just glad everything is back up. I hope you didn't get too stressed out over the whole thing (computers can smell that).

Thanks for the update!

Mostly I missed the Captcha words ;) Now that is an ongoing joke between you and I.

Thanks for the hard work. I love blotanical.com. I've been waiting on it to get up to speed and can't wait for the new stuff. Thank you!

I've had my own blog hubaloo with Iweb and the new blog--so I'm letting FGG at wordpress keep me connected here. I'll add the other blog in a day or two. I think I'll wait till you get over your upgrades.

That way I'll know if my problems exist on my end or--well my end! lol

Using Twitter is a great way to communicate quickly. I saw your Tweet about the site being down and re-tweeted it out so others were aware. I kept an eye on it so I knew what was happening!
@RunningGarlic

Stuart: I think you're doing a great job and I'm sure that when Blotanical was down, it really made people realise how much they missed you and the wonderful platform you've made for garden bloggers.

Stuart - just a note to add my thanks for everything you do with Blotanical. Although I missed it while it was off line, having had one or two server problems myself, I cannot begin to imagine the headaches such a big site could cause.

It is nice to know that it is back and that there will be changes. You do a fabulous job Stuart much appreciated.
K

Stuart, so glad to hear that things are getting back to some form of 'normal' after all the kafuffle. As others have commented, losing Blotanical for a bit helped us really appreciate how important the Blotanical link is to help keep our garden blogging community together. And so we're grateful for all your hard work on this. Hank

Thanks for all you do to make Blotanical such a great thing to be a part of. I really did miss it while it was down, but quickly learned what was happening via twitter. Hope the next round of upgrades, etc goes smoothly for you!

You are wonderful, and this site is a treasure. These things happen to everyone sometimes. Happy things are back online. No worries!

Thanks Stuart! Sorry for all the headaches. I hope your blood pressure is back to normal by now.

I almost didn't click on this article because it said February 2009. After reading it though, I see it probably means 2010.

Thanks for all the hard work you do for this site! We always appreciate it.