Stuart - I think you must keep things as simple as possible, and though I think having 'guru assistant moderators' an excellent idea, they should not have to act like teachers fixing pupils mistakes in their essays! Can you program it so that to qualify for a pick you have to first categorise your post? We all like being picked. Make it our responsibility to attract picks! As for bloggers laying red herrings: well if they get off on cheating, good luck to them. And to the rest of us - we can cope with the occasional indignation/amazement at people's behaviour! But it is not your responsibility to recreate the Garden of Eden ;)

On a separate subject: I suggest when going to 'My posts' under Picks, the default setting should be "By date - decending". I have yet to go there with any other object in mind than to see how many picks my latest post has received.

Stuart, I am with the others keep it simple. A few people already reward Blotanists who pick or comment on their post with a point - by sending them a message. I know that you are keen to discourage the point collectors but are there many? Do they last long before they get bored? Lets not upset a good system for the sake of a few. Saying that I am happy to pick posts however you decide, picking also helps me keep track of what I have read and says thank you to the blogger. Personally I am quite happy that bloggers can get more points than me (as I don't have a blog) - they deserve it. I am happy just to be able to read all the great posts.

Thank you for all your hard work. Best wishes Sylvia (England)

Dear Stuart, Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to outline your possible ideas for Picks and Points'.

First, I agree that any system should be kept really simple otherwise it will fall by the wayside.

Secondly, categorising seems to me to be overly complicated and somewhat embarrassing to be put in the position of having to categorise one's own postings. However, a 'guru' reviewer I should not favour at all since many have achieved this rank in a relatively short time simply by picking. To review someone's weblog is, as has been said here, just like the teacher assessing and marking a student's work which is more than a little invidious and, I feel, completely against the spirit of blogging.

Finally, I think that the idea outlined above where the blogger can award extra points to pickers for whatever reason is a good one and could, perhaps, be easy to implement.

Thanks for trying to make it better, Stuart. Really though, this is a little too much of everything, work, control, like school. MAKING people read posts seems a little too much, we are adults, aren't we? Blotanical helps us find new blogs to read and keep current with the latest posts. The points and picking is now, and should remain, fun and light hearted. That is just my opinion about it however, others may differ.

I'm with Jack and Sue. My Posts default by Date Descending. Or at least let us choose.

The categories - if 'good' writing makes Sue uncomfortable. Then use Writing/Words. Let us offer Photos for Content (mine), or Photos for Technique (for professional/serious photogs).

And please give us the option for say, Our Friend Ben, to send ALL his posts thru automatically under a default of Words.

So, on My Plot, instead of that Experience box I have never used. We could have a categories box. 2 choices. 1. ALL my posts are ... 2. I blog about this, and this, and this ...

I wish, instead of listing latest posts, under A-F, which is practical, but not useful. I now have to skim 3 separate alpha lists. Or just skip them all.

If we choose to send our latest post out, under the category Wildlife, you could then LIST the latest Wildlife posts and Shirl and Wiseacre and I could just skim that list. And if the blogger is foolish enough to offer the wrong category they don't get picked, because they're in the wrong list.

Keep it simple and straightforward. (Lots of us are confused now, with the old system ...)If the blogger doesn't/can't/won't allocate a category. Then that post sinks into the Black Hole of A to Z! Fair punishment. Or they decide to default to all Eclectic and go straight to the Black Hole. Who wants to be read anyway?

And Please Please Please put the dates into those latest posts lists. I keep having to plough back and work out which ones I have read.

Double points to non-bloggers. No way. They get to lick off the icing, while we're in the kitchen baking the cup-cakes. Just let them earn a point by a good comment.

Help! I see you have just split A to Z into 13 lists. OK I can check quickly if my post is feeding thru. But no way can I skim 13 lists.

... the categories idea sounds complicated, and I for one have more visitors to my blog that actually don't belong to Blotanical

.... blogger already has a category section you can add and I find that the majority of visitors don't use it

... KISS theory ... keep it simple ... 1 point for the picker and 1 point for the blogger

... points can be earned in better ways like sending messages to other members

Here is a simple way to make Blotanical user friendly

Member clicks on a short cut icon to Blotanical on his/her screen and goes directly to the member’s own page.

Member’s page has a short bio only, in the upper right hand corner, just like Blogger.

Center column displays a list of the member’s favorite blogs, in a Blog Roll.

Member earns one point for every blog posted to that blog roll. Posting a blog to the blog roll is automatic “faving”.

Every time a member clicks on a name in that roll, a point is earned for both the reader and the writer.

Clicking on the name of a blog automatically brings up the latest blog accompanied by a “pick” icon

Picking an icon earns a point for the reader and the writer.

After reading latest blog, reader should be able to access that same blogger's OLDER POSTS of the last 30 days. These can be read and “picked” as well.. This is very important because not all members can access Blotanical daily or even weekly.

On the left side of the page, place a column listing the top 20 MOST READ BLOGS.

Next to it, a list of the 20 MOST PICKED POSTS of the last seven days. This list should include name of blog and title of post

Members that want to know about the 100 most read blogs and the 100 most picked posts can find that information by clicking on an icon in the banner of member's page. This should be an option for curious members. And, make returning to member’s home page easy.

Eliminate the "most active blotanist" segment, It is disingenuous.

Eliminate the "most popular" category

New blotanists should be introduced to members via e mail. When opening the e mail, members should have the option of adding the new blog to their "Favorite" blog roll or not.

A blog roll of new members, identified by date added, should be the fourth column on the member’s own page. Members can add a new blog to their roll from here as well. Make this easy to read by eliminating the flag. It is a hard symbol to identify when it is that small and it takes up valuable space. Remove also the blogger's name. A member will discover the name when accessing the bio.

Eliminate the point system for sending Blotanists a message. It is a cumbersome procedure and, by earning points, becomes a disingenuous act. Too many messages are empty platitudes, generated more for points and readership than for sincerity. Besides, Blotanical messages compete with the “comment” section of a bloggers own site. These "comment" boxes have taken on a life of their own. Blotanical cannot compete with them. Besides, sincere communication between Blotanical members has already taken place outside of Blotanical. Some, for reasons of expediency, and some because Blotanical was “down” for a while. Real connections are meaningful to both parties and don’t require rewards. The connection itself is a reward. Isn’t that what you set out to do?

.

Oh. My. Goodness. I think we're designing an elephant by a committee of blind peeps.

Everyone has ideas, I have no idea how feasible they are, but to my mind you need to do what you think will work well without spending the next three months of your life working on it, Stuart.

I'm of the keep it simple school of thought, and since it's all in fun anyway, what odds? It's all been about making connections, and having fun. It's not like we're collecting points to take a trip somewhere warm, or get a new plasma, or a have a day in the spa.

I've remarked elsewhere that I think we're all about at social-networking overload. One can spend all day reading blogs, making comments, sending notes via Blot, picking posts, going to facebook, reading twitter...I know I've been making an effort to cut back, culling people I follow on Twitter who chatter on and on about inane things and staying more with peeps who talk about plants, etc. My facebook page is for friends and acquaintances, not 'fans' or followers, and I'm thinking it's time to cut back the blogfeed too. Is it better to have a huge, inclusive bunch of blogs and not be able to read their every post, or just a few that I can commit to reading daily/however they post? I don't know, but when something fun becomes stressful, it's time to evaluate.

Long story short: you do as you/the hive mind think works best, Stuart. I'll support you whichever way you go.

I also agree with keeping it simple. I love reading through as many posts as possible, and if there were additional steps I think I would have less time to read as many.
I'll continue to be a regular on Blotanical though no matter what you decide.

Thank you for opening for discussion, Stuart. I agree with those who already said to change the default for 'Mine Posts.'

I always wondered why a blogger who puts time and thought into his post gets a single point while someone who points to it and clicks gets three?

There are some underlying algorithms here that are not understood by most of us. Most Faved is not attained by sitting in the blackberry bush. However, once a member goes past the time limit to be 'New' if he isn't in the top Faved, he's out there in limbo and somehow he'll need a category, either alphabetical or something else. There is a limit as to how many blogs a person can read in 24 hours, so something must go lacking.

Is there some way to indicate the Players apart from those who just 'belong' to Blotanical and have not picked, or sent messages or done anything but attract traffic to their commercial blog?
Why not divide by Inactive, New/Blotanists, Patrons, Fellows, Masters, Gurus and Gurus of Long-Standing? Friendships have been forged between Fellows/Masters who were working toward a common Blotanical goal. Certain Gurus of Long-standing encourage New members, maybe there's a reward there.

I have a hard time with Blog Names indicating the posts, while picks indicate the User Name. We are inconsistent: some are the same, some not.

It makes my head bizzy. You sure have an enormous task ahead. Thanks.

Just wanted to echo what Jodi said in her first two paragraphs. (If anyone doesn't recognise the reference, just Google elephant blind - it's very pertinent.)

Do remember Stuart, that whatever you do, some people will love it and others will hate it. For example, EE hated the 13 pages of picks. I'm quite happy with them - but hate the fact that they contain older posts and you can't see the first few lines. But I'm sure some Blotanists will think that's an enormous improvement ...

It's all very personal. But I'm sure the one thing that unites all of us is that we don't expect a site designed to our own specific wishes. I think it's great that you're asking for everyone's opinions but with 2000 (+??) members, what can you do? Go for the necessary, and as the number of blogs listed grows that's going to be predominant. And then, maybe, whatever the majority wishes - but only if they don't damage your own objectives for the site.

Whatever you do, we'll still be here ...

I am for the keep it simple Stuart and what works best from your programing viewpoint. With that in mind of course I have to ask something that probably adds to your headaches. LOL! When we go to the picks program could there also be on that persons page the buttons for adding them to our favorites. If we had all the buttons added to the poster it would be easier for us than going back to their Favorites page or going through the Popular postings. Also We seem to get off track constantly going back to our messages to get out of their login names and then back to the lists again. When I go to leave a message I have to then go back to my home page to pick back up my login name.If I don't I am logged in as whomever's page I went to. It is a vicious circle and wastes a lot of time. I hope I am explaining this so you can understand what I am referring to.
For those who do not want to go through the A-Z Postings they could just go to a 'New Postings' or the 'New Blogs'
We are with you whatever you decide Stuart and appreciate your hard work.
Lona

I pick all my faves. I feel that if a blogger is one of my faves, i need to show my support by picking their posts. I use the pick button but read the post using the "open new tab" button. I need the extra space that allows for viewing.
Maybe giving an automatic pick if you open the post using the new tab button would work.
I can set a minimum amount of time each of my student need to be on an on-line tutorial prior to a pre-test. Maybe a minimum amount of time on each post would work.

Thanks for everything
jim

Whoa. This is way too much for any one person to take account of; you'd be programming until the end of time! I love the site and applaud you for wanting to improve it even further, Stuart, but don't get overwhelmed.

That said, great idea having categories of posts that I could look at instead of A to Z, so that I could choose, say, Vegetable Gardens to read about that day. I second (or fifth) the idea about defaulting to a descending date listing on the picks of our personal posts, and approve of the idea of rewarding the blogger who wrote the post.

I do think we already give those who pick us points -- by getting into contact with them to thank them and chatting back and forth, both parties get points and cross-pollinate in Blotanical, as it was intended, I think. :)

Stuart, Picks are working faster--thank you! I think the current system is fine. If someone wants to go nuts picking posts s/he hasn't read, well no real harm done.

Off topic: my biggest problem is with Ping. I have clicked 20 times tonight (with breaks) and the new post is still not showing up here.

I do appreciate you hard work here and I like the current pick system.

DP

If the goal is to discourage "professional pickers", why not simply cease giving points to pickers? If I really like a post I'm going to pick it whether I get a point or not.
On the other side, blotanists should receive points when their post is picked (their work is rewarded).
These simple changes would have the effect of making the "popular" picks a more accurate representation of what is a really good post, and eliminate any reason to "pick" without reading!

I read this yesterday and was immediately overwhelmed. It's nice to be a part of the community but when more expectations and requirements are added, I'm afraid it is going to cause a lot of people to sit in the blackberry bush, on purpose. Sorry, Nell Jean, I just had to use your analogy. Some people have all day to 'play' blotanical, as they would play a game like 'bingo' or a card game, but I am not sure the majority of members are interested in it becoming more of a game than it already is. With that said, I'm still here, but my feed is apparently broken and now my posts cannot be picked. I don't know if you want to make a distinction, as some have indicated, between those who 'play' and those who don't...but if you do, you'll lose a lot of folks who have been active for a couple of years but don't find that the picking thing is a necessity 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. We have lives outside of Blotanical, I know most of us do. I almost quit a while ago because the pressure to keep up and pick pick pick is so great...and I don't want added pressure. So whatever you can do to keep it a helpful and welcoming community without making it more complicated, I'm all for.

Wow, my head is spinning after reading all the suggestions. I agree: Keep it simple! I like GrowerJim's suggestion to reward the pickee, rather than the picker. However, I think the I think the picker should be able to leave a comment as to why he picked the post and could receive points for that. I don't like the idea of having to categorize my posts. I would hate having to shove them into preconceived categories, which may not fit.

Hi Stuart! Sorry you have to go through all the agonies involved in trying to simplify the picks process. I myself would hate to have to nominate my own posts for "great writing"---sheesh! So I'd prefer a system that doesn't involve self-categorization. I tend to agree with everyone who says that the blotanist whose post is picked gets the points rather than the picker, since that rewards the creator and discourages mindless "picking for points." I'll be waiting with bated breath to see what you ultimately come up with!

I like the new lists. Every member gets a spot. It might be a daunting task to browse through them all but at least everyone has a chance to be seen.

Point schmoints. I'm not much of a collector and have no ambitions of becoming a guru. (nearly a year member - less than a weeks worth of picks) I chose posts to read by blog or title. Picks have little influence over my choices.

But I do feel if picking a post is worth 3 points then the post should be worth something. Regardless of what happens this is going to be the place I come to when I feel like browsing.

I'm with those who think simple is best. Some of the options, though sincerely offered, sound complicated and tiresome. I'm all for leaving things as they are now, or, better yet, leave the Picks *system* as is and give the points to the post. Or, my favourite option which I realize won't be well received...forget about Picks altogether. JMHO. :) Whatever you decide to do, smooches. :)

I'm with the simple solution. I pick posts because I like them and I read them, but if someone feels otherwise, let them.

Also, I am not a fan of having tons of lists for new posts, instead of one or two. What I have always thought was missing was just a "Most Recently Posted". One list, maybe 200. There are a lot of blogs, but honestly not that many that I won't catch most if I check in once a day. I will never click on each letter, and the whole point of looking at these lists are to see new blogs for me. If I click on B, some of those bloggers have multiple posts there, defeating the purpose of a new post 'list'.

Of any single thing that can be added, this is my vote - possibly right on the front page: a single plain old "newest post" list.

Thanks for asking!

I'd like two buttons.

A 'Hi there!' button which would simply register the visit and say who had come to call.

And a 'Star Button' which would be a way of saying 'this is an extra SPECIALLY good post'. For each click on a Star Button, the blog owner would get a point - but the clicker would remain anonymous and would not be rewarded with a point. Why should I get a point for reading a post I've not put any work into? And if I have to be bribed with points to read a blog, then it can't be a very good one!

Esther

I’ve been thinking about these issues as I’ve been writing a paper about Blotanical to be presented at a professional conference this weekend. (More about this in a post soon.) Here are my thoughts:

(1) How much of a problem is there really with people gaming the point system? My research shows that, at any point in time, there are a relatively small number of people who are very active at Blotanical. They are racking up a lot of points quickly because they are spending a lot of time picking lots of posts, leaving lots of comments on people’s blogs, welcoming newbies, and exchanging messages with others. These super-active members play an important part in creating the sense of community at Blotanical because they interact with so many others, and I don’t think we want to discourage them. I think people cycle in and out of this role as their time and interest ebb and flow.

(2) I’m always worried about the unintended consequences of changes in any system. Two that may be a problem here are discouraging participation and putting more emphasis on photos at the expense of writing because images can be read more quickly.

The bottom line for me: I laud Stuart for his efforts to address people’s concerns, but I think reading comprehension tests for picks will create more problems than they solve.

For what it's worth, I LOVE Esther's suggestions!!

And if 'Most Visited' literally meant what it said. With a simple list of 'Who was here'. I would also like The Latest 25 posts, hot off the press.

I think awarding points to pickers and the blotanists picked sort of creates an elite group who visit and support one anothers blogs. Nothing wrong in this if that is what Blotanical is about. But the same bloggers seem to have their posts picked most of the time, this means that most other blogs just drop off the radar completely after a while regardless of whether their blogs are active, worth reading or whatever.

I must admit to getting more visits from non blotanists than those using Blotanical. These visits come through the blogrolls on other blogs that indicate I have made a new post. This happens for a while on Blotanical whilst a blog is considered new but after that blogs become invisible.

I guess lots of blotanists like the game identity but to be honest I just want to find interesting blogs and it is just so difficult to find these outside of the 'popular group' other than to spend ages going through the complete blog list.

I love what you have done to Blotanical. I'm back again with adding your icon to my NEW blog. I hope to stay up to date in the blog world using your site. I hope to get some traffic... I miss my garden friends since I have been away!

Thanks for all you do! Watch for me on the http://www.gardenworldreport.

MY blog is at http://www.bggarden.com/blog/

Stuart,
Between Blotanical's downtime and my own impetuous decision to take two univ courses on top of work, I haven't had much time for blogging, let alone Blotanical.

However, as someone who has been fairly active, I'd echo the pleas to keep it simple.

A solution that requires me to come back to Blotanical after I publish a post -- especially when I've found that blog publish & Blotanical aren't always synchronized -- sounds too cumbersome. If you give bloggers hours or days to select their categories, the momentum is lost. If blog posts aren't "picked" in the first few hours, I find their likelihood of being picked diminishes.

I also like Esther's suggestion of a Hi! button (awarding one point each to blogger and picker) plus a star system (one or more stars -- with points for the blogger, but no added picker points). That seems like the ideal combination of simplicity and reward.

My two cents,
Helen

I would like a listing of blogs by state (US)...countries too, of course. I would like to know, for example, how many blogs from Virginia are registered on Blotanical. I have yet to find a simple way to look up that info. and I don't want to have to click on the map more than once to have to find out. Still waiting on getting my feed to work on Blotanical-(it works every place else)...I've sent two messages to the 'help desk' and I realize you're busy.

You are a genius for coming up with a good solution. Not sure if it will work but sounds like you have a back up plan. I do think it might be off putting to a lot of folks. I'm with Wiseacre in that I come here to find interesting posts to read and I usually do that by browsing the titles of posts. Most posts I like and feel the blogger put something into it then I'll pick. Some I don't. But the idea should not really be about the points on picking.

On the messaging system, I rarely ever even check if my posts have been picked and like never thank folks for picking (sorry to anyone who has picked one of our posts and I've not responded-please forgive me). The value of Blotanical in my humble opinion is to find a ton of different subjects you may be interested in and where you can read them all. Conversing with others is okay if socializing is what a blogger is after but truly, no matter how much you talk to someone how much value is socializing on the Internet? It boils it all down to a popularity contest and that leads back to picks and faves and popularity. I was not a member when you created the site but somehow I didn't think you created it to be a social networking site but more of a directory? The points and extras you have added in surely make Blotanical interesting but also competitive. There are enough readers for all of us out there and we don't need points to determine how valuable or popular our blogs are. Which leads me to the faves. I've already asked you about that so I won't address it here.

Bottomline, I trust all you do with your site and you have made some wise decisions so whatever you decide with picking points will work out for me and the majority of us I am sure.

Stuart

Please keep it simple.

People should be rewarded for a good post and one that is read.

I suggest 2 points for the picker and 4 points for the blogger. That will make people think about the post.

Don't worry about content let the readers decide.

Alan

I echo Jan's comment. A simple way of grouping blogs according to country etc rather than having to browse a map which is really time consuming.

Wow! There is an awful lot here to digest! Stuart, I must agree with the masses and plead for simplicity. More complications equals less blogs I'm able to read. My blotanical time will not increase or decrease with your decisions for this site. It's the variety of blogs I'm permitted to explore and visit that will either benefit or not.

I also agree with the several that keep the ball in your court. Nice, respectful, and hospitable as you are, these decisions cannot be made by committee. Asking the masses is a great way to gain new ideas, but that's it. There's too many people to please, with too many different personal blotanical goals.

However, given the opportunity to chime in, I will. I like Blotanical the way it is. I think it's fun which is what drew me here. I think it's also a fantastic way to meet new bloggers and gardeners (regardless if they have a blog or not). It's also an avenue for those with additional talents, aside from gardening, such as writing, photography and those with a knack for bringing others together (i.e. meme hosts). These are all fun, interesting ways to participate...no certain way is better than the other.

I DO like the idea of giving the blogger more points than the picker. But I like the buzz of activity, too, that comes from speed pickers. Truthfully, I'm attracted to the action..I've been on sleepy gardening sites and got sleepy. I'm excited to be on Blotanical and see what others are doing.

I also like the variety of ways to find other blogs. I originally came to Blotanical to find other Florida blogs, which I did...Success #1. However, I'd never have met some of my favorite bloggers if I'd stuck with FL blogs. I enjoy randomly going through the lists and clicking on a catchy blog name, only to find a gardener on the north pole (only an example...that would be fun, though, wouldn't it?!?!?)

If you're going to add lists, I'd like to see a list of the newest Blotanists per month. Keep a list of the past months in case someone has not been able to access Blotanical for a while. I know how wonderful I felt when people welcomed me and helped me find my way around.

I suppose I can summarize by stating that Blotanical has something for everyone already, and I like it that way. Making it more complicated will only eliminate possible participants. Regardless, I'll support your decisions, Stuart. I sincerely thank you for your efforts, hard work, and thoughtfulness!

- Kimberly

Honestly, I agree with Jean. After reading your outline, with the need for both blogger and blotanist to categorize posts, I felt somewhat daunted. Some months I'm quite active at Blotanical. Others, I'm not, depending on my own schedule.

I don't pick posts to gain points, I pick to let others know that I've read and appreciated their post. To be honest, I'd be just as happy if there were no points for picks. I comment when I can, but can't always, mostly due to lack of time. I can barely keep up with my favorite blogs as it is. I'm not sure a few highly active post-pickers make or break Blotanical to be honest, and I'm rather concerned, that if the process becomes too cumbersome, for both the blogger, and the blotanist, that Blotanical will lose a lot of its appeal to many garden bloggers.

I primarily use Blotanical as a tool to aid me in connecting with like-minded gardeners, and as an easy means to keep track of their new blog posts. I felt lost while Blotanical was down...not because I couldn't pick posts, but because I could find the ones I wanted to read!

Two cents: Not everyone picks every post they open. I know that's true of those opening my blog (I actually read my stats), plus I've noticed some of the "top pickers" never or rarely pick my posts. Personally, I try to be somewhat discriminating as well when picking posts...and, yes, I do read them! Inspiring photos, quotes, and words or just showing the thrill of new blooms are things that incite me to pick a post. After all, I am completely plant-obsessed. I started blogging to have an outlet for my garden obsession (and due to curiosity as to whether there were others out there like that). As for gaming, yes, there is a bit of an addictive thrill to getting points. Just bein' honest. O: I wrote a post on that back in Feb., all tongue-in-cheek, of course. But, mainly, I care about points because I seem to get more readers when my blog is spotlighted. Just speakin' the truth! O_O The first several posts on my blog got 2 or 3 comments per post, while I noticed experienced bloggers were getting dozens. One reason is that most bloggers who have been around awhile and have a great number of readers don't check out the new blogs. They really can't manage any more. (It couldn't possibly be that my blog is inferior to others! ;) Or--dare I say it--they just don't like me.) So there is my explanation for why we new bloggers do the gaming thing. Three months into blogging, I still don't get a tremendous amount of picks...or comments, for that matter. But I have noticed that if I blog about the topics of "blogging" or "weeds," I get more picks than if blogging about my precious garden babies. Hmmm... Still yet, I can't help it. I love my plants, and I will keep yappin' about them to anyone who will hear, even if it's only 7 or 8 people in the whole wide world.

Thanks to all of you garden-bloggers who do regularly visit my blog!

One last time, I'll use this as my 'communication tool' since my FEED is not working at Blotanical:-(

I want to say that I am sometimes active at Blotanical, and sometimes not. Right now, I have not been. When I am, however, I have loved meeting new bloggers! I've been here since Nov. 2008. I was very active with picks for quite a while. Now, it's whenever I can manage it.

If I don't visit you or pick you, it's not cause I don't like your blog. It's cause I'm trying to get through the day, here...at home, in my life;-) If you do pick one of my posts, I usually try to say thank you. There have been periods where I've not done that, but usually I try.

I like to have my posts picked, but I don't mind if they don't get picked. Right now, with the feed not going through, none of my posts are picked. Fine by me. Just come visit my blog and say hello! That's what makes me happy. A pick is nice, but a blog visit is nicer--in my opinion.

I wouldn't know so many of you without Blotanical and that's why I like it. Not for the picks, not for the faves, not for the 'popularity' issues. I would be fine without any of those. But getting to know you has been the benefit! Keep visiting...and I'll do the same. If I only do it every few weeks, or even less, it doesn't mean I don't like you, or your blog. I hope you know that;-)

Ok. Thanks for the communication platform...since I feel isolated without my feed going through!!

Stuart! I noticed on my stat's that you visited my blog twice...and suddenly I see Blotanical working for me again;-) Thank you for whatever it was that you did! I really appreciate it! Jan

My time is important to me, especially during three gardening seasons. There are many things that I want to accomplish each day.

Here's how I read and pick:

I usually READ blog stories via my blogroll from my own blog --- when I see that a new title has come up on other blogs and how recently. That's when I leave comments.

I PICK after reading, but I DO NOT READ FROM THE PICK mechanism because it is too slow for me.

I don't pick everyday, because I just don't have enough time in the day to do so.

I don't always get through picking all the blogs that I read because I just don't have enough time.

I do realize all the benefits of Blotanical and all the work that goes into it and thank you for that.

Stuart...one little suggestion...is it possible to make "descending date order" the default in the "My Posts" tab? It would be one less step. Thx.

He didded it. He didded it. Tx Stuart. We now have - Mine Posts - by Date Descending!

He didded it. He didded it. Tx Stuart. We now have - Mine Posts - by Date Descending!

Yay! That was fast! Thanks a bunch!

A big hug is winging your way Stuart.

I really like the suggestion from Florence of letting the post author give out picks to visitors. That spreads the work of monitoring useful activity onto all of us. And the authors would best know whether someone left a meaningful comment or not. I think that pickers should still get points for picking a post as not all bloggers read/respond to all their comments. The picker would just be able to get an extra point(s) if the author picks them back for their visit.

Hi Stuart,
I haven't been on blotanical much, because while it was down, I was in the process of getting ready for a kitchen remodel. I didn't know when you got it back, because I was boxing things up and cleaning different rooms in my house making room for the boxes of kitchen things.

I have just gotten caught up with those who have been leaving comments on my posts, which is what I normally do before getting on blotanical. I did get on a few days ago, and saw that the picks were arranged by date. I liked that, too, as I always go to the date to see my last posts. When I tried to do some picking, I wasn't able to get to any posts to read. I got on this evening to do some picking, and noticed your messages.

I agree with keeping it simple. To me, getting points is fun, but not a competition. When I pick, I leave a message most of the time, then do the picking, as picking first causes me not to be able to leave a message. I don't pick every post I read, either. If someone talks about killing a snake or spider or does something else I disagree with, I don't pick that post. I don't often pick it if it is not garden related, either.

I am glad to be part of blotanical because I have met lots of bloggers and found some fun blogs to try to keep up with. Thanks for all of your time and efforts. I'm not concerned too much about how the point system works, but I don't want a lot of time added to it, since I do read the posts.

Stuart, I'm sorry, but I have one more request. My computer gets bogged up often when I'm on Blotanical, so I need all the shortcuts I can get! Is it possible to make "My Blogs" the default tab when visiting the plot of a Blotanist? I always like to visit the Blog before reading other info on the gardener. Don't know what others prefer, though.

aloha all,

so many comments on pics, i'm okay with anything but can i offer a suggesion?

how about a new drop down column of categories below (example) containing the latests posts in that category?

(latests posts from):
mediterranean topics
tropical gardens
cottage gardens
garden tours

there are days when i'm really interested in just looking for a particular type of category or feature without going through A to Z.
although i guess someone does have to do some categorizing for this?

Stuart, like most of the others, I must ask you to please keep things simple. The idea of getting the Picker to label the post is great in theory but I'm afraid I would never have the patience to linger long enough to do that. Plus, I have just the odd hour or so per day when I can catch up with what's new in about a 1000 blogs here. Please dont make me spend part of that time trying to label posts and scratching my head over whether it will match the blogger's own label.
I do think that the blogger getting rewarded with more points for more Picks awarded to his / her post, will be great.
And thanks for constantly working at making Blotanical a better place for all of us. We really do appreciate it! :)

Thanks for your WORK Stuart!
Simple is a magical word! Life is so busy!!! Should we eliminate rather than add? For ex., why do we get points for messages? We communicate using comments on our blogs. Time, time, time...

Stuart--you just keep getting better troubles don't you? Bravo to the success of this place.

I love this place. I come when I can and can somewhat speed read while especially enjoying blog pictures. So that will be my system no matter what you decide to do. I will do what I can--when I can.

Good luck.

Hi Stuart
I have been trying for ages to get you to send my login details as I have forgotten them......HELP!

Gary, I can't help you because your email filter is not allowing scrobins[at]westnet[dot]com[dot]au through. If you can adjust your settings I will send you the verification code. Cheers.

Hi Stuart,
Thanks for the reply. I have turned off all spam controls and so please do try again.
Thanks....Gary