Locating nearby gardeners to meet.

Discussion in 'Wish You Were Here' started by Chesterfieldgardener, Nov 25, 2017.

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  1. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    Hi CG, I have looked at the link, and No, I'm afraid they don't relieve the GC Admin Team of any legal responsibilities to ensure our members security and, as I pointed out, permission should have been asked from the Admin Team to post the link.
     
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      Last edited by a moderator: Nov 25, 2017
    • CanadianLori

      CanadianLori Total Gardener

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      Perhaps if one wants to socialise, a simple message added to your original new member introduction post "I live in the Lilliput area. P.M. me if you want to meet for a coffee and chat"? Keep it on a one to one without involving administration?
       
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        I like the @CanadianLori idea -

        but I'm not sure that I'd want to meet up in Lilliput :heehee:, although it would be much better than meeting the 'Yahoos' in the Land of the Houyhnhnms :rolleyespink:. Jonathan Swift coined the word 'Yahoo' almost three hundred years ago.
         
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        • Chesterfieldgardener

          Chesterfieldgardener Gardener

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          Perhaps a simpler solution of all, would have a system (if possible) where, when a member indicates their "Location", eg the county, could be collated so members could select a county then see who else is in their county? - This is just a simpler version to the other site which goes by postcode?
          The "location" option has already been provided as an option by GC for GC members! Hence a GC member has the option to find a member in their county, quickly and easily, and message them! I was never suggesting that GC members should give a more precise location such as street or full address!
           
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          • Phil A

            Phil A Guest

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            That facility already exists on here, if you set your location as a simple one, i.e. town or county, then click on the members location it brings up a google map.
             
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            • Chesterfieldgardener

              Chesterfieldgardener Gardener

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              I think I'm not explaining myself very clearly (typically me, haha). So I'll do my best to give a specific example:

              One of my past-times is doing online surveys. When they ask about your demographics (part of your simple profile) many offer a drop-down box listing all the UK counties, asking (as an option) which county you live in. Obviously, when they collate all the responses, they have some sort of program which can automatically show the number of responses from any county which the reviewer can ask for. EG, they might want to ask how many respondents are from (living in) Yorkshire.

              A similar system could be used for GC members, whereby a member could ask for the list of which members live in their county. Then, the member asking that can go and view the full profile displaying gardening photos of any individual listed, and message that GC member who perhaps appears to have similar gardening interests. E.g. a member may show many photos of tulips in their garden. So if that is also your interest, you can message that member letting them know you are in the same county, and have the same interest! Both might eventually discover they live within travelling distance and want to meet up. The other website I have referred to has a far more in depth system which is why I also use that. BUT, unlike GC, they don't have forums, general discussions, etc. The big advantage with GC is that it has the "gardening family feel", but not the simple quick method of identifying a group of GC members potentially near to each other, and potentially able to arrange meet-ups.

              If I have failed miserably at explaining what I was proposing that could be another benefit for GC members, then I shall shut up, crawl under my tulips, and simply carry on as a member of both communities hahaha :)
               
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              • Fat Controller

                Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                The difficulty that we have, as @ARMANDII has explained, is that we have a legal (and moral) obligation to protect the personal information of all of our members. Even IF members were to consent to be added to a list, the Admin Team and Webmaster would still be held liable in law if something untoward were to happen - - no amount of disclaimers or agreements would absolve us of that responsibility.

                Now, I don't know how the other website is handling that responsibility, but I do know that it is a responsibility that we take very seriously here, and as it stands, the risks appear to outweigh any benefits.

                Whilst providing lists of nearby gardeners is outwith our remit for the reasons mentioned above, I see no reason why group meet-ups can't take place - Shineyland is an excellent example of this, where GC members can meet up at an organised event. There is no reason why this could not be replicated with arranged meet ups at public gardens, woodlands, beaches, castles or even pubs or restaurants. I am not a million miles away from RHS Wisley, for example, and I am quite sure that they would welcome a visit by 10 or 20 like-minded forum members.
                 
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                • CanadianLori

                  CanadianLori Total Gardener

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                  I would not want my location revealed to everyone who wanted to pin down where fellow gardeners are. Particularly if let's say for example, I don't care for their views or manners, or if they are a new member who isn't known to me, or whatever I deem to be unattractive!

                  I see no reason to heap more work or responsibilities and the ensuing liabilities on our administration.

                  Besides, when it comes to other members' information outside of their public profile, it's none of your beeswax!

                  I'll say it again if you want to meet up with gardeners in your neighbourhood, just post a message saying so, darnit! If you see a gardener's public profile that indicates they are in your neighbourhood, go ahead, p.m. them. :)

                  okay admin, you can give me a red card for this....
                   
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                    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 26, 2017
                  • Fat Controller

                    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                    Nothing to red card @CanadianLori - you are only stating your opinion :)
                     
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                    • Jack Sparrow

                      Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

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                      I joined up with a local gardening club earlier this year. They have a page on Facebook. When I turned up for the meeting I was the only one there.

                      G.
                       
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                      • CanadianLori

                        CanadianLori Total Gardener

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                        • Chesterfieldgardener

                          Chesterfieldgardener Gardener

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                          Some of us can't travel too far ... disabled, lower income, etc. And, as said, GC and GreenPlantsSwap, both serve different purposes, both work for me, and combined work well together. (Lori - suggest you remove Zone6 from your Location - others may message to say they are in that region too! - just a gentle tease). Head down under my tulips - I am zipping mouth now...:)
                           
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                            Last edited: Nov 26, 2017
                          • ARMANDII

                            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                            Well, while this thread is under discussion by the Admin Team, I hope I am forgiven for locking off this thread until a consensus is agreed.
                             
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