I could be off-base, but can't imagine that it costs iVillage much to keep this site going - it's a low-tech site and they obviously don't invest much in administration, maintenance, or improvements for the site. Because it's mostly text, and most of the photos posted here are stored on other servers, it can't even take up much storage space. Also, iVillage probably benefits from economy of scale with its websites, because it has huge web servers with already existing systems in place to back up, etc. On the other hand, GW has pretty good traffic for a gardening site, so they can make money from advertising. I don't know where I'd go if GW closed. I've checked out Dave's and like some features, but it rubs me the wrong way that members have to pay to belong to the site, and meanwhile Dave gets to boast about the site's traffic and make additional money from advertisers. IMO the forums at Dave's are a bit soft - there is greater collective intellect here. Have checked out other Garden forums (communities?) - Garden Guides, Hallson's, Wildlifegardeners.org, etc. and they are okay, but suffer from lower traffic. Anyway the "busyness" of other forums drives me crazy - the avatars, moving smilies, signatures, etc. create a bunch of clutter - leaving not much "meat" to read per web page.

Assuming you have a Windows system (as opposed to an Apple/Mac), click on your "Start" Menu and... Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> Notepad I created a shortcut on my Desktop for Notepad so I don't have to go through the "Start" menu each time. (To create a similar shortcut: Click & hold on Notepad and drag it to your Desktop)

Hello! I have bought some really nice fabrics at WW but I look for fabric content on end of bolt--if it is washable and cottom or fleece than I will buy it--they do have lower prices on some goods but you really have to know the current sale prices of fabrics locally or online to see if you are getting bargain--I did get 8 yards of a batik type fabric that I had seen by a famous fabric mfgr for 8.99 yd at online stores and WW had it for 4.99--and it was 100% cotton--I always wash any fabric including clothes, towels and bath rugs, bed linens, etc before using to get the chemical finishing agents they put in them out before I handle it or wear it--and you can set colors if you wash in cool water and add a cup of normal white vinegar to rinse water--saves lots of problems later on--as for staff--been there different days and hours--never have enough registers open to move customers out and carts are usually packed full--but thats the price you pay for cheaper prices on items--so you wait on line and read something--smile--KarenNY

Really? I don't remember ever having the problem until recently. Now I'm going to have to go through last year's posts to see if my memory is failing me. It WAS a lot harder to post photos on the old GW - not very mobile-friendly, and only one photo per post, and it took forever to upload, and then I'd often lose my connection during that infuriating forced preview page... IMO, sideways photos are at least an improvement over that. Houzz isn't perfect, and is still a pretty primitive forum, but I think it's a huge improvement from the old site. Now I'm off to go look over all my old posts... sigh