One problem with google searches is that you don't know how accurate the information you come up with is going to be. You're inevitably going to get a mixed bag of commercial sites offering information skewed to generate profit for themselves, sites and blogs of self-professed experts who aren't nearly as knowledgeable as they think they are, highly opinionated diatribes that only offer one point of view, technical sites that go way over the heads of gardening newbies, and yes, some sites that are complete, accurate, and helpful. While these sites are easy to tell apart if you already know what you're doing, it's easy to forget that a less experienced gardener isn't always going to be able to tell which information is accurate and which isn't. Even an extension office website isn't always what it's cracked up to be; the articles are only as impartial as the gardener who wrote them, and I have seen articles on these sites that were very opinionated (for example, I saw one recently that went on at length about the superiority of hybrid tomatoes, and suggested that attempting OP or heirloom varieties was never worth the effort). In a forum like this one, however, inaccurate information will rarely go uncorrected by other posters. Biased opinions are almost always going to be balanced with other points of view. If an answer is too technical, one can ask for, and will usually receive, clarification. Personally, when I have a question the first thing I do is search the forum archives to see if it's been asked before. Usually, I find the subject has been covered before, and I highly recommend that people take this approach. If it hasn't been, I go ahead and ask. I do google things sometimes, but I consider the forums -the- best, fairest, and most accurate source of information, not Google. Denna

What are you suggesting is the reason for the change in Google search results? I am a webmaster for several nonprofit sites and have tried to keep track of these kinds of things. What I have learned is that search results are different for different users depending on their history of searching Google, geographic location and nature of the search. There is no set place a particular website will appear on a Google search. I get different search results if I am at work than I do when I am at home or on vacation.

There are a few ways to make a web page appear on google. The basic way is to just wait.. google has "spider apps" that go out "crawling" the web adding new sites to their ranks. Defining "key words" allows you to designate the specifi information you want to be associated with your page/blog. You can also POST your blog or page to google... basically you send a request to be added to the google ranks rather than waiting days or a week or so for a google spider to find you. You can also PAY to increase your ranks-- I definitely wouldn't go that direction. SEO, Search engine optimization is a science-- and for businesses it can get tricky and complicated. For a blogger, I would just be mindful of the keywords used. Another thing is that you "retrigger" the google spider and "freshen" your listing by adding/editing pages. A more active blog will be more frequently updated. I wish your son much luck and much fun with his new project! I'd encourage him to do some of this research too. I know it isnt as creative and fun as the graphics and videos will be but it is all part of the project. It's also invaluable knowledge in this information age!

No, no, no, no! Don't get me wrong! I said "doesn't she care" with tongue firmly in cheek. I'm all for posting pics of kids. There's a disconnect for people here- they're ignoring the fact that this woman is IGNORING the good advice posted. I for one don't care if she posts pics. I'm just bringing to attention another red flag- but people don't want to see it. Yarnlover, it doesn't sound like you've even read any of my other posts in regards to this situation. I am somewhat of a BELIEVER of her story, however there are INCONSISTENCIES which do make me doubt. AND I'm arguing for people to have the RIGHT to QUESTION. No one "demanded" anything. We said it'd be nice to see a pic, especially since she said she would eventually. It's HER perogative, but we have the right to ask! She doesn't have to answer. She chose to be offended. No one got mean until people got indignant that she was being questioned- then the name calling started. I hope you're not referring to ME(!?) that I tell anyone who listens just how loving and Christian I am. I'm broken. I'm dysfunctional. I'm a sinner and yep. I make mistakes! Guess I'd better go hide in a hole! I understand that she needs help. I was the first one to post to FW asking for her address. As time went on, things just got weird. I say over and over again that I hope the d@mned story's real. ::Shrug:: Why would I want to spend time on praying for a situation or offer assistance to someone faking a story? Last time I looked, we live in America. I can question and speak my mind. What a flippin' concept! : D BLESSINGS! Haley