I sure would be willing to add my own. Each person taking 5 or 10 minutes instead of you taking hours is quite reasonable. Sounds great to me.

Thank you, thank you for everything you do on this.

I think that sounds like a great idea. It can't be any harder than putting pictures in photobucket or any other site like that. And for kitchens like mine - that change faster than you could have updated- it is only fair that I keep it updated, not you! Life has gotten too busy to do everything. We can try it. If it bombs, well, then it's back to the drawing board. But I think most people could do it and for the computer illiterate - and that's me quite often- there are people here who will help.

Hi Starpooh,

Thanks for all the work. Though my kitchen remodel is currently a distant possibility, as and when that happens I'd love to do-it-myself.

One aspect that I see with this model however (since I do not know which solution it is, so I could be wrong here) -- it leaves a lot in the hands of lay user, and depending on how well versed the individual user is with web/the app, they will end up choosing either too few or adequate number of categories.

But I'm on board with this idea.

Hi Starpooh! I wanted to let you know that I joined the KF in your absence and the FKB has been a phenominal resource - THANK YOU!!

With that said, when my kitchen is done I'd be More then happy to upload my own pictures and descriptions to a new site.

Thanks for looking into a new alternative too, that's really awesome of you!

Yes, yes, yes...a search function! One that would allow a search for specific terms, like ''ergonomic'' or ''antique brass,'' not just by cross-referencing existing categories like ''maple cabinets'' and ''soapstone.'' Uploading more kitchens isn't helpful if you can't find what you need, particularly if more and more kitchens are added. An actual search function should also eliminate the need for individuals (or the administrator) to categorize each submission.

That sounds like an excellent idea. I think people would be more than happy to download their own photos and categorize them. Thank you for looking into this!

Oh absolutely. It's so nice of you to have done all this work Starpooh. Thank you

Starpooh, I have also joined GW in your absence, and the FKB has been such an invaluable asset. An amazing resource. Thank you for all your hard work.
I would absolutely take the time to upload my own kitchen and categorize it as well.
rq

Great ideas! Thank you, you are amazing!

Starpooh, I think if you set it up, the rest of us can help the people who have trouble figuring out how to do it, and lean on the people who don't ever get around to it. (I'm waiting for some work to be finished on mine and get the big box of grout out of it.)

Thank-you so much for undertaking this!!

If you can do categories and subcategories, so that people can choose, for instance, marble and soapstone, but not granite and Corian, but have them all grouped together as "counters" that would be great. And it would be even better if someone posting could add a subcategory, like BioGlass, rather than lumping it into "other" or "misc." so that anyone looking will be able to see right away that it's there. I don't know if the software will allow this, but it would be excellent!

The hardest part for me has been finding a particular username between the posted, pending and whatever, so I think just have people be able to post their own, all to one index, will be a significant boon.

Thanks so much for taking this on, after you've already done the whole thing once, and all of the work so far as well. I'm pretty good at testing if you need help. ;)

I can't imagine how anyone would find it a bother to upload since this forum and FKB is such a great resource. How incredibly generous of you to donate so much time and thought to this forum.

Sounds wonderful. You have given so much to the Kitchen Forum and I appreciate it very much. It will be easy to move forward with this idea and load my kitchen. Thank you for all you do . c

I agree. It would be great for people to upload their own kitchen pics and there are plenty of people who would be willing to help. You've put in so much work for us... Thank you so much.

Sounds great! No reason why the job of keeping it updated should fall to one person. I say share the pain AND the gain!

Oh this sounds great! The FKB was such a help to me, I'd be more than willing to help out and get mine in there.

What will happen with the old FKB? Will there be a link to it?

-Bee

Starpooh--I would do ANY favor for you! I can't imagine that others wouldn't too. Your FKB was incredibly helpful to me when I was remodeling. You just tell us when....

Cautiously...yes. However, like Homey_Bird, I do have some reservations about having "lay" people do their own. I'm concerned we would end up with a hodge-podge site. Some people knowing what they're doing and being diligent about doing it right; others just throwing something up there and maybe selecting a few things with the attitude of "good enough" w/o being careful or paying close attention to what they're doing. With yet others being intimidated or flustered about the whole thing.

When I say "lay", I mean people who have trouble using computer applications, for whatever reason. I see that just with posting pictures and active links right now. I wonder how much those same people could realistically be expected to be able to do.

I am not denigrating anyone...we all have strengths and weaknesses. My strengths are math/science/computers; but, don't let me try to style someone's hair or ask me to draw a portrait or write a book (unless it's a user manual!)

Totally can't wait to add my kitchen to the FKB, however it has to be done. Isn't DIY a time honored tradition here in Garden Web? :)

Starpooh, thank you for all your thought and effort! I, too, would be happy to upload my kitchen and info....if my kitchen is ever finished!

I think it's an excellent idea- just let us know what we need to do.

I also think that Buehl has valid concerns. Good directions, a simple interface, and leading questions or check boxes etc would have to be a must.

Starpooh, just chiming in here to say you deserve a humongous thanks for all the time and talents you have given over to the FKB! A true gem you are! We are so fortunate to have you. By all means, whatever it takes to keep you with us but to also ease your burden in the process is worth it. I'm thinking that both Plllog and Buehl have made some good points in suggesting we consider a modified version of the diy route -- perhaps diy-with-helpers -- for future finished kitchen uploads.

Starpooh, it's so good to have you back, and thank you so much for the FKB and all your work on it! I haven't even tried to post any pictures yet but since I'm still in the planning stages (and probably will be for the foreseeable future), I don't have much to post yet. However, when I finally do have a new kitchen, I would definitely be willing to categorize and upload my own.

That said, other than MS Office, I am not a computer knowledgable person and will need explicit directions. I suggest that the directions be added to the "Read to if You're New to GW" thread. Although it isn't something a newbie needs to be concerned about right away, it would be easier to keep the instructions there than have a separate thread that also needed to be kept on the first page.

Welcome back StarPooh! You are the best for coming up with the solution. Thank you so much!!!

Reality check: If people can't upload their own kitchens, even with help and assistance, then they can't upload their own kitchens. Oh well. It is simply too much to expect somebody else to spend all their time doing it for them.

Anyway, I suggest a tagging function, so users can contribute and use tags to find specific things.

Glad to hear that many of you are willing to upload your own kitchens.. and help those who may have trouble!

I understand the concerns about having 'lay' people add their own kitchens. But the interface is very straighforward; once a userid is created then simply click the "Add a Kitchen" link. From there it's similar to the Category Checklist - questions followed by checkboxes, drop down lists and textboxes. The biggest challenge will be the handwritten "Details" section. I'm hoping that most folks will copy their punch list into this section. But if they don't I can update that section.

Uploading photos hopefully won't be a problem. The instructions say "Add an image", then there are 2 buttons: Browse and Upload.

One more thing.... kitchens won't be automatically published; I will view and approve each before they go 'live'. So if anything's amiss I can make modifications.

So I think I'll continue with the setup. The site is on my local machine but, once I get it uploaded to a test server, I'll be looking for folks to help test it. plllog and buehl - I'd appreciate it if you would be the first testers. :-)

Starpooh, Great Ideas and we all want to help you to keep this wonderful resource going! Everyone here is so kind that we should be able to help each with any questions when we need advice for the new program. THANK YOU for all your generosity and patience with us. I do not have a lot of time to chime in and contribute to the resolutions of the many questions that are posted here - but, so many times, recently, when I was overwhelmed by frustration and confusion, I turned to the FKB for ideas - then I did not feel so alone in my task of designing our kitchen! We are just about to finish our 4th Kitchen, another DIY renovation, in under twenty five years! This new, Old House is quite a challenge with the old plaster and lath that we tackled when taking out the wall between the Dining Room and the Kitchen! We had to move the duct work and electric, very proud of my DH and our Son! They have been very supportive of my designs and trusted the process, one step at a time. It has occurred to me, a few times, that a Category for the AGE of the House, may be very valuable to the search, for some of us! Another Category might be whether the project was a Do It Yourself, DIY, or a general contractor was hired. My introduction to the world of building was about 18 yrs. ago when it was necessary for me to become the GP while building our brand house! Spent a lot of time on the phone and running to every resource to see everything - wish there was a Garden Web and a FKB for that monumental project! Perhaps you were all here but I was unaware and did not even use a computer back in those "good old days"! But these Old House challenges are formidable and we need all the encouragement that we can find. And perhaps a Category for the length of time that the project required till the finish - sometimes just knowing the possible timetable may alleviate a bit of the worry - "the finish line is in site", line seems so true! Just a thought, Thank you so much for all your help and guidance, Rose

I think just like every other aspect of kitchen renos, those that have experience will help those who don't. GWers are a helpful bunch, so I am sure we can make it work.

I am so glad your workload has eased, but even if you have the life of leisure, all the work should not be dumped on you anyway. You have done a tremendous job and helped more people than you can ever know. We all owe you a huge standing ovation with our many thanks ;)

I think it sounds like a great idea, and would be thrilled to see the results.

My only question would be about the former FKB: Would it continue as is, or would the owners need to post their kitchens again?

I know some of us linger long after the reno is done, but I suspect many folks don't.

Thanks again for all you've done for so many of us!

-Amy

I'm one of the computer challenged species, but when I am done I would consider it a necessary pay back to the community to figure out how to post my kitchen. I have used the FKB, and benefited so much from Starpooh's work, and all the other people who have so generously finished that last detail: posting their finished results.

I owe a huge debt to you all, and if the appropriate payback currrency is figuring out how to post, then I damn well will figure out how to do that! (And as with all unknown things here on the GW KF: there's kindly, patient, people here to help me learn new stuff.)

Thank you, Starpooh, for all your work so far and for thinking about ways to make the FKB even better.

L

I think it's a great idea.

****Thank you****

I have no opinions but an appreciation for it ... and your efforts.

Hello, everyone
I have lurked here for six months, but this is my first post, and not the one I planned to make. However, I did want to respond to this topic.
Starpooh, FYI
I have never been able to access the FKB. Perhaps because I use a Mac and Safari as a browser? Can other Mac users use it? If this is a problem for others and not just due to my own inexperience with the site, perhaps the redesign will fix it.
Anyway, I can't imagine the immense job of reorganizing it.

Thank you and everyone on GardenWebKitchens for all the inspiration, expertise, and help. You have helped me start many frustrating days with a smile.

Bellsmom (AKA Sandra)

I didn't read all the posts, I just wanted to say that I'm glad that everything is ok, busy, but ok.

Thank you for the FKB. It has been a great resource.

I don't have any opinions one way or the other. I'm too far in the trenches of remodel I can't see the end yet. I'm sure whatever you decide will be great.

Kathe

I also would like to add my appreciation for all you have done, and would be very willing (and maybe able) to download my own kitchen.

>re Bellsmom & Macs and Safari: I pretty much stopped using our PC to access anything related to GW because of the slow loading and Malware message that I kept receiving (and I tried many fixes after asking for help on the computer forum), but luckily we got an iPad in January and I've had no problems with either this forum or the FKB on that.

Bellsmom, I use my Mac and Safari and have no trouble seeing the FKB.

What happens when you put in the url and try to go to the site? Or when you click on a link like the one below?

One thing about it that I've always found a little strange is that when it opens, you see the title and subtitle, but blank space underneath, and have to scroll down quite a bit to see kitchen photos.

Here is a link that might be useful: FKB Link

Yes, there's absolutely nothing on that site that shouldn't work in Safari.What happens when you try?

Oops, I forgot to say thank you, Starpooh, for all your time and effort with the FKB. A very valuable resource, for sure.