Damn if they do, damn if they don't!

9 years ago

As I write this, I have no idea what username appears since it keeps changing between my hubby's and my account. Well, I'm RightDi and pretty much just finished building my new home with the invaluable "advice" of the gardenweb forums. Yes, I would go to Houzz to see the pretty pictures, or take a suggestion from gardenweb, and then search it in houzz so I could visualize it.

Is this the same as Gardenweb? No. Is it horrific and preventing us from doing the exact same thing we used to do? No. Could things be tweaked to provide the warm, community feeling? Yes. Should they have rolled out to a selected few first as a beta for feedback? Yes.

I've seen some changes already since yesterday.

But, my opinion, "some" people that are comparing about new site were the same ones complaining about the pop up ads and the archaic website. Well, nothing in life is free. These forums may not cost us anything, but it sure cost the people that ran GW. Now, we no longer of pop up ads because Houzz has different revenue streams (and so do the old GW site owners).

It doesn't matter what font is used, where a tab is located, etc...what makes gardenweb so special is the community of members that were willing to share their knowledge, not because they were professionals, but because they were regular folks like me with shared experiences. We became professionals together as we learned from each other and loved when real professionals piped in with their perspective.

So, what I'm saying is, please don't go! Don't let the the look, feel, or ease of the new website change who you were at the core. Yourselves!

Mayflowers & romy with their priceless opinions and tastes in kitchen finishes...Treb(something something) with his professional advice about stones and installation. Those are just a few of the people, whose usernames I'm sure I butchered, that made this forum a success.

If we all stay, the magic stays. However, if the special few leave, it wouldn't matter how the site looks, it would be worthless.

So, again, please don't go!

RightDi

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Comments (7)

CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
9 years ago
Well said.

If this change in life is big enough to cause someone to give up community, well, I figure they weren't that vested in it in the beginning. Granted, some just come for advice, to milk ideas, and be congratulated, but some stay and become fixtures of humor and good sense. Ok, some craziness, too.

I value the community, too.

Granted, some of these changes are unnecessary and a PIA. Houzz doesn't really need to format GW as Houzz, given the fact it was separate-until-absorbed. But that never stops any parent company from (screwing around -- BTW, HTML code doesn't work) messing with something that ain't broke.

But truly. If this is THE worst thing that ever happens online? We're lucky. I've seen entire companies fold and disappear, rather than someone buying them and continuing their (fan?) base.
tea4all
9 years ago
Well said RightDi! Thanks. I agree.
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romy718
9 years ago
I can't believe you even mentioned my name. Mayflowers, yes. When I think of all the talent on this forum (& the other GW forums), I'd put my input below a couple hundred of you fellow GWers. I know I wouldn't have my kitchen without the people in this forum. There are people out there that need to know about DRAWERS, countertop install, hardware help, backsplash help, "too many clowns", " plaid pants & striped shirts" (I might have that backwards), "Ice, Stone, Water, Fire". We need to stick around. Plus, I still have to do my reveal.
Shelley Graham
9 years ago
I saw a friend the other day who actually did a full kitchen remodel without ever once consulting GW! How is that possible? While this might be quite different than what we had, it's still a lot better than the nothing that my friend had! (Still shaking my head.....)
lisa_a
9 years ago
"It doesn't matter what font is used..." I respectfully disagree. The way the forum displays is very difficult for me to tolerate for long and others have said the same thing. I get eye strain and a headache if I stay for long. I used to spend hours on GW (hmm, so maybe the font issue is a good thing?), either helping others or doing research for my remodel. This is not a "how dare they change our beloved GW?" this is a "needs improvement, big time."
rightdi_gw
9 years ago
lisa_a, I agree. I didn't mean to dismiss the very productive suggestions longtimers are providing the new administration; like the enhanced font. I think those are all important. What I was trying to convey is that those are not reasons to leave our beloved forums. I agree with most suggestions, and see they have implemented a few since yesterday alone. I just was hoping to express how important everyone is to this community, and people leaving "because" of something like the font (without even giving them a change to address it) would be a true shame. I, too, have had to go through GW rehab, because it's quite addicting.

Romy, are you kidding! I'm in backsplash heaven because of you!!! :)

Happy Sharing!
jellytoast
9 years ago
I have a feeling that many of those exiting are only taking a break.

Damn if they do, damn if they don't!

Comments (7)

CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a

tea4all

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