I've found that, on site that have both a like and dislike button, there is more competition for likes and it creates unnecessary conflict. Someone who doesn't like another poster might decide to be petty and "dislike" everything the person says, regardless of content. And what generally follows is that the friends of the disliked poster will "like" the posts and eventually there will be arguments on threads that disrupt the conversation. That doesn't seem to happen if there's only a "like" button.

whynottryit, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who noticed that! I guess it's understandable if you have a passion for one thing, but it really took me by surprise.

Me, too!

As Sunnibell7 said: It doesn't seem so bad now that I've gotten over the initial shock.

One of my concerns about the change is a lot of people, like Harry, on the beans forum, can't post due to not having the same e-mail. He e-mailed me to let me know that he is trying.

I sent a note to the moderators looking for help to get him back on. If I done it correctly!

Some of us may give up and just go away due to the frustration. I'm afraid that we will loose some our most valuable posters, like Harry! He is a bean GURU!

ASM, I daresay that many of us are somewhere in the middle -Im one who has my favorites (old houses, pets, ponds, etc.) But I do use the others on an as-needed basis - had an appliance repair issue recently, was a heavy user of kitchens while planning/creating my kitchen, now hardly ever go there. One thing I do like is having the option to see "ALL" posts/topics chronologically as they come in rather than having to go to the individual forums. This would I think encourage cross-forum participation. That's how I got here -never was in vegetable gardening before! LOL.

Initially I was also very disappointed at the transition. I have been noticing, for some time now, the gradual transition on gardenweb to a much greater preponderance of home renovation postings - and I too will absolutely never be interested in a thousand dollar chandelier. I garden to live. When I see posts I absolutely can't identify with at all, I have to work hard to control my inner classist judgmentalist (yes, it is a big personal flaw and I know it, and not accurate thinking to boot, so I apologize to anyone I offend). However, as I read about how some of the changes came about, I find myself more grateful that we are at least able to continue to have something. Change is inevitable. I think what I hope for the most is that we will continue to be able to feel at home, and as welcomed, as we have been in the gardenweb forums - that is what I am worried about the most, not about how the background looks or other trivial details.

As to "Likes" and "Dislikes", Someone who likes another poster might decide to be petty and
"Like" everything the person says, regardless of content. So it works both ways. I'm certainly not advocating that there be a "Dislike" button, because that would be just as petty as the "Like" button, and perhaps mean as well. It's one thing not to like something, but it's another thing to give a thumbs-down with out explaining why! If there is only a "Like" button, sure, there are no conflicts, but there is no information being conveyed either. I guess you could assume that everyone who didn't "Like" it, dislikes it, right? As I said, the "Like" just encourages people to think that they are participating when they really aren't. Oh, and if you don't have anything constructive to say, please resist the temptation to make "hear, hear" posts.

whynottryit said: "Many people do like to "lurk" and watch without saying anything
especially when strong opinions are being expressed but sometimes, they
want to show their support, encouragement or just plain like the
comment. In other words, some people are just shy. :) I started out that
way on Houzz and would just follow different threads for quite a while
before I became comfortable enough to "interrupt" the conversation with
my own opinion."

Swap out the word Houzz for GardenWeb and you'd have described me almost perfectly. Back when I was a lurker, if there was a "like" button I probably would have used it.

sunnibel- Glad to see you made it.

kashka_kat- Welcome to the veggie forum!

dan- I doubt what you're saying about the "like" button will come true. The members here aren't and have never been as petty as to get into a popularity contest.

Rodney

Common ground already Rodney! :D

I had some difficulty getting logged in, but now things are looking up. Yes, it is the people that make the gardening forums, and I hope more show up again.

I have no great animosity to the "Like" button. I'm just saying that it doesn't offer value to me. It may offer value to others, such as shy lurkers. It may make them feel better by being able to press it, but it doesn't add constructively to the conversation. The "Bookmark" button, on the other hand, is useful!

Thank you @annehay. Very informative, useful site! Also, I suppose as with most it was just initial shock, i'm happy with houzz so long as there are still GW ol' timers and pro's that will stay and continue to give they're wisdom :) lol

But daninthedirt, how am I constructively adding to the conversation if I agree with what another poster says and my only addition to the thread is to say, "I agree with what X said"?

One message board that I've been a member of for 18 years (in one form or another), created a rule about a decade ago, which is "no big news on random", random being our general chit chat thread. It started because that thread moved quickly, so if someone posted about something important happening in their lives, it might be missed by people. It also solved the issue of having pages of posts that only said things like Congratulations or I'm sorry. And, as much as I love these people like family, seeing 30 posts that all say exactly the same thing stops a conversation cold.

Exactly right, asm198. As I said, if you don't have anything constructive to say, don't just add "hear, hear" posts.

Hence, the "like" button....*runs behind the couch and ducks*

And to me, that's where the "like" button is valuable. If I agree with someone, but don't have anything else to add, I can still cast my vote, if you will, using the like button. I can understand your view, but I still think it has its advantages and could have value.

The forum has a pulldown whereby you can get "Popular Posts". That's defined NOT by "Likes", but by how many responses it engendered. Agreements, disagreements, and commentary, as well as rants and laughter. I guess that's the way I look at a good forum. It isn't about "Likes", but about discussion and interchange. I'm really not fond of the idea that we're here to "cast votes". I'd hope that no one is here to get voted for. But this discussion is excellent. Thank you. And, as of now, I hardly see any "Likes"! I guess hardly anyone liked it.

I don't necessarily have an issue with agreement posts, especially when answering questions, if the person asking the question is able to see that several others have a consensus, then it is likely that the answer is correct in most situations, and the course they should follow. Kind of like a second opinion for your doctor.

If one person answers, we all agree with them but keep our mouths shut, I don't think as "convincing" (for lack of a better word) of an answer.

Maybe we need to hold a GW constitutional convention for general rules of behavior haha!

EDIT:

Maybe we should have a cap on agreements, after 3 people have said the same thing, just move along!

Well, I just liked daninthedirt's recent post, because I agree with what he said and, if we were talking about something else, I would like his post and not respond on the subject until someone else joined the conversation, because what he said sums up how I feel (at that particular time).

I don't think that the like button is something to get worried about. People can use it if they like, people can ignore it if they like, and neither way is wrong.

All communities have their own traditions, customs, and shorthand, but over time, those things evolve. When I first found GW, some of the abbreviations were foreign to me and I was confused about what people were trying to say. I mean, a newbie might have absolutely no idea what BER or 5:1:1 means. And while neither of those are exclusive to GW, someone going to the tomato forum to ask why the bottom of their tomatoes look rotten will be baffled by a post saying it's BER, and someone asking what kind of soil they should but in their containers might end up doing a futile search at a garden store for bags of "5:1:1" soil.

GW has its own (mostly) unspoken rules of conduct, which have evolved based on the will of the vocal membership. That's what happens when you bring together a large group of people and that's what's happening right now, in regards to the like button. I'm positive that there were things that GW, as a group, couldn't agree on, but it worked itself out in the end. And that's what's going to with the switch. There will be people like me, who love the upgrade. There will be people who hate it completely and decide to leave. But I think most people will hate the changes initially, then will pick and choose what they want to care about and ignore the rest.

And actually, I think I'm a great example of how you can pick and choose how to want to participate. I have accounts on most social media platforms. I'm not social butterfly and rarely post of most of them, but it was something that was encouraged with my last job. So, I've got a personal facebook account, I maintain a business account, was an admin on another account; I have two twitter accounts, a google+ account (not by choice), instagram, and pinterest.

And not a single one of those accounts are attached to my GW account, because I don't want them to be. As much as I enjoy social media, I dislike the pressure to have everything connected, not because I have something to hide, but because I like having my life segmented. And actually, the minute any site requires me to use my facebook (or other social media site) to login or register in order to participate is the minute I dismiss them as a place I want to be. Because I control my social media and refuse to be forced to give that control up.

Which is my EXTREMELY long winded way of saying that I think people should give the Houzz site a change. Pick and choose what things you want to utilize and ignore the rest. Like if you want to like; ignore likes if you find them annoying. I think there's room for both types of people.

Well said, asm198. I would have "Like"d you too. But I'll do you one better. That's exactly right that the new site is a big change, but there may be advantages, and bailing out on the basis of unfamiliarity isn't in the interest of the GW community.

I don't want to belabor this, but it occurred to me that those who use Like's are as those kids in the classroom who don't engage verbally, but just sit there, maybe smiling or frowning. A smile, for them, is a "Like". No responsible teacher wants to encourage that, if just from the sense of developing classroom community. This isn't a school, but the community development works the same way.

I must say that Houzz picked a really bad time to do this. Most of us are pretty far from doing any real vegetable gardening right now, so we have time on our hands to deliberate passionately and get awesomely frustrated about, er, forum layout. Had they done this in June, most of us would have rather been out in the garden in the blinding sun, whereby the white background would have looked pleasingly dim.

[quote] "I have been noticing, for some time now, the gradual transition on
gardenweb to a much greater preponderance of home renovation postings -
and I too will absolutely never be interested in a thousand dollar
chandelier. I garden to live. When I see posts I absolutely can't
identify with at all, I have to work hard to control my inner classist
judgmentalist (yes, it is a big personal flaw and I know it, and not
accurate thinking to boot, so I apologize to anyone I offend)." [/quote]

liked and quoted, because totally, i relate to this. i too really try to not hate on "yuppies" (or whatever other word we put in, "rich people" "normies", etc) and i also struggle with it, feel horrible for my lack of compassion and judgements. with messed up people, those who have obvious problems, even homeless winos, etc...it is easy to have compassion (at least for me). in general, respect, not judging, and giving people a chance to show themselves for who they really are.... is easy and natural, but i do falter when it comes to the rich and to what i will rudely lump together in the category of "yuppies".

it may seem too easy to dislike people for things like this, just look around the "normie" world and you can find good justification for disliking and stereotyping, and all that weird classists stuff traps that we should not fall into. inclusiveness, beyond stereotypes, or across those imaginary lines, is very important, as well as diversity and tolerance....even to the intolerant, and the narrow minded...which makes it difficult. how do you respect the disrespectful?

BUT , much as it may sound odd, it is possible that these types need more compassion than most, and for a good many people who might seem to fit that horrible mold...they are for real, heart and soul, if you take the time to look beyond stereotypes.

but yeah even on old garden web i felt this, in super liberal freak zone northern california i feel this, a freak even among the freaks....back home on cape cod, where i never have had a chance to even think about owning land or a home in my home area, i especially feel it. the cape used to be a lot cooler before it became over run with the uber wealthy, who all looked at me like i obviously didnt belong even though thats my "home".

so i may just be rambling and repeating myself here, and this is awkward stuff to talk about...but i also think its good to put it out there, even if it is awkward. and if "we" who arent on these normal type trips, with our alternative lifestyles, want to be counted and have our way known as valid alternatives, well we have to deal with some uncomfortable...putting it out there type feelings...to have it be known there are people living alternative lifestyles more and more, and we do count.

and totally i felt that way on old gardenweb even, not too often, and i just didnt let it bother me, cause like i said i am used to it!

...people talk about ornamentals, spraying toxic stuff around, fussing over grass...the fancy "just so" way with making their homes all fancy (and to me very sterile and not appealing) or "landscaping" with no thought to producing food or medicine all sorts of perplexes me and its a bit or irksome thing. but ah whatever, i am pretty good at just minding my own business and letting people do their thing, even when i feel opposed to it. knowing when NOT to speak up is a good thing!

i actually do have some interest in construction and building, and i have worked on a number of different shelters, but usually i am interested in hobbit houses =) , super cheap to nearly free alternative construction...cob, earth building, recycle and salvage , freeganism, the 50 $ underground house book =). i've lived off grid in tiny shacks for many years, had no running water inside, and been somehow happy enough just to inch along on my minimal income, growing food and making art.

i am guessing this is not on the menu of the HOUZZ forums ! and if i am looking for furniture or to spruce up my space, i grab together my dollars and change, head over to the thrift store or the dump, and hope the fates are kind to manifest for me =)

so yeah different worlds....if someone will be open to me, being as i am.... living as beautifully as i can on a shoe string "starving artist" budget, i will do the same for them, even if they may be percieved as "yuppie" or whatever...and cant really understand me....my houzz is a small messy freegan paradise, if you look at it the right way, with a ton of good food =)

but yeah the disturbing "normie" world many people are living in(and destroying the planet with!), the wealth/non wealth divisions, classism....these are some sticky big subjects that are really relevant big issues of our world right now...i cant really blame people for having some attitude towards the excessive unhealthy consumerism. it is truly ruining our planet. in general i dislike those kinds of ideas and lifeways, and all the ickiness that man come with privilege. but then the general idea and then a person by person basis is different. we are all just sort of caught up in crazy world, AS IS.

ah now that i have written this, i am tempted to erase it, but i will leave it, my 4 cents + ....maybe it is relatable or helpful to someone who may be feeling ...well whatever it is...odd man out?!?

HEAR, HEAR, Daninthedirt!

ROFL!

I just caught up on the most recent posts, and I’m lovin’
it!

I’m starting to think this might have a whole lot to do with
individual forums. On the forum where I
post we rarely have someone post just to say:
Agree with that! Sometimes folks
will come back just to say, thank you for the advice, or something like that,
but I really appreciate when they do that, and a “like” wouldn’t at all serve
the same purpose for me, or in any way encourage me to give more advice. We all know there are a lot of lurkers that
are just there to read, who rarely comment, but “getting likes” wouldn’t change
that in any way at all for me.

I, very seriously, agree with everything Daninthedirt has
said! I, personally, don’t believe the
“like button” does anything at all to contribute to or improve GW! And I think it has the long term potential to
do harm—and I really hope I’m wrong about that.

I’ve been on GW for ten years now, and, for me, one of the
best things about it (besides the People!), has been the fact that it was NOT a
“social media site!” I have opted out of
FB for a reason, and I haven’t even signed into Twitter for a couple years
now. My addiction has been GW, where I feel
I’ve actually gotten some bang for my buck!
I don’t find my self worth in the number of people that have “friended”
me, or in the number of “likes” I’ve gotten.
As of right now the only way we can PM anybody anymore is if we “friend”
that person, and then they “friend” us back!
I REALLY hope that changes! I
already know who my Friends are on GW!
And I hope to be around for a long time yet making more Good
Friends—without needing to “friend” them!
I’m kind of guessing that the people here that are likeing (if I may!)
the “like” button are the ones who spend more time on social media sites, and
the ones who shy away from it are less likely to spend time on those sites.

I’d love it if the “like button” just went away (along with
all the FB, Twitter, google+ buttons), but whatever happens with those “buttons,”
I’m really, reallyreallyreally glad there’s no “hate ya” button!

Keep smiling, everybody,

Skybird

To be honest, I have a hard time believing that the culture that existed in the old gardenweb will be lost just because of some shiny new features and fancy backdrop. We had a general "unwritten" rule of conduct that was followed pretty well and I think that the folks who have been here a while will continue to foster it with anyone new who arrives.

As for the "class-ism", well, Leila (and I don't mean to put you on the spot, so I apologize) your post makes it pretty clear that the same "conflicts" existed on the old gardenweb as well! There were people, such as yourself who believe in organic gardening with an emphasis on plants that are physically useful, and there were others who were at the opposite end of the spectrum, who grew plants for purely aesthetic reasons using chemical fertilizers. There have always been landscaping, perennials, annual, and houseplant forums on gardenweb, it has never been exclusively about sustainable practices or vegetable gardening. People talking about ornamentals and fussing over lawns isn't something that sprang up due to the "switch."

This forum has always been a place for people of ALL walks of life, that's not something that has changed because our host is different. Sure, on the Houzz main page they cater to the more affluent. It looks as though it very much a place for professional landscapers and designers which, speaking from experience in the landscaping field, tends to have a high-end market. I DO NOT think that detracts from what the gardenweb community is and has been.

P.s. I'm also going to give Dan, Asm, and others who have echoed their comments, a resounding "hear hear!" as well, mostly because I agree, but partly just to poke at them a little bit :p

OK, thank you. I feel poked, and somewhat "Liked". I'm also delighted that the "hear, hears" here (did I just say that?) actually contained real thoughtful content! I have to say that this Houzz transition at least precipitated some good conversation about what this forum means to us, and how we approach it. Sometimes it takes a bit of a shakeup to make a community want to do that. I want to echo the sentiments by Skybird about social media. I've never been comfortable with the idea that "friend"ship is what comes from pushing a button. To me, it's all about honest communication with well-chosen words and sharing thoughts.

Should you feel tempted to hit that "Like" button, sure go ahead and do it for yourself, but PLEASE consider participating with words. I want to hear about your own gardening perspectives, questions, and experience.

ZachS... you make so much sense and I think I can easily say that the same diverse opinions and attitudes found on GardenWeb are on Houzz as well. I would, however, like to elaborate a bit on one point. While Houzz pictures do tend to be glossy magazine shots of affluent homes or unusual or unique construction and/or landscaping, most of the actual discussions revolve around helping others to obtain what they are wanting for their own homes at a much lower cost.

I'm not sure that anyone has actually addressed the way the Houzz site is arranged. It's a bit confusing even for those of us who've been here a while and I've learned some new things on the technical end of it from seeing things that many of you have done even though I've been around for several years.

I think the first issue that seems confusing is the main page and its glossy, high-end magazine look. Someone mentioned that you as gardenwebbers "wrote" the articles rather than a staff member doing so. We are fortunate to have some regulars who search out different parts of the design world and bring us many useful and sometimes just fun articles (now called "stories" on your menu bar) on designs and ideas that none of us would ever have access to otherwise. These stories can spark some lively conversation and bring in useful and sometimes silly comments. In a way, they are like the ice-breakers for a party.

Next to the stories, you'll see (as I'm sure you already have) the "advice" button. This is where you will find individuals asking for assistance on every aspect of building, remodeling, decorating, painting or anything else that may be involved in owning, renting or maintaining a home. These "dilemma" can range from a few comments to the tens of thousands. Some dilemma threads spark a community of their own as people of like minds find each other through their shared experiences in helping each other find solutions for problems in their homes. New threads sometimes spring from these dilemma threads to form more of a kaffe-klatch thread that brings those folks even closer as they just discuss whatever may be going on in their individual lives. We have even had a group of ladies decide to meet each other in person and planned a trip to Nashville last year to get to know each other better. They chronicled their trip for those who didn't go to enjoy.

(continued from above)

Next is the shopping cart. Mine doesn't get a lot of use. However, I have found a number of new online stores that I now visit regularly to drool over their offerings. I have even found some whose prices were quite reasonable and they have gained a new customer by posting their products in the Houzz shops. (I always watch for sales though).

Finally, the professionals. Many professionals offer their advice in dilemma pro bono and are very happy to do so. I recently read a discussion among the pros regarding their thoughts on the benefits of doing so. Most felt it had been beneficial to them in bringing in new business and as a productive marketing tool. Free advertising for them has to be good, right?

I apologize for my lengthy comments but I hope this helps to clear up at least a little bit of the confusion over what Houzz actually is about. Just as we drool over gorgeous gardens, whether they be flowers or vegetables, we also admire beautiful homes. If we care to look, we can always find tips and bits of things that we can use in our own homes even if those homes are small and not so grand. Houzz is for everyone who will allow it to be so. We are not an exclusionist or elitist group anymore than any other section of society. So please jump in and enjoy all that Houzz has to offer.

Me, too, parairiemoon2 re: likes and time to comment.

I'm wondering if I'm the only one who's been around long enough to remember that this is not the first transition that GardenWeb has made. When IVillage took it over from "Spike", the reaction at the time was very much like this. Many members left and new ones arrived. Kinks were smoothed out over time and improvements were made.

And so it goes.

And so it goes on. I remember Spike and Disneyland...I never made it there.

Anyway, GW and now this will serve those who don't easily throw in the towel.

I like the 'like' button, but not the 'follower' thingy. I don't need e-mail notifications as I am not much of a 'chat' person.

Again, I would prefer intra site mail like Dave's Garden D mail rather than a following around approach...are you listening Tamara?

I am the poster formerly known as glib. It took forever to get in, as I could not confirm my account (no email was sent), and I could not establish a new userid from my computer (system error). eventually it took another computer to get a new ID.

But I concur with the sentiment of soy lent green and others. The non-commercial community that was built over the years had a lot to teach. I remember when I first checked garden web, I decided to stay because I had noticed farmer dill in rec. gardens.edible on Usenet, so if he was around, that meant that the group was good. In time I got to appreciate the knowledge and passion for gardening of many others.

If you lose your content providers, the group becomes hollow. I have seen other sites lose 90%+ of posts due to a website "upgrade". And I do not think Houzz caters to the retired, has-been-gardening-for decades demographics much. I can see that the Fruit group has already lost some of the pillars. Maybe it is time for a $100 watering cans group...

LOL! I had forgotten Disneyland. I never made it there either.

I hear you on the mail. I agree.

Whynottryit,

I think it's pretty dang cool that you've come over to "this" side from the "main" side. It gives us insight into the unfamiliar. Just looking at the front page of Houzz, which I have done here and there since they acquired us I haven't found much "community", though, through my own admittance, I am pretty distracted by (AKA drooling over) the STUNNING landscaping pictures.

Sorry GWers, please don't shun me, but seriously, how can you not be distracted by something like this:

Southwestern Landscape · More Info

Like I said, stunning (at least to me, anyways). And, Leila, it's a xeriscape, using many native plant species! So, it works to help protect the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region AND conserve water (most xeriscape and plants native to the West have an aversion to fertilizing, too, so, no chemicals needed)! There's something for everyone! Well, maybe not everyone, this is the vegetable gardening forum after all, haha!

But I digress....

Whynottryit, I hope you decide to stick around and hang out with us after all the dust settles. Maybe if I can quit looking at all the things I wish and hope my yard could look like (if it weren't for the plagues of money and time) I would be able to dig a little deeper into Houzz and see what it's really all about!

All in all, what we have done here is, we see a picture like that ^^ blasted across the front page and we have judged this book by it's cover. How many of us have actually explored any part of this site? Few I imagine. We have arrived right at the gardenweb section and proceeded to complain about our perceptions. of what it is without actually trying to figure out what it is.

Thank you, Zach. I can only imagine how stressful and emotional this has been for all of you. I know how much of ourselves we all put into advice given to others regardless of what the issue may be. Added to that, I have realized that the garden site also had trade lists for seeds and provided so much more than just conversing about something you love. I will definitely being popping in and out and around and about ... kind of like that bad penny....i'll keep turning up. :D

Excellent post, ZachS. I am actually in the position of having my GW and Houzz accounts merged and was about to try and compose a post about the inspirational benefits of this site. You have saved me the effort.

I remember Spike and Disneyland also! I stopped posting when my dial-up connection got so bogged down, and even though I now have a fast connection I just read others' advice. Every question I've ever had has been addressed somewhere on GW, so no need for me to chit chat. About a week ago I received a notice from Houzz regarding GW in my bulk mail, but hadn't heard of Houzz before so didn't do anything. Then the other day I went on GW but it was "down for maintenance." Next day I was searching for something and I was directed to an old post from GW. When I went there it was Houzz, but I had no trouble confirming my GW membership. I do not like change, but when I read that GW could have just disappeared if it weren't taken over I am happy to still have it available to me. It is sad that some GW members are throwing in their trowels. We wouldn't quit gardening if some of our seeds didn't sprout. Just sayin.

As someone who frequented kitchens back when I was creating my low cost kitchen let me assure y'all that a significant no. of posters were and probably still are DIYers into creating budget kitchens, vintage kitchens, unfitted kitchens with found repurposed pieces etc. I learned so much there I used for my own kitchen including how to make my own slab doors and put onto Ikea boxes, making a laminate countertop, diy wood countertops, painted /stained floors etc. Same for ponds - theres the stunning professionally installed ponds costing tens of thousands and then theres us who built our own skippy filters for under $100. So while you may see a lot of high end mega bucks show kitchen pics those by no means represent all users. It is such a heavily used forum cutting across all income levels/interests, that anything you post is bound to get lots of response, and quickly.

I really do consider this the best diy place on the web, bar none, And if houzz has any sense at all they'll not do anything to scare away too many current users or be less than welcoming to ALL classes/income levels. To that end they may want to rethink that glossy new kitchen pic on the log in page.... IF it gives the wrong idea (does it?)...... and put back that little stone house!

Hi soilent_green, et al. As for convincing anyone to stay? No one can do that for you. You either want to stay or go. I would be disappointed to see someone with such a wealth of knowledge choose not to share it because they feel they're not a part of the perceived 1%-ers who are here or because they feel the site doesn't represent them. But, in retrospect, isn't that line of thinking exactly the same as the people you feel don't represent you? Isn't sharing, kindness, and inclusiveness supposed to be what makes you a more fulfilled person than those who you feel judge and scorn you?

I was not a member of the garden site previously. I just found this area and was incredibly excited but now also saddened because so many feel like this isn't the place for them.

I don't think all that many people buy the things sold on this site, and if they can... well, good for them for being able to afford such luxuries--and this is just a guess, I don't think that automatically puts them into the category of not-so-great people. It just means they have more money than you. That's only a big deal if you make it one. To be honest, I think most of the people here use the site as inspiration for their own homes, buying similar items at stores like Target or second hand stores trying to replicate a look. I know that's what I do.

I grew up on a farm, when I was old enough I moved to a city and then years later I moved to a much slower paced Cape Cod--kind of a happy medium. I have a much different lifestyle than my parents do. They didn't understand it and for a long time, they thought I did it because I was elitist. I did it because it's what was right for MY life, not because I felt superior to anyone. I still love the farm, I just don't want to live there. I love gardening, I stink at it... which is why I'm combing gardening sites looking for advice from people who have more experience from me in that matter, because I'd love to learn and thrive at it.

Certainly leave if you feel if the "Like" button is too much to handle and is a source of conflict, I think of it more as a "Thank You" button, myself. Heaven, knows I probably Liked a few people's posts that think the button evil. Not to provoke but because I appreciated their sentiment.

Everyone here seems so nice and giving. I'm sure what you experienced was a difficult transition. But it's better to work through it as a community, virtual or otherwise. Together is always stronger than alone.

c_coy... you're a person I'd like to get to know. What an eloquent and sensitive expression of what I've been trying to say for some time. I was never on GardenWeb but have been on Houzz for a few years. You're absolutely right about inspiration and just sheer appreciation of beauty in all its forms. Thank you so much for your comments.

I think this thread has more or less expired, and I'm going to switch off notifications for it. The Houzz GW is looking fine to me, though some people are a little upset about the color scheme. The garden conversations seem just as informed and friendly as they used to be. GW used to be owned by iVillage, which was a media company owned by NBC. So that fact that GW is run by a multinational corporation hasn't changed. Let's get over it. The fact that it is run at all, at no cost to us, should forgive what are, in my mind, not that conspicuous Martha Stewartisms in it.

I garden with bugs and diseases, and I guess I could be principled enough not to garden as long as there were bugs and diseases around. As to this site having nothing of interest to you, that's your decision. I find that an amusing (and slightly insulting) statement posted in what is basically the old GardenWeb.

Dan, how do I turn off a post?

I've made a few comments elsewhere, but I think it is appropriate to put my 2 c's in here.

Soilent_green, I've had to wrestle with the same question you've asked as I watched SSE morph into something far different than the organization I joined. Many have chosen to leave there also, rather than accept the changes. I respect their right to decide based upon their own principles, but I've decided to stay in SSE for the same reason I've decided to stay here:

Not because I support the ownership, or the policies, or the website, or any of the other trivial annoyances that came with the transition... but because I value the community. I decided that withdrawing my seeds from SSE out of protest would hurt the wrong people... which is the many sincere young gardeners who joined with the expectation of learning to be better gardeners & seed savers. The situation here is no different. I doubt that Houzz will be damaged by those who choose to leave, but there are a lot of great people who would be just a little less informed in their absence. Any harm caused by leaving falls disproportionately on those who least deserve it.

And just for the record, Houzz seems to be making a sincere effort to address many of the problems that have been brought up, and to make us all more comfortable with the transition. There have already been several positive changes, and there has been direct communication with many members over their concerns - self included. It would behoove us to consider that this site could have been turned over to far less responsive management.

I participate in garden forums because I have a passion for gardening, and hope to inspire some of that passion in others (and to find greater inspiration myself). Sometimes change makes the conversation more difficult... but it is still a conversation worth having, even if it means tolerating situations not necessarily to our liking. A lot of sharing and preservation has happened here, and many wonderful friendships have been formed over the years. Isn't that worth something? Do we cut & run so easily, or do we put up with the inconvenience (changing what we can) and do our best to preserve what has been special about this community?

I agree with those who have made the comparison to gardening in spite of weeds, insects, disease, or inclement weather. We overcome those obstacles and frustrations because in the end, what we gain from success makes it all worthwhile.

So Soilent_green (and other long-time contributers) why should you stay? Because you have knowledge to contribute, and many friends here who appreciate that. Because I & others have enjoyed your sage counsel, and because if many of those who have contributed to the vibrant community that was Gardenweb choose to leave, then the site might as well have gone dark. It would be a shame to have dodged one potential tragedy - that of a total site shutdown - only to replace it with another tragedy of our own making. I don't care what color the "houzz" is outside, I care about the company inside. I hope you will choose to stay.

zzackey said, "Dan, how do I turn off a post?"

I'm not Dan, but at the very bottom of a thread you have posted to you should see a message,

Click to switch off notifications about new comments "

Sue

Thanks, chemocurl. I guess I didn't scroll down far enough. Soilent Green, I doubt you are hurting Houzz any, but you are hurting those of us that loved, enjoyed and learned sooo much from you.

You can switch off notification for a particular post as Sue explained, but you can choose your general level of notification for all kinds of things. Click on Your Houzz in the upper right corner of this and all pages, then click on Edit Profile at the top right on the cover photo, then choose Advanced Settings under Account on the left side, and then you can adjust the settings as to when you are notified and for what. Very handy. Then click Done Editing at the top right on the cover photo and you are good to go.

Just an aside because I found this amusing. Interesting play on soylent green. "Soylent green is people!"

Thanks, NHBabs.

Somehow this thread got in my Your Houzz feed that I'm looking through while in Sunday AM Default Network mode. My internet surfing time does have limits and so I haven't spent much time in the GW groups. But based on the headings, there is quite a bit of common ground b/w Houzz and GW. Also, with respect to Houzz's demographics (vs target audience?) while there is a fair amount devoted to the 1%, there is plenty for the rest of us. BTW, while a Houzzer, I hate chandeliers at all price points- not a single one in our house.

As long as Monsanto is not sponsoring a forum I don't really care who foots the bill. It is more about who is here talking (or if there were real jerky moderators like at I dig).

The bottom line is there would be no Gardenweb if Houzz hadn't of bought it. It's better than nothing.

The old old GW had a paying membership [for some serious backers]....better than nothing also.