Flagging!

Not sure I understand your blog Lori. None of your content has been flagged. In fact so far (touch wood) we have only had 2 or 3 things flagged across the website.

Flagging is really for our members to bring to our attention illegal, offensive etc. content. As we don't and can't monitor all new content this is just a feedback mechanism for all members.

Ahh.. maybe you think the new "Flag" links indicate a flagging? This is not the case. Only Peter and I can see things that have been flagged.

Lori - don't be worried, all is well. Peter and Ajay have just done something that might be needed. Just after the site opened, there was a photo of a Cannabis plant posted by an idiot who joined, posted, laughed at us and then ran away never to be seen again. I was concerned at the time and contacted Peter. I was worried that new members who looked at the site with a view to joining might be put off. I was offended by it, too! THAT is the kind of thing that would be flagged now the system is in place. P. and A. can't possibly look at each photo or comment that appears, so we can all act as a filter for them. We all agree with you, this is a friendly site where we chat, laugh, look at our pets, plants and gardens and enjoy it together as well as trying to offer advice when we can! Does all that make sense to you? Do you feel any better?

Thanks Ajay... I was sure that it was something like that...I made a comment on a members photo and he remarked that it was flagged...but he couldn't see why!
LOL... I think we both misinterpreted the designation on the post! ahahaha... to err is human??? Thanks for your timely reply... maybe I should just erase this before I look like a complete nut!!

If you thought that others may too so I would leave this up. So Thanks! The only ones who make mistakes are Peter and I in how we design the system but all I can say is we are trying.

You can't be responsible for my misinterpretation, Ajay.
from what I've seen on other fora you and Peter are doing a fine job!

I agree with you Lori that gardening includes things other than cultivated flowers and veg. In fact I said so in one blog I wrote about wild flowers and also another time when I put a photo of my cat Blodyn.
I think the flag system is a good idea but has to be used sensibly. i e if something like that canabis plant is shown or if someone uses insults etc.
I think most people on this site are interested in things to do with nature, i e things that grow, The site is called 'Grows on You' which obviously does not mean only cultiveted garden plants but wild plants pets grandchildren, all of which grow.
All the best, Hywel.

well said hywel :-)

I agree with you Lori when it comes to concerns over flagging .As Ajay recently pointed out over 100 , 000 contributions is an amazing acheivement on such a young site - and increasingly difficult to police if that the right term.

Probably more guilty than most from straying from the garden path as think Id need to be a botanist to keep all my replies strictly horticultural .

So as we get to know one another our lives are gradually disclosed whilst retaining our individual identities. There was a case recently where an individual clearly had an agenda and was using goy for his own dubious means - after several flags this brought to Peter and Ajays attention.This the sort of thing I think flagging intended for.

Personally reluctant to use as most members contribute with respect , humour and compassion and understanding
for others.

BB I am quite sure that this flagging will only be used rarely - for the reasons you put at the bottom of your comment. We have to trust to people's good judgement - and, after all, Peter and Ajay will be the only ones who know when anybody uses it!

Dont worry Lori. As Spritz and Bonkers and our friends have already stated its a safety net. We can all have fun and humour on this site and everyone is so kind and courteous, as well as being so generous with their time, skills and expertise. It would be extremely boring if the human dimension was left out or filtered. Ajay and Peter have put these safeguards in place to maintain the great integrity on this site. All best wishes,
Grenville and Alan.

Lori i would'nt worry about it, think what Peter and Ajay have done is a brill idea, and i agree with everyone's comment.

A very apt phrase which Grenville and Alan have used to describe the purpose of the flags~

SAFETY NET

In future, if maybe any new members don't quite understand how the flags work, explaining with the words 'safety net' says it all.

With regards to blogs, comments and photos which veer away from horticultural connections, it's amusing to note that, e.g. with a blog, the subject inevitably swings back to our GoY common interest ~ gardening.

For example, I uploaded a picture of my raised bed, where my dog is the 'main subject'. This has led to a positive ID on the type of mahonia growing alongside!

I belong to some other forums covering topics other than gardening. Peter and Ajay are extremely friendly, tolerant and helpful compared to some of these. That's one reason why GoY is so successful.

Lori ~ please leave your blog here.
It will be useful information for future GoY members ~
to explain about the safety net.

I agree this isi helpful for others to understand the purpose of flagging. Even if you accidentally hit the flag button, you then have the opportunity to explain that it was a mistake.

Hi, to add to helpful info for newcomers to GOY, please can we mention where on earth the flag button is, as I haven't found it yet.
I'm sure this is me, not any of you - aha. Now I see each contribution has a "flag" option.
I'll leave this here, in case anyone else misses it!
Please ignore this, anyone who is now quietly sighing and shaking their head at all this.
Ahem.

I suffered the same embarrassment...yes, ahem!

Thanks for posting this, Lori! I always wondered what that flag button was all about...I certainly couldn't read this blog without coming away with a clear understanding...nice going, Lori....