Author Topic: forum remodel options and suggestions (Read 16774 times)

CBT · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2017, 08:39:49 pm »

Never heard any sound from chat or Christmas bells I hear about.

riverbee · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2017, 11:30:32 pm »

"I remember a few of us tried that using Skype and then ooVoo. We had as many as 5 or 6 on it but it got too confusing as when 1 person talks it overrides the others (with me no one else had a chance )"

and google chat/hangout or whatever it was...........

perry likes to yammer.............

and he looks better in person than that pic he posted........

used to talk to perry and another member here every once in awhile, it was pretty fun. i think oovoo was the best out of the three for some reason?
not sure, technology advancement may have improved since 5 or 6 are piled in. oovoo supports 12 video chats, takes some figuring out, but once ya do, good to go.
not sure i want to video chat with 11 guys all at once..........

..............

but then again you guys could entertain me.........

Zweefer · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2017, 08:24:09 am »

I love the forums! As for changes, not much to suggest. As for a gathering, I would be all in!

Wandering Man · « **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2017, 08:49:33 am »

I'm all in, too!

If anyone wants to head South for February, I'd be glad to host a gathering.

I don't have any mead to share, though.

CBT · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2017, 10:03:35 pm »

When I hit read unread posts the chat scrolls up and takes a while to move it back to the last line to see if anyone has posted. Wonder if it could go to last line first then let me scroll back if I need to.

Barbarian · « **Reply #25 on:** February 04, 2017, 01:20:26 am »

With this being a "Worldwide" forum, I wonder if there should be an International Beekeeping Section. There are a lot of sections on the forum so I wonder about the wisdom of another one.

There is a lot of North American input on the forum. I find it interesting to read of the activities in other countries. The successes, problems and solutions from other parts of the world are helpful. Little nuggets of information can be stored away and prove useful for another part of the world.

Les · « **Reply #26 on:** February 04, 2017, 10:18:47 am »

You guys crack me up! Started our morning with a belly laugh!

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #27 on:** February 10, 2017, 04:15:27 pm »

I have noticed that we have lost a few of the faithful after the US presidential election. I wonder if there was a problem? Perhaps a new section under General Discussion entitled "Politics" would be in order. All comments of a political nature could be posted there. If someone didn't want to discuss politics or get their blood pressure up, they could avoid the Politics. It would probably be on the quiet side until the next big election. It doesn't have to be strictly US politics. This is an international forum after all.

riverbee · « **Reply #28 on:** February 10, 2017, 06:27:30 pm »

bakers, thanks for the suggestion.

when we first started the forum, staff made the decision as a team not to discuss politics or other 'hot' topics of a sensitive nature, for the very fact that we lose members over the discussions and sometimes brink on a 'knock down, drag out'. some folks have left because perhaps felt we were to restrictive. we have in the past, allowed to some degree, some discussions and comments. many of those threads were either shut down and locked or moved out of the forum.

we like to keep members. we can't make everyone happy but we do our best and i for one appreciate every member here and the contributions made.
we are about bees, keeping bees, subjects related to bees; other interests/pursuits/hobbies that we share as a beekeeping community, and also share our personal endeavors and our personal struggles at times. this really is what makes this forum strong and diversified.
personally, politics is a fiery, divisive topic and divides folks. that's not what this forum is about.

our decisions as staff really are based on what's good and what benefits all, and moves this forum forward, and keeps it moving forward. it is an international forum, i am uncertain as to how interested our canadian members, and across the pond members really care about what is going on in the united states. with that said i hope i haven't offended anyone.

Perry · « **Reply #29 on:** February 10, 2017, 08:20:39 pm »

Hey B12.
Like riverbee said, when it comes to politics being allowed here, there are no winners and losers. We have lost members of all stripes whenever it comes up, so nothing is to be gained by allowing it. There are plenty of other places for those types of discussions.
What sets this place apart from the others, is the nature of it's members, almost all of whom ended up here because of the friendly atmosphere. I for one don't want to see that change.
Yes, this is an international forum, but I can assure you that politics bring out an unseemly side of things no matter which country you're in.

CBT · « **Reply #30 on:** February 10, 2017, 09:10:14 pm »

I know it's not political but someone removed the say thanks from my posts.
Maybe that means something or maybe the poster can't see it. Just noticed.

riverbee · « **Reply #31 on:** February 10, 2017, 09:24:02 pm »

cbt, we do not have the capability of 'removing thanks' from posts, and even if we did, we would not do so.

you can find your 'thanked posts' under your profile. go to your profile, 'modify profile', 'show posts' and at the top there will be 'thanked posts' at the top far right in the column. click on that. you can view all of your posts you have been thanked on.

please let one of us know if you are seeing something different.

CBT · « **Reply #32 on:** February 10, 2017, 09:35:50 pm »

I'm saying if you see a thanks button beside the quote button at the top right of the post I can't see it on my posts. I see it on other people's posts. It may be built in the system and da I just noticed. It would make sense that you can't say thanks to yourself. Some may have a zillion thanks if you could.

riverbee · « **Reply #33 on:** February 10, 2017, 09:44:27 pm »

okay thanks cbt for the clarification. on your own posts, when you post and view it, you will not see the option/button to 'say thanks'.

lol, funny never thought of this!........(thanking yourself)......

Perry · « **Reply #34 on:** February 10, 2017, 09:55:22 pm »

I didn't realize that either, I had to go check and look myself.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #35 on:** February 22, 2017, 11:34:14 am »

I read one of Perry's posts about having his bees tested... I do not think many of us know HOW to have their bees tested,, if not a section, then perhaps just a thread by those who have done it about what to do, where to send them.. freeze the bees and send them on ice? How exactly DO you have bees tested when they die suddenly? How much does it cost?
Thanks!
Scott

robo · « **Reply #36 on:** February 22, 2017, 05:58:41 pm »

Quote from: LazyBkpr on February 22, 2017, 11:34:14 am

How exactly DO you have bees tested when they die suddenly? How much does it cost?

It is free, or prepaid by your tax dollars, however you want to look at it.

Submission of Samples for Diagnosis:

General Instructions
••Beekeepers, bee businesses, and regulatory officials may submit samples.
••Samples are accepted from the United States and its territories; samples are NOT accepted from other countries.
••Include a short description of the problem along with your name, address, phone number or e-mail address.
••There is no charge for this service.
••For additional information, contact Sam Abban by phone at (301) 504-8821 or e-mail: samuel.abban@ars.usda.gov
How to Send Adult Honey Bees
•• Send at least 100 bees and if possible, select bees that are dying or that died recently. Decayed bees are not satisfactory for examination.
•• Bees should be placed in and soaked with 70% ethyl, methyl, or isopropyl alcohol as soon as possible after collection and packed in leak-proof containers.
•• USPS, UPS, and FedEx do no accept shipments containing alcohol. Just prior to mailing samples, pour off all excess alcohol to meet shipping requirements.
•• Do NOT send bees dry (without alcohol).
How to send brood samples
••A comb sample should be at least 2 x 2 inches and contain as much of the dead or discolored brood as possible. NO HONEY SHOULD BE PRESENT IN THE SAMPLE.
••The comb can be sent in a paper bag or loosely wrapped in a paper towel, newspaper, etc. and sent in a heavy cardboard box. AVOID wrappings such as plastic, aluminum foil, waxed paper, tin, glass, etc. because they promote decomposition and the growth of mold.
••If a comb cannot be sent, the probe used to examine a diseased larva in the cell may contain enough material for tests. The probe can be wrapped in paper and sent to the laboratory in an envelope.
Send samples to:
Bee Disease Diagnosis
Bee Research Laboratory
10300 Baltimore Ave. BARC-East
Bldg. 306 Room 316
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - East
Beltsville, MD 20705

https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/beltsville-md/beltsville-agricultural-research-center/bee-research-laboratory/docs/how-to-submit-samples/

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #37 on:** February 22, 2017, 06:06:50 pm »

Well that was quickly and easily answered!!
I hope I never need to have bees sampled, but having that link may be useful.

Thank you Robo! Your help is always valuable!
Scott

G3farms · « **Reply #38 on:** February 22, 2017, 09:18:55 pm »

That needs to be a sticky for sure!

riverbee · « **Reply #39 on:** February 22, 2017, 10:15:15 pm »

g3, yep you are right, good info! i 'stickied' this info.......

it's here:

HOW TO HAVE YOUR BEES TESTED