request for members to say location on profile/ avatar

[u bada]

Not sure if this was discussed already, probably, but the search function can be a hard to use with such a common search term as "location" or "posting location"...

but I'm wondering if we can somehow insist, if not make a requirement, new members post where they live/ grow?

When i have to chance to go through posts and hope to contribute to culture questions, it's so hard to make suggestions or share insight for posters that don't say where they are at... I think we can all agree, where you grow makes a huge difference with what you should do in so many situations!

Furthermore members in your area can see you're local and (hopefully) contribute more accurately...

anyway, just my thoughts...

[campchi]

I think there is a zoning in the profile so depend on which growing zone you live in, that tells you how every members grows theirs. I think it's easier to specified what country, states, or even city. But wouldnt hurt to request from the site admin

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[u bada]

Yes, but some people don't fill out their location or zoning... and i think there was a thread about if you aren't in the US, there's no zoning to speak of...

i'm just saying members should put some sort of location, PLUS for those just lurking it gives folks an idea of where someone is growing such and such plant if they have a chance growing it where they live!

[estación seca]

It is a good idea. I suspect it's hard to fill out a profile on a mobile phone, so a lot of people don't get around to it.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I don't mind including some of that information in my profile, but I understand those who choose not to, due to privacy concerns. Their privacy outweighs my need to know. In posting a helpful message, you can ask "where are you located?" and leave it to the OP to disclose or not.

[rbarata]

When in doubt, I always ask... If the OP wants to answer or not, that's his choice... and interest in getting more and more accurate information.

Yes, but some people don't fill out their location or zoning... and i think there was a thread about if you aren't in the US, there's no zoning to speak of...

I don't know other countries but here we have lots of info about it. I believe we're talking about hardiness zones, right?

[u bada]

Well I sorta get privacy, but don't... linking usernames to a city or state, i think it's oftly hard to even find a full name and certainly an address... but i suppose there's a big brother always around, but...

Basically I'll put it this way, if someone doesn't put their zone or city info it's going to make it that much harder or longer for others to help or add correct insight... and being that this kind of forum is at least half if not more for helping each other out, it should be as easy as possible for others to give appropriate info. I suppose of course if someone doesn't want to and we all have to ask a dozen more questions, it is what it is, just saying it doesn't have to be that way if someone posts just that bit of info...

Yes, zoning is for generally for hardiness... but other conditions/climate info is sometimes included... just knowing a state, or certainly a region if not a city can give loads of information on daylight length per season, general temps per season, humidity per season, rainfall, etc.

So again it also helps other's in seeing whoever is growing something where so we can say, oh she's in florida and I'm in alaska, probably im going to have to consider how I'd be growing mine differently that hers...

[cjm3fl]

I'm going to suggest that "most" other countries have something along the lines of our (U.S.) hardiness zones.
After all they aren't just for orchid keepers. They are for growing crops and, again, most countries grow some kind of crop or crops.

We had this "location issue" on an aquarium site I spent all my time on.
Mostly it was to help new members with the availability of Seahorses, or different species of Seahorses. These aren't available in all countries and CITES effects shipping these fish, as they effect some orchids.


Privacy can be a issue in a few small number of countries that don't want their citizens to have ANY or too many freedoms.
But I doubt Kim, The People, or the mullahs are searching on the Orchid Board for wayward citizens.
But there are softwares that can look for key-words, like N. Korea, China, or Iran.
Again I wouldn't expect too many members living in these countries having ready access to shipments of orchids.


This all said...privacy is a key right in the United States and most other countries.
If I don't want to tell you (in the open forums and profile) that I live in the Heartland of Florida, I don't have to...and shouldn't be made to.

I spent 6 years defending this, and other, rights.

Is it a true PITA?
Yup. Sure is.
Availability of treatments, supplies, fertilizers, and orchids or orchid species can be greatly different.
But it is, and should remain, a right of any member to put, or NOT to put their location anywhere on this or any other web site.

Totally sucks and reduces the help and advise you all can give...but it's a free world, most of it, and it should remain that way.

Personal opinion, and my

[silken]

I agree that some people want to remain more private than others. But in many parts of the world, we are growing indoors under lights so our climate location doesn't have a huge bearing on how we are growing our orchids. The option is there to fill in the information if people choose to.

[orchidsarefun]

Agree with Silken and can add that outdoor temps don't matter for greenhouse growers either. However what is important is the Hemisphere you live in as conditions are virtually opposite in the Northern vs. the Southern Hemisphere. ( growers near the equator - outdoors, also have unique conditions. )

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