Wouldn't Location would help with identity, yes?

[mikethecactusguy]

Hope I can post this question without upsetting anyone.
Wouldn't help identifying a plant much easier if the original poster would indicate where they are located? Also would it not help knowing where the poster is if they want cultivation help?
So many regions around the world have their own unique environment and unless one keeps their plants in a greenhouse with full control of temperature, light and humidity, growing plants outside or even on a windowsill is greatly effected by the region one lives in.
Its the same for what species a plant is. Yes there are many common species that people grow throughout the world, yet some species that appear similar are more easily identified if the region they are grown in is know? It would take some of the guess workout of the process. Yes?
Just an educational question
I think when someone signs up, location should be one part of the signup process that is required. At least a general idea of Country and maybe city or state. Its not a security risk. Ones collection can not be stolen by a general location.
Mike M

[7george]

Absolutely, yes. Or maybe we should start simply to ignore user questions from unknown locations? Because asking first about their location and then giving them a meaningful advice would be like doing more work over described problems then people asking are willing to do themselves. I see no security risk over exposing the region in question either.

[bbarv]

100% agree. Country and state or province or even climate zone and short description of climate like ‘z10 desert’ or ‘z9 rainforest’ for example should be mandatory
This way we all also can learn more from others success or failure

[hegar]

I always tell the CBP Agriculture Specialists, who I train in the subjects of Botany and CITES plant recognition, to always ask the traveler, where she/he did obtain the cacti in their possession. But this is only helpful to me, if there are a number of species present in Mexico from that specific genus and the plants were collected in the wild.
As far as helping anyone with their cultivation problems, it too would be helpful, if we knew the general location of their residence, but only, if they are growing their cacti/succulents outdoors. Of course, those folks looking for help should also provide the history of the plant(s) for which they request help. That includes the growing medium, watering schedule, fertilization status, etc.

Harald

[Steve Johnson]

100% agree. Country and state or province or even climate zone and short description of climate like ‘z10 desert’ or ‘z9 rainforest’ for example should be mandatory
This way we all also can learn more from others success or failure

I'm on it -- just posted an announcement on the forums that really need it. With that said, we shouldn't make location info mandatory, so this is really up to the members as to whether or not they want to include it in their posts.

[mikethecactusguy]

I've been on many different types of hobby forums over the years and when I have signed up, they make basic location mandatory.
Again, since location is important to help advise, I think ones basic location should be required.
Just my thoughts

[bbarv]

100% agree. Country and state or province or even climate zone and short description of climate like ‘z10 desert’ or ‘z9 rainforest’ for example should be mandatory
This way we all also can learn more from others success or failure

I'm on it -- just posted an announcement on the forums that really need it. With that said, we shouldn't make location info mandatory, so this is really up to the members as to whether or not they want to include it in their posts.

Thank you.
Could you please post it in cacti and succulents ID sub forums as well.

[DaveW]

I was on one American macrophotography site and obviously the locality details were optional, but some seemed to think people asking others to put their country etc in so they could advise on where to purchase items was a personal intrusion into their privacy! You are not asking for their address and house number, only country and occasionally rough area so advice is relevant.

How many people on such sites as these don't want you to know what country they live in? I doubt any really object, they just don't get around to doing so even if they often mention it in their posts, however it is handy in their avatar as it is always there.

[Steve Johnson]

I was on one American macrophotography site and obviously the locality details were optional, but some seemed to think people asking others to put their country etc in so they could advise on where to purchase items was a personal intrusion into their privacy! You are not asking for their address and house number, only country and occasionally rough area so advice is relevant.

How many people on such sites as these don't want you to know what country they live in? I doubt any really object, they just don't get around to doing so even if they often mention it in their posts, however it is handy in their avatar as it is always there.

I consider myself to be only a "junior" moderator, and since basic location info isn't intrusive, I'll defer to you and Elie on making it mandatory. I'm sure that more than a few members either don't get around to it, or they don't know how to manage/update their profiles, so I can see the wisdom in making it mandatory for new members. Is this something you or Elie can implement, or does this need to be handled by our site admin Daiv Freeman?

[Steve Johnson]

Could you please post it in cacti and succulents ID sub forums as well.

Done and done!

[DaveW]

I don't think it needs to be mandatory Steve. However it should be a recommendation we all do it so advice is relevant for your country at least.

[Steve Johnson]

I don't think it needs to be mandatory Steve. However it should be a recommendation we all do it so advice is relevant for your country at least.

That's my thought too, so here's what I'm recommending at least for the more active members among us...

Based on the number of page views I've seen since I posted my forum announcements, I'm not sure about how many people actually look at it on their own. The best thing we can do to help is point members toward the announcement on the forum they're posting in if their posts don't have location info. Obviously we don't want to chase members away if we keep bugging them about it, so advising them once should be sufficient. If they just don't want to do it, that's up to them.

[mikethecactusguy]

Hi All
I belong to a few other user forums covering other hobbies I have. Both use flags of the country you are located instead of an actual location to show a general location. I know in a larger country like the USA where we have climate regions that is too general but it is a start.
Mike M

[Shane]

I'd suggest putting your location in your signature. If just in your profile it isn't easily visible to mobile users

I'll also pile on in agreement of how important this is. And I'm glad there have been some announcements. I didn't realize as a newer member how important location was until I was told by more senior members and I'm sure I'm not the only one

[Steve Johnson]

I'd suggest putting your location in your signature. If just in your profile it isn't easily visible to mobile users

I'm strictly a desktop guy, so I just looked at the forum on my smartphone. You are correct -- location info doesn't show up when people view posts on their mobile devices. No reason why we can't put it into our profiles and/or signatures, so I'll have to revise my announcements accordingly. Good catch, Shane!