Greahstone.....I came here today to see if you were here!! :)

Seriously though, today, as every day I come to see if Bazil has been behaving, if Mouse has taught Lisa anything new, if Bean has gotten stuck up a tree, if Glyn has 'tamed' Kiwi to step up yet, if Phoebe has gotten over her scarey ordeal and if Mike has posted the next chapter yet. (Mike......the next chapter would be good, don't want to nag, but we're waiting) :)
I think people here like to hear about the Hoot bird, probably have gotten used to me talking about 'chooks' and I think we all like to stop by to see 'who's new'.
I can see that there have been new people checking in, I would love them to say Hi and tell us about themselves and their birds. How do we get them to participate, any ideas?

Debbi
NZ

I have been thinking about sending email to all of the people who have signed up so far, to invite them to post a question or a picture of a journal entry. But, I utterly hate spam... and this is dangerously close to being spam. So I'm torn.

I've also been subtly recruiting new folks via my signature (on all of my mailing list postings) and I think that's bringing in some new people. It's tough to get people to participate though. All we can really do is invite them, and reward them for posting (curiously reminiscent of bird training!).

I agree that participation is the #1 thing this web site needs. It's gotten to where there is new stuff posted every day, and that's a big milestone. But twice as many people posting would make the site twice as good! If anyone has ideas for bringing more people to the web site, and motivating them to join in, I'm all ears.


Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

Is there anyway to make a first introduction post eg tell us about you and your bird/s sort of thing, a compulsary (hate that word!)last step in the joining up procedure? The first post could be automatically subscribed to, which would mean there would be more chance of the person returning and joining into a discussion.
I think that some people might be a bit timid about joining in as some of the discussions here can seem rather 'deep' to those just 'surfing' past. I guess that's why I waffle a lot, own up to being dim, and come up with really stupid jokes.
I've learnt heaps from being here but sometimes it can get a bit 'heavy' and goes completely over my 'dimbo' head. I know I can ask those 'dimbo' questions like 'what does that word mean?', or 'how do you do this' or 'that' or just plain 'what on earth are you talking about?' and I will get an answer. New people don't know that so it could be rather daunting.
Just my thoughts on the subject. :)

Debbi
NZ

I can't make it compulsory, but I might be able to make it more tempting. Like maybe go to a page that invites the new person to say hello as soon as they log in for the first time.

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

Yes participation is the key. I still have problems remembering all the members, and what ever they want to share about themselves.

Clicking on male or female brings up a list, but I don't think it is complete (for one I can't find myself)? Nate I know you talked about this. Has there been any progress I haven't noticed?

Murray NZ

I haven't made progress on that, I'm afraid. A couple weeks ago I accidentally killed the computer I use to test new versions of the web site software... I'm don't like to edit the software on the real server, because if I break something it brings down the whole web site. I will get the test server fixed up in a week or two though, and will take another stab at it.

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

Yes I can see the headlines now.
"Mad programer on trial for accidentally killing his computer" LOL

Sorry Nate, just couldn't resist. Hope you get things sorted soon.

Murray NZ

I wasn't mad, I just didn't know the gun was loaded...

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

I just thought I'd add that I really enjoy this forum, especially the emphasis on flight.
I don't post much because... well I don't have much to post about. I love my birds - they are sweet, affectionate, mostly very well behaved family members, but they just don't do anything worth posting about most of the time.

Karen and Chico (GGC) and Pippin (budgie)

Interesting Karen.

My Son has just got a budgie and named it, you guessed it "Pippin"

Murray NZ

More a question, but this is the closest topic Yesterday, I received an error message-like site may have closed down or moved-almost every time I tried to get to the site I happend when I used the icon on the tool bar and when I searched thru google. Just n fyi. Hope all is okay

Ruth Fahrmeier
Maryland

I'm not sure what could have caused that... I didn't notice any trouble with the site lately. If it happens again can you copy and paste the error message here?

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

Hey Graehstone, great points you make! I must admit I love reading your posts. I especially enjoyed the one of your trip to the bird show/mart that you went to a few months back, I felt I was there with you! Participation is what it's all about for sure. Hi to all the new people that I have not spoken with yet!! I try to respond as often as possible and will make more of an effort to contribute this year
Clive Jeffrey

The other thing that would help a lot - even more, actually - would be to invite new people to use the site. The 'invite a friend' link at the top of each page is there just for that purpose. Contributing new messages helps a lot, but contributing new people helps even more. :-)

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

Well, I was'nt invited to this forum but it was mentionned on another group I like to visit so I thought I'd check it out. What really caught my attention are the beautiful pictures of different birds.
I would post a picture of my sweetie but I'm still trying to figure out how to do that? I'm not very good with computers.
Next I like reading personal stories about the birds, their behaviour and how they interact with their flock "family".
I have a sence of humour but thus far I don't get a feeling that it's welcome.
In fact, I'm not feeling very welcome to this group as no one has taken the time to welcome me or ask about my "family".
I've posted a few times but have'nt gotten many responses.
Chatting requires some back-and-forth or it just ....dies.....

So my suggestion ....(FWIW)... a welcoming committee to say hi and ask a couple of questions when someone new joins.

That's it ..... I won't say anymore....

I'd like to know about your family. Since I am still quite new myself, I didn't think about being a welcoming committee. I like a sense of humour. These days I think it is essential to maintain a small slice of sanity. I am taking care of an african grey and think about being a foster/adoptive parent.
Ruth Fahrmeier
Maryland

Barb, I hope you don't need to be invited as I have just posted my thoughts from the begining LOL.

The other bird group I belong to is in the process of moving out of MSN (Sub-group of the Bird Board) and it has a chat facility.

Nate, any chance of that here?

Murray NZ

Hi Ruth,
Thanks for asking...
It's so amazing that your looking after an African Grey.... I "fostered" two (at different times). The first one was my first experience with a parrot and this was a special needs bird. Her name was braille (for a good reason). I found it a challenge taking care of her and in the end she went to live with another family. After looking after another Grey for a month I decided that large parrots are beautiful but not for me right now.
I ended up with a Meyer's named Buddy and he's just right for me :)
Sounds a bit like Goldilocks and the Three bears, ha,ha.

It's also interesting that you're considering fostering/adopting. Do you mean children or birds?
I fostered a child and then adopted - my oldest son. I have another son, also adopted. If you have any questions I'd happily answer them. I personally found fostering very difficult - I bonded with the baby and did'nt want to part. I was lucky that I could adopt them. I had to stop fostering though... to emotionally hard for me.

I've thought about fostering birds but I know what would happen.... and my husband would'nt be happy :(
Maybe some day we'll move to a warmer climate and build a large aviary and then..... :)

Right now I enjoy my Buddy and a rabbit named Chester.
Buddy is 2 years old and finally calming down - not chewing on everything he can wrap his beak around. He's amazingly affectionate and the more I handle him the happier he is. He makes me laugh almost every day and seems to enjoy that. He often repeats a behaviour after I laugh.

Thanks for welcoming me!

Hi Barb, buddy sound like he is one lucky little bird, I can't wait to see a picture of him, hint, hint :)
Cheers
Clive Jeffrey

Hi Clive,
I would love to post a picture of buddy but I don't know how???
I'm not a computer person and have only just started using a digital camera.
I'll ask my son for some help :) he'll love that :)

Birds! Far too old for more children. Of course that limits the age/type of bird I would adopt. Grayson has charmed my husband and dominates our 3 cats.

Ruth Fahrmeier
Maryland

Sorry about the lack of a welcoming committee, Barb! I'm forming one right this minute, does anyone else want to be on it? :-)

And yes we'd definitely like to see pictures of your birds, and hear all about them. :-) Once your son can help you get the picture files moved from the camera onto your computer, the next step is to click the "new photo" link in the top left part of this web site (under your name).

Then you click the 'browse' button and select the picture file (on your computer), and type a description, and press the 'upload' button.

If you have any trouble, just ask and I'll be glad to help.

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA