Would it be possible (or is it already possible and I've just missed it) to have a link from the database where it shows which members "have" a plant to take you to that item on the member's list?

Well, individual items in a list aren't places where you can "send" someone. Once you see that it's in the list, and you see the particulars, I think you have all the info you need. Or?

Well, right now it seems like the only way to tell if the member who "has" a plant has it available for sale or trade is to click on the member name, then go to their profile, then go to their list, then scroll through the list to the particular plant to see how they have it categorized in their list. Is there an easier way?

I just set up a plant that I have and listed it for "trade roots". When I went back to the plant in the database and clicked on the very top "members who have this plant", it showed my user name and a status of "trade roots". On a different plant (Salvia 'Dancing Flame'), when I clicked on any of the member names, a "report" showed 2 members having (with no status - meaning not for trade or sale) and 1 member wanting the plant.

Is that what you're looking to do?

Aha! Thanks, Monica! I guess all the plants I've looked at aren't available from any of the members! 'Cause that's exactly what I meant! Boy, do I feel silly!

woofie said: Boy, do I feel silly!

Oh don't...I had to test it to figure out what a blank status field meant. Blank boxes are always disconcerting. Perhaps the status box should say "Not for Trade or Sale" if a member has the plant, but isn't gonna share? Dave?

Or maybe something like "Inventory only?" Although something like that would add one extra step for those who just want to keep track of what they have....and those little steps can add up for people with LOTS of plants in their list.

If I'm understanding how this is set up, Dave pulls the info from the user's plant list. If the only line under the individual's list status is "have" or "prev", it shows on the availability report as status "BLANK FIELD". Else it shows trade or sell (and the particular plant part being traded or sold). That's a programming function, not a user function.

IF "have" or "prev" is the only line on the individual list status, THEN the report could automagically read "Not for Sale or Trade" or "Inventory" or "Unavailable" rather than a blank. User's wouldn't have to do anything extra - just like no one does anything extra to make the status field blank in the availability report.

It would be for Dave to decide whether a default message in the availability report's status field is useful. IMO it would clarify - but as I mentioned I'm always nervous when I see blank fields..

Does that make sense?

This is easily done, but what should the "default message" be?

Ouch. A default message could be tricky. You just know someone is going to take exception.

"Nyah, nyah...I have it and you don't!"

How about "Unavailable"-- it's innocuous enough that it leaves it open for users to change their list if they choose to do so. e.g. I don't have Salvia 'Dancing Flame' available now - it's too hot to ship. But I certainly might in the fall or early next spring when I would change my list.

It would be interesting to know how sellers would like it shown - I think there's another thread about adding general comments under a user name on the individual's list to say that if a plant isn't available, write them.

T-mail member for current status ??

gingin said:T-mail member for current status

Like Woofie said: "Ouch"..

If the plant/seeds are "Unavailable" with a "Freshness Date" of May 25, 2012 and I'm looking at it on October 31, 2012, I'm going to assume that it's still unavailable. Wouldn't an anxious trader/seller update their list to show Trade/Sell availability when it happens?

Dave, how often is the "report" list updated? As soon as a user updates their list? Or at intervals?

I dunno. I'm inclined to think that this might best be handled under that new "Comment" section that Dave's going to put at the top of everyone's lists. That way each member can let people know if they're open to making something available at a later date. Or if they don't mind being contacted about availability.

The date that is shown is the most recent date that the specific plant was either added or edited in that member's list.

There ought to be an emoticon for whacking oneself upside the head. Obviously the report is immediately updated or I wouldn't have been able to test it out.

Personally I wouldn't want t-mails as I'm not a trader/seller. But from the other thread, it appears sellers wouldn't mind "T-mail for current status".

One possibiity would be that users have a checkbox on their home list that shows that they want T-mails regardless of status. All their plants would have the T-mail message (if the plant was just listed as "have") and the rest of us would show "unavailable" until we changed the status.

Would that cover all the bases?

That's a good idea but I think educating the members and visitors may be the best bet.

What I have done is updated the system to give a nice big red note at the top to let them know how it works. I also made the "Status" column be populated with "Owned" if they have it but it's not available.

You can see an example here: http://garden.org/lists/plant/...

I like that. One problem Zuzu and I have come across before is someone contacting us begging for trades or cuttings if we have a plant that is particularly rare or unusual, it makes us hesitant to even list things in our inventory if you are going to be constantly barraged for requests.

Hopefully this red message up top will go a long ways toward addressing that.

And if someone tree mails you begging for a plant, even after they saw the message, then I think you are safe to simply file that tree mail into File 13 without a reply.

Works for me

Also, since the list includes those who "want" the plant, an owner can always contact the wanter directly if s/he chooses to share.