I'm still fairly new to this wonderful website.
Please explain to me how the "acorn" system works.
Thanks,
Jeanne Boucher

Your receive acorns for various activities on this site. Here is a list of things you can do to receive acorns. http://garden.org/special/acor...
You can also give and receive them, with other members. To do this you can click on a persons name, to go to their profile page then click on give acorns. You can also give them as a reward or thank you for a post that you like by clicking on the acorn in that particular post. You can use them to purchase micro badges on you profile page, and you can purchase tickets for our "not a raffle, raffle" when they are held.

When I read a post that I find interesting, I give a 'thumbs up'.
But when I read a post that knocks my socks off, or opens my eyes to new information, or makes me roll on the floor with laughter, I send that person some acorns. It's sort of like giving a tip to an excellent server at a restaurant.

Sometimes you get acorns when you least expect it; like if you add a photo to the database.

Some people are 'rich with acorns' and give them away as not-a-raffle prizes.

I was also able to purchase some ATP T-shirts with acorns last year (best shirts around by far!), I do not know, though, if they will be available again in the future.

I've used mine to get the badges that represent my gardening beliefs and style, and it's fun to give them to new members so they can do the same thing. The 'burning sun' one is probably appropriate for anyone in TX. The badges are a cool way to identify with different aspects of gardening personalities without having to read paragraphs in a profile. When you purchase a badge with acorns, it shows up automatically when you post in a forum. Hovering over them makes their name pop up, so you don't have to memorize the pics if your brain isn't into that.

Like Greene, I consider them a step-up from giving a thumb-up. Glad you asked, and hope you have some fun with this site and the acorns! Welcome to ATP, if I haven't said that to you already in another discussion!

- Tiffany