If you ask me, the link about earning acorns (http://garden.org/special/acor...) should be a lot more prominent than hidden at the very bottom of the Profile page. Here's why. I'm fairly new here and I wanted to understand how the Acorn thing worked, so I went looking for a Help page. I checked the Home page - couldn't find one. No Help link there. Checked the About Us link - nothing there about Acorns. I checked the "Tips" tab at the top. Nope, that's not tips for using the site, that's tips about plants. Went to my profile page and clicked on each link. Couldn't find anything. I looked at my microbadges. Clicked on Browse and add more badges. Well, on that page I could see that badges cost acorns, but still nothing about how to get them. Next I checked my tree-mail. Very nice message there from Woofie, but not a thing about how to get acorns. Next I came to the Site Talk forum and there I found lots of threads about acorns, but still nothing about how to earn them. Finally I went back to the Profile page and there was the link I needed, sitting at the very bottom of the page. I had not scrolled down far enough previously.

Since Acorns are playing a more integral part of this site - lots of contests and raffles depend upon acorns - you need to make it easier for people to find out how to earn them. For example, just check out this thread: Announcing an April "not a raffle" raffle, sponsored by Dutchlady1! (The thread "Announcing an April "not a raffle" raffle, sponsored by Dutchlady1!" in Site Talk forum). Near the bottom of the first post, there is a link next to "Buy Tickets Here". Guess what it leads to? Well, for me, all I get a screen that says:

Raffle

You do not currently own any raffle tickets.

By entering the contest, you are giving permission to have your username publicized in the event of your winning.

Nothing useful. No links. No explanation. It may as well say "Hey you LOSER!" Now I'm pretty computer savvy, but I suspect a lot of folks would not have been as persistent as me. I think I should get some acorns just for posting this message!

Just my two cents. I LOVE the new site! I will be sticking around for a long time.

Carol

You bring up good points. I'm sure the site Admins will see this and respond as well.

Meanwhile ...
http://garden.org/special/acor...

Carol,

Click the forum tab at the top across the banner and you'll find the welcome forum for new members here:

The thread "Help with site features" in Welcome forum

It might help you find your way and answer questions you might have. And most of the time somebody's around in all the threads, no matter where you are, to help too.

Welcome to ATP. We're glad you're here.

to ATP Mangogirl, this is a great site, I'm sure you will love it here!!

Hi Carol!

A couple of weeks ago, we put together a welcome and help forum for this very reason:
http://garden.org/forums/view/...

Adding this link to our welcome message has been on the TODO, but as you can see, it seems to have fallen though the cracks We'll remedy that ASAP! Thanks for bringing it to our attention!!

I hope you jump right in and make yourself at home!!

Carol, that was the most complete "bug report" I've seen in a very long time. I'm sending you 50 acorns as thanks for the detailed analysis. I will take your advice and make this much more prominent. Thank you.

Sharon, I saw that after I posted this thread - and obviously after much hunting around. I would never think to look in the forums for Forum Help. There needs to be a "Help" link at the bottom of the home page that links to that forum or the forum information. It should be down at the very bottom of the Home page with all of the other standard links: "All Things Plants Homepage - About - Contact - Terms of Service - Privacy - Memberlist - Newsletter". That is a standard help location on many websites. Just add one more link to that forum.

Again, just my two cents. Thanks for the Welcome everyone!

Carol

Woo-hoo! Thanks, Dave and Vic and Sharon and Calif_Sue for the awesome acorns! I am really feeling the warm welcome. I LOVE this place. You guys are awesome.

Carol

And while we're on the subject. Mind if I repeat my favorite hobbyhorse? It would really be helpful to put a little "How to submit Tips" box on the first page of the Tips tab. I know it's as simple as sending a T-mail to Trish, but it just seems like lots of people don't know that and that just seems like the obvious place to put the information. IMHO. nag. nag.

I have added "Acorns" as a link in the footer of every page.

Also, the word "acorns" is a link to the acorns info page when it appears in numerous places, including buying a badge and buying tickets for a raffle.

Thanks for your ideas!

Dave, Wow, that is GREAT!!!!! I like it very much. Using the word "Acorns" was even better than "Help".

Carol

Carol

Happy to have you here!

Mangogirl. So glad you found us.

Thanks, ya'll! I spent a good part of yesterday uploading photos - I would like to support this place. I have been here a month and like the forum an awful lot. There are a lot of good people here.

Carol

Carol, it looks like you're settling in very well!!

Mangogirl/Carol: to the ATP Family!!

Good job on suggesting the "Acorn" info link! As you can see, Dave & Trish are always eager to listen to suggestions and implement features to the site to make things easier for all of us!

I love everything about it here. I am going to do my best to drag over folks from some of the other forums where I have been active. This place is great!

Carol

they will all be