This is something I've been working on for a long time, and I'm glad to announce a complete revamp of the ideas feature management area. Here's what's new:
1) When you submit a new idea, it's a LOT easier than before. You'll see how easy it is next time you go to submit a new idea.
2) The system now requires that an image must be included in your idea before you can submit it for approval. If you don't have an image to be included, just go into the Plant Database and look for a pretty photo and then copy the db_photo tag for that image into your idea.
3) You now get notified at every step of the way. When your idea is approved for publication, you get a system message. When we give your idea a date on which to run, you get another system message. Basically, there is no more guessing or wondering what the status of the idea is. But, keep in mind, often ideas will sit in the "Approved" queue without a date assignment up until days (or sometimes minutes) before it actually runs on the site.
4) Most importantly of all, you can now edit ideas even after you submit it for approval. In fact, you can now edit ideas even after they appear on the site. So if you are looking at a past idea and you see something you'd like to change, or if you want to add to it, you can. Just open the idea up and at the bottom you'll find a link to edit the item. Your edits don't immediately appear but will go into a moderation queue where I will review and approve the proposed edits.
I think these changes will go a long way toward making this feature more user friendly for all of us. If anybody has any suggested changes or if they have trouble with it, please let me know.
Have an idea and you want to try out the new features? Just click on Ideas in the bar on the left and then you'll see the link to post a new idea on the top of that page.
