Some where I read you (Dave ) were going to work out a return of mistakes
In all the excitement of yesterday I chose two of the same plant from two different people . I would have put one back but figured that option wasn't ready yet.
I figured out why , I don't read /comprehend well under ''excitement'' and one was listed under common name and the other under botanical ((again ))
There are only 3 packs in the total swap of these seeds and I wish others to get a chance at some.
...so what can you or I do?

@dave

Let me see what I can do.

I am so sorry to make work for you.

I would be glad to email the person and tell them not to send , but don't know how they would show it available again.

If I'm guessing correctly that it is one of mine, can I just add one back to the entry for that item and let Dave adjust everything else?

No no, this is perfectly fine.

Scenarios like this are why we're running the beta. We need to uncover every need and address them in the code as much as possible. Being able to retract a claimed bid is definitely a necessary function. I'll be adding it in soon.

Until then, don't worry about it. I'll let you know when it's ready, and will tell you how to retract it.

dave said:No no, this is perfectly fine.

Scenarios like this are why we're running the beta. We need to uncover every need and address them in the code as much as possible. Being able to retract a claimed bid is definitely a necessary function. I'll be adding it in soon.

Until then, don't worry about it. I'll let you know when it's ready, and will tell you how to retract it.

I agree, that it's a necessary function. What, though, will the ability to 'return' seeds do to the 'seller's' ticket count? If something is returned, do they lose 0.5 tickets (or do they sit at a -0.5 tickets if they were at 0)?

No, they will keep the bonus tickets that were awarded.

But by retracting a claimed dib, you will not get a refund for the ticket you used to claim it in the first place.

@gardengus you can now retract dibs. When you're viewing the trade list, you'll see a trashcan icon next to the green checkbox. Just click the trash can to retract your claim. It'll ask for confirmation.

Seems to work just fine

Thanks

Fast AND good!

>> one was listed under common name and the other under botanical ((again *Blush* ))

I've been gradually replacing my "typed in" names with database names where I notice I can.

And I tried to add some varieties to the database, and hit a wall. Seed vendors use any marketable name that tickles their fancy, and the Admins want to add only recognized cultivars. I plan to revise my list (for future swaps, maybe, standardizing my "typed in" names as much as possible.

Like I might make many entries under a generic "Bok Choy" database name, then break the links by adding at the END of the name, a vendor-specific sell-by-name. But keep it recognizably alphabetical by putting the variable text at the end of the name.

MAYBE there would be some point to some kind of two-tier-naming system for swaps. The main name field would be botanical by genus, then species, then RECOGNIZED cultivar. That would alphabetize predictably and "keep things together".

A second name field would be more like:
- non-standardized common names,
- "groups" like Bok Choy vs Napa vs Michihli, and
- unrecognizable variety names that may be vendor-specific, or just not "recognized" by the taxonomists for whose sole convenience these names apparently exist.

But that would alienate everyone who dislikes Latin and likes common names.
I doubt whether Dave would smile on the complexity of supporting two different, selectable alphabetization views for swap lists!

Plus, there is the usual common-name confusion with Brassica greens - a million variations on "B. rapa".

I thought it was bad when two nearly-identical cultivars could be listed under "Lettuce", or under "Butterhead Lettuce". And one of my chard offers lists under "Chard". The other lists under "Swiss Chard".

Let's not think about
B. rapa
Bok Choy
Pak Choi
Choy Sum
Yu Choy Sum
Taiwan Bok Choy
Shanghai Bok Choy
Chinese Cabbage (other than Napa or Michihli)

RickCorey said:I doubt whether Dave would smile on the complexity of supporting two different, selectable alphabetization views for swap lists!

You forgot who you're talking to. Usually I don't say no to things because they are too difficult. I usually only say no if I don't think it's the right decision for the situation.

In your case, I really like the idea, although it does indeed add some complexity on the user interface side. If I can find a way to make it easy for the user, I will do it.

I wonder if we should work on unifying the database, instead?... <ducks and waits for all of the tomatoes and other flying food to pass>

(Where is the emoticon for that? )

Too complicated for you to code, no.

Complicated for users who forget that there IS an alternate way to alphabetize - maybe yes.

Edited for off-topic subject.

I think this is to some degree a problem with the database. For instance, I have a lot of different varieties of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris); some show up as "common bean," some as "snap bean," some as "pole bean," etc. I personally think that all P. vulgaris should show as "common bean," with some kind of sub-category system for "pole bean," bush bean," and "half runner," and then possibly another distinction for "snap bean" and "dry bean," although that can be quite blurry. At any rate, this is obviously affecting a number of types of plants (in the swap list I also noticed some Mirabilis showing as 4 o'clocks and others as Marvel of Peru).

Just an observation...

Perhaps classifying all seeds in the database by their latin name first, then their common name might help? (Should anyone ever dare take on the project of overhauling the database, that is.)

I really don't know the best way right now, but we've already proven that even a small handful of people are capable of making big advances and amazing things happen on this website. ...it could happen.


[edited to change "proved" to "proven" because the typo was driving me nuts]

off-topic

botanical name first is the way to go. just my opinion.

Hey ya'll, this is not a conversation that belongs in the seed swaps feature. Reworking the plants database isn't on the table right now and the conversation, when it occurs, should take place in the proper forum.

oops

sorry