Fungi on Fungi

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by fairplay

Yabadabbadoo ! Yup, go for it John, photos, esp. good quality photos as already shown will make life so much easier, BUT they will still need to be used in conjunction with a good reference book showing microscopic characters to confirm the species.

Photos will definitely be an aid to identification and also speed things up possibly.

Neil.

No worries re reference Neil. I'm working on a 'virtual microscope' plugin for the site which will allow identification simply by clicking on an image. Version 2 will allow full DNA analysis

We can then all retire

John

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Hi Mike

The 'reference' threads would be closed and it would be simple to re sort when adding new images / species

John

I'm being really dim here - how does the "closed" thread work? how is it refereed? can no-one comment? Is there still an "open" thread that runs in parallel? Pictures alone are OK, but sometimes it's the little verbal follow-ups that are really useful (e.g Andreas's ones); I think we should not be singing the "just trawl through pictures, that's the way to understand/identify fungi" theme; really one should do the work as highlighted in the Help Us to Help You sticky and then start looking at pictures; how many beginners do we see who ask a question that a simple spore-print would contribute bucket loads to? yet you more often than not get the "I've looked at the pictures in my book and on the Web and can find nothing that looks like my fungus" . . .

Anyway it might be useful to do one for the Fungal Plant Parasites arranged by host because that is an area where knowing the host and reference to a picture or two can often clinch an ID (be a lot of work for someone of course) but I wouldn't want it to be devoid of words . . .

am I being really dumb?

cheers

Chris

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

I'm being really dim here - how does the "closed" thread work? how is it refereed? can no-one comment? Is there still an "open" thread that runs in parallel? Pictures alone are OK, but sometimes it's the little verbal follow-ups that are really useful (e.g Andreas's ones)

It might be useful to do one for the Fungal Plant Parasites arranged by host (be a lot of work for someone of course) but I wouldn't want it to be devoid of words . . .

am I being really dumb?

cheers

Chris

Hi Chris

It would purely be a reference of images which have been verified, possibly within a thread. If members could input posts it would just get hijacked and lose continuity.

One post in a thread could be for say 'Nectria episphaeria on Nectria episphaeria'. Ample space for a max of 10 images plus some 'agreed' text.

I have thought about the existing A to Z but it doesn't seem practical at the moment.

Another Gallery too would be difficult because anyone could upload and text would be difficult if not impossible.

Images also have links to any forum post!!

There are problems such as the alphabetical list of threads and creation dates, but we have to compromise with how our site works unfortunately

I think we may all have to meet in the pub

John

PS I should add that it is not to replace our existing Hot topic threads!!

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

....One post in a thread could be for say 'Nectria episphaeria on Nectria episphaeria'. Ample space for a max of 10 images plus some 'agreed' text....

If I am understanding correctly, the proposed closed threads would only contain images and "agreed" text, as placed there by yourself John. - Presumably, after the said images/text had been discussed eleswhere on the fungi forums in whichever thread they happened to be originally uploaded.

If that is the case then surely the "agreed" text could, in each case, contain a hyperlink back to the original thread for the particular photo(s) & discussions.

That would allow the closed thread to remain completely under control, with all the included fungi or hosts in alphabetic order, (and any future additions able to be slotted in at the relevant position), but would allow the viewer, via the associated hyperlink, to immediately link back to the original forum thread on that particular subject for further information. They could then, if necessary, make comment on that original (open) thread to bring the particular subject back to prominence on the forum.

Regards,
Mike.

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

....That would allow the closed thread to remain completely under control, with all the included fungi or hosts in alphabetic order, (and any future additions able to be slotted in at the relevant position)....

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

....There are problems such as the alphabetical list of threads and creation dates, but we have to compromise with how our site works unfortunately....

To clarify what I was trying to say above.

I was thinking that the "closed threads" would effectively comprise of just one post, with all the images and agreed text added "as and when" by yourself, John.

But having read your comment again, presumably there must be some limit for the numbers of photos or amount of information in a single post - or perhaps even a time limit on editing even by moderators?

Back to the drawing board. - (or the meeting in the pub. ).

Regards,
Mike.

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

To clarify what I was trying to say above.

I was thinking that the "closed threads" would effectively comprise of just one post, with all the images and agreed text added "as and when" by yourself, John.

But having read your comment again, presumably there must be some limit for the numbers of photos or amount of information in a single post - or perhaps even a time limit on editing even by moderators?

Back to the drawing board. - (or the meeting in the pub. ).

Regards,
Mike.

Stu's kindly created the new sub forum.

If we can hold back adding new threads to it for now, I'll work on it over Christmas and put some examples in which should explain it better

John

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

perhaps unstick the Wentworth foray to keep the numbers down?)

Have I missed something?

Melanie

[Chris Yeates]

hello all -

back on thread here - if a fungus on a lichen counts (don't think we really need another thread)

this must be common, as yesterday was probably the first day I have seriously looked for fungal parasites on lichen thalli - Marchandiomyces aurantiacus:


for a long time this was thought to be an ascomycete and that those orange cushions were sporodochia (like those of coral spot that most people know); but DNA and other studies have shown it to be a member of the Corticiales

cheers

Chris