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Matt,

Interesting idea about the mentoring, and it can work not just for people in the same location (although climate issues and supplies etc would be different). A couple of years ago I got a great deal of help from someone who had much more experience than I just using email and picture attachments. This one to one environment really worked well for me as it is not subject to the varying ideas presented in a forum environment and if the person giving the advice has some bonsai credentials, there is not the worry that a person could be giving you totally inappropriate advice.

Now I have moved on and get tuition face to face from my teacher, but that early e-collaboration help got me started when I wasn't prepared to spend hundreds on 'real' tuition.

There might even be a market for it, although given that many people contribute virtuals and advice for free currently, possibly not. Personally, I'd have paid my mentor for his time if it was reasonable.

See what others think.

Regards,

Fish.

__________________
Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.

HEALTH WARNING: Engage brain fully, before typing into keyboard.

"We are the average gamers and we'll kill you badly. There'll be no finesse. no fancy tricks, no inventive attacks, just 2 whole smg clips and a rain of 'nades."

24-Feb-2004	#8
Emperor Fish Bonsai Otaku Join Date: Nov-2002 Location: Hants Country: England USDA Zone: 8 ish AHS Heat Zone: 2-3 Posts: 570	Matt, Interesting idea about the mentoring, and it can work not just for people in the same location (although climate issues and supplies etc would be different). A couple of years ago I got a great deal of help from someone who had much more experience than I just using email and picture attachments. This one to one environment really worked well for me as it is not subject to the varying ideas presented in a forum environment and if the person giving the advice has some bonsai credentials, there is not the worry that a person could be giving you totally inappropriate advice. Now I have moved on and get tuition face to face from my teacher, but that early e-collaboration help got me started when I wasn't prepared to spend hundreds on 'real' tuition. There might even be a market for it, although given that many people contribute virtuals and advice for free currently, possibly not. Personally, I'd have paid my mentor for his time if it was reasonable. See what others think. Regards, Fish. __________________ Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill. HEALTH WARNING: Engage brain fully, before typing into keyboard. "We are the average gamers and we'll kill you badly. There'll be no finesse. no fancy tricks, no inventive attacks, just 2 whole smg clips and a rain of 'nades."