My thought are the same as RedPine.

Irene

Other: two OTHER bonsai forums knew about the voting earlier, and probably encouraged their members to do some serious voting. The same as if Michigan and Illinois football teams were web voting on who had the best team. It had nothing to do with us, if it really meant anything we could have fired you guys up and blown their socks off. We have so many actual members...

It was meant to be a humorous poll, and to gain traffic for Lindsay's site, which it certainly achieved. That's the extent of it. Congrats to Lindsay for a great site, by the way, and for the sterling work that he does.

Joanie

I'm glad you see that Joanie. Congrats on having a sense of humor and the ability to know when something is meant in jest.

I agree that with a little prodding bonsaiTALK would have walked away from the competition. Just look at the number of members.

Lindsay, whom I do not know, made an intelligent move to include a vote that caused more exposure to the website, no question.

I guess i need to remember that it is difficult to tell when I am joking, especially on the internet. Of course, was I joking?

As annoying as they are, smilies do help leaven the situation. Dry humor CAN come off as crankiness. Which is probably why it works so well for comedians. (Not that your post came off as cranky, I'm making a general statement here) I usually just give people the benefit of the doubt ... if it can be construed as humor, I take it as such. That way, if they really are being cranky, I'm annoying them even more by laughing.

Were you joking? Hmmm.... maybe we should have a poll.

Joanie

HA!!! That vote may require a re-count because it'll be so close.

John

I voted for Jimmy Hoffa- as meaningful as any of the others...... John

(Oh, by the way (I haven't read this thread so I may not be the only one who received this and reported this- not that I would think that I was), I received an email from the Mushroom Bonsai Guy in Michigan asking me to vote for his site (AOB) as the best Bonsai site....hmmmmm). John

I got an email from the same dude, was strongly hinting that his forum was left out of the voting early on for some unknown sinister reason and to vote him as best at the Bonsaifarm site.

Me to.

Mike

Ditto

i dont get it