The FoBBS Cascade

FOBBS CASCADE 22-4-2009 Dear Bonsai Enthusiast   Those of you who are more Internet adventurous will have found that there is an alert when searching for FoBBS using the Google search engine and also some other lesser search engines.  The nature of Google’s alert is to suggest that there is a threat to your computer from the FoBBS website. I can assure you that the web site is clean and functioning perfectly well. If I might explain.   The alert is a response by Google to an attack on the FoBBS site by a third party website who hijacked our site address and redirected the search results to their site via the Google search engine. We reported the problem to Google and in their wisdom they blacklisted our website. Bizarre! Although we have raised our objections to this response, they are such a big company that they will do exactly as they please and will correct the problem in their own good time.  All we can do is wait until they sort it out.   The problem of infiltrating search engines is well known and the technically minded amongst you can read a Microsoft report here http://blogs.pcmag.com/securitywatch/2007/11/clickthrough_cloaking_hides_co.php   Of course Google is not going to admit this because of the business implications so all we can do is accept their ruling.   What to do? For completeness, clear out your old FoBBS pages from your cache. In Internet Explorer got to Tools/Delete Browsing History/Delete Files.  Alternatively the next time you visit the FoBBS site click Refresh at the top of your browser. This will reload the latest page.   If you search in Yahoo there is no problem at all. http://uk.search.yahoo.com Alternatively if you link directly to the site everything functions properly http://www.fobbsbonsai.co.uk Once there why not add the site to your favourites and this will avoid searching each time.   In any event I would always recommend you install an up to date virus checker.  There are plenty about, I believe AVG offers a free download and for added protection Spybot and AdAware also offer free downloads to help remove adware and spyware.   I hope this provides some reassurance and that you continue to use the FoBBS on-line services.   Best regards   Mike Smith Webmaster

FOBBS WEBSITE 26-4-2009 The FoBBS Cascade   Dear Bonsai Enthusiast   EGM Follow up   ·         FoBBS Promotion One of the suggestions raised at the EGM was for better promotion by FoBBS of its work. It would greatly appreciated if you could print off a copy of this first promotional article and let your members read it at your next club night.  Alternatively, you could forward the link to those you know with this message.   ·         Councillor Visits We were asked to visit Societies and Members more regularly and while this will have limitations because of our geography I and other Councillors would be pleased to talk and discuss how we can support this request.  Please contact Mike Smith with your initial thoughts and requests for a visit.   ·         Regions One of the discussion lines that came out of the Extraordinary General Meeting was the need too reach out regionally across Britain.  A number of volunteers came forward at the meeting and we will continue to look for others.  We are currently limited to a small number of Regions by the people that have volunteered, but if we had more we could develop this support in greater depth.  Please drop David Martin a note if you can help here.   ·         Next Steps Over the next few weeks I will be developing a programme of activity to address the positive feedback from the EGM and will advise you as these become more solid.  If you can find time to support your Federation as we move towards our future please contact  Paul Eslinger   New Talent Competition New Talent Contest goes from strength to strength, as each year passes this competition gains more followers in Europe.  Some of our best known talent started their “bonsai career” here and Britain has a proud tradition in the competition.  We have been the bridesmaid at several finals with close second place finishes and we must be getting close to the day when we can celebrate.    Will it be you that flies the flag for Britain in Zurich in 2010.  Please contact David Penny to register your interest as a Competitor.  If we get enough Competitors we will need more eliminators so do let David know if you have an event that would support a heat and local Competitors.   The Future of Specialist Plant Societies – Article in RHS The Garden Magazine In April’s issue of RHS  The Garden magazine p. 272,  there is an article by John Grimshaw on the state and future of specialist plant societies. Much of what John writes about fits in exactly with FoBBS and our member clubs principally the difficulties that societies face with its management, the impact of modern society on peoples leisure time, attracting youngsters and the advantages and disadvantages of the internet. The solution he offers is straightforward.  Rather than looking back to a Golden Age of vibrant societies it is time to adapt and move forward.  However, this will only be possible with the dynamism and contributions from the volunteers that keep these groups alive.  So it seems we all have a choice; rejuvenation or senescence. The article makes interesting reading.   Seasonal Reminders ·         Check under pots for slugs and snails.  Dispose of these before they decimate your favourite accent plants. ·         Check for aphids and rub these off before they multiply. ·         With the weather warming up, time to start watering. ·         Remember to use Provado Vine weevil solution as preventative measure. ·         Also look for needle cast on Scots pines and spray with copper fungicide after pulling the affected needles and destroying them. But be careful not to get fungicide into the soil as this can affect beneficial mycorrhiza. ·         As new growth hardens off, begin your fertilising regi   Enjoy your bonsai Mike Smith