Forums suggestion, what do you think?

[Pixie]

Hello everyone

How about getting a general FAQ together for the different species forums?

I think it would be a good way for newbies to get the information they seek and a way to relieve the more experienced hobbyist from typing the same answers again and again. It would be kept in one thread at the top of the forum's page for easy access and would be information compiled from the various members that frequent this site.

How to go about compilling the FAQ and information contained would need to be discussed and I am hoping that others who like the idea might have some good suggestions on how to go about it.

Pixie


__________________

[Invictus]

I think it could work if we posted the answers to the questions as links to individual threads that contain the answers, rather than someone just compiling the "one answer" that would satisfy the question. The best thing about these forums is the ability to collect a variety of opinions, and combine that with research.

[HerpHannah]

i dont really mind wat goes on in the world, close or far away. Its other people's decisions which i dont like 2 get caught up in-its other people's buissness-not mine unless im a part of it naturally.

Cya around Herps collectarians!
HerpHannah

Don't Buy What You Can't Afford

[Pixie]

I'm not really sure what the last post was supposed to mean! lol :P

Invictus: My idea about the FAQ would comprise the different answers submitted by the various members that have offered their good advice from personal experience. I totally agree that one generic answer to a question is often not enough.

For example, in the ball python forum one of the most frequent questions we see is: "Help, my BP wont eat!" I would see the answer to that question first addressing the husbandry questions and details that we always ask for (what are temps, humidity, etc...) then offering some general tips that are always found in the multiple responses from the members. The FAQ would IMO also help newbies post more detailed questions understanding that other factors often play large roles into a particular situation and giving more information in their questions.

This FAQ idea in no way is meant to curb questions from newbies, my goal with such an idea is to give easy access to information that is very often requested and to show that there are always other factors to look at when dealing with a particular problem.

I would really appreciate some more opinions on this idea :) I would be willing to put some time in compilling the answers already given to some questions that come up often.

Pixie

[fateamber]

I think it would be a good idea but do you think people would bother to look there before posting?

[Pixie]

You are most likely right that people won't look at the thread before posting their questions.

But I would think it will make it easier for the members to answer that the question in question is addressed in the FAQ and if it doesn't solve the problem to then go right ahead and ask a more detailed question. The FAQ would also address which kind of information to include in a question so the members can answer as best they can.

Pixie

[lilyskip]

I can tell you that an FAQ would have definitely helped me when I first started researching bps. I felt bad (and still do!) posting inane questions that I'm sure have been answered over and over again.

[Lisa]

I think a FAQ on eating, sheding and how to find lost snakes would do wonders.

[sapphire_moon]

And don't forget pooping........I've seen a few "why isn't my ***** going to the bathroom!" posts.....

[TheRedDragon]

Yeah, I think the FAQ threads would be a good idea, and as most everyone else mentioned, include common questions such as inquiries on pooping, feeding, shedding, enclosures, etc.

[The_Omen]

My one suggestion is that the thread titles should have some content of what the post is about.
Not just for this idea, but for all posts.
It makes it easier to find info on search as well.

For example - 'What if I......' vs. 'Who is going to the ____ Show?'

I generaly avoid all the titles that lend no meaning to the ingredients of the post and I am sure that many also skip them.