what are fourms really good for?

[adam&nikki]

this is odd i thought fourms are here to help and disscuss what people are doing right and wrong and for some advice when its generaly asked but when you ask a question they say oh go get some books or google it ! this does get very irritating and yes i know that the same questions come up a billion times but when a person has a question they are generally looking for an ANSWER NOT GO READ A BOOK im sorry that i would rather ask people that have the animals then to sit down and read any one can write a book about anything and it could be totaly wrong but if people that breed and raise and care for these lil creatures are helpful enough to respond with a great answer or one that is very close then im proud of them

 

[JordanAng420]

Hmmm...

Do you have a specific question for us? I'd be happy to sit down with you for a little while and help you if you have specific questions. If this is purely a complaint, it should probably be in the "rants and raves" section.

I looked through a lot of your recent posts, and I didn't see that anyone told you to go read a book or google anything.

I feel that GeckoForums are an excellent resource for a lot of great information. There are so many kind, helpful people here. If you're looking for an answer to something that has already been discussed, you can simply use the "advanced search" function. When there are 5 threads opened by 5 different people asking the same question, it gets a little tiring having to answer EACH and EVERY person like, 5 times a day.

Furthermore, I think that you SHOULD use other resources besides here...and if that means using google or cracking open a book then it is what it is...you can only HELP yourself by searching further for an answer.

 

[acpart]

I generally recommend searches or reading books in 2 cases:

--where the person asks a really broad question like "tell me about breeding" or "how do I care for a leopard gecko". Those questions are not only outside the range of a single post, but there is tons of information online and in the forums that doesn't need to be re-typed. In those cases, I usually add that after the person does the reading they will probably have specific questions and they should come back and ask them.

--where the person asks a question that has recently been exhaustively covered in the forums, for example if a person asks "what are the problems with an enigma" there have been 2 very long threads talking about this endlessly, so it makes more sense for the person to find that than for me to re-type the whole thing all over again.

I agree that the forums are a great place to ask and get info, but I do feel that it's good to have a little discretion about what to ask.

ALiza

 

[snowgyre]

I agree with Aliza. To me, forums are places to ask specific questions that may not be completely addressed in easily accessed online sources of information. For example, we recently had a thread on here about a gecko suffering from some sort of intestinal blockage and the veterinarian had zero experience with reptiles and was giving very bad, misleading advice. In this case, the forum was extremely helpful to provide a knowledgeable second opinion to the distressed owner. The owner was able to find another vet in the area to help out, and now is more informed on the topic in general.

Forums are also very good for networking. It's nice to meet other people in your hobby, especially when you're trying to figure out who is reputable and who isn't.

Personally, I find it irritating when someone comes onto a forum and asks about how to take care of a gecko after they have already purchased one. To me, this reeks of irresponsibility, regardless that the person is now seeking help on a forum. If the person took it upon themselves to read the oddles of information available out there on reptile care, so many disasters and problems could be avoided.

Forums help those who first help themselves. I don't feel they should serve as a lifeline for those too lazy to do initial research on their own.

 

[gitrdone0420]

Hmmm...

Do you have a specific question for us? I'd be happy to sit down with you for a little while and help you if you have specific questions. If this is purely a complaint, it should probably be in the "rants and raves" section.

I looked through a lot of your recent posts, and I didn't see that anyone told you to go read a book or google anything.

I feel that GeckoForums are an excellent resource for a lot of great information. There are so many kind, helpful people here. If you're looking for an answer to something that has already been discussed, you can simply use the "advanced search" function. When there are 5 threads opened by 5 different people asking the same question, it gets a little tiring having to answer EACH and EVERY person like, 5 times a day.

Furthermore, I think that you SHOULD use other resources besides here...and if that means using google or cracking open a book then it is what it is...you can only HELP yourself by searching further for an answer.

Very well said, Maia! I competely agree... we are here as a forum to help eachother, but that does put a little responsibility in your hands; Research for yourself what has already been asked a thousand times... For example, somebody here asked about Slurry. There is a whole sticky totally dedicated to a slurry recipe. A simple search would have provided that person with all of their answers. I just posted a link to the sticky instead of telling them to go find it, simple on my end. But, it was very easy to find.
I also think that if you take in an animal, it is your duty to learn everything that you can to provide that animal with all of their proper needs. Reading a book is very useful for those purposes. They are great tools and should be utilized.

I generally recommend searches or reading books in 2 cases:

--where the person asks a really broad question like "tell me about breeding" or "how do I care for a leopard gecko". Those questions are not only outside the range of a single post, but there is tons of information online and in the forums that doesn't need to be re-typed. In those cases, I usually add that after the person does the reading they will probably have specific questions and they should come back and ask them.

--where the person asks a question that has recently been exhaustively covered in the forums, for example if a person asks "what are the problems with an enigma" there have been 2 very long threads talking about this endlessly, so it makes more sense for the person to find that than for me to re-type the whole thing all over again.

I agree that the forums are a great place to ask and get info, but I do feel that it's good to have a little discretion about what to ask.

ALiza

+1! Some of the reasons that we tell people to search it on the forums is because MANY people have given their two cents about that topic in a thread already and it is great for you to get all sides of the topic in question. There can be a lot of different opinions and you should open yourself up to those differences of opinions so you can choose for yourself on what you think and want to believe.

 

[gitrdone0420]

Forums help those who first help themselves. I don't feel they should serve as a lifeline for those too lazy to do initial research on their own.

Lol, I just saw this. I love how bluntly you put it! That is so true and I completely agree! :main_laugh:

 

[adam&nikki]

ok yes i do agree with some of these statements about if i own an animal that i should do some investigating about it my frustrations are when some one ask about a spacific thing like how long for and egg to hatch i know some of these questions are asked time and time again but to me i really see that there is no point of a person saying google it or get a book and read about it if thats all your going to say why even post about it?

 

[acpart]

ok yes i do agree with some of these statements about if i own an animal that i should do some investigating about it my frustrations are when some one ask about a spacific thing like how long for and egg to hatch i know some of these questions are asked time and time again but to me i really see that there is no point of a person saying google it or get a book and read about it if thats all your going to say why even post about it?

Good point. Sometimes if someone gets a response like that, if you wait a bit, someone else will answer the question. I do agree that specific questions should be answered.

Aliza

 

[Angel]

I like the forums because there is somany questions answered for you already if you just spend the time reading i spend a couple hours just reading old posts learning things I didnt know before, i dogoogle alot of specific things but if i find i get 5 answers for the same question its nice to come to a forum with experienced people in that area and get there advice or opinions in that case, I also like it when you have an emergency and needs dealing with asap there is usually people with answers and tips to help you along.
I have found some forums where anything you ask you get chastized {sp?} or looked down on , or may not feel comfortable giving your opinion for fear on what or who may chime in with your wrong lol. I have been on a few forums and there are some that I felt had to hold my tongue and couldnt be honest at all times if asked what do you use or what do youdo , but I havent had that problem here it seems others are pretty open minded on here as well. Alot of things though if you type in the search box comes up with tons of posts on subjects , so maybe just get in the habit of trying that 1st and if you dont get what you want then ask away .
And I do agree if all your going to say is go google it then dont bother , unless its like try this book ---- by ----- its got alot of good advice its not worth wasting your time on .

 

[acpart]

I think there is some use for limited googling in cases where the question is really broad. If someone wants to know how to care for or breed something, to me it makes sense to google and find a few care sheets to get the basic idea. Most likely there will be some information that is the same in all the care sheets and some that contradicts. The forums is a really good place to come and ask about the contradictions. Whenever I see a lizard that I might want (not that I have room for anything else right now) I google "[name of lizard] care" and read care sheets.

Aliza

 

[goReptiles]

I think in terms of how long does it take an egg to hatch is something that's been asked a good bit. Yes, what's the point in answering if you're just going to say look it up, but honestly, the answer to that question is in every book about leopard geckos and on nearly every website that talks about breeding. It's also in a ton of threads. Sometimes one should search a forum before posting a question in attempts to reduce redundancy.