Forum divisions

[Herptiles.net]

Has anyone ever thought of forum divisions by subject?

I only check about once a week, and I keep having to dig back through old pages to find the topics I was following...

How's about:

General Discussion
Housing / Enclosures
Feeding and Nutrition
Identification
Breeding
In the Wild
Other Herps


Any suggestions?

[Bird_Brain]

This has been mentioned several times. I agree with you, but I cant remember why Zach doesnt want to do that.

I would also add an Off topic thread so you can post non-reptile stuff as well.

[Fatal_S]

I disagree. I'm on another forum that is broken down, and it doesn't feel like a family at all. Some people will only check certain areas, leaving the rest alone. If something fits more than one thread, you have to decide where to put it or double post it, and often people forget which category things fall into. On the other forum my group is having a meeting this friday, but I can't find any information about it now.

For me, who checks in at least daily, this forum works perfectly. Even if I miss a few days, sure I have to go back a bit to find everything, but I enjoy it. I don't want to have to go through division 1, then division 2, and so on, to see what's happening to people. And what about when someone says 'as I said in my other post.' Have fun finding the other post, you'll have to check each division. Eventually people will get sick of checking everything, and only check things they care about most, ignoring the rest. I'd miss my big BTS family

However, for people who can only check in weekly, or even longer, I can see how you could get lost in all the new posts. As a suggestion I would leave the initial part of the forum as is, but add on an identifier for every thread. For example, you make a thread about your new BTS tank, and identify it as 'enclosures'. Maybe there could be a little symbol beside the title or something. All the threads still show up on the main page, but if someone wanted to look at just enclosures pictures, there could be a way to sort out the rest (little enclosure button). This would be better for Urgent posts as well. Identify your post as urgent, and if we have some of our amazing members who can only be online for a few minutes, they can just go through the Urgent ones to offer their advice. The urgent problem kindof bugs me.

Off Topic is a bit of a problem. With all the random posts, people who need answers get lost in the other stuff, and you have to go back several pages to even see what's happening. So people just make other OT threads so their stuff will be seen. Which was the point of the OT thread. OT probably could do with having it's own division.

All the ideas are great in theory, but we also need to remember that it's all about what Zach is able to do. I'm pretty sure he bought the layout of this forum as a basic one, and just paid for all the awesome extras we have. I don't know how much more we could actually add. Hopefully Zach will show up soon to tell us what's what.

[Tattoo]

If you log in before reading you can easily see what posts you have read. I think the system works well as it is. Just my humble opinion. Thanks for a great site Zach!

[jasjmm27]

I think that, if it does not cost more, then the separate categories would be very useful and get a bit more attention of the expert keepers as well...for example if there was an "emergency" section, then they could see if there were any new posts there and could help accordingly.

Other then that, I don't think that much would change, there could still be the "general discussion" section as this is and then there could be the separate, more specific, sections as well...that is where people could go to see more about diet, housing, scientific studies, etc...

If it is a hassle and/or costs more, then I don't think there is a problem, it would just make this obsession easier for some of us...

I don't think anything would be lost in the translation, either, if it was done correctly and the "general discussion" section was left alone.

[brunetteoctober]

one thing i've seen on a couple sites is they have a feature that will keep a list of the topics you would like to watch. you hit a button and it keeps track of those specific topics. probably a lot of work, not really necessary, but convenient. i like how this forum is set up though. it feels like a community.

[PsyKoViggy]

I can't help thinking that it would aid people who arn't very active but are searching for specific answers that arn't given in the caresheet.
It would make finding topics on a specific thing like say.. the fire ants thing.. or nail clipping.. a lot easier and there would be less repeat topics.

It wouldn't have to be over the top, just for the specifics.. i mean, you could still have a 'general bluey' section for the photos and general bts chat and new bluey intros and everything, so you would still have the family aspect and the freedom to chat about blueys without having to worry too much about where its posted, but topics asking for and/or giving useful information could be put into a few categories to make them easier to find.

[sheslikeheroin]

personally i like this site the way it is. i have trouble dealing with the forums that are split... i love how this forums setup. everyone takes care of each other every knows the name of everyone elses blueys. we all know and care for eachother no makes fun of anyone or throws insults at eachother... i would absolutley hate for this place to change.

i think this is the opinion of many and yes for some people the seperation of topics would be handy. but for me personally this is like a giant worldwide group of friends.

we'll there's my two cents.

[Blotch]

you could change the set up of it and still keep the community feel by having a section called "post your Bluey Pics".

This would get everyone in the same area and talking about blueys in general - then having the other areas for "specialized" help.

either way, i don't care as long as there is a pics section so we all can blab on about blueys!

[Zach]

one thing i've seen on a couple sites is they have a feature that will keep a list of the topics you would like to watch. you hit a button and it keeps track of those specific topics. probably a lot of work, not really necessary, but convenient. i like how this forum is set up though. it feels like a community.

We have that feature! At the bottom of every thread you'll see "Watch this topic for replies".

I agree with Fatal mostly -- check out this reptile forum. That's utter madness in my eyes...there's no way I could enjoy that or check it all.

http://www.alexhuereptiles.com/forums/

I know most aren't talking about a split to that extent, but if there was a split, I think the OT and Emergency sections are good ideas...

I enjoy it the way it is right now as well, one of the reasons I don't have an OT thread is actually to try to keep the MAIN entire focus on blueys instead of OT talk. That's why there's only the lone OT thread floating around. Perhaps it is time for a separate OT forum.....

For emergencies, I've also thought of adding some type of all red font for emergency threads instead of a separate forum. Some people actually just go straight to the general discussion by bookmark rather than visit forum index first.

[Fatal_S]

See, that's pretty much what I'm worried about. The local site I frequent:
www.manitobaherp.com/forums/index.php?

I like this forum. It makes me happy. However, I can see how an OT forum could help (maybe cut down on some OT threads or responses in threads). I also really like the emergency threads being different somehow. I think it would give it a better chance at being seen by some people. Other than those things, I don't want to see any big changes. I lurv this place and all you guys.

[Blotch]

See, that's pretty much what I'm worried about. The local site I frequent:
www.manitobaherp.com/forums/index.php?

I like this forum. It makes me happy. However, I can see how an OT forum could help (maybe cut down on some OT threads or responses in threads). I also really like the emergency threads being different somehow. I think it would give it a better chance at being seen by some people. Other than those things, I don't want to see any big changes. I lurv this place and all you guys.

Would you like a pacifier with that suck?

[Lisa]

I know most aren't talking about a split to that extent, but if there was a split, I think the OT and Emergency sections are good ideas...

I enjoy it the way it is right now as well, one of the reasons I don't have an OT thread is actually to try to keep the MAIN entire focus on blueys instead of OT talk. That's why there's only the lone OT thread floating around. Perhaps it is time for a separate OT forum.....

For emergencies, I've also thought of adding some type of all red font for emergency threads instead of a separate forum. Some people actually just go straight to the general discussion by bookmark rather than visit forum index first.

Yep. This site was created by you as a talking point for all things bluetongue.

It's great that people have developed friendships and have found mutual interests or want to have a conversation beyond bluetongues, but then there is the chat feature, the OT thread or people can PM or email eachother offline or call etc.

In regards to separate bluetongue topics, I prefer them all in the one spot because sometimes they overlap, and things such as husbandry are usually asked by new owners, so they'd be asking a question about enclosures, food, identification etc all at the same time.

I think an emergency forum is unnecessary. It could be mis-used (HELP: My bluetongue didn't eat all his dinner last night) but also because the people who do respond and help with knowledge and advice do, and those that don't, don't. Just like now. I don't think putting emergencies in a separate forum will make the people who currently decline to respond to help threads to miraculously start helping people.

This is a forum primarily for people who want to share information, stories, advice, or to seek help or broaden their knowledge of bluetongues. I think it does this in its current state perfectly.

Oh look, we've all gone OT

[Fatal_S]

This was OT to start with. You can't go OT if you're already OT.

[Lisa]

Oh yeah
Me stupid. Now you know who Ralphie gets his brains (or lack of) from then!

[Fatal_S]

S'okay, just post some pictures are we promise to forget about all your past mistakes. Mmm, Lisa Skinks.

[Lisa]

It's been a while, I'll take some on the weekend.

Santos is out with me now on the table. I just dropped something on the floor and looked up and saw this peeking at me over the edge of the table. Made me jump. He's scary up close.

[Jenn]

I would spend all day kissing and pinching his cheeks, if he was mine.

[Blotch]

it's not really OT - it's still on the Bluey topic, would dividing up the forum into sections help us help other with their blueys? That's on the bluey subject in my eyes - granted it's not specifically on blueys - but it's for the benefit of them.

[Fatal_S]

God has spoken! Let us all bow and worship him!