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Q:
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Need help with Topics
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If anyone is so inclined, I'd like some input on the Topics for iHerp Answers. Basically, right now it's broken down into three sections:
Animals
Husbandry Issues
Breeding
Which was something I just did very quickly and is okay to start, but would like to refine it a bit.
I want to keep the numbers similar (so that the topics are fairly broad), but I'm sure I've not put in important husbandry issues (like if I forgot caging, for example), so if anyone wants to sit down and give this some thought while I code like mad, please do.
Thanks!
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Author Comment
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6/29/2008 7:46:17 PM
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aaron
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Also, I'm open to the three top level categories being named differently, or changed completely. Whatever works for the long term.
Right now the database is sparse due to just opening, but think of this a year down the road... two years... five years... It may very well end up having an enormous amount of information in it. So setting these topics up wisely at the beginning is key... but right now, my brain is pretty fried
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Member Comment
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6/29/2008 8:38:21 PM
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Tea
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How about main categories relating to type of animal i.e. snakes, lizards, amphibians... then those you have already as sub-categories beneath these, just to make it a bit easier for people to navigate and find info relevant to their own type of animal?
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Author Comment
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6/29/2008 8:53:39 PM
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aaron
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You can associate a species with a Question, so all of that will be "built in" if you put a species in ... the Topics are more for categorization of the problem or information request type.
So if I'm looking to get a carpet python, and want to post something about "What kind of issues am I looking at if I get a carpet", I'd file that under carpets as a species, maybe tag it with Carpet, but there wouldn't be a topic per se that it would fit into.
Also, need to make sure that husbandry issues like caging, what kind of heating do i need, and other things are filed correctly.
This is a good challenge :D
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Member Comment
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6/29/2008 9:00:45 PM
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Tea
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Ah yes, I see... so you went with the tagging idea in the end then ;) It's all good, I'm looking forward to this picking up!
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Assisted Answer
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6/29/2008 9:46:53 PM
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FyreFocks
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Husbandry is broad. Maybe you could break that down. You would end up with more than 3 top level catagories but wouldnt it better to get it out of the way now while youre still writing code like mad?
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Author Comment
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6/30/2008 9:42:41 AM
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aaron
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Moving stuff isn't too bad in the database ... But yes, I think I'd like more top level categories (maybe 5) ... Thoughts on what you'd break out? Caging? Disease?
This is actually helping me think out loud, so anyone who wants to chime in, feel free
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Member Comment
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6/30/2008 10:21:13 AM
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Tea
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Caging is a really good one. There's a lot of information out there that kinda slips through a beginners net, you know? Only just today I saw these awesome acrylic vivs that I'd never seen before (need to look into those more ;P). What with a community growing the way this one is of people who keep a vast array of different animals, there's a lot to be learned in that field that could make a lot of animals lives a lot more comfortable :)
Feeding might be useful. Although I personally do not advocate the use of live prey (other than insects of course) I understand that a lot of people do feed live prey items and so I feel that for those who haven't done it before, access to advice from those who know what they're doing could avoid a lot of accidents and injuries, particularly to the snakes etc. Then of course you've got all the tips for finicky feeders etc, what a person could do to encourage feeding, what to do when an animal stops feeding. All useful info.
These are just the results of the odd little brain fart here and there while I'm at work. I'll stop if you like ;)
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Author Comment
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6/30/2008 10:40:16 AM
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aaron
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No no, don't stop, all of this is gold... the discussion helps me to think... whereas when i'm programming in my bubble, I only have my experience to go on...
Theres that mite thread that mentions quarantine, which isn't a Topic. And needs to be. Stuff like that I'll miss cuz I'm not facing any quarantine situations right now (nothing incoming ... wahhhhh).
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Member Comment
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6/30/2008 11:26:42 AM
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Tea
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Quarantine is a good one, definitely.
Actually, what would you say if I suggested a section where people could contribute general caresheets? I know a lot of the people on here are past the point of needing them for their own animals but for new members who might perhaps be looking to expand their collections and take on animals that they haven't kept before, it might be a good idea to have yet another useful source of info on the site as a starting point. The thing that pisses me off the most about caresheets on the internet is that anyone could be writing it and there's only ever the one persons opinion on each one. If someone were to post one up here and there be something questionable about it then others would have the option to chip in and either correct it, suggest alternatives, give examples of success with whatever methods they might have etc etc. Making it a public thing for iherpers to add to would mean better all round info... though, of course, it could go totally the other way and turn into a peanut gallery :P Only one way to know for sure!
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Assisted Answer
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6/30/2008 11:44:03 AM
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Kaiyudsai
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I agree with you there Tea, I find it quite entertaining to read people's care sheets....Every self proclaimed reptile expert has there own set of care sheets. they are always filled with a bunch of useless opinions about the said species. Maybe if you do something like a "caresheet" choose different nomenclature... Alot of pple have a negative view about "caresheets". The good thing about having these submitted by Iherp members is , the variety of experiences these members have with different species..... For instance...I would never attempt to write a "caresheet" about GTP's, but I have worked with retics and bloods extensively....It would be good to get that specialized info out about different species, that pple learn just by working with a certain species over a long period of time...............MED
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Member Comment
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6/30/2008 1:32:19 PM
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Tea
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Yeah, I'm with you on that one... calling it a caresheet will instantly lump it in with all the other millions of 'caresheets' out there. Perhaps a simple moniker pertaining to beginners basics or something would do it more justice. I just think it'd be nice (for want of a better word) to be able to, as a community, try to put something together out of genuine interest for the animals in question rather than ego... you know? It's like, some of the people out there who write these goddamn things will deliberately contradict sound info purely to look like they know more and are, therefore, superior. I feel that this community is a bit more grounded than that at this point and that if there are people on here with information that could be passed on then it would be a good way to do it.
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Member Comment
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6/30/2008 3:14:18 PM
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Kaiyudsai
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Well I guess first we'd have to post some kind of list so pple could sign up for the species that they are experienced with........I don't know much about webpage design, so I don't know if any of this is feasible.......There is so much basic info available on different species on the internet, that maybe this would be more trouble than it's worth...... I think generally, pple in this group know most of the general info about most herps in general....it's the details, tips, and tricks of the trade that pple on this level look for...... Maybe if there was some way to link a narrative(about personal experiences, events, problems and solutions) to a species.....say for example, I noticed some very interesting breeding behavior with my retics.....My narrative can be linked with key words, and a species link..... then it could be accessed in either way......maybe records could be linked to that event, in the form of replies.....I guess t hat's almost linke a forum setup......but without a bunch of BS, and opinions
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Member Comment
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6/30/2008 5:36:02 PM
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Tea
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This I agree with, in that the people on this site are generally experienced with the animals they have etc... but I'm looking at it from 2 different angles. First of all, mine. I've got a good few years general herp experience but only in a limited field of different species If I decided the time had come for me to break into chondros, obviously there's half a million people on here who are seasoned pro's that could help me... but that means tracking down a few and asking. If there was a thread or something on here where one or two of the experts could share their favourite methods for setting up the best possible environment, recommend products and give the stats as regards temperature and humidity I'd feel like i had a pretty good starting point to base the rest of my research on before committing to buy one. Then, I'm looking at it from a complete beginners point of view. Perhaps, later down the line, when the site has a name for itself for being a reliable source of good information and for having 'friendly locals' as it were, they would be drawn to it for their starting points too... I dunno, I mean, it could get very complex if you look into it too much, all I had in mind really was a place where someone could post a sheet about a species that hadn't been covered and then, if need be, anyone with anything to add or correct or whatever could do so in the resulting thread, then, when admin (i.e. you Aaron :P) decide that it's had enough coverage the thread can be closed and left just to be viewed... you know? Perhaps I'm getting carried away ;)
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Member Comment
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6/30/2008 6:49:52 PM
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Kaiyudsai
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I gotcha... I too am about to venture into CHondros......I've been wanting a pair for some time and I keep buying more retics(they eat so much LOL).....i think I'm maxed out on big snakes for the time being.....Im looking at a possible 700 pounds of retics alone....when they are all grown
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Member Comment
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6/30/2008 6:53:37 PM
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Tea
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Haha, say no more... if you're measuring your collection by weight then yeah, you've got a lot :P I can't wait to have a house to myself to get on with the bigger animals ;)
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Assisted Answer
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6/30/2008 7:05:46 PM
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FartherAway420
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How about sexing and feeding problems as I think both of those would be hot topics. I guess both could be considered husbandry issues but they are 2 issues I am asked about quite often on youtube. Of course I can't really answer the sexing questions as I always have a vet do the sexing.
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Author Comment
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7/1/2008 12:01:22 PM
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aaron
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This is all great information that I'm soaking in. :)
The care sheet thing will probably come soon, but in a non-traditional way. Care sheets of old are pretty much a consensus or a singular point of view. Would you be suprised if I told you I have crazy, semi-revolutionary plans for that? :lol
So back to the Topics... Anyone who is interested, let's just start off with the top levels. I think what I have is close, but needs more refinement.... Husbandry needs to go away, and maybe Feeding (since that's a broad issue, and one that has many questions.
TOP LEVEL
General (Feeding, Sexing, etc)
Breeding (Incubation, Cycling, etc)
Disease (Infectious Disease, Injury, etc)
Caging (Caging, Plans, etc)
Discussion (Purchasing an animal, other topics I can't think of that are less direct Q/A but more information request)
Thoughts? I'd like to have people feel free to post "I'm thinking about getting a carpet python, what should I look for" and general questions like that... the information request, and not always just "i have a sick snake", but general seeking of knowledge. Right now, it's a bit too "problem/solution" and need some copy changes. *
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Accepted Answer
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7/1/2008 1:22:04 PM
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Tea
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I like the way that's looking Aaron... You don't wanna clutter it up with too many sub categories etc cuz then it may as well just be another reptile forum as it were... Those topics sound like a perfect starting point and, to be honest with you, I think anything else to be added will present itself as and when people start using the above, you know? It'll probably be a case of 'Doh! How the hell did I forget about THAT?!' but hey, that's how it goes! One thing I think would be good to try and maintain in an environment where beginners and less experienced herpers (like myself really) can come to ask basic questions such as 'What is a...?' or 'What does ... mean?' etc etc. A place where you're not expected to know anything... you know?
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Author Comment
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7/1/2008 1:36:31 PM
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aaron
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I understand completely... I think the general disposition of the site is great thus far, and want to keep the environment helpful and friendly. There will be a lot of disagreeing opinions (I hope) but that's what helps us advance individually and as a whole.
I do like the way those top levels are looking... much more "open" I think
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Member Comment
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7/1/2008 4:17:16 PM
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Kaiyudsai
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THe good thing is people on this site don't seem to engage in mindless arguements...and seem to be respectful of other pples opinions, and experience...that design looks good......it doesn't look to "forum-ish"
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Member Comment
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7/1/2008 6:05:34 PM
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FyreFocks
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I think the five topics you just posted are perfect to start with. There isnt much that isnt covered and the topics arent too broad. Definately off to a good start.
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Member Comment
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7/1/2008 9:41:42 PM
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MegF
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The big cornsnake forum I'm on has these general areas:
New member introduction
Health issues
Behavior/husbandry issues
Classifieds
O.T. general chit chat
Breeding/egg production....or just breeding
Genetics/morphs questions
You could also have a section on do it yourself stuff: homemade incubators, caging etc.
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Member Comment
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7/2/2008 7:17:32 AM
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Tea
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Reviews? That might be good... products such as cage decor, vivs and heating/lighting/aquatic stuff such as filters and heaters... you know the drill. It'd be a good place for people to both recommend things and ask about them too :)
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Member Comment
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7/2/2008 7:13:37 PM
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Assisted Answer
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7/5/2008 12:47:06 AM
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Casey Clarke
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Aaron,
Maybe a section on technology?!?! Starting to see more folks (yourself included) utilizing webcams in their setups. Something else that's really starting to get a lot of buzz is the use of microchips in highend animals to track bloodlines/ genetics and owner info. This is already being used in livestock/ equestrian channels. Midwest Tongs is getting into this technology:
http://tongs.com/p_avid.aspx
Keep up the good work man!
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