My Thoughts About These Forums...

[SJ2K]

Its true, even people with higher post counts can still add the most pointless comment ...

 

[Bignose]

Forums are imperfect. People are imperfect. Some of the best, most knowledgeable, long-time members don't post very often because it just isn't interesting going over the same questions time and time again. We also have full lives and most of us can't sit here and answer every single question every day.

Finally, sometimes threads just get overlooked. Maybe you didn't get all the answers you needed, so keep trying. Ask again. Don't be obscene about it, but just bump your old thread or ask the question again. Every day I log on to Chit Chat, there is usually at least 30 new posts, and often more than 50. I'm not going to read and reply to every one. And I don't think most other people will too.

I think that this is one of the best forums in the Internet, and just the fact that once a month or so someone starts another "My thoughts on the these forums..." or "the people on this forum need to..." is a good sign. It shows just how busy the forum is and how much people care. But, at the same time, every single forum out there has the same problems you speak of. There is a whole distribution of advice. Some people probably think that they get too much advice (like all the people who get told to return some of their fish). You are obviously on the other side of the curve, the side that thinks that you aren't getting enough advice. But, that whole curve is filled out. And, you aren't going to be able to make everyone happy.

This is the imperfectness of the forums and of human beings.

 

[DarkEntity]

I have never found any problems with people on these forums. (granted i mainly frequent the Oddball/Brackish Sections) but people do help. If you post a sensible question with all the details you possibly can then you will get an answer, granted the answer may be "we need more info" or "i know this but that's not everything you asked someone else will hopefully fill in the gaps"

I've found in the past the main problem that pops up isn't with the answers, its with the posting person not liking the answer they receive, then deciding to ignore the advise and appearing back a few weeks/months later with dead/dying fish due to their stupidity and ignoring advise they were given in the first place.

People have to realise also that a lot of us here work for a living and aren't sitting in front of the PC 24hours a day, you need to give time for someone to reply. (also Friday/Saturday nights....cmon people you don't think many of us are in the house or sober do you?)

 

[OohFeeshy]

Thank you for your novel ideas.

It's a pleasure.

Specific information is hard to find and since any old person can post whatever he wants on the internet, information found on websites is often wrong, conflicting with other websites, or lacking in details.

You're much more likely to find what you're looking for if you bother to look through the whole net as opposed to relying on a forum where only a few have any idea what you're talking about (assuming the query is of a specific nature as opposed to the staple newbie threads). And you can actually look in more than one place, you know, if you want a variety of opinions. I also doubt anyone is going to waste their time writing an article saying how oscars only grow to 3.5" and require a special diet of rare orchids and marmite. You get the occasional falsity, but yet again, the 'looking in more than one place' point comes up. And why are you less likely to get conflicting info on here? Or indeed, why is that nessecarily a bad thing?

Surely it is from a person who is currently DOING the things you need to know about, that the BEST information can be obtained.

Who, in all likelihood, isn't a member of TFF.

And about spelling... wow. I am pretty sure that it is possible to understand and respond to a question even with punctuation and spelling that is lacking.

You'd be suprised. It isn't even a case of understanding- to me, and I'm sure many other people, someone who for some reason writes 'ov' instead of 'of' doesn't exactly give the impression of a model fishkeeper. Experience seems to show that no idiots type properly; that isn't to say everyone that doesn't is an idiot, but still. There's threads and threads about it if you're that bothered.

 

[cheesy feet]

Forums are imperfect. People are imperfect. Some of the best, most knowledgeable, long-time members don't post very often because it just isn't interesting going over the same questions time and time again. We also have full lives and most of us can't sit here and answer every single question every day.

Finally, sometimes threads just get overlooked. Maybe you didn't get all the answers you needed, so keep trying. Ask again. Don't be obscene about it, but just bump your old thread or ask the question again. Every day I log on to Chit Chat, there is usually at least 30 new posts, and often more than 50. I'm not going to read and reply to every one. And I don't think most other people will too.

I think that this is one of the best forums in the Internet, and just the fact that once a month or so someone starts another "My thoughts on the these forums..." or "the people on this forum need to..." is a good sign. It shows just how busy the forum is and how much people care. But, at the same time, every single forum out there has the same problems you speak of. There is a whole distribution of advice. Some people probably think that they get too much advice (like all the people who get told to return some of their fish). You are obviously on the other side of the curve, the side that thinks that you aren't getting enough advice. But, that whole curve is filled out. And, you aren't going to be able to make everyone happy.

This is the imperfectness of the forums and of human beings.

Big nose has hit the nail on the head I think...

 

[DarkEntity]

And about spelling... wow. I am pretty sure that it is possible to understand and respond to a question even with punctuation and spelling that is lacking.

Yes that's true in most occasions, but why should people have to decipher other peoples lazy text message speak or poorly structured/spelt sentences when there is absolutely no need, it only takes an extra minute or so to check what you have written and do a spell check before you post utter rubbish. My recent one is people using "brought" and "bought" incorrectly.

"i brought some blah from a shop"

Well, no you didn't, you bought some blah from a shop. It takes a second

 

[Squid]

I can liv wiv dat sorta mistak. For me its da manners. Brought/brought is justa mistak, but drival ain't innit, when da you be hopin for sum elp, dats rude innit.

Sorry.. i meant.

I can live with that sort of mistake dark-entity. For me it comes down to manners. Brought/bought is just a mistake, but purposely typing in drivel when you are hoping for some help is just a little rude.

Squid

 

[dizzied]

I can see what the OP means, there's been a few times where questions I've asked either got useless responses or none at all. It'd be a pretty boring forum if it was all questions and answers though.

I've found this to be one of the friendliest fish forums, with very few problematic users. I've been at some of the other big forums, and a good number of them fall somewhere between a circus and an asylum.

 

[n3ont3tra]

IME it depends on where you post a question. No offense, but TCC is the most general, and most of the newbies go here. You can't really expect to get much info on something really specific. Also, there's so many stocking posts, only a few people reply to them anymore. We can't answer every little question about every single fish you want in your tank, because every situation is different.

I just started a topic in oddballs about stocking, because it wasn't with the normal neons, cories, etc. I could've posted it in TCC and got a page of replies from people who are just guessing, or are just saying something like 'yes.' But if I post in Oddballs I'll get better info, it'll just take longer. I'm still waiting for a reply.

Also, some forums are more active than others. TCC would probably be a great place to get advice about leveling a tank, because 90% of the people on TCC have a tank. You could probably get the same amount of replies in Hardware and DIY, it would just take longer. Be patient, especially if it's a really specific question.

 

[raptorrex]

Thank you for your novel ideas. If you would have read previous posts with some attention, I have already commented on finding information on the internet. Specific information is hard to find and since any old person can post whatever he wants on the internet, information found on websites is often wrong, conflicting with other websites, or lacking in details.

Surely it is from a person who is currently DOING the things you need to know about, that the BEST information can be obtained.

And about spelling... wow. I am pretty sure that it is possible to understand and respond to a question even with punctuation and spelling that is lacking.

personally i don't care if you cant be bothered to do any of your own research, on the net. but saying that the information, isn't there, or is wrong, is simply untrue. and no amount of uncalled for sarcasm will change that! after all if the OP cant be bothered, why should anyone else?

some members, i am one, can spend hours researching, on behalf of a poster, though it is true that they are also adding to their knowledge, in the hope of helping.
its worth remembering that, you have no right to demand an answer to any post, whether they are answered depends completely on those who read them. that decision depends on the content, subject and tone of the post. i will say that posts that ask question that really should not need to be asked if the poster had applied some effort in their own research, very often remain unanswered, quite right too i say, and the impression caused by such questions, tends to stay with those who read it.

 

[PlecMama]

Sometimes, you only get one answer because that was *the* answer and no one else needed to add anything. Often someone immediately posts the correct answer and a lot of other people put up "I agree" posts, but it doesn't really add anything.

I admit I am a reader and a chatter rather then an advice giver. I will if no one else has helped (and I actually know), but there are a lot more knowledgeable people here then me, so I pretty much post general replies, though I read a lot of the posts.


Sometimes I sneak in and visit the marine sections just so I can read posts that appear to be in another language - "how is your open brain today? oh it's fine, how's your closed brain doing?" - what?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Sometimes, you only get one answer because that was *the* answer and no one else needed to add anything. Often someone immediately posts the correct answer and a lot of other people put up "I agree" posts, but it doesn't really add anything.

I admit I am a reader and a chatter rather then an advice giver. I will if no one else has helped (and I actually know), but there are a lot more knowledgeable people here then me, so I pretty much post general replies, though I read a lot of the posts.


Sometimes I sneak in and visit the marine sections just so I can read posts that appear to be in another language - "how is your open brain today? oh it's fine, how's your closed brain doing?" - what?

Thats another point. There is no reason at all that people cant use these forums just to chat about their fish (and other things in appropiate sections) its not just a question and answer forum.

 

[Chuka1212]

Thank you for your novel ideas. If you would have read previous posts with some attention, I have already commented on finding information on the internet. Specific information is hard to find and since any old person can post whatever he wants on the internet, information found on websites is often wrong, conflicting with other websites, or lacking in details.

Surely it is from a person who is currently DOING the things you need to know about, that the BEST information can be obtained.

And about spelling... wow. I am pretty sure that it is possible to understand and respond to a question even with punctuation and spelling that is lacking.

personally i don't care if you cant be bothered to do any of your own research, on the net. but saying that the information, isn't there, or is wrong, is simply untrue. and no amount of uncalled for sarcasm will change that! after all if the OP cant be bothered, why should anyone else?

some members, i am one, can spend hours researching, on behalf of a poster, though it is true that they are also adding to their knowledge, in the hope of helping.
its worth remembering that, you have no right to demand an answer to any post, whether they are answered depends completely on those who read them. that decision depends on the content, subject and tone of the post. i will say that posts that ask question that really should not need to be asked if the poster had applied some effort in their own research, very often remain unanswered, quite right too i say, and the impression caused by such questions, tends to stay with those who read it.

I'm not sure where I said I am unwilling to do research on the internet, or that I demand that I get answers to my questions.

I NEVER said the info is NOT there, I said "Specific information is hard to find and since any old person can post whatever he wants on the internet, information found on websites is often wrong, conflicting with other websites, or lacking in details.
That is what I said.

Here is my opinion restated in hopes of clarifying:

I MERELY FIND IT INTERESTING, AS MUCH AS I LOVE THESE FORUMS, THAT CHIT CHAT AND OPINION POSTS OFTEN GET HUNDREDS OF HITS (like this one) WHILE SOMEONE SEEKING INFORMATION IS OFTEN LEFT HANGING. I HAVE NOTICED A SHIFT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CONTENT OF THE FORUMS.

Also to xxBarneyxx, I never said that these forums were only places for answers. I find the chit-chat is great and have participated in it myself. Again, I am merely noting 1) the recent shift in these forums to less information and 2) I am noting a frustration that I and others have felt when really needing help.

In regards to the comment about me not willing to do the research myself:
For any given question that I ask I have already: looked in the aquarium books I have, searched on the internet, and asked pet shop employees. When I get conflicting info or confusion AFTER doing these things, is when I typically ask a question. Though no one can be sure, I feel that most people are this way. And to those that think the internet is the perfect, omniscient resource... I recently did a ton of research on planted tanks and counted all of the inconsistencies that I found. It was 12. That is a lot of questions un-answered.

In closing, I sincerely appreciate the comments of all, both who have felt similar frustrations as I have, and to those that disagree. You disagreeing folks have helped me to be a bit less bitter and to see a new side of the issue. But It would be nice to see the forums move in a more specific, information sharing direction.

 

[Snooks1!]

If you need specific information and can't find it on here.....Why not go to a site/forum that specifies in just what you're looking for? That seems to be the most logical thing to do...

 

[Chuka1212]

One comment I would make is that you have fallen into the same trap that many others have. You have been swept along with what is happening in this thread (after commenting on how people respond to this one but not the threads that matter), but have not commented or posted on the stuff that you really wanted to know about.

After reading this thread earlier I thought I would make a specific effort to answer one of your questions in the plants forum so that you thought you were getting some questions answered on this forum. I gave a you a reasonable amount of information, and asked questions so that we could help you more. Instead of progressing that thread so that your questions could be answered, you have also taken the option of responding to this, your other thread, and contributed to yet another topic about users on the forum.

Practice what you preach

Squid

I just noticed your post, I must have skipped over it. Before you insult me by telling me to practice what I preach, you must understand that the only way I know my posts are being answered is through email notification... I never got a notification about your response so I thought it was dead.

Also since this post is getting a lot of posts, most of which are directed at what I have said, it is much easier to get tied up in posts that are this way.

I have just read your response and am responding to it, and I sincerely thank you for the information and questions, though since I got little information at first from my own research, pet store people, and on forums, I gave up the idea of a completely planted tank as I did not want to make an investment that might fail because of my lack of information. So that is another reason why those threads didn't go anywhere.