New To The Hobby - Posting Guidelines

[Miss Wiggle]

Ok in the emergencies section we have this thread pinned for people to use as a template when posting so that anyone answering has all or as much info as possible to form a diagnosis and reply.

In the new to the hobby section the vast majority of the posts are of the 'I've just got a fishtank and X, Y & Z has gone wrong, what do i do?' type nature. We always have to go through teh same things, is the tank cycled, do you have a test kit, what fish have you got in there etc etc. Does anyone think it'd be worth making a similar template for the new to the hobby section?

Thoughts.....

 

[murphyk32]

maybe a recommendation for them to use, like a "For most posts requesting information about YOUR tank/fish, please include the following:" might be useful in discussion too, good idea

 

[rabbut]

Good idea IMO

 

[rdd1952]

In theory, it makes sense but in actuality it would be just like the Emergency forum where no one reads the pinned topics and the posts are basically the same "my fish are dying and I don't know what to do" posts. Very few, if any, posters there actually follow the guidelines in the pinned topic and list all the info asked for until someone asks them to post them. Most are relatively new and found the site while trying to research their problem. When they get registered and validated, they start a thread as they are desperate at that point.

 

[murphyk32]

BUT it cant hurt tho..

 

[andywg]

If people actually read the pins on this site you could shut down newbies and emergencies with no ill effects.

You could have a fantastic and easy to arrange array of pinned topics and FAQs that guided people through every facet of fishkeeping. You would still get the same "Help I don't know what to do" posts by someone who can't be bothered to actually research for themselves (seriously, Google isn't that bloody hard to use is it?) and want everything spoon fed to them.

 

[aaronnorth]

If people actually read the pins on this site you could shut down newbies and emergencies with no ill effects.

You could have a fantastic and easy to arrange array of pinned topics and FAQs that guided people through every facet of fishkeeping. You would still get the same "Help I don't know what to do" posts by someone who can't be bothered to actually research for themselves (seriously, Google isn't that bloody hard to use is it?) and want everything spoon fed to them.

i agree, some questions are extremely bad, i think people do it to get post count up.

 

[Ace Of Spades]

If people actually read the pins on this site you could shut down newbies and emergencies with no ill effects.

You could have a fantastic and easy to arrange array of pinned topics and FAQs that guided people through every facet of fishkeeping. You would still get the same "Help I don't know what to do" posts by someone who can't be bothered to actually research for themselves (seriously, Google isn't that bloody hard to use is it?) and want everything spoon fed to them.

Lies!, Wilder does a great job and identifying, iradicating and just down right owning fish diseases

 

[orange shark]

(i really need to learn how to use smileys on here)

 

[rocknurworld2006]

In theory, it makes sense but in actuality it would be just like the Emergency forum where no one reads the pinned topics and the posts are basically the same "my fish are dying and I don't know what to do" posts. Very few, if any, posters there actually follow the guidelines in the pinned topic and list all the info asked for until someone asks them to post them. Most are relatively new and found the site while trying to research their problem. When they get registered and validated, they start a thread as they are desperate at that point.

yes absolutely i agree, i can easily own up myself i never read the pinned threads

 

[rabbut]

I have to admit that I do read the pins, only when I think they are relivant to what I am doing/about to do and need a question answering on. If I can't find the answer in a pin, I post the Q, otherwise.... I suppose being pointed to a pin can help in many cases, as many starting off may not know the hobby too well, and thus not realise that the aforementioned helpfull pin is relivant to them. As a result, there are only a few I have read, others I have not...

It could be nice to say in such threads, please read >>THIS<< thread and post answers the the questions it contains, rather than posting back with, can you give a run down of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, tank stocking, tank size, equipment specs and anyting else that you think relivant at the time, everytime.

If you find anything missing, ask for it to be edited to include the info needed, then all the info is infront of you (In theory if the poster has all the info asked for to hand) from the beginning, rather than having to wait for that scrap of info to be thought relivant by someone and then ask for...

Mebe I'm just lazy like that eh

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Miss Wiggle]

In theory, it makes sense but in actuality it would be just like the Emergency forum where no one reads the pinned topics and the posts are basically the same "my fish are dying and I don't know what to do" posts. Very few, if any, posters there actually follow the guidelines in the pinned topic and list all the info asked for until someone asks them to post them. Most are relatively new and found the site while trying to research their problem. When they get registered and validated, they start a thread as they are desperate at that point.

no i think i agree with you rdd, if it worked it'd be a good idea.... but would it actually work? probably not.