[vikki3683]

Hi guys
I was wondering if any of you feel that you cant post/ask questions at the risk of either sounding stupid/no one replying/nasty replies etc?
I feel that I cant post much because alot of my posts have had no or little replies.
Does this just happen to the new forum members? or does it happen to the 'older' members also?

 

[AshMashMash]

It is a pitty that people do sometimes get 'flamed'. I think it occurs most often when people are suspecting an animal may suffer to a persons ignorance... whether thats lack of research, lack of caring, or whatever. People get angry quick when an animal may be suffering.

But, if you are asking a straight forward question like "What does this mean?", I think people are normally fine.

Some threads dont get many replies... but I dont think its ever intentional. And certainly new members aren't ignored.

Thats whats good about this section: the lack of flaming. But, whats bad is its pretty quiet. If you dont get a response here, try putting it in a different (appropriate!) section

 

[negri21]

Hi guys
I was wondering if any of you feel that you cant post/ask questions at the risk of either sounding stupid/no one replying/nasty replies etc?
I feel that I cant post much because alot of my posts have had no or little replies.
Does this just happen to the new forum members? or does it happen to the 'older' members also?

there is a search function for 98% of questions that need asked .

if you do have a question and word it correctly then you will get the right advice without flaming .

flaming starts because folk come out with silly statements that make it sound as if they have trouble opening a door never mind looking after a pet .

 

[HadesDragons]

People generally only get "flamed" if they ask for advice, are given it, then refuse to take it, or if it's a very simple question and they are asking on here rather than spending 5 minutes on Google / using the search button...

I don't know which of your questions you are referring to when you say you haven't got many responses - I've had a quick look through some of your threads, and the ones I have looked at have either already been answered in the first couple of posts (in which case there isn't really a need for another 10 people to post "I agree"), or you're asking about a rarer species - e.g. the Monkey Tails. I know of only a couple of people on here who keep them and could actually give you photos etc... You have to remember that if it's a difficult question, it may take time for someone to be able to tell you the answer, simply because most people don't know the answer...

 

[rantasam]

I think it's important to remember that the Newbie Advice section is moderated with the view that no question is too simple/stupid and that no question can be asked too often. This section was created in response to certain negative responses in the main sections and I personally would hate to feel that someone was reluctant to ask any question - but especially in this area.

For me, if I have a question that I would like a 'general' response to e.g. how many people would choose A or B, then I would post it in the main sections. If I had a specific question about something specialised then I would PM members on here I trust to be able to give specialised advice.

I think it's important to remember that this forum is just like any other cross section of people - some will be helpful and willing to share what they know, others may use their expertise to help them feel superior.. knowledge is power and all of that. If you have asked questions that you feel haven't been answered as fully as you'd wish, then I would post again and say something along the lines of "I've asked this before, but didn't get much response...". In my experience the majority of people on here are decent and I have certainly learned huge amounts (compared to what I knew before coming on here) in the couple of years I've been posting.

 

[the-tick]

Hi guys
I was wondering if any of you feel that you cant post/ask questions at the risk of either sounding stupid/no one replying/nasty replies etc?
I feel that I cant post much because alot of my posts have had no or little replies.
Does this just happen to the new forum members? or does it happen to the 'older' members also?

It happens to all of us newbies oldies and inbetweenies, don't worry and keep posting

 

[Declan123]

It happens to all of us newbies oldies and inbetweenies, don't worry and keep posting

True :devil:

 

[Ghostface]

At the end of the day - whether you feel intimidated or not, ask what you need to. You're in need of help, and owe it to your animal to ask for it. There's only so much words on the internet can intimidate someone, it's not as if you have a real live person screaming in your face calling you thick.

Some peoples replies, including mine sometimes, can come across as harsh - i'm sure it's not meant to come across like that, we're just trying to get the reply across as straight forwardly as possible and sometimes the only way to do that is to be blunt.

Don't take it personally, we're all here for the same reason, and we were all the new person at some point.

We'd much rather see someone asking a what some would call a stupid question, than not asking at all and getting it completely wrong, resulting in an unwell animal : victory:

 

[Karl_1989]

To be honest this forums gone down hill abit, It used to be full of helpfull people full of friendly advice.
But since the 18+ section was put in there been more and more idiots on here and most of the good ones have left.

Now its full of people who seem to think they know it all cos they brought a leo and browsed the forum for 5 mins

 

[Mujician]

I voted no - I feel I can, but all the time I'm disappointed by no replies from everything I post

 

[Rou]

I know how you feel with what you are stating as I felt a lot like that when i first joined but i have found in the few months that i have been a member that by doing outside research before asking a question such as internet or books you get a lot of your questions answered that way.

what i tend to do is look else where for an answer and then use that information and ask "is this correct" or "what do you think about this". If I can't find my answers else where thats when i write something like "not to sound stupid but i cant find this anywhere, can anyone tell me".

With the flaming, I have had several members on here flame up at me for asking a silly question then when i read how i have written it i understand why they have got a bit irate about what im asking.

I have also noticed by observing many replies to other questions and topics who the flamers are. These so called flamers often tend to be the ones who feel they know all about everything. Its these know-it-alls you haven't got to listen too as they often don't have a clue lol. (not aimed at any in particular as i haven't got anyone to point this at).

The more you start your own threads and the more posts you reply to the more your knowledge will expand and your reputation for being a good forum member will build. it takes time but if you have a question go ahead and ask it! :2thumb:

 

[Greenphase]

I am an older user that has returned to the forum.My old name was deleted and i have now resolved those problems with tbo.

I did notice that after my return i was not taken as seriously as i would have been had i had more posts.Unfortunately a lot of people seem to think that post count means everything.Forget the fact that you could have made 1000 posts within the off-topic section rather than in your specific areas.


It is a shame that some people feel this way especially to new people that may well have been keeping reptiles for years and have a very good knowledge base but then are made to feel unwelcome by some people.

Im not saying that everyone is this way it is just something i have noticed since returning to the forum.This is a very good forum and has a wealth of knowledge on it.

The search function is helpful but can also lead you to reading 20 or 30 threads before you can find what you are actually trying to get an answer to.Sometimes you just dont have the time to do this as you need a reply quickly ie you have just had eggs laid and what do you do with them.

I was always taught by my parents that there is only one stupid question and that is the question that was never asked so believe that if you need to know something someone somewhere will be able to give you the answer to it.

Even after over 20 years of reptile keeping and being an ex reptile shop owner there are still questions that i need to ask.

One final note is that you will learn something new every day of your life and if you dont its because you are dead.You can never know everything about any subject so dont be afraid or hesitant to ask for advise.

 

[Rou]

I am an older user that has returned to the forum.My old name was deleted and i have now resolved those problems with tbo.

I did notice that after my return i was not taken as seriously as i would have been had i had more posts.Unfortunately a lot of people seem to think that post count means everything.Forget the fact that you could have made 1000 posts within the off-topic section rather than in your specific areas.


It is a shame that some people feel this way especially to new people that may well have been keeping reptiles for years and have a very good knowledge base but then are made to feel unwelcome by some people.

Im not saying that everyone is this way it is just something i have noticed since returning to the forum.This is a very good forum and has a wealth of knowledge on it.

The search function is helpful but can also lead you to reading 20 or 30 threads before you can find what you are actually trying to get an answer to.Sometimes you just dont have the time to do this as you need a reply quickly ie you have just had eggs laid and what do you do with them.

I was always taught by my parents that there is only one stupid question and that is the question that was never asked so believe that if you need to know something someone somewhere will be able to give you the answer to it.

Even after over 20 years of reptile keeping and being an ex reptile shop owner there are still questions that i need to ask.

One final note is that you will learn something new every day of your life and if you dont its because you are dead.You can never know everything about any subject so dont be afraid or hesitant to ask for advise.

Ahmen brutha!

 

[Meko]

I feel that I cant post much because alot of my posts have had no or little replies.

Now i'm not flaming you, just answering honestly...


what exactly do you expect on your threads? I've just had a look and you've started 28 new threads in 13 days. All of them have replies and yeah all of them might not have loads of replies but about 99% of your threads have given you the information you asked for in the replies, some people (although its getting rare) read the entire thread before replying so if they've seen that you've got your answer there's no point them replying.

On top of that you've asked how you go about starting a rescue and then how you go about opening a shop. You asked the question but didn't reply to any of the replies to you.
Like this one - http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/lizards/134027-gecko.html - you asked about geckos and when somebody replied you didn't respond to them but you're saying that you don't get many replies. Using a forum is a 2 way thing, you don't just ask a question and wait for loads of people to reply and you take the information and run.
You also asked about MTS, got one reply and asked if anybody else was going to help you.. the answer to that is probably no as there's only one person i know of on the forum who has them and it was her who replied.

It's not the amount of replies you get thats important its the quality of information in the posts you get..

 

[vikki3683]

Thanks for all of your replies.
I wasnt getting at anybody in starting this thread - i was simpley asking as I am moderator and administrator on another site and some of the members feel unable to post. I wanted to see if it were the same on other forums.
I have not replied to some of my posts because ive either been nusy with my children or Ive been poorly - I have recently been in hospital after suffering with a breakdown and I get a bit forgetful at times - ill only remember to check posts that i have started a few days or so down the line. I dont do it on purpose - its a side effect of medication and illness etc.
I did not intend for this topic to cause any offense or arguments or misunderstandings.

 

[eeji]

I've been here since what feels like when time began..... It was really friendly and a fun place to be back then. I was never off the forum, it had a really good community feel to it and I made lots of good friends here.

Then as it grew it started attracting the 'know-it-alls' - the sort of person who's opinion was set in stone and is the only way to do something. Anyone who had alternative ideas got flamed, and so the forum started to split.

Once people had their own group of friends on the forum, the bitching and backstabbing started between groups. By this time, a lot of good people had left the forum.

I don't post very often on here and don't create many threads mainly for this reason.

Don't get me wrong, there still are lots of genuine and helpful people here, but for me the 'community spirit' has long gone which is a great shame.

People on here need to set aside their differences and unite as one. Sure everyone can have their opinions and methods, but please, think before you shoot someone down in flames. If you don't agree with someones methods, then by all means have your say, but is there really any reason for people to get nasty about things? and if someone suggests an alternative way to yours, at least consider what they have said before starting a war.

my 2 cents.

 

[Crownan]

Personally I will post threads and replies on anything, I will say whatever I think and if people dont like it, what do I care? Its a load of randoms sitting behind a PC screen! So what if they 'flame' me? If the flaming is warrented then I will take heed of the advice etc, fairy snuff. But if its just opinion and nothing more....who cares?

 

[chris_walton]

i'm quite newish here and find its just one of those things i have replied to threads where i think i can help people and often think that sometimes you have to be in some sort of click to be able to fit in

ive got to know quite a few members on here now and really enjoy coming on everyday but sometimes i do feel that i cant reply to some threads that i would do on other forums

the worse section on here by far is the tortoise section you cant reply nothing without beeing shot down or threatend with legal action from members from another group but im sure mods are always watching over this section i wont post in there anymore unless noone has answered someones cry for help

but i dont mind posting in other topics if i feel i can join in sometimes its a bit off putting though when noone replies to your posts but i keep on anyway

chris

 

[AshMashMash]

People really really shouldn't even consider post count when deciding whether that person is acceptable to take advice off, it really means nothing!

I have 3500+ posts in one offtopic thread alone :blush: it means nothing, lol.

 

[jaf2212]

People really really shouldn't even consider post count when deciding whether that person is acceptable to take advice off, it really means nothing!

I have 3500+ posts in one offtopic thread alone :blush: it means nothing, lol.

I have to agree, I have only just signed up so have a low post count and don't reply to every post, so people take it that you are new to repiles and don't know anything. That is the wrong, people judge to quickly, I have not been keeping reptiles long but have spent 100+ hours researching.

Sometimes there are people on the forums who are here for one reason, to start agruements. If you have time then research first otherwise the idea of these forums is so you can ask questions.