If you could add any feature to the forum, what would you add?

[ConcinnusMan]

I guess I'm just lucky with the ads I choose to view. had to view a bunch before I could see anything different.

[PINJOHN]

before i get to the point first a little preamble, there must be many people like my self who have only kept normal colored garters, in my case more years than i can remember, in others more recent, however being exposed to all the photos of morphs and naturally occurring but selectively enhanced garters now available one cant help being interested in them, now to the point, there are so many descriptions of these genetic color traits that it makes my head spin, erythristic,
anerythistic, anery, melanistic, albinos , i know very well [ and most people will] that the last two are black and white so to speak, but we have gone beyond that level . with xmas and Nebraska, there are words like [ het for] and so on
i have through time made my self familiar with these terms, but on occasion get a little confused with some and have to look them up from earlier threads
would it not be a good idea to have a list of them that can be refer'd to as needed by new member and dementia smitten oldies like myself

[ConcinnusMan]

There is a good source for that I could point you to but every time I've tried to use the wizard or even go to the source of information that explains all of that, I keep getting errors. Site isn't working right but here it is: http://www.geneticswizard.com/

If you click on the "genetics terms" link, it really explains a lot and this is how I got started learning this stuff. Unfortunately, the site isn't working right now. What I don't get is everyone is requesting care sheets. I don't even know why it's one of the choices when we already have it. There really isn't much else to know from one species to another. Most do well if you just follow general garter snake care. We have that already, and we also already have special sections for each species.

Maybe the problem is that it can be difficult to find it?

[PINJOHN]

thanks Richard i now have a place to look up any thing i don't know or have forgotten. but my point still remains we should have our own table of genetic terms why? one of the factors for me is that the quality of a site is judged by the number of things it has to offer, and this site is strong on collecting and swapping information, it surely must be better not to have to go off site to find things out.

[PINJOHN]

thanks Richard i now have a place to look up any thing i don't know or have forgotten. but my point still remains we should have our own table of genetic terms why? one of the factors for me is that the quality of a site is judged by the number of things it has to offer, and this site is strong on collecting and swapping information, it surely must be better not to have to go off site to find things out.

do i feel stupid? i have just found the genetics article on this site! dhoo
all i could need to know, and more

[ConcinnusMan]

Yeah, it's there. Many of the articles need a lot of work but nobody seems to be taking the time.

[Sonya610]

What I don't get is everyone is requesting care sheets. I don't even know why it's one of the choices when we already have it.

It isn't about species specific caresheets....it is about finding BASIC INFO regarding husbandry and such on the site! When I want to double check what temps or humidity level or types of food are okay I hit the Google. I do not see ANY stickies or main headers on this site that says "here is the best source of important info".

Most all sites of this nature have at least ONE sticky in the main section plus a big header at the very very top of the forum that addresses all of the basic care requirements. The care of the animals is first and foremost therefore the care instructions are extremely prominent on forums such as this.

[infernalis]

Most all sites of this nature have at least ONE sticky in the main section plus a big header at the very very top of the forum that addresses all of the basic care requirements. The care of the animals is first and foremost therefore the care instructions are extremely prominent on forums such as this.

Like this?? or am I missing your point?

[Sonya610]

Yes, like that, but something a LOT more prominent. Most of the new visitors to sites like this are people that just got their first garter, or are contemplating it so the basic feeding/care instructions should be very obviously displayed.

Most sites choose to put the caresheets/best practices documents at the very top of the main forum section so it simply can't be missed.

I realize the sub-species care sheets vary, but it might be a nice forum project to compile a single "general" caresheet and then get the input from the most experienced members. For instance I was feeding a lot of Salmon/Trout until some members told me that could be dangerous, especially for babies.

That is the sort of detailed info new people need and they need to easily find it all in one place! I would suggest for instance the basic feeding instructions that include "best practices" additions which say something like "many experienced keepers believe large amounts of certain kinds of fish such as Salmon, Trout, etc... can lead to problems possibly because of....

Some people hang out on these forums for months (or years) when they get a new garter, often times mostly to socialize and post/enjoy photos etc... Others hit the forums once or twice looking for info, they may never register or post, and they may never return. It is important to provide as much valuable info as possible quickly and easily as the lives of these little guys may depend on it!

If the webmaster doesn't have the desire, or the time to compile a doc I am sure some of the regular members would love to do it. Just wouldn't want it turning into a big debate (i.e. I have fed my garter a diet of 100% salmon his entire life and he is fine etc...), just view it from the standpoint of the most "conservative" best practices and state it as such.