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

[Boots]

Now that the photo gallery is online, I thought I would ask what you would like to see added to the forum next?

[abcat1993]

I would like to see the first 3 that are listed, but I would most want a link section, closely followed by an article section. I thought we already had a classifieds section. A care sheet that helps you find out which type of garter you have would also be nice. I know this is a lot, but this is also a relatively new forum. You are doing a great job though.

[Thamnophis]

I voted for caresheets. But only caresheets that are based on peoples own experience. That are the sheets you can learn a lot, especially when they also contain the mistakes you made and how you changed things when you discovered you did it wrong.

[Cazador]

That's a great idea, Thamnophis. Maybe we should just start a series of threads over time that would cover particular items that would be included on a caresheet. One thread might be about heating, the next about feeding, another about moisture, temperature, etc. If we start them all at once, it won't be as thorough. Sounds like a great "series" to cover during the upcoming winter.

In time, Boots could make an "archive" section where particularly useful threads (such as would belong on these care sheets) could be stored, so they don't get lost among the new threads.

[Boots]

I see the articles section seems to be leading. If anyone is interested in writing articles or DIY tutorials for the section, please let me know. It is only through your contributions that an articles section will be worth while for other members.

[Cazador]

I'll write an article, though I haven't given any thought to its topic. I just wanted to let you know you won't be alone in this effort. We should identify and address the most common questions, first. A few that come to mind include: feeding/thiamine deficiency, housing, brumation, breeding, shedding, habitat enrichment, etc. What are the other commonly asked questions?

In order to make this a section that's representative of thamnophis.com, maybe we should post drafts of the articles as new threads before they're finalized. Then we can all have a chance to comment on their content, provide new ideas, and improve their content in a "peer-review" process.

[Cazador]

One article that I'd like to see (but am not qualified to write) would talk about fecal exams in order to identify and treat various parasites/pathogens. It should include pictures of the pathogens under a microscope.

[Thamnophis]

Originally Posted by Cazador

One article that I'd like to see (but am not qualified to write) would talk about fecal exams in order to identify and treat various parasites/pathogens. It should include pictures of the pathogens under a microscope.

That's a good idea, but maybe to difficult for the most. You need a good microscophe, good books, etc.
And for just a few dollars/euro's a vet does this.
But don't get me wrong, it's a good idea, but nos that simple.

For the writing of articles where Boots talked about... that is always a problem. Only one or two people think they can write and the rest doesn't write anything. That's not pesimism, but experience

I know this from my "work" during some ten years as a translater for the magazine of the European Snake Society, Litteratura serpentium.
Also other Dutch magazines about reptiles know this problem.
Most people are readers... not writers.

What I meant about the caresheets is that people write down what their own experniences are with a specific species. Thus not in what countries they live and so, but more about their behaviour, foodpreferences, temperatures, hibernation, etc.

[abcat1993]

You should put in a testing section and/or a section for miscellaneous things

[Boots]

Originally Posted by abcat1993

You should put in a testing section and/or a section for miscellaneous things

I will be adding a test section soon, but it will be so I can test out things without the section being live. Do you mean a section where people can post test posts to see if they can post? Could you also give a little more explaination about having a "section for miscellaneous things".

Jason