Same Questions Over and Over

I do have to admit.. it does bug me though, when a thread on one subject is made, and someone re-posts the same subject that same day that the first thread is still in view. And it's always entertaining to see the old standby thread of "is my snake, that I got for $20 at Petco, a morph?"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

If it weren't for the need to ask questions on a daily basis; what would be the point of having a forum!?

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Maybe the point of the forum is to start new threads on a whim about every thought that pops into our head? I bet that's the point of having a ball python forum.:rofl:

BTW...your first response is quite condradictory to your second...

and also, this lovely forum has a thread on FedEx Shipping. I love the search feature.:D
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=28253

Quote:

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Originally Posted by patthesnakeman

I wonder if people even read the forum posts before asking questions. i see so many questions about the same darn thing. over and over and over. dont get my wrong, im happy to help, always have been. but when it seems that people dont even take the time to research before joining this site and posting away, it kinda bugs me. you would think that they would look at the next post right below theirs to find the answer.

sorry for the rant.

good day all!

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I searched and found these. Only took me a couple minutes. :P

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...estions+search

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...peat+questions

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JBallPython

Maybe the point of the forum is to start new threads on a whim about every thought that pops into our head? I bet that's the point of having a ball python forum.:rofl:

BTW...your first response is quite condradictory to your second...

and also, this lovely forum has a thread on FedEx Shipping. I love the search feature.:D
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=28253

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I don't frequent forums to search past threads. I go to post new ones, to see what's new. Old threads are most-likely outdated. Take the whole widespread use of human heatpads, which most of us did and recommended, but now we know it is unsafe. Either there are old threads saying that they are ok, or they were removed b/c it is incorrect info.
But am I contradicting myself to say that there should be a middle ground? This middle ground is where I stand.. so that is why I posted two opinions.
I could definately add a paragraph or 2 to the fedex post, after personally going through them and their foot-dragging ways! I appreciate Stickies, but I want to get people's experiences, or else I would go buy a book.

When I first joined this forum, I didn't really even notice the search feature, so I'm sure I posted a few duplicate threads, but it was nice that I got answers to my questions, and suggestions that I didn't even ask for. :P

Now that I have been here for a bit, I have noticed that the same questions do get asked repeatedly. One thing I did do was talk to JLC a little about making the caresheets more noticeable. I know that will not stop the duplicate thread issue. I don't really think there is anything wrong with posting a duplicate thread, and usually when I read one, someone else has already beat me to answer the question.

There are days that I am in the mood to answer them, and days that I am not... on the latter days, I don't even really open the thread, and there's nothing wrong with that. One of the cool things about this forum is we all take turns helping people out without having to arrange a schedule... there are so many people here that love to help that questions don't just go unanswered, and it's no big deal if you give someone else a turn to help out. :)

Hmmm. I can just about identify with everything that has been posted thus far. Yes, there are always going to be newbies asking simple questions (i.e. those that can be answered by searching). Yes, there are always going to be folks around to answer those questions (which is great, since we all need some support sometimes), and there are always going to be those who are irritated/bemused/distracted by a rash of newbie-based questions.

My main frustration lies not in the same questions being asked over and over, but in a new keeper asking ALL the basic questions, rapid-fire, when it's obvious that they've done next to no research on their own. Part of being a responsible reptile keeper is having the ability and motivation to RESEARCH & REASON!!! Yes, for a large percentage of keepers, reptiles are just pets. That does not, however, negate the fact that in a larger perspective, these animals are part pet & part science project so to speak. And as a result, they are going to require keeper education outside of the standard realm of "give it food & water and some attention from time to time." Reptiles do not have the same set of requirements as a dog or cat, and herpetoculturists have the responsibility of self-education for the sake of proper maintenance, regardless of experience level.

If we're not willing to learn how to read our animals and be tuned into them, we're never going to learn how to grow as keepers & identify the subtleties that define when something with our beloved herps is out of whack vs. status quo. Being able to do so requires discernment...i.e. reading books, websites, magazines, caresheets & developing an idea for what is "standard" and what is of concern when it comes to herp behavior/care.

The brand-new keepers who constantly show *no* desire to learn on their own & want to be spoon-fed EVERYTHING are what bother me, moreso than a new keeper asking questions as a point of comparison, for example "I read this, but my snake is doing THIS, what do you guys/gals think?" instead of "Tell me everything I need to know to set up a cage for my BP/What do I do if my snake has mites tell me everything to do/I am going to breed lots of ball pythons will you guys buy them and hey, how do I make Pastels?" :devilish:

Instead of getting irritated when someone has a genuine question to ask, view it as a challenge to refine your OWN skills even more! Rise to the occasion & give the best advice you possibly can. Look at it from the perspective of "how would I answer this question, and is my answer the best advice I could possibly give in consideration of the well-being of this keeper & animal?" We should ALL strive to meet this challenge, as building on the basics and consistently refining them is what will give us even more ground to grow as keepers & breeders. By the same token, it IS okay to offer gentle prodding to those who sincerely need to do their own homework for the sake of growing as a keeper. Instead of having a "hey you suck, look up a caresheet" mentality, view such questions as an opportunity to present challenges to new & budding keepers. Be friendly, but quiz them on their research & turn it into a chance to learn & appreciate these animals even more. Get creative! :)

$.02 (and then some...)

K~

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KLG

Hmmm. I can just about identify with everything that has been posted thus far. Yes, there are always going to be newbies asking simple questions (i.e. those that can be answered by searching). Yes, there are always going to be folks around to answer those questions (which is great, since we all need some support sometimes), and there are always going to be those who are irritated/bemused/distracted by a rash of newbie-based questions.

My main frustration lies not in the same questions being asked over and over, but in a new keeper asking ALL the basic questions, rapid-fire, when it's obvious that they've done next to no research on their own. Part of being a responsible reptile keeper is having the ability and motivation to RESEARCH & REASON!!! Yes, for a large percentage of keepers, reptiles are just pets. That does not, however, negate the fact that in a larger perspective, these animals are part pet & part science project so to speak. And as a result, they are going to require keeper education outside of the standard realm of "give it food & water and some attention from time to time." Reptiles do not have the same set of requirements as a dog or cat, and herpetoculturists have the responsibility of self-education for the sake of proper maintenance, regardless of experience level.

If we're not willing to learn how to read our animals and be tuned into them, we're never going to learn how to grow as keepers & identify the subtleties that define when something with our beloved herps is out of whack vs. status quo. Being able to do so requires discernment...i.e. reading books, websites, magazines, caresheets & developing an idea for what is "standard" and what is of concern when it comes to herp behavior/care.

The brand-new keepers who constantly show *no* desire to learn on their own & want to be spoon-fed EVERYTHING are what bother me, moreso than a new keeper asking questions as a point of comparison, for example "I read this, but my snake is doing THIS, what do you guys/gals think?" instead of "Tell me everything I need to know to set up a cage for my BP/What do I do if my snake has mites tell me everything to do/I am going to breed lots of ball pythons will you guys buy them and hey, how do I make Pastels?" :devilish:

Instead of getting irritated when someone has a genuine question to ask, view it as a challenge to refine your OWN skills even more! Rise to the occasion & give the best advice you possibly can. Look at it from the perspective of "how would I answer this question, and is my answer the best advice I could possibly give in consideration of the well-being of this keeper & animal?" We should ALL strive to meet this challenge, as building on the basics and consistently refining them is what will give us even more ground to grow as keepers & breeders. By the same token, it IS okay to offer gentle prodding to those who sincerely need to do their own homework for the sake of growing as a keeper. Instead of having a "hey you suck, look up a caresheet" mentality, view such questions as an opportunity to present challenges to new & budding keepers. Be friendly, but quiz them on their research & turn it into a chance to learn & appreciate these animals even more. Get creative! :)

$.02 (and then some...)

K~

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Preach Sista!!!!! :love:

That was worth a helluva lot more than .02 cents, Kara, very well said! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KLG

Hmmm. I can just about identify with everything that has been posted thus far. Yes, there are always going to be newbies asking simple questions (i.e. those that can be answered by searching). Yes, there are always going to be folks around to answer those questions (which is great, since we all need some support sometimes), and there are always going to be those who are irritated/bemused/distracted by a rash of newbie-based questions.

My main frustration lies not in the same questions being asked over and over, but in a new keeper asking ALL the basic questions, rapid-fire, when it's obvious that they've done next to no research on their own. Part of being a responsible reptile keeper is having the ability and motivation to RESEARCH & REASON!!! Yes, for a large percentage of keepers, reptiles are just pets. That does not, however, negate the fact that in a larger perspective, these animals are part pet & part science project so to speak. And as a result, they are going to require keeper education outside of the standard realm of "give it food & water and some attention from time to time." Reptiles do not have the same set of requirements as a dog or cat, and herpetoculturists have the responsibility of self-education for the sake of proper maintenance, regardless of experience level.

If we're not willing to learn how to read our animals and be tuned into them, we're never going to learn how to grow as keepers & identify the subtleties that define when something with our beloved herps is out of whack vs. status quo. Being able to do so requires discernment...i.e. reading books, websites, magazines, caresheets & developing an idea for what is "standard" and what is of concern when it comes to herp behavior/care.

The brand-new keepers who constantly show *no* desire to learn on their own & want to be spoon-fed EVERYTHING are what bother me, moreso than a new keeper asking questions as a point of comparison, for example "I read this, but my snake is doing THIS, what do you guys/gals think?" instead of "Tell me everything I need to know to set up a cage for my BP/What do I do if my snake has mites tell me everything to do/I am going to breed lots of ball pythons will you guys buy them and hey, how do I make Pastels?" :devilish:

Instead of getting irritated when someone has a genuine question to ask, view it as a challenge to refine your OWN skills even more! Rise to the occasion & give the best advice you possibly can. Look at it from the perspective of "how would I answer this question, and is my answer the best advice I could possibly give in consideration of the well-being of this keeper & animal?" We should ALL strive to meet this challenge, as building on the basics and consistently refining them is what will give us even more ground to grow as keepers & breeders. By the same token, it IS okay to offer gentle prodding to those who sincerely need to do their own homework for the sake of growing as a keeper. Instead of having a "hey you suck, look up a caresheet" mentality, view such questions as an opportunity to present challenges to new & budding keepers. Be friendly, but quiz them on their research & turn it into a chance to learn & appreciate these animals even more. Get creative! :)

$.02 (and then some...)

K~

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K; that has got to be the best post ever typed. Thanks for summing it up!

Another thing that I thought of.. information changes. Years back, most of us were plugging in human heatpads for heat sources. And this was acceptable! Now, we know that this is not the ideal heating situation..