I cant help but think back to when I had my first snake ever. There was no internet then, there were no cell phones then, I am guessing that there were thermostats for reptile care then but they were probably so rare and expensive that only zoo's had them. My Burmese python lived in a 6 foot long cage that was a modified dresser like you would store clothes in. She had a heat rock that stayed plugged straight into the wall. In order to get new reptiles then, you had to order from a known breeder by phone call then drive to the nearest international airport to pick up your package or drive to the breeder's location. My oh my how easy we have it now.

Yes, by today's standards, I was a horrible keeper then but that is how everyone did it back then.

It is wonderful that we have all of this today and that we have the internet to learn from everyone elses experiences. All of the electronics to impliment these proven better ways of providing care. There are thousands of people that have invested millions of hours of trial and error to make the hobby better for all of us by sharing what they have learned online. I do believe that reptiles are MUCH better cared for now days than back then because the tools do exist now, they are affordable, and there are good places like this to learn that you do want to incorporate these tools into your keeping and how to use them.