Important announcement


For those who have been on BPnet for a while it is easy to see how much the site has grown over the years – and with growth change and adjustment is inevitable. As our user base swells the tone and personality of the site is bound to shift if for no other reason than the wider variety of voices and personalities included. Despite the ongoing evolution of the site our main goal has remained unchanged – to provide a supportive and accommodating atmosphere for anyone who wants to come to both learn and share knowledge about ball pythons and other herps. To that end all “newbie” questions are welcome – no matter how many times they have been asked. We are here to help people learn how to appreciate and how to care for these wonderful animals and we both welcome and appreciate the efforts of all our members who contribute to and share that goal. It cannot be said often enough that you, our members, are the lifeblood of this site and your efforts in sharing your knowledge have made it what it is today. With your continued contributions things can only get better!

Opinions may vary regarding our efforts to maintain this atmosphere but the easiest avenue for sharing knowledge is one that remains as free from antagonism, hostility and belittling behavior as possible. In addition we strive to keep things as “family friendly” as possible so folks of all ages can safely participate and learn as well.

Newer folks here can’t look back in retrospect and recall what things were like a year or three ago – their total experience and judgment of the site can only be formed from what they see now. This makes it critical that we continue to work to maintain the site’s supportive atmosphere, which we are told repeatedly is the main reason they favor this site over others.

With so many new members registering each day there are bound to be folks who do not immediately pick up on the atmosphere we are trying to foster and those who will “rock the boat” whether intentionally or accidentally. There will be occasions in which someone asks for advice but does not heed it – as well as occasions in which advice will be pushed whether asked for or not, and occasionally tough criticisms laid out in response to choices made. More often than not the advice is accepted and the criticisms warranted in the interest of the health and safety of the animals involved. But sometimes ego, the desire to be proven right (or prove the other wrong) or just the way in which folks represent themselves on the internet are what drive people to post in negative ways. Please realize this is not an arena for a battle of wills, a place to prove your moral or intellectual superiority or a means to vent aggression. These things cloud and detract from the main goal of the site – as well as poison the atmosphere and even discourage people from posting or asking questions.

Posts of this sort are something which needs to strongly discouraged or we run the risk of becoming like so may other forums – full of elitism antagonism and open hostility. To that end measures have been adopted to discourage that behavior:


If a member of staff sees ANY other member posting in a way that is hostile, antagonistic, demeaning or any other unwarranted attacks or behaviors that is determined to be inflammatory or otherwise detrimental to the well-being of the site they will be sent a message to cease and desist. If that warning is not heeded and the behavior continues – especially within the same thread their reputation points will be reduced by 10%. Continued behavior will result in further reductions of reputation points.

This may seem to some to be a drastic and maybe heavy-handed step – but steps need to be taken in order to preserve the original intent and purpose of BPnet while our population increases. That purpose is the reason we are all here in the first place. If asking to refrain from these unnecessary behaviors seems a burden or too much to ask clearly this is not the forum for you. You don’t have to be warm and fuzzy all the time - and it would be foolish to interpret this as such.


Thanks much for your time and attention in reading through this lengthy message – we know that if you have taken the time to do so you hardly need convincing of any of the points made above.

Most of all and once again we thank you for your continued support – we realize that the vast majority of you share the love and devotion we feel toward this site – it is what keeps you coming back, what keeps us working with it and what makes it worthy of continued efforts.


Sincerely,
The BPnet staff