Inadequate information

[Chicxulub]

I've got a test version of this live in Freshwater Diseases and Health Issues. Some things are mandatory, some are not. Please go have a look and give me feedback.

Here's a trial post that I did-

Parameters test

Test test test

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[esoxlucius]

I've just had a play, it's a very good start. Of course we've got a way to go, we need to determine which will be the next step of crucial questions, and then we'll have to decide where the cut off point is before it just becomes too ridiculously long winded which it will do very quickly. Good work C Chicxulub

 

[DN328]

This is the first that I've seen where there's an open discussion for how a community forum chatting to improve the interaction with members and potentially improve the outcome of area as important as fish health and disease. Even if nothing comes out of this, I commend you all for brainstorming ideas and providing your perspective. It reminds me of my work, the way folks ae working together to try to solve a problem.

I started to think what problem are we really trying to solve? As we look at how we can better address "newbie fish health questions", I think about how we'd address this (at work) and our operating principles. I see public forums communities (sport fishing, firearm, autos, audiophiles, knitting, glass art, etc.) for folks that have a common interest, sharing knowledge, entertainment and passion of varying degree. In EVERY forum, there are always the newbie questions and no one ever wants to search before posting - sometimes I am guilty of that too. Are we wanting to come up with this questionnaire because we have good intent for wanting to help others? And/or we just get really annoyed for the lack of information and sometimes ignorance?

If I were to come on this forum looking for help with fish diseases, filtration, breeding, fish nutrition, equipment and plumbing, I may not know what to ask or what information to provide. I think if I really needed help with my fish, I may be able to fill out a quick questionnaire if I even knew the answer. Should I at least have the opportunity to initiate the question with a low bar of entry into the MFK community. I am not suggesting some simple questions will have a negative impact, but we may want to look at it more holistically of what this community is for. People will get out what they put in and that may be ok too.

 

[Ogertron3000]

I've just had a play, it's a very good start. Of course we've got a way to go, we need to determine which will be the next step of crucial questions, and then we'll have to decide where the cut off point is before it just becomes too ridiculously long winded which it will do very quickly. Good work C Chicxulub

I saw your test post. I honestly think that's enough questions to start off with.
It will give a good overview of th posters tank and also give the poster an idea of what they going to be expected to answer and gives the impression of the "professionalism" of the people they are about to start communicating with.
I'm still thinking the average newbie who just filled a 30G up and put an oscar in because the guy at the pet store told them it would all be cool will be too intimidated to post if there are too many or too technical questions.
The current questionnaire covers most of the basics and shows a serious intent without being too intense IMO.

 

[Chicxulub]

This is the first that I've seen where there's an open discussion for how a community forum chatting to improve the interaction with members and potentially improve the outcome of area as important as fish health and disease. Even if nothing comes out of this, I commend you all for brainstorming ideas and providing your perspective. It reminds me of my work, the way folks ae working together to try to solve a problem.

I started to think what problem are we really trying to solve? As we look at how we can better address "newbie fish health questions", I think about how we'd address this (at work) and our operating principles. I see public forums communities (sport fishing, firearm, autos, audiophiles, knitting, glass art, etc.) for folks that have a common interest, sharing knowledge, entertainment and passion of varying degree. In EVERY forum, there are always the newbie questions and no one ever wants to search before posting - sometimes I am guilty of that too. Are we wanting to come up with this questionnaire because we have good intent for wanting to help others? And/or we just get really annoyed for the lack of information and sometimes ignorance?

If I were to come on this forum looking for help with fish diseases, filtration, breeding, fish nutrition, equipment and plumbing, I may not know what to ask or what information to provide. I think if I really needed help with my fish, I may be able to fill out a quick questionnaire if I even knew the answer. Should I at least have the opportunity to initiate the question with a low bar of entry into the MFK community. I am not suggesting some simple questions will have a negative impact, but we may want to look at it more holistically of what this community is for. People will get out what they put in and that may be ok too.

Thank you for the cogent and critical (and I don't mean that to bear a negative connotation) analysis of the required fields for the FWD&HI section. You make a solid point, and I have a legitimate concern that your fears will prove correct.

That being said, if it does prove difficult or off putting to new MFKers, I can easily undo it.

The hope here isn't to force new MFKers to actually have the answers to the water test question after all, the hope is to set what the expectations are so that the person needing help and the persons responding to the request can at least start the discussion at the same point as one another.

Edit- I think that I may add one more mandatory checkbox. Something along the lines of "I acknowledge that the members of MFK who may arrive to help me understand that not everyone knows the answers to these questions. MFK is a place to learn, and if I lack the experience to answer these questions, that is ok. MFK is a place to learn, and if I am honest that I don't know the answers to the water parameters questions, I will not be flamed."

But maybe a little less wordy lol. I tend to be quite verbose at times ?

 

[fishhead0103666]

I like that little mandatory check box idea as it forces people to open their eyes that not everyone can answer their question.

And yes Rob, yes you can be verbose at times and you also commonly use words the rest of us must google lol. I had to google verbose.

 

[esoxlucius]

I saw your test post. I honestly think that's enough questions to start off with.
It will give a good overview of th posters tank and also give the poster an idea of what they going to be expected to answer and gives the impression of the "professionalism" of the people they are about to start communicating with.
I'm still thinking the average newbie who just filled a 30G up and put an oscar in because the guy at the pet store told them it would all be cool will be too intimidated to post if there are too many or too technical questions.
The current questionnaire covers most of the basics and shows a serious intent without being too intense IMO.

I agree, parameters are the essentials, which we now have. Whether C Chicxulub wants to leave it at that for now is his call. If there were to be any other questions the next ones of importance would be "tank size and stock".

I honestly think that parameters, tank size and stock would point us in the right direction on most opening posts where someone has a problem.

Anything after that we can just gently poke and prod the OP if we need more info.

 

[jjohnwm]

Definitely a step in the right direction. I can't help but think that asking the temperature of the water, as well as a description of the size of the tank and a listing of the inhabitants, would be very worthwhile and would not place too much additional stress on the delicate psyche of even the most sensitive newbie.

 

[esoxlucius]

I'm just wondering how many actual first time posters actually post their first thread straight after enlisting as a member without having any previous experience with the forum. If that was the case, without knowing our ways, they may very well feel intimidated by our initial mandatory questionnaire, if their first post is indeed regarding a problem with their fish.

But i'm betting that most people who actually post on here for the first time are not totally wet behind the ears when it comes to being familiar with the site. What I mean by that is, we know that many many people lurk on here, sometimes for months or years before they get involved, just reading through and absorbing info.

So it could well be that a good number of first time posters would already be familiar with the questionnaire by the time they post. That would be a good advantage for us, and of course by that time they will be well aware that, by and large, we're not a bad bunch and don't bite.

 

[Niki_up]

I agree, parameters are the essentials, which we now have. Whether C Chicxulub wants to leave it at that for now is his call. If there were to be any other questions the next ones of importance would be "tank size and stock".

I honestly think that parameters, tank size and stock would point us in the right direction on most opening posts where someone has a problem.

Anhing after that we can just gently poke and prod the OP if we need more info.

I think this questionnaire is great, I also like the disclaimer of not being flamed for not knowing. I also think a newbie needs to know this information is important with attaining proper help for their sick fish.