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Post by LilyandDaisy on Feb 25, 2022 4:46:41 GMT -8
I have an idea for the forum: a product review section. I've noticed some other forums have something similar to this, where you can post a thread with your opinion or experience with a particular gerbil product, whether it be a tank, bedding and so on. Usually all reviews for a particular product are limited to single thread, so if someone wants to review a product someone else has posted a thread for, they just add a comment to that thread. I think it would be a good way for members to discover new options for bedding, housing, food etc. As an example, this is Hamster Central's Cage Reviews section: www.hamstercentral.com/community/cage-reviews/. I'm interested to hear what the moderators think or if anyone else would be interested in a section like this? |
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Post by gerbilord on Feb 25, 2022 14:22:56 GMT -8
I think that’s a good idea. It is always useful to hear other people’s recommendations and it would be helpful to have a special place of the forum where we can easily find reviews etc, saves having to spend time searching through all the topics. :)
Let’s see what the mods say
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Post by Markpd on Mar 4, 2022 17:50:13 GMT -8
Hi! Sorry, been AWOL  
Where do we think a good place would be to put it? In the 'Other Gerbil Boards' section?
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Post by betty on Mar 5, 2022 3:31:26 GMT -8
We missed you!!!!
Love the idea Lily&Daisy - and you are right - these would be great and very easy to link too for new members queries.
My brain sees order - so I would suggest that where possible they are all named with their one word 'thing' first to make them easier to visually search when it gets full (obviously the normal search would work whatever) but if they start with say:
TANK: Living World Eco Large
WHEEL: Trixie Wooden 30cm
TOY: Rodipet Sand Baths
FOOD: Blah
SUBSTRATE: Blah
Maybe if we start the new section with these headings with our preferred 'thing' in each common section - people will follow suit anyway and it would get the ball rolling?
Would putting an overall 'thought' of the product in the subject be useful or a hinderance - as it can be changed as the comment come in? So say if one of use wrote "FOOD: Gerri Gerbil - Well Received/Good/Not eaten" is that too much in a heading - or would we prefer a bit of encouragement for new readers to delve in to the comments to make their own decision based on what they read within - would that help to encourage more forum activity and thoughts shared??
Obviously this doesn't have to be the standard (and certainly doesn't need to be enforced if decided) but from page one people would be able to see some options for 'good things'. Just throwing ideas about.
Could it be more useful/obvious as a sticky in the Housing... section - or do we already have too many in there?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 5, 2022 5:07:20 GMT -8
My brain sees order - so I would suggest that where possible they are all named with their one word 'thing' first to make them easier to visually search when it gets full (obviously the normal search would work whatever) but if they start with say: TANK: Living World Eco Large WHEEL: Trixie Wooden 30cm TOY: Rodipet Sand Baths FOOD: Blah SUBSTRATE: Blah Maybe if we start the new section with these headings with our preferred 'thing' in each common section - people will follow suit anyway and it would get the ball rolling? This is exactly how was imagining it! I suppose that would depend on whether each thread is a standalone review or simply the repository for all reviews of one product (although initially started by one member). If the latter, the thread title should be neutral. |
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Post by Markpd on Mar 5, 2022 6:01:50 GMT -8
We missed you!!!! Love the idea Lily&Daisy - and you are right - these would be great and very easy to link too for new members queries. My brain sees order - so I would suggest that where possible they are all named with their one word 'thing' first to make them easier to visually search when it gets full (obviously the normal search would work whatever) but if they start with say: TANK: Living World Eco Large WHEEL: Trixie Wooden 30cm TOY: Rodipet Sand Baths FOOD: Blah SUBSTRATE: Blah Maybe if we start the new section with these headings with our preferred 'thing' in each common section - people will follow suit anyway and it would get the ball rolling? Thanks  That's a good idea , although what we could actually do is create sub-sections under a Product Review category, that way we wouldn't have to keep correcting peoples thread titles where some people don't bother to read the sections guidelines properly!  (hopefully far less people will simply just post in the wrong section! lol). I'm going to set it up now, see what you guys think (until it's ready, I'm only going to allow staff to post on it)
I think sticking with L&D's original idea of ongoing reviews for the same product would be better, we could see if over time the products quality or specs changes over time, and it would keep the number of threads lower. Actually, if the specs change, we could create a new thread for it (where the product name doesn't change), e.g if in the future the Living World Eco Large cage became 5cm longer and/or used different materials, us mods, or the member reviewing it could create a new thread called something like "Living World Eco Large 2023 version". |
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Post by Markpd on Mar 5, 2022 6:16:54 GMT -8
I've started building it, for now I've only allowed mods and helpers to be able to post (until we've finished it, then I'll open it up to members to be able to post). I'm going to start with a guidelines post, and link back to here for feedback.
Ok, all categories from Betty's post have been added as sub-boards, do we need any more?
[edit] Yes, sort of, water bottles and bowls aren't toys, so I think I'll rename that section to Accessories (in line with the forum's section).
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 5, 2022 7:06:20 GMT -8
I can't think of any more categories right now but will let you know if I do. Perhaps substrates could also include sand and nesting materials?
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Post by Markpd on Mar 5, 2022 7:22:56 GMT -8
Yea good point, I'll add that in.
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Post by betty on Mar 6, 2022 7:21:23 GMT -8
Might not be necessary but perhaps we could specify in the sub-heading that the food section includes only shop-brought/commercial foods, pre-made treats and off-the-shelf supplements - rather than individual ingredients or products bought to add to an existing food/home-made prep. Or does that not matter?
So it would include, say, Savic salt wheels but not 'generic' sunflower hearts; and include Bob Martins Egg Biscuits but not Wal-Mart green lentils? I assume these should all stay in the normal Food section as they are componant parts that can't really be too different?
Can't wait to get started! Will there be an ideal layout for it within each thread - or do we just go for it?
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Post by Markpd on Mar 7, 2022 12:52:56 GMT -8
Hmm, fair questions, I would think that people would realise that, but if not I'll add that to the description. Re layout, probably, I don't know!  Let's see what others say, and I'm going to see if I can make this thread an announcement (for now) to attract more feedback.
************
Btw guys, what do you think of my guidelines post for it so far?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 7, 2022 15:06:56 GMT -8
I think the guidelines post could include a few tips and pointers to help people structure their reviews. So what to include, what not to include, and so on.
Things to include would be: what you (or your gerbils) liked about the product, what you didn't like, whether you discovered any safety issues or other problems, whether you would buy it again or recommend it, and so on.
Things NOT to include would be issues with the shop or seller as it's not really relevant to the product itself.
Maybe there could be an example review in the guidance (or linked to from the guidance).
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Post by Markpd on Mar 13, 2022 5:32:38 GMT -8
Re what not to include, agreed, though hopefully with the boards title of 'Product reviews', that should be self evident. But in case people overlook that, it'll be easy enough to add that in.
Do you have any product reviews in mind that are good examples?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 13, 2022 16:45:42 GMT -8
I was thinking of reviewing the Living World Eco Habitat as it's a product I have mixed feelings on which makes an ideal one to use for an example review. Is the Product Review section ready for reviews to be posted yet?
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Post by Markpd on Mar 14, 2022 12:02:14 GMT -8
I haven't opened it up to all members yet, but from the get go I opened it up to helpers, so you should be able to post a review I look forwards to your review  |
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, what do other mods and members think? 
), late 70s
(hopefully far less people will simply just post in the wrong section! lol). 