Post by RitzieAnn on Nov 23, 2007 21:01:43 GMT -8
A Guide To Good Posting
By Ashgerbil
Good posting is the key to forum success, you've got to always be polite, keep to the rules and have good posting etiquette.
Good posting = happy, informative and useful forum
Which is what we all want, so here's a simple guide...Scenario 1
So someone posts a photo of their set-up in the photo board. It shows a nice tank with ample substrate, but there's some plastic toys in the tank.
Don't just say...
Plastic is unsuitable for gerbils
Because that is neither informative or helpful. You have to explain why plastic is bad for gerbils and what should be done about it!
Step 1
Research before you post
If you're not 100% sure of the information or advice that you're giving, do some research!
This could be looking at old threads on the boards (*search function*), or checking up on your facts on websites or in books. This will also come in useful later if you quote something from a source. If you're not familiar with the rules and guidelines; read them!
If you're still not sure, no advice at all is better than bad advice!
Step 2
Back it up!
Mean what you say and say what you mean, be precise. You've got to explain why.
A better response could be...
Plastic is unsuitable for gerbils.
This is because plastic can be ingested by gerbils and cause internal blockages or punctures which can really harm them (and mean big Vets Bills)
This is because plastic can be ingested by gerbils and cause internal blockages or punctures which can really harm them (and mean big Vets Bills)
Where possible, try and back up your information or advice with evidence. This could be a website, an old forum thread (use the search function), a book or something like a scientific paper (check this board).
For example (if we look at the topic of aspen woodshavings), we could say,,,
"Aspen woodshavings may not be so great as they seem, because it's been proven to cause lung problems in rats:
However, rats kept on aspen had greater sneezing rates and lung pathology than those on paper bedding, but also had higher body weights. The results raise concerns about aspen bedding, which is relatively inert compared with other wood beddings, but nevertheless more harmful than paper.
If you back up your information with evidence, then it makes it more believable, more reliable. If I told you that chocolate was good for you, would you believe me? No, you probably wouldn't. But if I told you chocolate was good for you, and then explained about a scientific study which has proven that chocolate can help relieve symptoms of fatigue syndrome, and provided a link to a news site where I found the evidence, then you'd believe me
Step 3
Be constructive!
Constructive criticism is the best kind of criticism, in fact, it should be the only type of criticism.
So we've said that plastic is bad and we've explained why it is bad. Now we've got to suggest a way in that it can be improved or describe the appropriate course of action, ie, removing the plastic and replacing it with suitable toys...
Plastic is unsuitable for gerbils.
This is because plastic can be ingested by gerbils and cause internal blockages and punctures which can really harm them (and mean big Vets Bills)
All you have to do is remove all the plastic toys from the tank, and then you can perhaps replace them with wooden toys which are more suitable for gerbils
This is because plastic can be ingested by gerbils and cause internal blockages and punctures which can really harm them (and mean big Vets Bills)
All you have to do is remove all the plastic toys from the tank, and then you can perhaps replace them with wooden toys which are more suitable for gerbils
It's also a good idea to back up your advice with some evidence if you can.
Step 4
Helpfulness
It's also good to be helpful, in this scenario, I've said where you can get wooden toys from, and suggested a suitable toy also. I could provide a link to an online shop too.
Plastic is unsuitable for gerbils.
This is because plastic can be ingested by gerbils and cause internal blockages and punctures which can really harm them (and mean big Vets Bills)
All you have to do is remove all the plastic toys from the tank, and then you can perhaps replace them with wooden toys which are more suitable for gerbils
You can buy these from most petshops. Wooden bendy bridges are always a hit with my gerbils
This is because plastic can be ingested by gerbils and cause internal blockages and punctures which can really harm them (and mean big Vets Bills)
All you have to do is remove all the plastic toys from the tank, and then you can perhaps replace them with wooden toys which are more suitable for gerbils
You can buy these from most petshops. Wooden bendy bridges are always a hit with my gerbils
Step 5
Let's be positive
It's nice to be positive. Try to pick out at least one thing that you like, simply because it can be sort a little disheartening if you only pick out all the bad things. Praise is good, it lets the gerbil owner know what they're doing right
Plastic is unsuitable for gerbils.
This is because plastic can be ingested by gerbils and cause internal blockages and punctures which can really harm them (and mean big Vets Bills)
All you have to do is remove all the plastic toys from the tank, and then you can perhaps replace them with wooden toys which are more suitable for gerbils
You can buy these from most petshops. Wooden bendy bridges are always a hit with my gerbils! ;D
However, you've got a really good amount of bedding and the tank is a great size - they've got plenty of room to run around and burrow
This is because plastic can be ingested by gerbils and cause internal blockages and punctures which can really harm them (and mean big Vets Bills)
All you have to do is remove all the plastic toys from the tank, and then you can perhaps replace them with wooden toys which are more suitable for gerbils
You can buy these from most petshops. Wooden bendy bridges are always a hit with my gerbils! ;D
However, you've got a really good amount of bedding and the tank is a great size - they've got plenty of room to run around and burrow
Yeah, and add smileys where they're needed
Step 6
Take a step back
Try viewing your post from different perspectives - is there any way that your post could be taken as offensive by anyone else? If we'd added something in like
Yeah but your gerbil's really ugly
That would be pretty rude, not to mention just plain weird
So we'd have to take it out. But seriously, there are members from all over the world on this forum, and you have to be aware that others will have different opinions to your own. Don't lose your head! Remain calm - if you get angry and start shooting your mouth off, how is that encouraging others to respect you and value your opinions and advice?
Making an angry post usually just provokes an angry reaction from others, it gets the conversation nowehere.Step 7
Preview
Hit the preview button and make sure that your spelling and grammar is all ok.
Plastic is unsuitable for gerbils unfortunately. This is because plastic can be ingested by gerbils and cause internal blockages and punctures which can really harm them (and mean big Vets Bills).
All you have to do is remove all the plastic toys from the tank, and then you can perhaps replace them with wooden toys, which are more suitable for gerbils. You can buy these from most petshops. Wooden bendy bridges are always a hit with my gerbils! ;D
All you have to do is remove all the plastic toys from the tank, and then you can perhaps replace them with wooden toys, which are more suitable for gerbils. You can buy these from most petshops. Wooden bendy bridges are always a hit with my gerbils! ;D
Make sure it makes sense, has a good format and is readable
Thennn.....Step 8
POST!
Hit that post button!
And hope that you get a reply back.
. But just try not to have one single massive unbroken sentence, so imagine if you had to read it out aloud, would you have to pause for breath? If so that would probably be a good place for a comma, or full stop. Also missing out pauses (commas or fullstops) can actually change the meaning of a sentence, causing confusion and wrong or delayed answers/comments. 
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