Is it something I said?

I have been resisting the temptation to make this post mainly due to what I have seen happen in similar threads. First of all, I want to say that this is not a rant. This is simply an observation that pertains, admittedly, mostly to me, but I am sure it also applies to others as well. I'm just trying to understand what I have observed and correct anything I might be doing wrong.
What I have noticed is that many times questions that have been asked many times get a disproportionately large response where other questions regarding specific issues such as health seem to get very little, if any , response. I personally have experienced this in a couple of recent threads I started regarding shedding/possible health issues of one of my snakes (and a thread or two in the past). I did more than one search to find answers but came up empty with respect to my situation. If there are answers out there then I must have missed them. I did have two responses and I am very thankful for them. However, most of my questions went unanswered. My only reason for a second thread is that the first was so poorly received and that this has been on going for 5 days now and I am at a loss as to what to do.
And I will be the first to admit that my questions are probably not revolutionary or even all that difficult to many people on the forum. But they are unique and new things to me, and without previous threads asking and receiving answers to my specific situation how will I ever learn without just weathering the storm and hoping that my snake makes it through healthy?
I guess it was just my expectation that on a forum with so many knowledgeable people that more would be willing to offer up their advice. Maybe I have overlooked something?

I have even had another forum member mention to me how it was sad that no one would respond to my questions when someone else on the forum surely had experience dealing with similar situations.

I’m am not sure if there is something I am doing incorrectly with respect to starting threads. Perhaps I should put them in a more highly trafficked forum (as opposed to the proper forum)? :shrugs:

I frequent this forum not only to meet new people, share my own and others experiences, and to help others but also, and very importantly to me, to learn from those who have been in the hobby longer than I have and who have much more experience and knowledge than I do. However, this is difficult when posts regarding potentially serious issues about an animal’s health go unanswered (whether they are my own or other's questions). I never post a question before searching for previously posted answers. If, and only if I feel that I haven’t found an answer that applies to my situation do I start a thread looking for opinions and advice. Many, many times I have found answers to my questions by searching and without having to start a thread.
I understand the point of view stated before, in a thread regarding lack of helpfulness from forum members, that some, or even many, members that have a lot of animals (or other commitments) do not always have the time to answer posts. I realize and understand this and how it pertains to the types of questions that get asked many times a week. But is it typical for more specifics-oriented threads to go so unnoticed/unanswered?

I guess I could always just learn everything through trial and error, but that could be at the expense of animals’ lives. Also, it would defeat the purpose of having most of the sub-forums. Then again, what good is a “health issues” sub-forum to someone who feels like they have to pull teeth or be a continual thorn-in-the-side to get responses?

I know I hate to be a thorn in someone's side and I'm sure many people get tired of seeing people double and triple posting to try to get help. But it is sort of a repeating cycle until it's broken.

I guess I just don’t understand how some can go through the “What kind of corn do I have” “You have an amel.” Type of exchange several times every week, but not want to engage in helping someone with more difficult questions where their experience/expertise can be utilized and be so invaluable to those who benefit from it.

So, I have said it now. This isn’t a trial. By no means am I meaning to point the finger at anyone in particular (such as long-time members). I have received responses to threads in the past from most, if not all, of the most “senior” members on the forum, and I am very appreciative of that correspondence. As I said before I’m only looking to understand what I have observed recently. If you have any opinions to offer please feel free. If you feel like I am completely wrong feel free to say that too! (but be prepared to cite examples! )

I realize the angst that these types of posts sometimes generate, but I hope no one gets too upset. And, bearing in mind the types of responses that these threads sometimes get, I am still looking forward to hearing what people think. :wavey: Thanks for your time

I went through a similar thing when I first started here. I know it can be frustrating.
The response I was given was pretty simple. As you stated many of the more experienced members simply do not have the time to read or reply to all the posts. And then there are people like me who, while I have seen your posts and feel for your plight, have nothing helpful to say. I have not had any real shedding problems with my corns(knock on wood). I would think trying the normal procedures I am sure you have read through should work. Maybe go directly to the source for info, I have done that also by PMing people I felt might have the knowledge to help.
I hope you aren't too discouraged.

ultimuttone said:

I went through a similar thing when I first started here. I know it can be frustrating.
The response I was given was pretty simple. As you stated many of the more experienced members simply do not have the time to read or reply to all the posts. And then there are people like me who, while I have seen your posts and feel for your plight, have nothing helpful to say. I have not had any real shedding problems with my corns(knock on wood). I would think trying the normal procedures I am sure you have read through should work. Maybe go directly to the source for info, I have done that also by PMing people I felt might have the knowledge to help.
I hope you aren't too discouraged.

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It's good to hear I'm not just crazy! And I am definitely not too discouraged to leave or go crazy and start causing trouble!
I have tried many of the tactics I read about for sheds with about 90% success. Thanks for your suggestions and help.

Just reread your questions. I read them when you posted them also, and just didnt have any answers for you. Havent yet had a corn with either of those problems so I certainly wouldnt be one to give advice on it.

I do know where you are coming from. It's a very legitimate concern, and it sure beats the usual "my cron sanke eyes are blue...help!?!?" The ID questions sure are a lot easier to answer, and sometimes they are like challenges, almost little tests for people to play "Guess that morph". More fun the trying to diagnose a possible skin issue via a description and pictures, which is really no way at all to diagnose a possible problem. I know "Take her to a vet" seem's like a catchall response for a lot of questions, but sometimes, especially with an issue like yours, that may be the only answer. Even if it is a few days late ;*)

I would keep an eye on her nose, maybe dab a small dab of NeoSporin on it to keep it clean, keep the humidity up like you have and go from there. If it continues to be an issue than a vet trip is a good idea.

No angst here. As Bill Clinton would say "I feel your pain" lol...

cka said:

Just reread your questions. I read them when you posted them also, and just didnt have any answers for you. Havent yet had a corn with either of those problems so I certainly wouldnt be one to give advice on it.

I do know where you are coming from. It's a very legitimate concern, and it sure beats the usual "my cron sanke eyes are blue...help!?!?" The ID questions sure are a lot easier to answer, and sometimes they are like challenges, almost little tests for people to play "Guess that morph". More fun the trying to diagnose a possible skin issue via a description and pictures, which is really no way at all to diagnose a possible problem. I know "Take her to a vet" seem's like a catchall response for a lot of questions, but sometimes, especially with an issue like yours, that may be the only answer. Even if it is a few days late ;*)

I would keep an eye on her nose, maybe dab a small dab of NeoSporin on it to keep it clean, keep the humidity up like you have and go from there. If it continues to be an issue than a vet trip is a good idea.

No angst here. As Bill Clinton would say "I feel your pain" lol...

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Thanks, Chris. I had considered this. I completely understand how people could be reluctant to speak up if they are not 100% sure of their advice, especially on a health related issue. And I didn't mean to imply that the "what morph is this?" types of threads are childish. I myself would like to get in on some of them if only I could unequivocally identify snakes other than standard amels and anerys And even those can be tough sometimes!
I guess sometimes it's just nice to have someone say, "Although I haven't experienced this before, this is what I am thinking, but can't be sure that it will help you."

I think part of it, too, is that there is a certain trend, if you will, of participation on the forum. A new person comes on, may lurk for a while, reading up on information since it's all new to them. Then, after being here a while, they may ask a few questions on things they haven't found the answers to and perhaps start answering a few "easy" questions like HELP!!!111 MY SANKES EYES ARE BLUE!!! They answer what they feel comfortable with, which happen to be questions that many "old timers" just don't answer much anymore. I don't think this is a bad thing, the questions get answered and people get to be helpful. Then a person will eventually move up to offering opinions as they gain experience in response to threads within their knowledge base and perhaps answer less of the blue-eye questions. Then they may get to the point where they prefer to just check certain forums...genetics, breeding, whathaveyou, as some just don't have time to read every blue-eyed post anymore. Eventually, some people get to the point where they pretty much just answer the more odd-ball questions in the section they are interested in or where their particular experience is perhaps more needed. They answer blue-eye questions as time allows or they don't. Depends on the person. Some people get to the point of barely posting at all any more and just quick browse through every once in a while to keep up to date.

It's kind of a sliding scale, I guess. I can honestly say I haven't seen the posts you have referred to. Part of that may be that I've been gone a week, but still, I know I am just as guilty as many of skipping over a good portion of threads just catching ones that interest me.

I just wonder (to bring this all to relevance) if you're stuck in a bit of a loop where the "perhaps more experienced" just haven't read the thread and your lack of answers is due to the ones that have read it simply not knowing the answer. They don't want to post something wrong or just have nothing to say on the subject.

Hurley said:

Eventually, some people get to the point where they pretty much just answer the more odd-ball questions in the section they are interested in or where their particular experience is perhaps more needed. They answer blue-eye questions as time allows or they don't. Depends on the person. Some people get to the point of barely posting at all any more and just quick browse through every once in a while to keep up to date....

I just wonder (to bring this all to relevance) if you're stuck in a bit of a loop where the "perhaps more experienced" just haven't read the thread and your lack of answers is due to the ones that have read it simply not knowing the answer. They don't want to post something wrong or just have nothing to say on the subject.

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I'm sure this is probably part of the issue, and I can't and would never try to fault anyone for that. Of course, there is no way to see who has viewed your thread. I'm by no means suggesting that such an option be available. So it's difficult to know if the more "experienced" members, who might have some insight, have seen it or not. That just sort of adds to the frustration.
Then there is the fact that the Health Issues forum isn't the most highly trafficked forum. But I'm just not willing to post in an inappropriate forum for the sake of trying to get more views. Once a thread gets buried it is easy for it to be overlooked, which I understand. That is even why I bumped my own thread a couple of times. As much as I hated doing it, I felt it was the only way it might get seen.

Hmm, if it's not in the genetics section, there's a good chance that I don't even know the post exists. I usually log on, check that forum, and I'm done. I also check the "new posts" and will read one or two threads that look like they might be interesting. But I generally do not read posts if:
· the title is written in chatspeak or leetspeak,
· the title has more than one punctuation mark at the end of it,
· the title has anything in all caps,
· the title doesn't tell me what the post is about, (for example "how...")
· it simply doesn't look interesting to me.

I also stop reading a post and will not respond if it's not readable (no punctuation, no capitalization, etc.)

I tend to open a thread if it has gotten up to 2 or more pages, because something must be going on there.

I gotta say that I specifically avoid the health/feeding forum like the plague. For every thread in there, there are only like three possible responses I could give:
1- I don't know, take it to a vet
2- soak it in water, the shed will come off
3- feed problem feeders to a kingsnake, problem solved

That pretty much covers it. I don't believe there's anything I have to offer anyone there, so I do not use that forum.

Anyway, that is how I use the forums. I don't know how usual or unusual my style of use is, but it might explain why some posts don't get read/answered as much as they seesm like they should. I don't believe that everyone logs on, reads every post that is new, and uses all areas of the site equally. (Or maybe they do, but I sure don't, LOL.)

So I don't think it's something you said, as much as it's not something many of us are qualified to answer. :wavey:

I try to give advice here and there when I know the answer. There's all kinds of people that know a lot more than me so if one of them has already posted a reply there isn't much I can add. If I see one & I know the answer I usually reply if nobody else has. A lot of times my reply is just the advice 'you should buy the corn snake manual' but it seems like the people who are on here long soon buy it or learn to search first. I don't read every post either, I didn't even see yours Zwyatt!

This whole issue can be summed up pretty easily (and makes sense, if you stop and think about it). Coming here for answers is an option, not a guarantee. This is a free forum. Plain and simple. No one has any duty or responsibility to read and answer posts, no matter how much experience they may have. It's not about not wanting to help, but I think more that coming here should not feel like a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th... etc) job, so people are going to use this place the way they feel like using it. Which there is absolutely nothing wrong with. If you don't think that's right or fair, then you should probably take a few deep breaths and think about it all a bit more before ranting on. If I post a question and don't get an answer, I find it another way (there's lots that can be found using a google search, for example). I would never even dream of bumping myself or posting multiple times to get a response. It's no one's job to answer, and to carry on because you aren't getting answers is kinda whiny and selfish, if you ask me.

By all means, post any and all questions, but do so knowing that there's no guarantee of an answer. Sometimes you're just going to have to go to someone whose job is to answer your question.

DISCLAIMER: No malice or harsh tone should be read into any of this post. That's not my intention, so my apologies if it reads like that.

In an attempt to clarify (not argue)...

Duff said:

This whole issue can be summed up pretty easily (and makes sense, if you stop and think about it). Coming here for answers is an option, not a guarantee. This is a free forum. Plain and simple. No one has any duty or responsibility to read and answer posts, no matter how much experience they may have. It's not about not wanting to help, but I think more that coming here should not feel like a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th... etc) job, so people are going to use this place the way they feel like using it. Which there is absolutely nothing wrong with. If you don't think that's right or fair, then you should probably take a few deep breaths and think about it all a bit more before ranting on. If I post a question and don't get an answer, I find it another way (there's lots that can be found using a google search, for example). I would never even dream of bumping myself or posting multiple times to get a response. It's no one's job to answer, and to carry on because you aren't getting answers is kinda whiny and selfish, if you ask me.

By all means, post any and all questions, but do so knowing that there's no guarantee of an answer. Sometimes you're just going to have to go to someone whose job is to answer your question.

DISCLAIMER: No malice or harsh tone should be read into any of this post. That's not my intention, so my apologies if it reads like that.

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No harm done, Duff, though it felt a bit harsh (to say I was ranting, whiny, selfish, and carrying on!). I suppose I should apologize if I came across as “whiny and selfish”. I hate the thought of being looked at that way. If only there was a better way to convey tone of voice through the internet (sometimes those emoticon things just don’t suffice).
I completely agree that using this forum is a privilege, and never intended to give an impression to the contrary. As far as I am concerned this forum is my “cornsnake google”. If I cannot find an answer here, be it by searching or posting, I find it unlikely to be found with google.
I did, in fact, consult a vet, as a last ditch attempt, after there was a lack of responses to my questions. But I felt this forum was intended to be a tool to be utilized by its members to seek advice and suggestions. That was all I attempted to do. If I felt as though the nice people on the forum were a disgruntled, unforgiving group that resented attempting to be helpful by all means I would have gone to a vet first thing without thinking twice.
I don’t believe that anyone would continue to come here if it felt anything like a job. So surely it does not feel like a job to all those who continually post helpful advice in the various forums. Seeing as though there was a lack of response to my other posts, my reason to start this thread was only to try to flesh out anything I might have been doing wrong or something major I was overlooking. Maybe I didn’t state that clearly enough in my original post. I never once asked for opinions regarding my previously posted questions in my above post, though I can see how it might have come across as such an attempt.

Believe me, if you knew me at all you would realize how painful it was to bump my own thread. It killed me to have to do it, but I guess when the health of an animal you care about is at risk you will go outside of your comfort zone to try to get help/answers. Since I felt that this forum and its members are a wealth of knowledge and a tool to be utilized, I was only attempting to utilize it. I was mindful that threads can often get buried before they recieve many views, and, thus, chose to bring the thread to the top so that someone might see it (where as they may have missed it if it was buried before they visited the site). I realized that bumping wasn't good forum etiquette. Sometimes you just make knee-jerk decisions that not everyone will agree with.

Perhaps, for future reference, I should apologize to anyone who feels that I belittled them or that I was implying that they only exist to come to this forum and answer my questions at my every whim. I value and appreciate every member here and would never want anyone to feel like I put myself on a pedestal above him or her. That is just not who I am.
:wavey:

Duff, I think that was a bit harsh, no matter how you meant it. I personally don't see anything wrong with bumping up a thread once or twice, sometimes they are easy to miss for multiple reasons. After the second time however, it usually means no one is really comfortable with a good answer.
I did not see zwyatt's post as whining or complaining, he started off just wondering if he was doing something inappropriate that was causing lack of response to his thread. Which to answer, is pretty much "no".
Sometimes with a question like yours, I KNOW what I would do in the situation, but would not attempt to walk someone else through it because I'd be working with someone who could misinterpret what I am saying and cause harm to the animal. So I just "don't go there", and "see a vet" just seems like I'm trying to give you a half ass answer... so I just don't post. It would be like if someone asked how to pop or probe their snake. I know how I'd do it, but I am definitely not going to try and walk someone else through it. The only time I would give a slightest bit of advice is if it is obvious the person is going to attempt this on their own no matter what so I'll try and chime in with some safety concerns.
But I do agree you will have to live with the fact that not all your questions can be answered here. A fact that gets even more apparent the higher up on the "experience chain" you are. There are still lots more questions I have about these critters but I am sure if I posted them the best I'd get is "We wish we knew too". And then there are questions that you can get three completely different answers to from three different, yet very experienced individuals. When you reach a certain point the best you can do is gather as much info as possible, experiment a little, and find what works for you.

carol said:

Duff, I think that was a bit harsh, no matter how you meant it. I personally don't see anything wrong with bumping up a thread once or twice, sometimes they are easy to miss for multiple reasons. After the second time however, it usually means no one is really comfortable with a good answer.
I did not see zwyatt's post as whining or complaining, he started off just wondering if he was doing something inappropriate that was causing lack of response to his thread. Which to answer, is pretty much "no".
Sometimes with a question like yours, I KNOW what I would do in the situation, but would not attempt to walk someone else through it because I'd be working with someone who could misinterpret what I am saying and cause harm to the animal. So I just "don't go there", and "see a vet" just seems like I'm trying to give you a half ass answer... so I just don't post. It would be like if someone asked how to pop or probe their snake. I know how I'd do it, but I am definitely not going to try and walk someone else through it. The only time I would give a slightest bit of advice is if it is obvious the person is going to attempt this on their own no matter what so I'll try and chime in with some safety concerns.
But I do agree you will have to live with the fact that not all your questions can be answered here. A fact that gets even more apparent the higher up on the "experience chain" you are. There are still lots more questions I have about these critters but I am sure if I posted them the best I'd get is "We wish we knew too". And then there are questions that you can get three completely different answers to from three different, yet very experienced individuals. When you reach a certain point the best you can do is gather as much info as possible, experiment a little, and find what works for you.

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Wow. How many great points can you stuff into one post?

Thanks! And I have more...
One other note I have to say, and I am only speaking for myself here... I am frantically trying to make time to get my collection registered in the ACR before the grace period ends. To do this I have to register a minimum of 15 snakes per week and if I want a week off, I have to do more. This includes finding all their old "paperwork", taking pics, filling out forms, and trying to keep it all organized. I wasn't able to start this task until most of my 05's were out of the house, because they were taking up all my time. I just took a 9 day vacation and so I am trying to get things back to normal so I can start back up with the registries.
It sounds kind of bad that "I don't have as much time to help because I want to register my snakes", but in all honesty, it's my reality. I don't know if it is anyone else's as well. Seeing how much work it is on my end, I can't imagine how much time it must take out of Serp and Hurley's schedule. And yet they still have time to run a photo contest! Those two superheros need some capes!

I'm with a lot of the above folk. I have so little time these days, and dozens of forums to check with my interest in other species of snakes and my horses, dogs, etc, that I don't get time to really go thru this forum like I did. I usually get to check every couple of days, look thru the most recent posts on the sections I like to check into, and then go. If someone posted an answer to someone's question that pretty much answers it, then there's nothing more to say. I don't think I even got to see your post. Your "rant" was nothing of the sort and was quite well written. I found nothing in there that would be offensive in any way, and I appreciate your taking the time to say how you feel. I probably will try to take a little more time to look for posts with desperate sounding titles that only have a single response or none at all It doesn't mean that any of us can answer it, but it will certainly be something to look for.

MegF. said:

I'm with a lot of the above folk. I have so little time these days, and dozens of forums to check with my interest in other species of snakes and my horses, dogs, etc, that I don't get time to really go thru this forum like I did. I usually get to check every couple of days, look thru the most recent posts on the sections I like to check into, and then go. If someone posted an answer to someone's question that pretty much answers it, then there's nothing more to say. I don't think I even got to see your post. Your "rant" was nothing of the sort and was quite well written. I found nothing in there that would be offensive in any way, and I appreciate your taking the time to say how you feel. I probably will try to take a little more time to look for posts with desperate sounding titles that only have a single response or none at all It doesn't mean that any of us can answer it, but it will certainly be something to look for.

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Thanks for offering that insight. And thanks for the kind words.

I see lots of great answers here!

I was going to say a lot of what Serp already said (beat me to it!). However, I usually do look at all of the forums (except feeders - don't want to deal with them more than I have to, lol!) - at least to glance at the subject lines of the threads. Seldom do I have the time (or patience) to open each and every one - just too many each day. So I look for threads that might be interesting, with a little different slant on some of the usual questions that are already answered in the posted FAQs where all can read them. And like Serp, I often skip over the posts that look like they might be really badly written and difficult to understand.

So my suggestion would be to make the subject line very descriptive, and hopefully interesting, if possible. If it doesn't get answered, you might try asking again in a few days, but describing it differently (if that is possible) so that it might pique somebody's interest. Also, (like other readers, I am sure), some days or weeks I have more down time than other weeks. So some weeks I may barely skim a few sub forums, but other times I may read and answer much more thoroughly.

Hope that gives you a few useful ideas.