Glossary of terms?

[GBtortoises]

I'm not sure exactly where to place this post so if any moderators find a more appropriate spot feel free!

I've noticed a lot, especially lately, that many newcomers to the site and to tortoise keeping are often unfamiliar with some of the common terms used here and in the hobby in general. They often have questions about what some terms mean that many of us take for granted.

I'm just thinking that by having a glossary with as many terms defined as possible may cut down on a lot of repetitive general questions that frequently get asked here.

So what I am suggesting is that we might look into placing a glossary section at the top of the main site page. Maybe bold lettering so that it stands out for people. Members could contribute the words or phrases and definitions and the moderators approve them. Or form a committee to review and approve the terms and definitions and then pass them on to the moderators to post.

Ideas on it anyone?

 

[stephiiberrybean]

It might also be worth putting abbreviations on this glossary. Such as 'MVB = Mercury Vapor Bulb' etc.

Also because things differ from country to country we could put what it is in that country e.g
"Spurthighed"
America - Sulcata
England - Greek
(I KNOW THAT IS WRONG! but it was just an example of what i mean before anyone jumps on me and goes "no, thats wrong, it's an african spurthighed" or whatever!!)

I think a glossary is a very good idea.
We should do an OOC one too.
So people can understand what 'IMO' 'OMG' 'LOL' etc mean.

 

[jeffbens0n]

If somebody doesn't know what LOL means by now...they may be SOL...

 

[Guggie]

If somebody doesn't know what LOL means by now...they may be SOL...

ZING!!!

---

<this should test if people can take a joke...>

I was thinking we could do the same thing but for people.

Person A - Insists torts belong outside, no exceptions.
Person B - Super knowledgeable about Tustedo.
Person C - Very knowledgeable; can sound mean; don't take too seriously.
Person D - Pees his/her pants a lot.
Guggie - Complete smart ***.



<Any characterizations above - except the Guggie one - do not represent a specific person.>

 

[stephiiberrybean]

SOL? Sorry thats a new one on me.

If somebody doesn't know what LOL means by now...they may be SOL...

My mum thought LOL meant 'lots of love' for a long time. Even my Nana knew what LOL meant

 

[Tiff]

Lol... that funny!

I do also think a glossary would be excellent. Maybe add it as a sticky in the general discussion.

 

[stephiiberrybean]

I actually like that idea only instead what about a list of people who specialise. It could also have breeders on there and where they are?

E.g -
Person A - Specialises in ******.
Person B - Breeder of ****** in *******

I hope that makes sense.
Then if people want to know a pacific thing about a pacific species they can PM or e-mail that person.
It would also mean if someone were looking for that breed to buy they can contact the breeder about acquiring one.

Like the other day I wanted info on "greeks/Spurthighs" and keeping them in the UK. Tom then told me of a member who keeps them in the UK so i could contact her. If there was a list with that members name on then I could have gone straight to e-mailing her rather than cluttering the board.
I don't think it'll slow posting down either as people will still post asking advice etc if they want different opinions.

<this should test if people can take a joke...>

I was thinking we could do the same thing but for people.

Person A - Insists torts belong outside, no exceptions.
Person B - Super knowledgeable about Tustedo.
Person C - Very knowledgeable; can sound mean; don't take too seriously.
Person D - Pees his/her pants a lot.
Guggie - Complete smart ***.



<Any characterizations above - except the Guggie one - do not represent a specific person.>

 

[GBtortoises]

"It might also be worth putting abbreviations on this glossary. Such as 'MVB = Mercury Vapor Bulb' etc."

That was exactly one of the examples I had in mind. I've seen many questions asking what the term MVB meant and even some asking if it different than UVB! Those two abbreviations are taken for granted by many keepers that have been around a while. But you can't expect someone that is new to the hobby to know all the terminology right away. Having a glossary with terms defined can help them to learn quicker.

 

[Guggie]

I actually like that idea only instead what about a list of people who specialise. It could also have breeders on there and where they are?

E.g -
Person A - Specialises in ******.
Person B - Breeder of ****** in *******

I hope that makes sense.

It makes perfect sense, and while I was being funny, you'll notice there were some real examples in there. I agree that it would be very useful to have a list of people and their "expertise." HOWEVER, how would a person be labeled as an expert? Vote? Self proclaimed? What if someone disagrees? It can get very tricky.

As for breeders, I would think that people could put that in their profile, and others could search profiles for it?

 

[stephiiberrybean]

It's a bit hard to search through all 10,000 members profiles for, example, someone who breeds pancake.

Well I guess the sort of experts are the breeders and owners that have had tortoises a long time.
Then if they are a vet, I'm pretty sure they should be experts

But i see what you mean about it'll be hard not to upset people.

 

[Torty Mom]

SOL = Sh*t out of luck

 

[Guggie]

WTF = Why the face (Modern Family reference)

 

[stephiiberrybean]

Dmmj messaged me with what it meant Thanks.

SOL = Sh*t out of luck

 

[GBtortoises]

I think listing people by their level of expertise would be very difficult to do and always subject to dispute. People are probably going to have vastly different opinions on another person's level of experience. Including the individuals own belief of their experience level. I think the open forum method that we have works pretty well in this area already. People tend to chime in on subjects that they're familiar with. The opinions aren't always the same but that is always going to be the case. I think that is also a good thing many times because it gives the original thread poster different views and options to go with.

As far as breeder acknowledgement on this site it's mostly word of mouth right now. Seems to work ok but not great. It's kind of tough searching through all the profiles to find breeders. I think a breeders list of some kind, including what species a person typically has to offer would be great. The flaw in that is that it would have to rely on self honesty by the person listing what they offer. There could just as easily be a person that lists themselves as a breeder but in reality is simply buying hatchlings from others and claiming that they hatched them. In most cases like that most buyers are going to get very little information about the species and no history of the hatchlings.

 

[Guggie]

The open forum method does work pretty well, but I sometimes see people that I don't consider experts giving advise of the type that should come from an expert. (Hope that made sense.) As an example, a newcomer to the forum who sees all over that UVB lights are a must, then tells other new people that, even though there are cases where it's not true.

I know that if someone has a tricky problem with a Greek, they will get recommended to talk to you, GBtortoises. It's too bad that there's no where that they can find that info; it has to be suggested to them.

 

[Jacqui]

We have many times talked of having a terms list, but not sure why Josh has never had us do one. I know, I started one for another forum and would be willing to do one for here. Folks could PM with thoughts they have for it. As a Mod, it would be easy for me, to just keep adding to one major list.

 

[Yvonne G]

As far as breeder acknowledgement on this site it's mostly word of mouth right now. Seems to work ok but not great. It's kind of tough searching through all the profiles to find breeders. I think a breeders list of some kind, including what species a person typically has to offer would be great. The flaw in that is that it would have to rely on self honesty by the person listing what they offer. There could just as easily be a person that lists themselves as a breeder but in reality is simply buying hatchlings from others and claiming that they hatched them. In most cases like that most buyers are going to get very little information about the species and no history of the hatchlings.

It would have to have the same disclaimer that the Vet list has. We give you the information, but do not officially recommend or advocate any of the names on the list.

I have been keeping an EXCEL log of the folks I've learned are "breeders" here on the forum. I don't have many names on it, but I usually refer to it and PM anyone that had a question about breeders. If you would like me to add your name to my EXCEL breeder's log, please send me a PM (Gary, you're on it already).

 

[GBtortoises]

The open forum method does work pretty well, but I sometimes see people that I don't consider experts giving advise of the type that should come from an expert. (Hope that made sense.) As an example, a newcomer to the forum who sees all over that UVB lights are a must, then tells other new people that, even though there are cases where it's not true.

You're right, we've seen it here before. The hope would be that someone with less experience in a certain subject would want to learn and gain from someone with more experience in that subject, not just throw their opinion in. But again, that is relying on self honesty of a person. Something that others can't control. I know when Tom or someone else starts talking about Sulcata or someone starts explaining genetics I shut up and listen, because I don't know enough about either (or lots of other subjects) to comment or give advice.

I know that if someone has a tricky problem with a Greek, they will get recommended to talk to you, GBtortoises. It's too bad that there's no where that they can find that info; it has to be suggested to them.

I agree that there could be a better way about finding that type of information. I'd also like to say that I really welcome more people chimming in on any threads that I post on. I personally like to see other viewpoints. I'll never say that my way is the only way. I just draw from what has worked for me personally. Other people might have far better methods or ideas and I'd also like to hear theirs.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

I say forget any list for "breeders" or "experts" and just work on a list for terms, abbreviations, acronyms, etc. If someone has a specific question about a certain species, they can keep doing what they do: post in the respective section on this forum, and members will point them in the right direction. Like someone said, it gets kinda tricky trying to decide who's the "expert" and who isn't. Fortunately, this forum makes it pretty easy, as there isn't the bravado and internet machoism I see on other forums. I say, let peoples' posts speak for themselves and others can decide and sift out who is really knowledgeable.

 

[stephiiberrybean]

I think a list of terms and a list of breeders would be a good idea.
Like with the vets list it could have a disclaimer on the breeders list.

It just makes sense to do that, to me.
I can understand the list of experts not working, I was just running with some ideas there but the list of breeders would work. I know a number of times people have asked for breeders and you have to say "Erm... I think so and so breeds them..." with a actual list it would be a lot easier to help people out and point them to the right people.