mis information

[morph]

I have only recently started reading posts and comments. So far I have only read about the places I am familiar with. The wrong information, rumours, assumptions, people putting two and two together and getting five posted is rife. Some contributors passing comments about things they have not even seen for themselves is incredible!
When I read about the places and issues I am not familiar with what percentage should I believe?
I think some contributors should engage their brain before tinkering on the keyboard.
This site may be good for zoo gossip but facts are another matter.

 

[johnstoni]

It would be useful if you address individual post that you take issue with. Its hard to know how to respond to a general criticism of the site. Are we to use this thread to have a debate about whether anyone on here knows what they're talking about? There are a diverse range of voices using the forum, some with zoo experience, some avid zoogoers, others just interested. People should have good etiquette and be clear when they are not 100% sure of something, or are expressing an opinion rather than fact, or making an assumption, but I would suggest it is more helpful if somebody like yourself replied to individual posts as you found them, rather than just start a thread on how bad you find the site, as I don't feel it will change anything in the way you would like it to unless you address issues post by post.

 

[morph]

I don't plan on having a tit for tat chat. Like I said, I've only just started reading ZooChat, going back a few years with the places I know. Avid 'zoogoers' may have a fair idea of whats going on in the zoo world but those who are 'just interested' may get wrong information. If they believe everything they read it could be detrimental for all involved.

 

[Maguari]

I have only recently started reading posts and comments. So far I have only read about the places I am familiar with. The wrong information, rumours, assumptions, people putting two and two together and getting five posted is rife. Some contributors passing comments about things they have not even seen for themselves is incredible!
When I read about the places and issues I am not familiar with what percentage should I believe?
I think some contributors should engage their brain before tinkering on the keyboard.
This site may be good for zoo gossip but facts are another matter.

This, I'm afraid, is the nature of the Internet.

I agree with johnstoni - if you see something you know or believe to be untrue, simply make a polite post to that effect. Then the error is corrected and will not spread.

As to speculation, that's been a frustration to me in the past but it's not bad-intentioned, just perhaps a bit of misplaced enthusiasm! Hang around for a while and you get an idea of who you can trust for good info (most people, in truth). But again, check the thread later and see if anyone's corrected the gossip!

And while it can be frustrating when people criticise places they've not been, if we all stuck to talking about places we'd seen then this would be a far less interesting site! I try not to criticise things I've not seen too harshly, though, as you never know what you can't see in the photo/haven't been told.

Hope you stick around and come to enjoy the place more.

 

[ChesterGemsbok]

Unfortunatley this is what happens with ZooChat, personally, i think Sim should terminate the stirrers acconts. What do you think?

 

[GillP]

I also agree with Johnstoni and have found that the vast majority of posters - myself included - do usually take care to make it clear in their postings whether or not something is opinion, an overheard snippet of gossip, or fact. The forum is an incredibly interesting, enjoyable and informative place (for the most part) and very often, the combined contributions of several posters end up answering a particular question which, on their own, no single member would be able address.

Obviously, like all other internet forums, you are never going to be able to guarantee 100% accuracy here ..... short of having a hotline to each and every zoo, as well as a raft of experts. However, I personally don't see anything wrong with rumours being repeated here - so long as it's not done maliciously. Interesting debate (and reading) can arise out of rumours even if they do later prove to be unfounded.

Bear in mind as well, that this is a forum which attracts both professional and amateur users - some of which are still very young. Interested amateurs by definition aren't experts, but their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn is what makes (for me anyway) this site such a joy to visit because inevitably someone better informed than them will invariably step in and correct them (tactfully and constructively for the most part). It's therefore inevitable that people will post up incorrect info because they have relatively little experience or knowledge of a particular topic but it's not intended to mislead.

I do understand it might be frustrating for some to see others commenting or criticising something they haven't seen but again, most people who do this seem willing to be set straight if necessary and are entitled to their opinion based on the information available to them. This site is a fantastic resource allowing many of us a glimpse at other zoos all over the world which we will probably never be lucky enough to see for real. I've found that other members familiar with such zoos are usually only too happy to share their experiences of them and extend others' knowledge. It would indeed be very dull if we had to restrict our thoughts and comments to places we have literally set foot in.

Of course, if you see something posted up which is incorrect - please say so ! Unless other members get feedback about their mistakes, they will continue to believe them.

 

[karenZOO]

Very well said Gill summed up what I was thinking !! but useless at saying

Only problem I see with a site like this is when people get territorial over there favourite/local zoo and find other peoples opinion hard to take but I have learnt to bite my lip

 

[GillP]

Only problem I see with a site like this is when people get territorial over there favourite/local zoo and find other peoples opinion hard to take but I have learnt to bite my lip

Yes - I'm sure both you and I have seethed every time someone else criticises the beautiful Colchester rock !!! (not).

 

[Simon Hampel]

If you see something you believe to be wrong, post a response with what you think the correct information is.

If you think someone is deliberately posting incorrect or misleading information, use the "Report Post" link at the top of the post to let us know about it and we'll investigate.

 

[foz]

This is the nature of forums open to all! and unless someone sees a mistake and corrects it how can you expect it to improve?

This is a fantastic resource and a wonderful community! Problems occur when people become totally absorbed by a mistaken piece of information or become totally protective over their favourite zooos/exhibits.