Closed Forum Etiquette Question

[TheOnlineZoo]

Being new to this forum, I've often opened a thread last updated today which was started years ago. I've noticed a common (but not exclusive) trend to post new topics about a zoo on an old thread.

On one hand, I can see how it creates a running dialog about the zoo and reduces the total number of threads. But on the other hand, I have to wade through a bunch of really old stuff to see the new post. Yes, I realize I can get to the last page with a single click, but what I really want to do is get to the beginning of the current conversation.

Is there a preferred approach to this?

Also, are their guidelines for determining when to post in the General Discussion vs. under a specific country?

Lastly, has the idea of having a folder for each zoo under its country been considered? That would provide the grouping that the single thread approach provides while allowing each conversation to exist independently.

Please know that I am not complaining or trying to stir up trouble. I just want to learn the common practices so that I can conform.

 

[DavidBrown]

Adding to old threads is perfectly fine, but if you have a specific topic or question about a particular zoo that you want to talk about then starting a new thread may be the way to go.

Your folder question about sorting topics to specific zoos is built into the forum when you are either starting a new thread or want to read threads tagged for a specific zoo. For example if you want to start a thread about the Dallas Zoo then go to the United States forum, click start new thread, and under the "prefix" menu click "Dallas Zoo" (or whatever zoo you want to start the thread about).

If you want to browse threads for a specific zoo then just look at the top where it says "Show only threads from" and pick the zoo you want to view threads from.

If you want feedback from the general Zoochat audience on a topic then the general forum is probably the place to post it. If you want to ask about the history of pheasants in UK zoos then the UK forum would be the best place to do it.

I hope this answered you questions, and if not then keep asking. You are in no way stirring up trouble, but rather are asking very good questions.

 

[TheOnlineZoo]

Your folder question about sorting topics to specific zoos is built into the forum when you are either starting a new thread or want to read threads tagged for a specific zoo.

Thanks for the information. I went looking for the components of this just now, and I saw that I had noticed all three before: the filter, the breadcrumbs at the top of a post (ZooChat > North America > United States > Dallas Zoo), and the prefix when starting a new thread. I just had not managed to connect the dots yet. Looking at it now, "prefix" doesn't intuitively translate to "subfolder", so that was likely part of my problem.

What is the process for adding a new prefix? I'd like to get one for the Austin Aquarium in the United States forum. Also, what is the process for requesting a move of an existing thread? I'd like to move the following thread to the Austin Aquarium forum.

http://www.zoochat.com/22/austin-aquarium-331951/?highlight=austin+aquarium

 

[DavidBrown]

If you send a message to Sim the forum owner or Jobalba the site administrator they should be able to take care of adding a prefix for you.

 

[Arizona Docent]

There is a thread specifically for adding new facilities and the moderator who runs it is very prompt in making additions. Just post a reply to this thread and state the name and country of the facility and a link to the facility website (if they have one).

http://www.zoochat.com/4/new-photo-gallery-request-thread-2013-a-319762/