Posting new threads

[Arizona Docent]

I am in the process of cleaning up and merging several threads in the USA forums, some of which were created by me years ago. Since I have learned that some of my previous actions were unnecessary, I am offering advice to all members (and especially our newer members). Please note this is NOT meant as a criticism of anyone (except maybe myself), just some things I have learned.

It may not be necessary to create an entirely new thread for one piece of zoo news. Just post it in that zoo's news thread unless it is likely to generate significant responses as a unique topic.

Please use the prefix for a specific zoo when you create a thread related to a zoo. (The prefix is the blue bar that goes in front of the thread title). If the zoo you are noting is not yet listed on ZooChat, please use the Gallery Request Thread and ask an administrator to add it.

Unfortunately, the blue prefix bar does not show up in ZooChat's own search engine. It is helpful for the purpose of finding a thread if you repeat the zoo name in your thread title. Instead of just using the prefix for Hilandia Zoo and then titling the thread News, title the thread Hilandia Zoo News.

 

[jayjds2]

It is usually not necessary to create a new news thread for every year (or even every couple years). There are literally only a handful of very popular zoos that get so many replies that this is acceptable. The two that come immediately to mind are Chester Zoo and San Diego Zoo.

However, it is still really helpful when they organized by year. It doesn’t have to be an every year thing, but making a thread intended to span a few years (like this: Moonlit Sanctuary - Moonlit Sanctuary 2017-2020) for facilities that don’t receive too much “traffic” helps those of us tracking info from a certain year. If something changes and the zoo gets a lot of news, the year can always be amended by a moderator. It’s a little thing, but indefinitely more helpful than “Hilandia Zoo news thread 2.”

 

[Arizona Docent]

Yes I actually removed the section of my post that suggests naming the threads "news 2" or "news 3". It was pointed out to me that what you suggest is exactly correct - a span of years is much more helpful (in fact I am editing several USA threads to reflect this). For zoos that receive very little traffic I am just leaving it as "news" with no year specified, since all that zoo's news from every year is in one place.

(Edit - I have altered my original post for clarification)