Discussion Forum or Information Provision?
A discussion I've recently started, along with several others, has today been closed.
The reason given is that there were apparently too many similar threads. (Taking dogs abroad)
The implication appeared to be that people only look on the forum for information, not to actually discuss their concerns.
My opinion is that people log onto a forum not only to ask questions and receive answers but also to actually discuss these answers and give opinions, ask for/provide reassurance etc.
We all know there are books, web pages, information sheets but sometimes you actually want to discuss something, with people who may have experience and knowledge you lack.
This is why each year there are recurring topics. Does this matter? We're all human. We want to be involved in a discussion not just read ones which have already taken place.
Am I getting it wrong? Are discussion forums not for discussion?
Comments
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Why can't you discuss your issues in the new thread? What difference does it make?
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Dont bite my head off, Crissy. I asked a simple question but I get the idea.
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It might be better if the pet section was the area to visit for all discussions about animals. That could include travel related subjects in the uk and overseas? edit Perhaps a separate Pet Travel Section. The forum has gradually expanded and it's a bit ad hoc at the moment maybe an improved presentation is in the pipe line?
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Crissy - one of the old threads (which concerns Overseas travel) is continuing (open) in the Talk about your Pets section
Taking your dog on buses in Spain
Why not ask if the threads that were opened and then closed in the Overseas section can be re-opened and moved into that section, rather than having a separate sticky in the Overseas section . Stickies may run to hundreds of pages, all of which have to be read to find an answer. At least in the Pets section it appears that you can ask questions and receive appropriate and informative answers.
I rather have a feeling that in earlier days it was decided that all questions relating to dogs travelling overseas should be posted in the overseas section - now it appears to have gone in a reverse direction!!!
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Actually, Crissy is not wrong in so far that I have, on previous occasions, asked a question seeking general feelings, answers, on a broad front of opinion only to see the thread dumped in a narrow banded section and no relevant answers forthcoming.
I sympathise fully.
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Crissy
Perhaps you should e-mail the Community Manager with your thoughts?
David
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If the existing "Pets" section is considered 'casual chat', then a section "Travelling with Pets" could accomodate debate about issue both in the UK and abroad.
Keeping al such 'doggie' matters in one place does prevent the forum becoming an extension of the Kennel Club. Whilst it sometimes appears that ownership of a dog is a condition of membership, there are those who don't like dogs.
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What a lot of barking about nothing, I don't care where it is as my research is done via search engines and official websites. In various places on this forum there is good advice, but it's not a problem weaning it out even for the irregular user. So what
if it's been answered before, just ask it again for an updated answer and click on 'follow this discussion' as it eventually disappears into oblivion.0 -
I have just got up, saw the heading and thought this thread might be interesting, but no such luck....it's dogs again. Back to bed.
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Euro. The topic is irrelevant. I started the topic because there seems to be an attitude that unless you want inane chat, is "What are you doing today", actual discussion and swapping of ideas is frowned on.
I'm not criticising inane chat, just saying there's room for both. And also saying there are times when searching the internet for facts is not what it's wanted. It so happened I originally wanted to discuss a topic with others with experience. Unfortunately
those with no interest in that topic can't cope with that.I'm bored with technical discussion on 13 pin plugs. But I wouldn't dream of criticising those for whom this is an important factor in their life. It might be in mine one day.
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Agree with you Chrissy, and I don't see what's wrong with starting a new thread if you have a question you want answered. some threads get so long they go round In circles and it's hard to pick out the facts. It is also difficiult
to decide where to put things sometimes - e.g. I started a thread in 'general chat' recently and it got moved to 'entertainment', I'd already debated whether it should have been in 'trivia'!just had another thought, is it my imagination or do 'blank pages' seem to appear more frequently in longer threads? Sorry a bit off topic
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I don't think Your Pets in the Social Room implies it's full of inane chat. There are all sorts of topics in there and people are helpful responding to questions.You can have a serious discussion on a subject, no-one frowns at new topics where help or advice is needed. Apart from that the forum has expanded gradually and that means changes to some areas.
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A comprehensive FAQ about matters caravanning would be a useful resource to which initial enquiries on a subject could be directed.
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Looking at the comments on the opening screen for 'Discussions' it says, "The discussions section is a great way to interact with other members in the caravan community. It's the place to discuss news, share experiences, voice your opinions or ask for some
advice." Looks like the Mods might have got it wrong in Crissy's case so I'd suggest she contacts them and explores how her post can be reframed to standalone.0