Helping new members....

[sophiew (EAGPR)]

Been wondering whether to post this or not... but decided I would!

I know once you've been on here a while, very similar posts keep cropping up i.e about mites, lack of appetite, hair loss, suspected pregnancy... and we're all very familiar with the sort of thing... but I think we should remember that new members often join because of a specific problem, and while it may be an 'every day' thing to us (especially those that are on here a lot!), to them it is scary and they are worried about their pigs well-being, so although we might be sick of the topic, please let's still help them as much as possible.

I'm aiming this as much at myself as anyone really, I know I often log in and think 'oh no, not another post about XYZ', but I think the good thing about this forum is the advice and other people's opinions, and it would be a shame if new members posts about 'common' topics didn't receive much input because we've all seen it all before.

Anyway, don't want to sound as if I'm whingeing (not that I can spell that!) it's just something I've been thinking about!

Sophie
x

P.S - also, to all those that are much more patient than I am and who always reply to the health and illness posts in particular, you know who you are - well done you!

 

[Helenlambert]

sophie, i think thats a lovely post to put up. I used to go onto a different site about a year ago,, ,but found i never got advise and help i asked about. But i find this site is very helpeful with any concerns, even those that are small, i find people are more than willing to help on this site, but i think your right in the way, maybe it would be more people replying if they realise that sometimes the new people (me included) get concerned and little panicky about things sometimes. Thanks for posting what you did, it was lovely.

 

[moonie8404]

i totally agree. Some forums when you ask these questions, the OP gets slated for asking same questions, but to be honest, they arent going to know that and i think giving advice is always good. I dont have a problem at answering the same old questions, I'm just happy to help!

 

[charlie23]

Well done sophie we all need to be a little more understanding sometimes

 

[MemberY]

I know exactly what you mean Sophie but it is important to help those who may be worried or not understand something!

 

[MemberX]

I don't see why we can't have sticky's on those posts that come up regular for health and illness. Ie Mites v Lice etc. But when I have asked people say well there are different treatments available, well list them all then. Would save a lot of time wasting really.

 

[sophiew (EAGPR)]

Yes I was thinking similar! i.e - check the stickies first - have one 'good' lot of info / references there... I think people do skip the stickies and just post because they want a quick answer... but whenever I've refered to the stickies there has been lots of info -the ones in the pregnancy section are useful....

Sophie
x

 

[Ozzy&Marley]

As you can see i am a new member and my main reason for joining was really just to hear other peoples stories of their guinea pigs and how they handle them etc. I have never had piggies before and although i thought i had done lots of research when it came to it i didn't really know a thing! I have looked through loads of posts on here just to see how other people handle different situations and it has been really helpful. So as a new member i would like to say please continue helping us cos it really is making a difference! And thank you to everyone on here that has given me advice so far for my two boys! You guys are great!

 

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

Great idea Sophie and I agree stickies covering the most common ailments/queries would be a great idea.

No-one should be made to feel silly asking a question, even if it's been asked millions of times before - we were all newbies once, with very little information to hand!

 

[Angeladeedah]

Totally agree too - stickies are a fab idea!

It doesn't bother me giving out the same information time and time again - it's a way of knowing that I'm actually gaining knowledge/experience with guinea pigs too. After all, I came here as a newbie for information and now I can return that, by passing it on to other new members.

 

[helenllama]

I agree in less than 11 months I have learnt a lot about Guinea Pigs and there care, and through the knowledge learnt from the more experienced members been able to pass the knowledge on to new members in situations.