Enclosure Setup Fields

beardie

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Founder
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Cailyth, Pinky, & Brain
I think there are two types of questions... there are the more general questions that are not specific to an illness or symptoms. And then there are the questions about specific symptoms.

For the questions that I was initially thinking about, it was the more general. The information they enter would be attached to their user profiles and I envisioned being applicable to any ongoing issues someone comes back with. They will have their initial issue (as most do when they first come), but I am hoping that they update that info so for subsequent questions, we can still reference it. So, for this info, I was envisioning setup info mostly... size of beardie would be good too... instead of age, I'd think maybe estimated birthday, so it is applicable beyond date of first post.

Questions like details about the poop I think starts going more down symptoms that can vary often. So, if it was captured, it can be out of date fairly quickly. I can look into custom post fields, possibly for specific forums (not sure how granular they can be defined/assigned.

I've setup some test custom profile fields to demonstrate what I was thinking about. If you click on your username on the upper right and click "Account Details" (or click that link here), you'll see the new fields listed (i.e. Enclosure Dimensions). At the moment, those are just for testing, so anything entered will be removed when I reset it. But you can test and see. I'm also playing with having it display with posts, but suspect it may be too verbose/too much info for the space.

And you can see on the left... I filled in all of the fields, but selected just the "Beardie Names" one to show up next to posts. To see all of the fields, click to my User Profile, and go to the About tab.
 
Last edited:

hdochow

Sub-Adult Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Sir Henry of Scales
And you can see on the left... I filled in all of the fields, but selected just the "Beardie Names" one to show up next to posts. To see all of the fields, click to my User Profile, and go to the About tab.
yup. knew seeing it would make it make sense. so is the idea something along the lines that ideally that will be filled out for people to go check out before responding to questions?
 

beardie

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Founder
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Cailyth, Pinky, & Brain
just need to do the about part
That's actually default part of the Forum software. :) Only the enclosure dimensions, beardie name, beardie birth date, and setup pics fields are the custom ones. The rest are part of the core software.

so is the idea something along the lines that ideally that will be filled out for people to go check out before responding to questions?
Sort of... I'd look for ways to help guide them to it. There are options, but some can result in a diminished user experience and even fewer people bothering to register.
1. I could place them as optional on the Registration page (so the fields would now, but not be required).
2. I could make them required on the Registration page.
3.Or I could just not have it on the registration page at all, and after they register guide them to it.

Obviously, #2 would ensure SOMETHING is filled into the fields, but not necessarily the quality of answers, and might just result in fewer people bothering to register.

#1 could also reduce registrations, as some may assume it is required, and not bother... or feel intimidated on registration.

#3 is the softer approach, but does risk not having the fields filled out. Of course, if this were the case, we could ask them to do so when they post (as politely and friendly as possible). That would reduce the focus being around info gathering still, but may come still be frustrating to those seeking assistance and being met with a bunch of questions before they can get anyone to talk to them (much like some do now).

Options for guiding them to the fields is better than our old forum software.
  • Send an automatic conversation on registration. I do this already, as a welcome message, which guides them on how to post (many register, but then are lost). I could add to the Welcome message, asking them to fill out the husbandry questions in the profile, and give them a link to it.
  • I could setup a "Notice" on the site that will show if they recently registered and still do not have all the fields (or select key minimum ones) filled in.
    • Notices have a few forms they can appear as. One is like you've seen for the Photo Competitions at the top of the forums (called a "block" notice). They can also be like a small floating pop-up on the bottom right. It can fade in and then automatically fade out (or remain). There is also a notice type that can just be a fixed message at the bottom of the browser, even if they scroll. All options have the option to allow the user to dismiss in permanently if selected to allow it.

This has always been the challenge with questions. As was noted, we did you used to have a list of questions that people would copy and paste into posts, and I think that did become frustrating for some. At least this wouldn't be the full questionnaire, though

I'm almost leaning towards #3 (not showing on registration at all), but then using a Block notice at the top that cannot be dismissed until they fill it in. I can color it how I want (i.e. red to make it really emphasized, etc.).
 

AHBD

BD.org Sicko
I agree with that , nice quick rundown on important tank specs. I'd just include the question on size since a lot of other questions can be connected to whether the baby is a tiny 5" or a large dragon. That way if someone gave the tank dimensions of a 20 or 30 gal. long it would eliminate the automatic " that's too small ". But that's just a minor detail and would probably be found out quickly after conversation ensued.
 

beardie

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Founder
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Cailyth, Pinky, & Brain
I agree with that , nice quick rundown on important tank specs. I'd just include the question on size since a lot of other questions can be connected to whether the baby is a tiny 5" or a large dragon. That way if someone gave the tank dimensions of a 20 or 30 gal. long it would eliminate the automatic " that's too small ". But that's just a minor detail and would probably be found out quickly after conversation ensued.
Certainly. What I put up for now is just an example of what I had in mind. I actually want to include more fields, covering what I listed and what some of you have suggested (including size). I think once I pull together all the things people suggested, I'll list them all out, and we can think... what's the most critical. We want as much as we can get, but without being "too much". And the notices would only be for the most critical fields (with the hope that they will fill out most of them just for being prompted for the critical ones).

I'll create a group and add those who've replied here so you can see the notice example I mean. Only you will see it for now... again.. just as example.
 

beardie

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Founder
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Cailyth, Pinky, & Brain
For length, do you all find SVL (snout-to-vent length) to be best? Or STL (to tip of tail). Given many beardies have nipped tails, I have always found SVL to be the most consistent. It's been a while since I've even seen mention of SVL vs. STL. What do you all tend to reference most these days?
 

hdochow

Sub-Adult Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Sir Henry of Scales
For length, do you all find SVL (snout-to-vent length) to be best? Or STL (to tip of tail). Given many beardies have nipped tails, I have always found SVL to be the most consistent. It's been a while since I've even seen mention of SVL vs. STL. What do you all tend to reference most these days?
this is the first i've heard of there being options. i always assumed it was snout to tail tip. although i can see where only measuring to the vent would make sense too. is there a way you could have both and let people choose which they fill in?

i tried to enter that measurement into the test box on my profile, but it won't let me save. it is saying the format of the birthdate is incorrect, but not showing an actual format to follow.
 

beardie

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Founder
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Cailyth, Pinky, & Brain
Uh oh! I just broke something... not sure what!
 

beardie

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Founder
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Cailyth, Pinky, & Brain
never a dull moment! looks like you got it fixed now
Yeah. I couldn't remember what caused this the last time, until I saw a specific error in the logs (there are logs when this happens) that reminded me to try installing an add-on I once had and removed (because the core software started to provide the feature). I had to install the add-on and remove it again, and things are fine. I think it is because I removed it before I did the final transition, but not fully/cleanly... so I think something is stuck that doesn't get removed right. I just dunno why it's a problem though. If it happens again, I'll have to reach out to the developer of that add-on (I use a few of his that are paid for) and see if he can help identify the cause.
 

beardie

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Founder
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Cailyth, Pinky, & Brain
i tried to enter that measurement into the test box on my profile, but it won't let me save. it is saying the format of the birthdate is incorrect, but not showing an actual format to follow.
Click the calendar on the right of the box. It will format it in the YYYY-MM-DD format. I can always just make it a text field, but thought having a calendar selection box might be easier.
 

hdochow

Sub-Adult Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Sir Henry of Scales
Click the calendar on the right of the box. It will format it in the YYYY-MM-DD format. I can always just make it a text field, but thought having a calendar selection box might be easier.
the years available to choose with the calendar are 1903-1923. and looks like things are weird again and showing all the code, off an on of course.
 

beardie

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Founder
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Cailyth, Pinky, & Brain
the years available to choose with the calendar are 1903-1923. and looks like things are weird again and showing all the code, off an on of course.
Yeah. I'm not sure what triggered it that time. But at least I knew the quick solution.
 

beardie

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Founder
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Cailyth, Pinky, & Brain
the years available to choose with the calendar are 1903-1923
It shows 10 years +- from what it things you had selected. But if you just type it, you'll see it show a range that's more reasonable again. When entered fresh, I think it is relative to current year. You can also pick 1923, and then it will show you a range to 1933.... that's a lot of clicks to get back to current... so I'd just type the date in YYYY-MM-DD format.
 

Members online

Latest resources

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

I miss you so much, Amaris 💔
What is a quick way to warm up a cold beardie? His heating element went out overnight and now he's very cold.
Pearl Girl wrote on moorelori1966's profile.
i feel so sad reading your about me 😢
Clapton is acclimating okay I think. He's quick as lightning so I'm not sure how much I should bring him out of his house yet. He's not at all interested in his salad though. I wonder if I should change what I'm giving him. Least he's eating his crickets.

Things to do:
Buy calcium powder
Material to raise surface for basking spot
Scenery decals for back of tank

Forum statistics

Threads
155,898
Messages
1,255,672
Members
75,965
Latest member
williamyoung
Top Bottom