Forum communities lately…

[jamest0o0]

Is it just me or have forums really taken a hit over the past 5ish years? I feel the activity here and pretty much everywhere else(I occasionally check up on a few critter related forums) has dropped off a lot. My guess is social media/reddit? It’s a shame because I feel the quality of information in these forums is so valuable. Not even that we always have it right, no one does, but it’s a great platform to have discussions and try to come to conclusions on things. It also forms a nice community where we can help each other troubleshooting issues and such… It’s just a bummer because I hate social media and don’t belong to any of it, this is it for me.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

The Chameleon Forums has slowed down the last couple years. However the group that is here now is "Trucking Along". The main thing I have noticed is posts are only about mostly three species Trioceros jacksonii ssp., Chamaeleo calypatratus and Furcifer pardalis the standard 3 captive chameleon species. Calumma parsonii ssp only make occasional appearances on this group now days. I think the "Woww" factor of the seldom seen other chameleon species that was an occasional occurrence is almost gone now. I think other chameleon species post of other species would contribute to Chameleon Forums activity and posting.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich

 

[jamest0o0]

The Chameleon Forums has slowed down the last couple years. However the group that is here now is "Trucking Along". The main thing I have noticed is posts are only about mostly three species Trioceros jacksonii ssp., Chamaeleo calypatratus and Furcifer pardalis the standard 3 captive chameleon species. Calumma parsonii ssp only make occasional appearances on this group now days. I think the "Woww" factor of the seldom seen other chameleon species that was an occasional occurrence is almost gone now. I think other chameleon species post of other species would contribute to Chameleon Forums activity and posting.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich

You’re not wrong, but I do think it’s just a forum issue in general now. Unfortunately, I think it’s not getting better anytime soon either. It seems to just be the times… I would love to hear if people think there’s any ways to bring life back to forums though.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

You’re not wrong, but I do think it’s just a forum issue in general now. Unfortunately, I think it’s not getting better anytime soon either. It seems to just be the times… I would love to hear if people think there’s any ways to bring life back to forums though.

I think todays times at the Chameleon Forums are slow times. There is not much going on during normal times these days. I dare say normal times at the Chameleon Forums are becoming mundane. I could go for me or another keeper posting about a breeding project. The last breeding project posted was posted about six months ago about the KCK and Kinyongia tavetana, other breeding programs of rarer species from the genera of Trioceros, Calumma and Furcifer would accomplish this too.

There was some talk about this, however I think reading about a captive breeding program for Furcifer angeli or Furcifer antimena would be great to hear someone follow through with.

I have considered posting about my greenhouse although there is only plants thriving inside right now.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich

 

[jamest0o0]

I think todays times at the Chameleon Forums are slow times. There is not much going on during normal times these days. I dare say normal times at the Chameleon Forums are becoming mundane. I could go for me or another keeper posting about a breeding project. The last breeding project posted was posted about six months ago about the KCK and Kinyongia tavetana, other breeding programs of rarer species from the genera of Trioceros, Calumma and Furcifer would accomplish this too.

There was some talk about this, however I think reading about a captive breeding program for Furcifer angeli or Furcifer antimena would be great to hear someone follow through with.

I have considered posting about my greenhouse although there is only plants thriving inside right now.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich

I would love to try a breeding project when I have the space and if some interesting species come about. I do agree, there aren’t as many interesting things going on as there used to be.

I think back when I had more time and was fired up about proving bioactivity/naturalistic husbandry was the way to go, I was personally more active. There was a cool transition in cham keeping. Now naturalistic keeping is a normal and acceptable way of care, could even argue the optimal way… 10 years ago it was practically experimental and doubted in many cases.

I really give credit to the people here that have the energy to answer the same questions 60 billion times. Not that I’m bothered by people asking, but I can’t keep up with all that.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

I think the saying "variety is the spice of life" applies here with a large group of chameleons available for posting here on the Chameleon Forums.

I agree about being bioactive with enclosures. My greenhouse the way I have got the settings set to go "Poop" is gone in about a half a day. There is nothing residual after a day or two for the most part. The plants absorb the rest that is not on the enclosures floor. I have to say though I have got to convert in the processes of converting my ExoTerras to bioactive enclosures. I used to have a paper towel bottom replaced and cleaned every couple days.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich

 

[ehdee6]

I'm new to Cham's, but not forums. I'm also not on Twitter, tic Tok, Reddit, or whatever. I have a very private Facebook to keep up with family; and random account for YouTube Cham videos, to keep anonymous.... I've always loved forums, though. I've seen quite a few come and go in the past, unfortunately...BUT, There's always a sense of comfort and community in the forums that last. Starting with monitors, who really care and review content. And try their best to keep the forum going.

Although this may be a "slow" forum moment, considering the past... There's so much (FACTUAL) knowledge, quality people (WITH THE KNOWLEDGE), that continued content to keep it going. The photo contests, @Brad keeps going, is a fabulous example of how to keep a forum alive. The endless advice @Beman, @MissSkittles, @jannb, @JacksJill, @kinyonga, @jamest0o0, @nightanole, @Motherlode Chameleon, Bill, Gringo, and many others (I'm likely missing, more, sorry!); they all give advice on a daily basis. On their own accord to help others . Their knowledge has likely saved many chams lives.

I'm certainly grateful for all the content (and people) who contributed this forum. It's created a safe, and happy, place for us all to learn about how to give our little chamily their best life possible.

I hope more folks continue to contribute and share their experiences. Especially with the breeding/hatchling process. As well as, general information on keeping the lesser known cham breeds...

The best way to learn is through experience; be it by yourself, or vicariously through others.

 

[Beman]

Gosh I dunno James... I have been here consistently since 2018. I am not seeing it slow down here. There are still so many help threads. Only difference I have seen in the last few years is more people are able to step up and give feedback. There was a period of time where literally @MissSkittles or I were the only ones constantly doing husbandry reviews. We would both be handling multiple threads a week. While I have not been as active in the forum threads this year do to family stuff I still check in every day to make sure I am not tagged. I have been more impressed by the newer members that will step up and give basic husbandry advice then tag in experienced members when needed. I honestly feel this has made a difference having more people to address husbandry issues.

 

[MissSkittles]

I have noticed the forum being in a bit of a slump lately, but it does seem to ebb and flow. Also, I haven’t been on or active as much lately in recent weeks/months, although I do check in a couple of times daily usually. I agree with @Beman that we have more members picking up the torch to do husbandry reviews and help, which is wonderful.
Those members who have the more unusual species aren’t active or as active anymore. I guess part of it is the reason for each of us being and staying here.
There is more video content available from Neptune and Chameleon Academy, which may explain why the forum isn’t as busy lately. Most people wait for the movie instead of reading the book. The wealth of information here though is almost endless.

 

[jamest0o0]

Gosh I dunno James... I have been here consistently since 2018. I am not seeing it slow down here. There are still so many help threads. Only difference I have seen in the last few years is more people are able to step up and give feedback. There was a period of time where literally @MissSkittles or I were the only ones constantly doing husbandry reviews. We would both be handling multiple threads a week. While I have not been as active in the forum threads this year do to family stuff I still check in every day to make sure I am not tagged. I have been more impressed by the newer members that will step up and give basic husbandry advice then tag in experienced members when needed. I honestly feel this has made a difference having more people to address husbandry issues.

Maybe I’m imagining it then. Could be I’m getting older and more blah about everything hah. @Brad probably has some way to tell if things have been busier or slower? I’m not a computer guy so I have no idea personally.

This isn’t a hit at the forums, it’s me wanting to see it more active because I think it’s such a valuable platform. Nothing beats active discussion on a subject.

@MissSkittles you mentioning people want to see the movie first is exactly my point. People want the quick video, social media post, TikTok, etc but they don’t want to really dig into the information. Luckily gingero seems pretty caring and gets her info from here and Cham academy, but it’s so easy for videos/social media to push BS while coming off legitimate because there’s no active pushback.

I have gone through my times of being very active and trying to help here, but A)
I’m just way too busy now… I have two little boys, wife, house, a fairly intense career, and working my way towards grad school. Lately I’ve been trying to come on more though because I’m at my happiest when I’m involved in the animal hobbies/discussions B) People don’t always appreciate my way of coming off on here and I don’t intend to give people a hard time I just am not good at dancing around nonsense, especially when I’ve put so much time in myself here. I will say I feel I have become a much lighter hearted person than I was years ago. I’m a reserved/chill person, but quick to speak up if I don’t agree.

 

[Beman]

Maybe I’m imagining it then. Could be I’m getting older and more blah about everything hah. @Brad probably has some way to tell if things have been busier or slower? I’m not a computer guy so I have no idea personally.

This isn’t a hit at the forums, it’s me wanting to see it more active because I think it’s such a valuable platform. Nothing beats active discussion on a subject.

@MissSkittles you mentioning people want to see the movie first is exactly my point. People want the quick video, social media post, TikTok, etc but they don’t want to really dig into the information. Luckily gingero seems pretty caring and gets her info from here and Cham academy, but it’s so easy for videos/social media to push BS while coming off legitimate because there’s no active pushback.

I have gone through my times of being very active and trying to help here, but A)
I’m just way too busy now… I have two little boys, wife, house, a fairly intense career, and working my way towards grad school. Lately I’ve been trying to come on more though because I’m at my happiest when I’m involved in the animal hobbies/discussions B) People don’t always appreciate my way of coming off on here and I don’t intend to give people a hard time I just am not good at dancing around nonsense, especially when I’ve put so much time in myself here. I will say I feel I have become a much lighter hearted person than I was years ago. I’m a reserved/chill person, but quick to speak up if I don’t agree.

I dunno. It is hard giving and giving of yourself especially when people do not take the advice. Then you see later threads where the cham is declining and husbandry changes that were recommended were not made. I tend to be very thankful for the videos that Neptune and Bill put out for this reason. I can only watch so many chams die of totally unavoidable circumstances. Perhaps my loss of Beman has made my heart sink a bit and perhaps I am less invested due to this or due to some of the people that make it hard to help. I am not sure. I do see why active members leave or come and go though. It takes a toll on a person when you give endlessly of your knowledge and time to watch it be ignored.

When I was new I had to dig and dig for the information. But it was more than that. I wanted a deep understanding of things. I needed to understand aspects like UVB and supplements. I do believe that with all the people putting out content some not the best quality this makes it so people do not want to learn the ins and outs the way I did. That is sad to me because so much builds on one another in this hobby. Its like a jenga game with how every aspect connects and when the wrong one is pulled the entire thing can fall down. I know you get what I mean because you were one of my mentors when I got here in 2018.

 

[jamest0o0]

I dunno. It is hard giving and giving of yourself especially when people do not take the advice. Then you see later threads where the cham is declining and husbandry changes that were recommended were not made. I tend to be very thankful for the videos that Neptune and Bill put out for this reason. I can only watch so many chams die of totally unavoidable circumstances. Perhaps my loss of Beman has made my heart sink a bit and perhaps I am less invested due to this or due to some of the people that make it hard to help. I am not sure. I do see why active members leave or come and go though. It takes a toll on a person when you give endlessly of your knowledge and time to watch it be ignored.

When I was new I had to dig and dig for the information. But it was more than that. I wanted a deep understanding of things. I needed to understand aspects like UVB and supplements. I do believe that with all the people putting out content some not the best quality this makes it so people do not want to learn the ins and outs the way I did. That is sad to me because so much builds on one another in this hobby. Its like a jenga game with how every aspect connects and when the wrong one is pulled the entire thing can fall down. I know you get what I mean because you were one of my mentors when I got here in 2018.

You’re totally right 100% about all of that. You bring up another major factor as well, it’s extremely frustrating seeing the same issues pop up with people that aren’t willing to listen/change.

I am very thankful for quality videos, nothing against those. I just think they’re a great addition to actively discussing things(as we all do here). Remember how people would say “it’s on the internet so it must be right”. Now it’s like “it’s a meme or a video reel so it must be right”.

Also. I feel like everyone here knows more than me about a lot of things now lol, it’s been a few years of me being detached from this hobby. I need a refresher!

 

[Beman]

You’re totally right 100% about all of that. You bring up another major factor as well, it’s extremely frustrating seeing the same issues pop up with people that aren’t willing to listen/change.

I am very thankful for quality videos, nothing against those. I just think they’re a great addition to actively discussing things(as we all do here). Remember how people would say “it’s on the internet so it must be right”. Now it’s like “it’s a meme or a video reel so it must be right”.

Also. I feel like everyone here knows more than me about a lot of things now lol, it’s been a few years of me being detached from this hobby. I need a refresher!

All the basics have stayed the same... And you are still a mentor of mine. You know far more about plants, bugs, and bio active then I ever wanted to learn lol

 

[BleuSaphir]

I blame Facebook. There’s many groups of so many interest. I think everyone moved on to Facebook.

 

[jamest0o0]

All the basics have stayed the same... And you are still a mentor of mine. You know far more about plants, bugs, and bio active then I ever wanted to learn lol

Secretly you got into this hobby just so you could keep pet cockroaches, don’t deny it.

 

[BleuSaphir]

Secretly you got into this hobby just so you could keep pet cockroaches, don’t deny it.

Not me! LOL

 

[jamest0o0]

I blame Facebook. There’s many groups of so many interest. I think everyone moved on to Facebook.

You’re probably right. It sucks because Facebook does have its uses… some good groups out there and marketplace seems to be the only place to sell stuff anymore. That said I won’t make an account, just use my wife’s occasionally.

 

[jamest0o0]

Not me! LOL

This is the cockroach forum, it just autocorrected to chameleon when @Brad made it.

 

[LizardLurkin]

Let's make a TikTok
It will be so on the fleek, guys

 

[MissSkittles]

Also. I feel like everyone here knows more than me about a lot of things now lol, it’s been a few years of me being detached from this hobby.

You are and always will be the Bug Lord to me.

I seriously learned a lot from you not just about bugs, but bioactive and just general stuff.