Fb - I was wondering if you could do an "add to reputation" thing? They have one on International Falconry Forum, and I thought it would be a good way to help show approvement of a post, or do you think this could be abused too much? It is a little button you click and say I approve or I disapprove and you give a reason why for individual posts. Just wondering.
Do you think maybe you could have a board that help beginners with their bird or helps them figure out wht bird they should get, I'm having that problem, and I don't know where to post.
There is at the bottom of the page in the info center, there is a button that says "40 new posts" or something of the sort. It will give you the 40 most recent posts.
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
I'm obviously very new to the forums but I do have a slight suggestion. I suggest that the bookmark button be moved away from the page number indicator. Every time that I want to check a different page on a topic (jump to page). I end up hitting the bookmark button on accident. Anyone else having this sort of problem?
Post by sublimelyoblivious on Dec 9, 2010 9:47:01 GMT -5
I have a few suggestions, and would also be interested in helping to follow it through if possible....I do know that FB is a busy guy, so I don't expect the forum to be reformatted or anything....
I think maybe a NOOB section, is in order...obviously some people have a lot of trouble finding the answers to their initial questions about becoming a falconer. What I suggest (if it were possible) is to limit parts of the site initially to the newer members. (not that I think that they don't deserve to learn more, BUT I do feel that there are some background posts that should be mandatory) If there were a way for new members to "graduate " to the next level of forums, or sub forums, that would probably eliminate a lot of questions that are posted randomly in the wrong place and prevent repetition. As it is, it is more of a suggestion, to look at those posts...I wonder if there is a way to ensure that the initial info is read, before allowing a new member to move on to the next level of forums....Sounds a bit "Big Brother-ish" but it is very much like teaching a class...you start at chapter one! In this way, members would HAVE to introduce themselves, identify their location and be REQUIRED to read the LAWS and REGULATIONS. The would have the link (so often used) for the modern apprentice, and links to their local conservation or FWS sites, contacts for the state packets, etc.....BEFORE being allowed to ask those questions, such as "where do I start???" After the "initial reading" they could move to a "pre apprentice" area, where there could be the discussions about the testing, sponsors, etc....you know...pre apprentice stuff.....then the 1st year section...that would be the "what did I do, help me" section, where apprentices could ask their specific questions about problems they are having and the more experienced people could then help them out in a dedicated area.....and on down the line.... the rest of the forum could be for general-masters, with access for others to read, but maybe not post....(for example, since an apprentice cannot take an accipiter, they would be allowed to read, but not post about these members experiences...only other falconers that have been there done that, and the topics won't stray so much with NOOB questions...they can Observe, but not meddle, and still learn from others......) anyways....I just wondered if there was a way to restrict access, in general and specifically, parts of the boards or sub boards....a lot of work, I know but it seems to me that people of late are skipping so much of the valuable info on here and then asking questions that no one will respond to because it should be obvious...but if you are new to the site, you may not know where to look, and it could lead to info overload....instead of one foot in front of the other....
Just saying.....
I have one more suggestion, this one is for my own personal benefit...... Raptor identification section....for some this is too easy to know already...BUT for new people they have seen a hawk, but that is all they know of it. Falconers know a lot about orinthology and the subtle differences in immy and hag birds. They know more that what you will glean from peterson's field guide. Ie: I was asking about this in the RT section, and I feel that maybe some of these NOOBs need to see a section describing and pictures showing the differences. My peterson's guide will say things like "plumage of immature differ from that of mature birds" and show some nondescript drawing that will only help in some color morphs...what about the ones that don't easily fall into that identification? this could help a lot with folks taking the practice test or preparing for the real test because some things are so easily overlooked...IE: the "Marsh Hawk" so many of us already know what that is, but if you look in the index of your field guide, is it there? Or will you have to come here and ask...why can't I find a marsh hawk...blah blah blah....and I KNOW that that one is on the practice test... I remember clearly! LOL.... I will ramble forever if I don't stop now...so, let me know if my suggestions are stupid, or if any of it were helpful, I would not mind helping sort stuff out.
Post by Falcon Boy on Dec 11, 2010 17:55:04 GMT -5
Misty- There is no way to make a "noobs section". The only way to limit access is to individually grant access as I do with the licensed section or to go by post count, which would cause a lot of useless spam. I urge you to remember that you were at one point, also a noob as we all were. While some people don't read as others do, there is nothing we can do about it except send them to old threads. There are "must read" threads in the rules and regulations board as well as stickies throughout the forums.
As for a Raptor ID section, that can go in the Birds of Falconry board. Also, check out this website- ibc.lynxeds.com/ It's pretty cool but i'm not sure if it will address what you're looking for.
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
I urge you to remember that you were at one point, also a noob as we all were.
LOL, I totally am still a NOOB, LOL ;D I know what you mean...we can't MAKE someone read the "must read" sections. When I first came to this site several years back, I DID read all the "must read before posting" and a lot of other stuff. I resurrected so many old posts, and asked all sorts of silly (now) questions....understandable. I guess it is just that I am seeing more questions like "where do I start" and "what are my state's regs" and "how do I find a sponsor" questions...THAT is what I mean about a NOOB section....and graduation past the initial info.... If I have more time, I might try to delve deep into the archive section and compile a really good post for you, all linked up and such, (but I can't today).
I don't know too much about how to set up forums, and what controls you can or cannot use. It would be ridiculous to have to manually limit new members...and anyone interested in the sport should be able to read to their hearts content...at the same time, it seems fair for the Must reads...to be mandatory, LOL....so many questions are answered so well on this forum....and some people are more willing to link to them than others, for a new member it is like waiting for santa for someone to post back, you know? Anyways, thanks for your consideration of my ideas, anyways. I will check out your link now...and if possible, I would like an invite to the "licensed" section, so I can read further. I will try to research as many of the silly questions and help link when I can. And like I said...I am totally a NOOB, I don't care how many years I study and practice falconry, there will always be a million more questions to ask the rest of you, and I really appreciate the opportunity to debate the topics here....
From a post on FB, that said Australia has yet to recognize the worlds acknowledgement that Falconry is a recognized as a human cultural activity. I am wondering why Australian Falconers have yet to contact NAFA to get the supporting documentation, why they haven't contacted politicians with this and turned to the media with their responses and your arguments for.