I'm having a brainwave .......
I have a proposal and would like to hear peoples comments from both the Northern England region and anyone else who had comments they consider constructive.
Aims
1. To provide a resource for local aquatic enthusiasts to source and discuss issues related to their hobby
2. To bring together different generations of aquarists
3. Not to take away traffic from local fish shop forums or national forums, instead promote their existence and therefore increase the traffic to these sites for specific information
Rationale
I believe there are two generations of aquarists;
1. The classic generation (i.e. the old hats!)
2. The technological generation (i.e. people who would rather google their fish enquiries or ask questions via a forum than read a book)
3. There is an abundance of information and a diversity of opinions that can be sourced from both generations.
Proposal;-
1. Website.
I will set up a website that will have numerous links to reliable sources of information (no point in re-inventing the wheel)
The website will be used to house information of up and coming local/national aquatic events
The website will be used to house advertisement banners for local aquatic establishments
The website will house a forum/bulletin board
2. Forum
The forum will consist of the following sections (this list is by no means exhausted, and the terms used are open to suggestion for change);-
Aquatic issues
All the usual stuff found on internet forums, i.e.
C/W & Pond Fish
Tropical Fish
Marine Fish
Illness and emergencies
DIY and Equipment
Members tanks
etc. ect.
Local Retailers (this forum would allow retailers to post their available livestock so buyers would be able to source a fish they wanted or allows them the opportunity to research the fish before they go and pick it up from the store. Also allows users of the LFS's to post praise/ constructive criticism of the shop - obviously, negative/slanderous comments will be moderated and omitted).
i.e.
- Shop X
- Shop Y
- Shop Z
Local Clubs and Breeders (this forum would allow local clubs to advertise their meetings, or allow any member of that particular club/breeders to advertise their livestock/equipment they have for sale).
i.e.
- Club A
- Club B
- Club C
- Breeder A
- Breeder B
Local Aquariums (this forum would allow local public aquaria to advertise any up and coming shows/special offers/or anything else they would like to discuss)
Obviously living in the NE of England i am prepared to put some work into this for the Northern Region, if anyone else feels they could help please let me know.
I have defined the 'Nothern Region' in accordance with the Northern NHS deanery, see map.
Within that region i have already sourced;-
25 Fish shops
3 Clubs
3 Public aquariums
I am willing to contact these individual groups and see if there is any interest. As for funding of the site/forums - the usual donation system would be in place and also depending on the interest of LFS's a small charge would enforced to allow them advertising banners/links to their own website/a place in our LFS forum.
Let me know what you guys think, knowing my luck there is probably something identical happening already or something like this that has been tried and failed
Cheers
Paul
I have a proposal and would like to hear peoples comments from both the Northern England region and anyone else who had comments they consider constructive.
Aims
1. To provide a resource for local aquatic enthusiasts to source and discuss issues related to their hobby
2. To bring together different generations of aquarists
3. Not to take away traffic from local fish shop forums or national forums, instead promote their existence and therefore increase the traffic to these sites for specific information
Rationale
I believe there are two generations of aquarists;
1. The classic generation (i.e. the old hats!)
2. The technological generation (i.e. people who would rather google their fish enquiries or ask questions via a forum than read a book)
3. There is an abundance of information and a diversity of opinions that can be sourced from both generations.
Proposal;-
1. Website.
I will set up a website that will have numerous links to reliable sources of information (no point in re-inventing the wheel)
The website will be used to house information of up and coming local/national aquatic events
The website will be used to house advertisement banners for local aquatic establishments
The website will house a forum/bulletin board
2. Forum
The forum will consist of the following sections (this list is by no means exhausted, and the terms used are open to suggestion for change);-
Aquatic issues
All the usual stuff found on internet forums, i.e.
C/W & Pond Fish
Tropical Fish
Marine Fish
Illness and emergencies
DIY and Equipment
Members tanks
etc. ect.
Local Retailers (this forum would allow retailers to post their available livestock so buyers would be able to source a fish they wanted or allows them the opportunity to research the fish before they go and pick it up from the store. Also allows users of the LFS's to post praise/ constructive criticism of the shop - obviously, negative/slanderous comments will be moderated and omitted).
i.e.
- Shop X
- Shop Y
- Shop Z
Local Clubs and Breeders (this forum would allow local clubs to advertise their meetings, or allow any member of that particular club/breeders to advertise their livestock/equipment they have for sale).
i.e.
- Club A
- Club B
- Club C
- Breeder A
- Breeder B
Local Aquariums (this forum would allow local public aquaria to advertise any up and coming shows/special offers/or anything else they would like to discuss)
Obviously living in the NE of England i am prepared to put some work into this for the Northern Region, if anyone else feels they could help please let me know.
I have defined the 'Nothern Region' in accordance with the Northern NHS deanery, see map.
Within that region i have already sourced;-
25 Fish shops
3 Clubs
3 Public aquariums
I am willing to contact these individual groups and see if there is any interest. As for funding of the site/forums - the usual donation system would be in place and also depending on the interest of LFS's a small charge would enforced to allow them advertising banners/links to their own website/a place in our LFS forum.
Let me know what you guys think, knowing my luck there is probably something identical happening already or something like this that has been tried and failed
Cheers
Paul
