My intention in creating this forum was to establish a positive, welcoming, and informative community where field techs can connect to discuss anything related to the unique and rewarding lifestyle of a seasonal, (semi-)nomadic biologist. Its ups and downs, the pros and cons, the benefits and the challenges. The work can be isolating at times as can the frequent long-distance travel. This is a place in the online world where community can always be available as long as you can get phone reception or wi-fi. Basically, it’s the community that I wish had existed when I started off as a novice field tech in 2005, driving across the country for my first job with a very good idea of what I was getting out of (a sedentary office job) but much less of an idea of what I was getting into. You can read more about my goals for this community here (link to “about” page).
However, all are welcome as is discussion on any topic.
I’m not big on rules or censorship, but this being the Internet, a basic set of rules is necessary to convey the expectations and standards of this new, intentional community. As the forum is still developing, it may be necessary to implement some changes to the rules from time to time; I’ll make it known when changes have occurred. Suggestions for adjustments to the rules and the forum experience in general can be posted here (link to suggestions thread). I’m hoping this bare bones set of rules will be sufficient to ensure a pleasant and welcoming experience for all who visit and that those who join will want to stay and participate frequently. I hope you’ll help me in building the community I’ve envisioned, learn a lot, and have fun along the way!
Forum Rules:
1) Revealing personal and/or identifying personal information about another board member without their permission (i.e. doxxing) or contacting an employer, relative, or acquaintance of another member as a means of threatening or bullying will not be tolerated and is strictly prohibited. Personal information includes but is not limited to name, home or work address, and other contact information. This sort of behavior is below this community’s standards and should be reported to the moderators as soon as it’s identified. Violating this rule will result in immediate and permanent banning from this community. No exceptions.
2) Do not discuss, engage in, provide links to examples of, or solicit illegal activity. Do not provide links to pornographic websites.
3) Do not use this forum as a platform to advertise your website, product, or service unless you’ve already obtained permission from the moderators to do so.
4) Do not use personal insults or derogatory or denigrating terms. Disagreements and debates are natural (and frankly encouraged), but please limit your criticisms to another person’s ideas and arguments as opposed to the individual themselves. If you’d like to hide behind the anonymity of the Internet to spew hateful, profane, and possibly bigoted diatribes towards digital strangers, you have ample opportunities to do so through other platforms such as Reddit, Facebook, and Nextdoor. While perhaps “typical” of online forums, this manner of communication is considered not to conform to the intellectual and ethical standards of this community. There is obviously some leeway with this rule, ribbing someone you know or with whom you’ve established a relationship is fine, but use your judgement and be reasonable. I expect you know what I’m talking about.
5) Posts may be edited once within an hour of the original post. Before posting to or creating a thread, please consider that this is the Internet, meaning that whatever you post is public and permanent.
6) Any gifs, images, or videos depicting violence or gore will be removed and posting materials of this nature will result in a warning.