KILLI-DATA ONLINE - hobbyists' issues

What's wrong ? When I enter with my e-mail in the "Guest" section, I am suddenly pulled back to the welcome page without explanation.	You are a very rare case but with computer technology all the possible special cases that can occur on this planet cannot be anticipated. If you hold a PC with Internet Explorer 4+ and no particular options, you should never face a problem. With MacIntosh and Mozilla (or Opera, or Firefox), with intranet network, it works rather well too. With public libraries, there may be restrictions that are not mentioned to you and for which no solution is available (try another library). Otherwise, please check that your browser accepts "JavaScript" and Frames. But JavaScript is routine on the Internet and if you still have a connection problem at home or office, then there may be some incompatibility somewhere in your computer : you cannot imagine how many bugs you create yourself when you download some apparently innocent freeware ! In that case, ask a friend who knows a little bit more than you on IT (or your own kid) to solve your problem : it will be easier that way (much more than by e-mails and a time lag of several hours !). For example, check the permissions of your firewall or of your virus shield (notably Norton) or de-activate the latest downloaded freeware. Finally, to browse the Data Base properly, your computer must accept frames. But if you are not an IT nut, do not worry, all these options (JavaScript, frames) are active by default on your computer : Killi-Data online has a standard PHP architecture like millions of other websites and it does not even use cookies !
You know, these fishes are very uneasy to breed and to maintain... What would you do if you suddenly loose all your progeny or if all your eggs do not want to burst at all ?	Well, Killi-Data cannot give you breeding tips, sorry. In this context, nothing can replace personal contacts, face to face. Such a website like Killi-Data is and will remain a virtual platform of exchange. The problems you are mentioning show that you are a beginner. This is respectable and you are welcome. But you'd better enrol to the Killifish Association in your country and notably meet experienced breeders of your city. They will tell you how to handle those small problems and you will soon believe that most Killifish are not only gorgeous but also easy to breed. Please, note that in the Data Base, a 4 star system (from beginner to expert) helps you finding the species according to your level of experience. As a beginner, you should choose species with 1 star only (yes, there are also easy annual species !). However, this is in the Data Base (for registered users) and this requires registration and membership.
Names are different between my Association and your website, and in my various books and magazines for the same fish... Who is right ?	Well, differences are seldom if you compare the latest magazines of your association and Killi-Data online. If you compare with names used 5-10 years ago, of course differences are much greater. Also in Associations, names tend to change more slowly, because it takes time before scientific knowledge and improvement is disseminated throughout the world. Be cool and patient : differences are not that dramatically important... your life vest is with Killi-Data, because it immediately takes into account any change, provided that it is evidence-based. For example, a recent osteological study has brought evidence that Pseudepiplatys is a valid genus, then the name of Epiplatys annulatus have been changed into Pseudepiplatys annulatus, while many Killifish Associations still keep the fish in Epiplatys ! In addition, Killi-Data freely features 2 lists to help you : the list of MAJOR NAME CHANGES and the list of USED VS. PRESENT NAMES (All names of Killish ever used in the last 50 years, with their present corresponding correct name).
Why is it necessary to have at hand THE (YOUR) list of valid names of Killifish ?	First, this is not MY list. Killi-Data is the synthesis of all published evidence and not the results of my beliefs, opinions or judgements. As a researcher, "my" list would be quite different from the lists in Killi-Data ! Killifish are very different from standard Aquarium fishes and a list of valid names is necessary as a common "vocabulary" for aquarists (1) to exchange fish populations with 100% understanding between countries, (2) to speak the same language in conservation programs, (3) to be updated according to scientific progress, etc. To use the current good names will prevent you from doing many errors and this is a free service from Killi-Data online. This work is dedicated to Killifish Hobbyists, only, and is not done for the aim of selfishly providing a unique table of laws.
I would like to go and collect Killifish in a tropical country next year. Could you help me ?	Yes, with pleasure ! There are many information in the "Guest" section : how to go, where to go and when to go for each country, plus the priority targets in terms of species. Beware, there are also a lot of caution : collecting Killifish is not like spending holidays in a 5 star resort hotel... you must be extremely prepared ! While collecting, do not forget to collect material to donate to researchers and to compute the geographical coordinates of your localities : this will grant you free connection time to the data-base !
Is there something special for those advanced aquarists who are preoccupied by ecology and conservation issues ?	Yes, of course. Because today it is impossible to ignore these issues. And, most probably States will more and more restrict fish importation/exportation. From the LDC's tropical countries viewpoint, Killi-Data brings information on how, where and when to collect in order to bring back stable aquarium strains while respecting legal permits and local cultures. From the hobbyists rich countries viewpoint, Killi-Data brings information on conservation issues so that aquarium strains are best maintained according to endangerment status of each species.
That looks very scientific... is this site friendly for non-brain theorists ?	Well, Killi-Data is a platform of knowledge. Then, it is not a virtual hub gathering old friends to tell dreamy hunting stories ! It is serious and evidence-based. But there is a large space for games, questions and answers (FAQ) of various levels of practice in the Guest section, and of course friendship within the cooperative community.
What has been YOUR interest in pushing on line Killi-Data for aquarists ?	My interest is obviously not financial : all costs are mine (plus, thousands of hours of work) ; all profits are scheduled to become grants for young researchers, new collector aquarists, photographers (and already 1200 Euros have been donated at this date - March 2006). The first attempt to push Killi-Data on line was a full mirror of the book for the 1996 edition within Paris museum early website. But this was unsatisfactory and lots of pirates already copied the lists and authored them after some reformatting. This website with a ".org" URL was initiated in January 2001 when the Data Base has been made available to a panel of researchers, to exchange data. It soon became clear that serious aquarists would be welcome and could bring a lot of excellent and yet undisclosed data to build up the Data Base in a cooperative manner. On the other hand, it was also very clear that people, who were unable (or unwilling) to cooperate, would have to financially participate in order to redistribute funds and to avoid the pitfalls of Internet.
Is there any missing information today in your website ?	Yes, of course, because Killi-Data is never ended : data for new species come in, data for new collecting trips become available, data for new photos that were unseen arise (etc.), and on and on again. For example, Killi-Data does not hold all collecting localities by aquarists that were never published (and are probably lost, a real pity). But do not be anxious, Killi-Data is the most comprehensive accurate platform of information about Killifish. Everything on Killifish, including over 2000 color photos and breeding tips, is in Killi-Data (not only nomenclature and scientific stuff), except Fish and Egg listings and ... except perhaps your own contribution : after all, the most important missing information is the one you are going to bring in !

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