Sulcata-Codex GIST

[Raupe]

Dear Tortoise Community,

I would like to share a small project that a friend and I have recently started working on.

The main motivation behind this project is to consolidate expert knowledge, help prevent common husbandry mistakes, and ultimately improve the lives of Sulcata tortoises worldwide.

After losing my beloved Sulcata (Natsuko) last month following a long-term illness, I want to keep helping others to prevent such tragedies.

So in a nutshell, this project is a collection of essential guides and best practices (GISTs), focusing on the most important information in one central place without unnecessary details.

The project is completely open-source, and the entire community is strongly invited to contribute and help improve it.

Currently, we have created release candidates and public preview versions for the following languages (all have the same content):
- English, German, Japanese and Chinese: Checked by native speakers
- Spanish, French: AI translated

In addition, we are already working on add more languages to reach even more people around the world.
- Thai, Hindi: Coming soon

On the technical side, we use a platform called Gitlab which is great for collaboration. It allows everyone make and commit changes. Once reviewed and approved, the changes will be merged into the main branch (making them public).

In a later stage, we want to use this consolidated knowledge to power a website and maybe even some Sulcata tortoise app or so.
Important: Although the website is already accessible, please do not use it yet. It is an early test version, containing unchecked information!

 

[Tom]

How does what you are doing differ from what we are already doing right here on TFO? Sounds like this forum does exactly what you say your goal is to accomplish.

 

[Raupe]

How does what you are doing differ from what we are already doing right here on TFO? Sounds like this forum does exactly what you say your goal is to accomplish.

It does and TFO contains much more information and details. I am also not trying to replace TFO or compete with it.
But personally, I find that everything is too spread out. There are many threads about the same topic with sometimes different outcomes etc, making it very time-consuming and difficult to get answers quick. Especially for newcomers who just need guidance, at least for essential topics.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

How does what you are doing differ from what we are already doing right here on TFO? Sounds like this forum does exactly what you say your goal is to accomplish.

Here on TFO we don't offer care sheets in other languages. I think it is a good idea to try and offer the most important info in people's native language, even though they might know some English.

 

[Tom]

It does and TFO contains much more information and details. I am also not trying to replace TFO or compete with it.
But personally, I find that everything is too spread out. There are many threads about the same topic with sometimes different outcomes etc, making it very time-consuming and difficult to get answers quick. Especially for newcomers who just need guidance, at least for essential topics.

Understood. Thank you.

 

[Tom]

Here on TFO we don't offer care sheets in other languages. I think it is a good idea to try and offer the most important info in people's native language, even though they might know some English.

Several members over the years have contacted me and asked permission to translate my care sheet info into other languages. I enthusiastically said YES! each time. I'm all for that.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

How does what you are doing differ from what we are already doing right here on TFO? Sounds like this forum does exactly what you say your goal is to accomplish.

It's a bit different format of collaboration. More akin to Wikipedia. I haven't seen TFO care sheets being updated by author after posting, for example. For other forum members proposing updates/changes to the care sheets is also more complicated.

Another difference is mostly technical - files hosted on Gitlab are just plain text files with minimal markup. Everyone can grab a copy and store/edit on his computer (no need for special software like MS Office or Apple Pages and you have this data even if Gitlab is down). Also, this plain text is easily transformed into different formats: websites, slides for presentation, leaflets etc.

The downside is more steep learning curve to get the job done.

 

[Raupe]

Just a small update...
The URL has slightly changed to the Gitlab project:

Jörn Ishikawa / The Sulcata-Codex - GIST · GitLab

A one-stop resource dedicated to the proper husbandry and welfare of Sulcata tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata). It provides structured, verified, and practical guidance covering every stage of...

gitlab.com

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Just a small update...
The URL has slightly changed to the Gitlab project:

Jörn Ishikawa / The Sulcata-Codex - GIST · GitLab

A one-stop resource dedicated to the proper husbandry and welfare of Sulcata tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata). It provides structured, verified, and practical guidance covering every stage of...

gitlab.com

I breezed through most of it. Looks like you put a bit of work into it!

 

[Raupe]

I breezed through most of it. Looks like you put a bit of work into it!

Thanks. I tried to collect and summarize as much knowledge as possible.
I had also help from many others sharing their wisdom, so hopefully over time, this can become a useful resource for every Sulcata keeper.