Snakes as pets

As exotic pets, snakes can be fascinating, but also a daunting undertaking. If you want to talk to the enthusiasts, this group is definitely well worth a visit. There are not that many threads on the discussion board, but two 'Ball Python Care Sheet' and 'Snake Care FAQs' are highly informative on what caring for a snake actually involves. More about unusual quirks of snakes and just who has what, can be found on the wall. In the gallery, you will find more than a hundred images of snakes such as rainbow boas, West African Gaboon Adders, red tailed rat snakes and pinstripe morph ball pythons. Don't be fooled by the fact that some of them have such homey names as 'Mum', 'Dad' and 'Kate'.

What's great about this group: It will probably answer a lot of the questions you've had about keeping snakes as pets.

Update (29 October 2023)

The group Snakes as Pets Support Group is tiny (less than 50 members), but public. I'm not sure if it is the same group. To visit or join, go here. 

If you remember this you grew up in the 1890's

Every once in a while, I stumble upon a group that's a true winner. This one has an authentic and original theme, to which members are true, with great ingenuity and lots of fun seem to be had by all. In the information section, you can study some details of what life was truly like in the period. The discussion board includes threads such as 'Did you attend the fair?' (meaning the Worlds' Fair in Chicago in 1893, in case you've forgotten) 'Most humorous trend?', 'Most Memorable Moments?', 'The New Adventures of Queen Victoria', 'The Consumptive Look', 'Where were you when McKinley was shot?' and 'Music memories from 1890's'. In the gallery you will find images from products of the period as well as plenty of authentic black and white photographs from the period. The wall posts are lots of fun, too.

What's great about this group: Its authentic atmosphere.

Update (18 April 2024)

There are two older groups with this name. The larger (123 members) one can be found here. Although it is no longer active, there is some really interesting content which is still available from its heyday. The smaller (36 members) and possibly older (going back to 2007) group can be found here. 

Underwater Photography

I love discovering groups that open up new worlds to me. Especially if they are worlds I might never get to visit in real life and are filled with breath-taking beauty. This group explores the deep - the realm of exotic creatures such as batfish, scorpion fish, clown triggerfish, freckled hawkfish, red sea raccoon butterfly fish and blue ribbon eel, to name but a few. Although the group has only
a few hundred members, it features many unusual images. There are also links to video clips and other internet resources featuring underwater photography.

What's great about this group: take a dive into unknown splendor.

Update (18 April 2024)

There is a really large (241.1k members) Underwater Photography group. It's likely not the same group as this, since the name is entirely capitalized, but I will leave the link here. I may possibly feature them in a future post as well. 

eBay

Do you buy and/or sell on eBay? Then you might want to check this group out. Threads on the discussion board include 'EBay Income Possibilities', 'Untrusted Buyers', 'Misleading Sellers', 'To all the ladies that sell on eBay.....', 'not being able to leave true feedback as a seller' and 'Powerseller tips and tricks to boost your ebay sales'. There are images of items for sale in the gallery and plenty of links to e-bay products and other e-commerce sites.

What's great about this group: Learn more about eBay before getting your feet wet.

Update (18 April 2024)

There are numerous groups, mainly offering support and/or commiseration opportunities, but I don't think this group is still active. 

Sheep

Bet you didn't expect me to tackle this one, but then, life is full of surprises. Sheep are a metaphor for dullness, uniformity and the herd instinct. Yet there is something irresistible about a green pasture (sloped if possible) dotted with ewes and lambs, as you can see in the gallery. Not much on the discussion board, but it includes threads such as 'Rearing lambs', 'where do i get a sheep?' and 'Bathing sheep?' Wall posts include calls for advice on specific sheep-related issues and also speculation on their suitability as pets, along with plenty of enthusiasts singing their praises. Enjoy, if you like them, and, even if you don't, check out a few pictures of sheep grazing just to soothe your spirit.

What's great about this group: there's more to sheep than you think.

Update (18 April 2024)

I don't think this group still exists. There are numerous regional groups offering sheep for sale or sheep handlers for hire. 

Transgender

For most of us, gender and identity are inevitably interwoven and we seldom spare a thought for those whose souls seem out of alignment with the bodies they were born to. If you can relate, take a moment to explore this group.

There isn't much activity on the discussion board, but typical threads include 'new tg online clothing store', 'Bill Maher equates crossing gender lines with insanity' and 'frustration'. There are over 80 photos in the gallery, mostly of members dressing up. On the wall, you will find links to other internet resources, such as shops, ezines, blogs, books and transgender communities.

What's great about this group: it's a resource for a fringe community.

A word of caution: If any gender option other than heterosexuality makes you queasy, then give this one a miss.

Update (25 October 2023)

This post was written over a decade ago, when transgender activism was far less prominent in mainstream community. There are, I suspect, now many more platforms for transgender persons and allies to connect and it is no longer the "fringe community" I called it 13 years ago. I am not sure if the group I profiled survived, but I've wondered whether they could know be called The Facebook Transgender Alliance. The group is over 15 years old, has 25,000 plus members and is now private. Go here to request access. 

DIY

This seems to be an extremely useful group. Threads on the discussion board include 'Stretch your own shoes :)', 'Tire sandals.', 'Home-made External Hard Drive', 'Old House key crafts/art', 'Make your own hand creme' ,'Make your own martini' and 'Does anyone know how to deal with pigeon poo?!' The gallery showcases some completed projects. In wall posts, you will find links to useful websites, video tutorials and also advice on tools, etc. This is still a fairly small group (less than 1000 members), but it has great potential.

What's great about this group: there's lots of useful information.

Update (18 April 2024)

I'm not sure whether this group is still active, but it seems not.