Hello Formiculture,
Welcome to the official AntsDakota introduction page, in which I will explain our efforts in making a mark on the ant keeping community.
This is our official logo:
So, what's the big deal, anyways?
This is a question some of you may have, and is probably the most obvious of questions that one could ask me. So, let me explain:
AntsDakota will be an established franchise composing of a central website, which will include a wiki and shop (more info on those below). It will also include a YouTube channel. So, this will be a completely new US based ant franchise, ant name brands are somewhat sparse in the US, with the exception of THA and this forum, respectively. So, now that you know the basics, let's get into some detail!
History/Origins
The idea for this franchise originated around 5 years ago, and was originally inspired by AntsCanada, whom I have since rejected. I thought it would be 'cool' to own an ant company within the United States that was similar to AC. That is why I named myself AntsDakota on the AC forum back in early 2018, and upon joining Formiculture in June of 2019. However even when I had rejected AntsCanada, the AntsDakota franchise lived on, in my mind anyways. Now, I have gathered the resources necessary to make it a reality!
AntsDakota.com
The AntsDakota website, officially known as AntsDakota.com, will comprise of several sections, mainly a wiki and shop. However, several other assets will be incorporated as well. Here's a preview photo of what the main page will look like:
AntsDakota Wiki
The AntsDakota Wiki will be a database designed to introduce average people to the world of ants. Information is collected from AntWiki.org and Formiculture, yet I translate it into a language that most people should be able to understand, and therefore are better prepared to handle the complex terminology and taxonomic classifications of ants. The wiki will consist of four main categories:
Ant Species Database
The Ant Species Database will consist of a list of over 200 species which most people will recognize. It is designed as an 'If you can keep it, it's there' type wiki. I collect information from mainly AntWiki and Formiculture and build a profile of the species which is more comprehensible than AntWiki yet more in depth than Formiculture usually is.
Ant Terminology and Anatomy
This is a guide of several dozen pages to the terms and concepts every ant keeper needs to know. Everything from ant colony structure, taxonomic terminology, and anatomical terminology, useful for translating AntWiki's 'Identification' segments.
Famous Ant Professionals
This will be a database containing famous Myrmecologists and individuals who have contributed to Myrmecology and ant keeping.
Ant Channels, Forums, Media, and Shops
A database of all ant franchises that are somewhat well known. If it is well known on YouTube, a shop, or a forum (including this one), it will be included in this list.
Wiki Contributors:
So far the following members have contributed at least one page worth's work/information to our wiki:
AntsDakota (myself, obviously)
AntsDakota Shop
While Ants_Dakota is designing and will sell AntsDakota brand formicariums, the AntsDakota shop will be a collection of several small time sellers who wish to become known. Most of these sellers will be formicarium merchants, yet a couple will sell other things as well. Here's a list of our shop contributors so far:
CatsnAnts will represent the Temnogrid company on our shop. He will sell his homemade formicariums on our shop.
NickAnter will also sell his formicariums on our shop. An official name brand is not currently available.
madbiologist is yet another formicarium merchant, who has not yet specified an official name brand either.
And finally, Ant_Dude2908 is our last formicarium merchant, and is also our one and only Pogonomyrmex occidentalis merchant!
AntsDakota YouTube
The official AntsDakota YouTube channel will be owned and operated by me. I will attempt to create helpful tutorials, and I will post updates on my ant colonies as well. Of course AntsDakota.com promotional videos will also be present. I am in the process of making the first set of videos, should release within 2 weeks (of 10/7/20), probably sooner.
AntsDakota Discord
We have officially began a Discord community to kick off this franchise. Within just 10 days of conception, the server has grown at a surprising rate, now totaling at 40 members. We would love to have YOU as well, no matter who you are (as long as you have a passion for ants, or are curious).
AntsDakota Instagram
Currently AntsExodus is managing our Instagram account, yet it is definitely still under construction. There isn't really much there, but I plan to build on it later. If you still want to see it anyways, you can go here.
Expected Release Date
AntsDakota.com itself, along with the Wiki and shop, will be released before Christmas Day, hopefully (it is our current deadline, anyways). As previously mentioned, the YouTube channel will be released a few weeks after that, and Myrme-Wars a few months to a year after that. The Instagram account is already up and running, yet needs serious renovations.
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Again, thank you all for your time and support! I hope this message was helpful in describing our efforts! We at the AntsDakota team will try our best to live up to the expectations set here today on this post. Anyways, I wish all of you well as you leave here and go about your lives, and I will officially see you in November!
Sincerely,
-the AntsDakota team.
Edited by AntsDakota, October 7 2020 - 2:12 PM.
