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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 308. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on July 2, 2010, at 15:03:50
Dr. Bob,
I was answering questions on Yahoo Answers and I thought of something. Over on Yahoo Answers people get points for answering questions, 2 points for answering a question and an extra 10 points if their answer gets chosen as the best answer by voters or the person answering the question.
It encourages participation and thoughtful answers and gives people a reward.
Do you think that might work for Babble too? Or would it make some people feel bad for not having very many points?
I'm answering questions on Yahoo Answers and my answers get chosen as best answer 40% of the time so far and it gives me a good feeling to know I've been helpful.
If Babble did the same thing it might be more rewarding ya know?
I don't know how feasible this is since people don't just post answers on Babble and since questions don't close here.
I dunno, just an idea!
Posted by Deneb on July 2, 2010, at 15:40:34
In reply to I have an idea for Babble, posted by Deneb on July 2, 2010, at 15:03:50
Oops, I mean they get 10 extra points from voters or from the person ASKING the question. LOL
I dunno, I think it's a good idea, it gives people an immediate reward for being helpful. Sometimes the person asking the question doesn't have the time or energy to reply to every helpful post so maybe being able to pick a best answer would be an easier way for them to say, "thank you".
Just thinking out loud here!
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 3, 2010, at 2:25:00
In reply to I have an idea for Babble, posted by Deneb on July 2, 2010, at 15:03:50
> I was answering questions on Yahoo Answers and I thought of something. Over on Yahoo Answers people get points for answering questions, 2 points for answering a question and an extra 10 points if their answer gets chosen as the best answer by voters or the person [asking] the question.
>
> It encourages participation and thoughtful answers and gives people a reward.
>
> Do you think that might work for Babble too? Or would it make some people feel bad for not having very many points?
>
> I don't know how feasible this is since people don't just post answers on Babble and since questions don't close here.I think it's an interesting idea, thanks. How might it work here, since, as you say, Babble is different than Yahoo Answers?
If people felt bad about not having many points, maybe others could help them with their answers, or not to feel so bad about it?
Bob
Posted by Deneb on July 4, 2010, at 18:34:27
In reply to Re: I have an idea for Babble, posted by Dr. Bob on July 3, 2010, at 2:25:00
Hmmmm...I dunno Dr. Bob. Maybe we can enable voting during a certain time period, like a week and then after a week the best answer gets chosen. That might encourage people to post faster responses to a thread.
Maybe we can have levels for the points, like Level 1, 2 etc. They can be like status symbols.
Hmmm...but maybe the people who have been on Babble a long time will feel cheated because none of their previous posts counted.
Maybe those who have been on Babble a long time can have points for being here a long time.
I dunno. I don't mind myself.
Maybe people wouldn't feel bad. Maybe it will make newbies feel more valued. They can start accumulating points quickly just by replying to posts.
What do other Babblers think about this?
Posted by Dinah on July 4, 2010, at 19:02:51
In reply to Re: I have an idea for Babble » Dr. Bob, posted by Deneb on July 4, 2010, at 18:34:27
I would feel very bad about rating replies to my posts. If people respond they're trying to be helpful and I appreciate that.
Posted by 10derHeart on July 4, 2010, at 19:05:04
In reply to Re: I have an idea for Babble, posted by Dinah on July 4, 2010, at 19:02:51
Posted by Dinah on July 4, 2010, at 20:10:15
In reply to Agree with Dinah. Too much potential for hurt, IMO (nm), posted by 10derHeart on July 4, 2010, at 19:05:04
And I must confess to be smallminded enough that I'd likely decide never to respond again to anyone who indicated that my reply wasn't helpful. Or not at all if enough of my replies were judged unhelpful.
Or maybe it's more a case that I post here with the intent to be helpful, and if I'm not I'd better stop wasting my time.
Posted by Deneb on July 4, 2010, at 20:24:27
In reply to Re: Agree with Dinah. Too much potential for hurt, IMO, posted by Dinah on July 4, 2010, at 20:10:15
But not being selected as best answer doesn't mean that your response wasn't good.
I dunno, I wouldn't feel bad, but if others will feel bad then it is a bad idea because my goal is to reward people more and encourage participation.
Posted by 8675309 on July 4, 2010, at 23:06:33
In reply to Re: Agree with Dinah. Too much potential for hurt, IMO, posted by Deneb on July 4, 2010, at 20:24:27
Me 2 not keen on that idea
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 6, 2010, at 11:09:49
In reply to Re: Agree with Dinah. Too much potential for hurt, IMO, posted by Deneb on July 4, 2010, at 20:24:27
> I would feel very bad about rating replies to my posts. If people respond they're trying to be helpful and I appreciate that.
I didn't think anyone would be required to rate replies, so if people felt uncomfortable doing so, they wouldn't have to.
> And I must confess to be smallminded enough that I'd likely decide never to respond again to anyone who indicated that my reply wasn't helpful. Or not at all if enough of my replies were judged unhelpful.
>
> Or maybe it's more a case that I post here with the intent to be helpful, and if I'm not I'd better stop wasting my time.
>
> Dinah> But not being selected as best answer doesn't mean that your response wasn't good.
That's a good point. Plus, maybe seeing which posts someone considers the most helpful would help others be more helpful.
> I dunno, I wouldn't feel bad, but if others will feel bad then it is a bad idea because my goal is to reward people more and encourage participation.
>
> DenebSo no one can be rewarded because some who aren't will feel bad? It seems to me some posters already indicate who they consider helpful to them.
Bob
Posted by Dinah on July 6, 2010, at 12:45:13
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Dr. Bob on July 6, 2010, at 11:09:49
So what you're saying is that only rating would be for most helpful answer? No helpful/unhelpful? Would just the original poster "vote"?
That would be better I guess. I thoroughly dislike those helpful/unhelpful choices.
I still wouldn't do it, I wouldn't want anyone to rate me, and it might make me less overall inclined to post if this became some sort of competition. But perhaps others would post more, so those of us who post less wouldn't be a loss.
Posted by Dinah on July 6, 2010, at 13:06:51
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Dr. Bob on July 6, 2010, at 11:09:49
Seems like a bad thing in a community. It'd be fine if the only thing here is information seeking. But that's not the only thing on Babble. I think it's rude in a community to tell people they aren't helpful. Or even that they weren't as helpful as Poster X.
If someone went to the trouble to reply to me, then I owe them a bit more than that, IMO.
But again, that's just me. Perhaps others will enjoy the challenge.
Posted by Dinah on July 6, 2010, at 13:09:04
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Dinah on July 6, 2010, at 13:06:51
Of course, maybe Dr. Bob would prefer to only retain the posters that others deem helpful.
Posted by 8675309 on July 6, 2010, at 13:20:01
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Dinah on July 6, 2010, at 13:06:51
I agree with you. The community feel of peers would not be enhanced ("mutual support")
Posted by Willful on July 6, 2010, at 16:54:11
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help » Dinah, posted by 8675309 on July 6, 2010, at 13:20:01
Seems pretty unhelpful to rate posters' responses. For one thing, what's helpful at one moment, may not be helpful at another. I don't see the value in rating answers-- I mean if it's helpful, great--if not so helpful, why make a point of it?
I guess it has a lot of potential to hurt people's feelings imo without much usefulness to those whose posts were somehow less helpful. I mean, how does it help me to know that my thoughts on an issue weren't helpful to someone? As long as I'm civil and do my best to be helpful, it seems that I've done all I could do. Knowing it wasn't helpful might discourage me from trying again--with anyone, not just that particular poster.
I've seen sites that do this-- but I don't really get the point, even where it's just a translation or something.
Willful
Posted by 10derHeart on July 6, 2010, at 17:00:47
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Willful on July 6, 2010, at 16:54:11
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2010, at 4:10:54
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Willful on July 6, 2010, at 16:54:11
> I think it's rude in a community to tell people they aren't helpful. Or even that they weren't as helpful as Poster X.
>
> Dinah> I guess it has a lot of potential to hurt people's feelings imo without much usefulness to those whose posts were somehow less helpful. I mean, how does it help me to know that my thoughts on an issue weren't helpful to someone?
>
> WillfulThat could be the news from Lake Wobeher, where all the women are weak, all the men are bad looking, and all the posters are below average.
Bob
Posted by 8675309 on July 8, 2010, at 5:37:49
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2010, at 4:10:54
Oh my... How helpful would U rate yourself on that comment, Dr. Bob?
Posted by Deneb on July 8, 2010, at 6:07:12
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2010, at 4:10:54
Hey Dinah,
I bet almost all of your posts would get selected as best answer! You're one of the most helpful people on Babble!
Deneb
Posted by 8675309 on July 8, 2010, at 6:25:21
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Deneb on July 8, 2010, at 6:07:12
Before it begins :-)
Posted by PartlyCloudy on July 8, 2010, at 7:09:45
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2010, at 4:10:54
What?!!!
Can we report the administrator's own posts as uncivil here?
blech.
pc
Posted by PartlyCloudy on July 8, 2010, at 8:51:21
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help » Dr. Bob, posted by PartlyCloudy on July 8, 2010, at 7:09:45
> What?!!!
>
> Can we report the administrator's own posts as uncivil here?
>
> blech.
>
> pcI'm having trouble on many levels with this one.
Posted by Deneb on July 8, 2010, at 9:45:17
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2010, at 4:10:54
Hehehe! Lake Wobeher!
You're funny!
((((((((((((Dr. Bob)))))))))))))
Posted by 10derHeart on July 8, 2010, at 12:19:44
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2010, at 4:10:54
I don't understand.
Went right over my head, apparently.
But I am tending to feel uncomfortable, and as if what I thought was a thoughtful discussion has now been dismissed or something
I know I am probably overreacting. Happens as a result of lack of understanding and information.
Can you explain your joke, Dr. Bob?
Posted by 10derHeart on July 8, 2010, at 12:22:24
In reply to Re: potential for hurt, potential to help, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2010, at 4:10:54
Lake Wobegon....Garrison Keillor??
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