Quote:
Originally posted by Jack
I think what you have said is good. The group needs to be limited for the reasons you said. If anyone else wants to throw in their $.02, they can click on the link.
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No, they can't.
First, before I start ranting (you know it's inevitable, right?), I want to thank Ken for taking the time away from his vacation to mention this. As I suspect that my signature and a bit I'd written to him had something to do with this, I think I should note that none of this was really necessary.
Now, I think the impetus behind the Q&A forum as a method of asking direct questions and getting direct answers is a great idea for the forum. In fact, I'd be surprised if these forums weren't created with precisely that idea in mind.
The reason I dislike the forums so is because of, really, personal frustration. Jack mentioned that we can start additional discussion and give our input there. Well, yes, while that is true, we cannot do that until one of the designated moderators answers the question. Beyond that, given the nature of the forum, there's probably very little that is left to be mentioned.
On numerous, varied occasions, I've tried to reply to questions without first seeing what forum they were posted in - and each time, I'm greeted with a friendly message that says I'm not allowed to post in that forum. So, where someone could have gotten an answer to their question even faster than they do as things are, they didn't because of the limiting nature of the forum.
I can sympathize with the need to have the forum moderated, especially given some of the nonsense that goes on around the forum. But, also, it's been my experience that the technical forums are usually fairly straightforward and, while not immune to immaturity, are far less prone to receiving undue attention.
When I post in those forums, I may receive replies from people that are not qualified to answer my question. I ignore them. They're not volumes of text, usually, but a few short lines. When people who, with time, I've grown to know and respect reply, I read what they say very carefully. There are people who frequent CD who have earned my respect. There are people who have lost it. But, in every case, I was given free reign with regard to how I determined the value or worth of a post.
The Q&A Forum, by limiting participation to select few individuals, strips away some of that ability to see someone's worth. Instead, I fear, it will become the exclusive place to look for answers and discussion and - as someone told me - the "garbage" will be filtered out.
I respect many of the people who have been chosen to moderate the forum, as they've shown themselves to be informed, intelligent, gracious, and prompt. However, there are equally many others, if not more, who I've come to respect precisely because of their varied experiences, desire to learn new things, and, sometimes, esoteric expertise. Where are these people being represented?
As discussion shifts from the regular forums to the Q&A Forum, many of these people are being stripped of their ability to contribute. While it may be true that these people can, in time, also become moderators of the Q&A forum, it seems that that can only happen if they're visible - and they can only be visible if they're given a fair chance to participate.
Already, I've found my desire to participate here is not as strong as it once was.
(/me pauses for the collective sigh of relief
)
I enjoy learning new things, and sharing what I've learned, and seeing varied perspectives of the same situation. However, if my contribution, however small or esoteric or imperfect it may be, is going to be viewed as less valuable, or as "garbage", than that of other people, I don't know that I want to continue to be a part of such a community.
So, again, that's
my reasons for disliking the forum. It has nothing to do with the forum, really, or the moderators, or the way the moderators are chosen. Rather, it has everything to do with the notion that we need to stratify and quantify the participation of certain members of the forum. But, again, as I mentioned to Ken, I know I'm in the minority on this, and my hurt feelings don't really compare to the good the forum will probably do for many, many people.
Carry on.