Designated "Expert" Forum Users?

[Cerebus]

According to my poll public opinion is mostly against the thanked counter in every post, but it's not as unpopular as the expert idea

FWTW I've just gone and added my 'No' (i.e. dislike showing the thanked count) to that, but I don't want to get embroiled in another tread about this.

[Cerebus]

When it was first introduced almost everyone liked the idea of having the ability to Thank a post. It was a nice way to say you appreciated the effort that went into the post, or agree with it etc, without pollutiing the thread with a copy of the post and a  +1  etc
Essentially it rewards good and often extensive technical posts. A little deserving dopamine hit for the author.

It has a bit more utility than merely providing a dopamine hit.

It provides positive feedback. You can use it to gauge interest in what you're posting even if people haven't posted any follow-ups to what you're saying. If you post something on "current project X" and get half a dozen "thanks" but no posts in response, then people probably found your description of "current project X" interesting and it's probably OK to post further updates on the project as and when. If it passes by without "thanks" or posts in response then it, then nobody was interested and you're probably better off keeping schtum.

The "thanks" button fulfills this feedback rôle nicely, one can indicate interest without polluting threads with "Interesting" or "keep us updated" messages. In a way it can act in place of those little cues we give off in physical conversation to indicate that people aren't boring us (yet), the little nods and "Umhum"s. OK, there are some people who will carry on regardless, like the strange thread where currently one person is talking to themselves (and one other forum member occasionally interjects) and has been doing so for 7 pages so far despite there being no interest shown by the world in general. In real life the yawning and looking at watches would have killed a physical conversation monologue like that dead in two minutes.

The logical conclusion here would be to also have a "bored" button as a negative feedback mechanism, but that's way too abrupt and abrasive compared to the subtle real life cues one gives off when being bored witless to be a realistic suggestion.

[Cerebus]

I am thinking that in "Theory" this would be a great idea .. But as with all what I have seen so far Theory and practice are totally distorted  .
Some of the so called Experts are really good at copy & Paste and have not got a clue . &  could out smart anyone with a twisted tongue.
On the other hand there are some real born Genuineness here and they stay in the shadows .
The only way to Find real experts would be to Prove it with some Certification's

No, that's just a good way of finding people who are good at acquiring certifications.

All the genuinely smart and/or knowledgeable people  I've ever known didn't need paper certification to demonstrate how good they were, people could figure out how smart and/or knowledgeable they were within a few minutes of talking to them. Some of them might incidentally have acquired certifications and titles along the way, some hadn't. In fact in my experience if there is any correlation between "smart" and "paper qualified" it's that the outstandingly brilliant fair poorly when it comes to the academic type of paper qualifications; they are often bored rigid at school because it moves too slowly for them, they get a bad reputation with the more stupid type of teacher, and end up with poor school results and a bad taste in their mouths from dealing with the academic world.

[Labrat101]

I am thinking that in "Theory" this would be a great idea .. But as with all what I have seen so far Theory and practice are totally distorted  .
Some of the so called Experts are really good at copy & Paste and have not got a clue . &  could out smart anyone with a twisted tongue.
On the other hand there are some real born Genuineness here and they stay in the shadows .
The only way to Find real experts would be to Prove it with some Certification's

No, that's just a good way of finding people who are good at acquiring certifications.

All the genuinely smart and/or knowledgeable people  I've ever known didn't need paper certification to demonstrate how good they were, people could figure out how smart and/or knowledgeable they were within a few minutes of talking to them. Some of them might incidentally have acquired certifications and titles along the way, some hadn't. In fact in my experience if there is any correlation between "smart" and "paper qualified" it's that the outstandingly brilliant fair poorly when it comes to the academic type of paper qualifications; they are often bored rigid at school because it moves too slowly for them, they get a bad reputation with the more stupid type of teacher, and end up with poor school results and a bad taste in their mouths from dealing with the academic world.

Where did I mention paper certification.. ? . Only you mention  it .

[fourfathom]

Where did I mention paper certification.. ? . Only you mention  it .

So what kind of certification did you have in mind?

I may or may not be an "Expert", but I'm damn good in a few areas and pretty good in many.  If I had to provide certification, I might be theoretically able to find my High School diploma -- that's it for paper, or for any "official" type of certification.

BTW, this has been a fun discussion.  It's enjoyable but I hope nothing comes of it.

[MK14]

Where did I mention paper certification.. ? . Only you mention  it .

Look here:

The only way to Find real experts would be to Prove it with some Certification's

I agree the word 'paper' is missing, but I don't think it makes much difference to what was said. Many things are no longer on 'paper' these days (internet/computerization), and what you stated, could be interpreted to include 'paper' ones, anyway.

[Cerebus]

I am thinking that in "Theory" this would be a great idea .. But as with all what I have seen so far Theory and practice are totally distorted  .
Some of the so called Experts are really good at copy & Paste and have not got a clue . &  could out smart anyone with a twisted tongue.
On the other hand there are some real born Genuineness here and they stay in the shadows .
The only way to Find real experts would be to Prove it with some Certification's

No, that's just a good way of finding people who are good at acquiring certifications.

All the genuinely smart and/or knowledgeable people  I've ever known didn't need paper certification to demonstrate how good they were, people could figure out how smart and/or knowledgeable they were within a few minutes of talking to them. Some of them might incidentally have acquired certifications and titles along the way, some hadn't. In fact in my experience if there is any correlation between "smart" and "paper qualified" it's that the outstandingly brilliant fair poorly when it comes to the academic type of paper qualifications; they are often bored rigid at school because it moves too slowly for them, they get a bad reputation with the more stupid type of teacher, and end up with poor school results and a bad taste in their mouths from dealing with the academic world.

Where did I mention paper certification.. ? . Only you mention  it .

You did, by implication, by saying "Certification's" (sic).

It is normal idiomatic English to refer to such as "paper qualifications", the paper being referred to being a document such as a "pass certificate", "exam certificate", "degree certificate", and so on. If the qualification is from somewhere particularly expensive it may be inscribed on a dead sheep's skin rather than paper, if it's from somewhere particularly downmarket, or particularly fashionable, then the certificate will be a collection of [mostly random] bits drifting around somewhere in cyberspace (also sic*).


* Because I remember when people used the cyber- prefix properly, in relation to control systems, not gnomically and misnomically to refer to the latest digital fad.

[Bud]

BTW, this has been a fun discussion.  It's enjoyable but I hope nothing comes of it.

I like the passage! 

[tggzzz]

Where did I mention paper certification.. ? . Only you mention  it .

So what kind of certification did you have in mind?

Maybe the type that (in conjunction with medics), the police can do for a few days and the courts indefinitely?

[Zero999]

The idea of having expert forum users, even if it means they have to pass some sort of test is a very bad idea. For a start, it's virtually impossible to develop a test which would accurately asses the range of skills and knowledge required to help in every area of electronics/programming/engineering discussed on this site. It's impossible to ensure the person doesn't cheat, or get someone else to do it for them. A good number of people here would have to agree with the test, in order for it to be respected by most.

[ataradov]

Are there even enough (or any) people that want to bother passing some test to get a badge on the internet forum? I would be suspicious of anyone wanting to do that in a first place.

[Labrat101]

Where did I mention paper certification.. ? . Only you mention  it .

So what kind of certification did you have in mind?

  I Am sorry to disillusioned you all . I just had to try one of my oldest Interview tricks . To see what the reaction were.
     No,  I don't think any one would be willing to do any sort of test or put them self in that sort of predicament .
   
 PS .. As mention The out come would be horrible .

[tpowell1830]

I personally like the "Thank User" feedback to see that someone actually read my post and that my 2 cents was actually worth 2 cents, although not completely definitive, at least it is positive feedback. As far as considering it a badge or a trophy,  I am 69 yo and could not care less about such things, especially on a forum by people that I don't even know. (Maybe if I was still 12...)

As far as Expert badges, or similar, the administration, if done correctly, would be a nightmare for Dave to ensure that the system was viable, let alone maintainable. I often refer to myself as "Jack of all trades, master at none." so there is no circumstance where I would be considered "Expert".  Competence, however would be a trait that I would respect, but in my years of working with others, their competence is something that is earned over a long period of time and actually working with them; no test will do that for you.

In conclusion, I voted no on the Expert status idea and get rid of thanks count on every post on the other thread.

Again, my 2 cents...

[tggzzz]

Where did I mention paper certification.. ? . Only you mention  it .

So what kind of certification did you have in mind?

  I Am sorry to disillusioned you all . I just had to try one of my oldest Interview tricks . To see what the reaction were.
     No,  I don't think any one would be willing to do any sort of test or put them self in that sort of predicament .
   
 PS .. As mention The out come would be horrible .

When I was an interviewer, I never resorted to, or needed to resort to,  such tricks.

When I was an interviewee, if I came across tricks, I knew I didn't want to work there.

Fundamentally there are too many interesting and relevant interview techniques that trickery is an unnecessary egoboo.

[nctnico]

Competence, however would be a trait that I would respect, but in my years of working with others, their competence is something that is earned over a long period of time and actually working with them; no test will do that for you.

Yes and no. I think you have to seperate two things here: eagerness / enthousiasm and being able to do the work. When I interview a candidate for an engineering position, I always let the candidate do a test to see if the candidate has the knowledge level required for the job. I have come across some very motivated people but when it came to doing engineering work, little to nothing came out of their heads & hands.

[Cerebus]

... I am 69 yo and ...

You're the umpteenth person in this thread to cite their advanced age for one reason or another. At this rate Dave's going to start wondering whether it's time to stop selling EEVblog branded multimeters and start in on the EEVblog branded Zimmer frames!

 

[SiliconWizard]

People asking for this might want to try that: https://www.experts-exchange.com
That's exactly what it is about, and of course it's a paid service.

[tpowell1830]

... I am 69 yo and ...

You're the umpteenth person in this thread to cite their advanced age for one reason or another. At this rate Dave's going to start wondering whether it's time to stop selling EEVblog branded multimeters and start in on the EEVblog branded Zimmer frames!

 

I mentioned my age as a qualifier for the fact that I have worked with many people over my career. I don't claim to be any smarter or wiser than anyone else, but I have a lot of experience.

Whatsa zimmer frame?

[Nominal Animal]

People asking for this might want to try that: https://www.experts-exchange.com
That's exactly what it is about, and of course it's a paid service.

I'm perfectly happy with my sex, but thanks anyway.

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

[Cerebus]

I mentioned my age as a qualifier for the fact that I have worked with many people over my career. I don't claim to be any smarter or wiser than anyone else, but I have a lot of experience.

Whatsa zimmer frame?

Oh we know why you said it, nothing wrong with that. It's just that there are so many of us not *ahem* in the first flush of youth, and so many have directly referenced their own age in that regard in this thread that I'm beginning to suspect that if one finds one self thinking "Huh, the youth of today!" at what someone's saying on here it's likely that they'll turn out to be older than the person thinking that.

Oh, and a Zimmer frame is the device that seems to support half of Florida, if I am to believe what I see at the kinematograph:

[thm_w]

I'm perfectly happy with my sex, but thanks anyway.

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

The new management, Mr. Lizard (praise be upon his scaliness), has mandated a 50/50 male to female ratio.
Someones got to do it.

[Nominal Animal]

I'm perfectly happy with my sex, but thanks anyway.

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

The new management, Mr. Lizard (praise be upon his scaliness), has mandated a 50/50 male to female ratio.
Someones got to do it.

Ouch.  I understand.  Will the split line be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal?  Or can one ask for more than one split line?  I'm rather fond of Mondrian, you see, but would settle for a single diagonal line.  I'd rather not have a horizontal or vertical one, because those tend to lead to confusion in the bedroom.

[Brumby]

As has been inferred by previous comment, the "Thanks" system that exists on EEVblog has evolved with its own, if somewhat nebulous, value.  Using dictionary definitions are pointless since such precision in meaning does not map against the "vibe" of the way it has developed.  Sure, prior to this there was the occasional question asked, but nobody seemed really worried about it.  From my experience, over time, people seemed to get comfortable with it

If asked to give a formal description of what the "Thanks" system on the EEVblog is all about, I would struggle.  Certainly it is not a definitive measure of expertise, but does that mean it needs to be altered or removed?

As for people supposedly "gaming the system" with the treez/Faringdon thing, I ask: To what end?  Adding to a number that most people don't care about?  I say: ignore that - which is what I've done for ages.  Sure, you see the "thanks" in the thread posts, but for those threads, I just shake my head and move on. 

I don't really care much about the total thanks a member has accumulated ... and I venture to say that a great proportion of members feel likewise.


I will admit that a couple of years ago when I noticed I was in the top 10 list, I felt the urge to keep my number up - but that failed as I had started a new job and had less time for posting.  I soon got over that and now I just don't care.  Being a number that people would have to actively make an effort to see, to me, it just doesn't rate as an issue (now that Dave removed the display of it on every post).

[tautech]

If asked to give a formal description of what the "Thanks" system on the EEVblog is all about, I would struggle.  Certainly it is not a definitive measure of expertise, but does that mean it needs to be altered or removed?

It evolved as an alternative to Like as a better acknowledgement of a members contributions.

Would you prefer Like or a return to +1 and  ?

[xrunner]

Each person probably has their own reasons for clicking "Thanks". So why do I personally use it? Mostly to acknowledge a post that I think is interesting to me (not someone else because how would I know what interests them). Of course if someone answers a question I asked I give a thanks.

I do not do it to add to anyone's "Thanks" counter nor did I even notice how many I had ... until this thread came up.