How about a Genuine Techy List

Norant

So much for having a thick skin hey Altahost.

Inactive

Altahost wrote: »

. just an opinion that doesn't really matter anyway

That is what most of us have been trying to tell you, but it falls on deaf ears, it seems.;)

seedyh

Altahost wrote: »

Well the forum does seem to have got personal. Vision is blinded by the the "Bahhs" from the meadow.

Surely you made it personal by wanting 'qualified' people to post their certificates?

busenbust

This thread: Subscribed !

:rotfl:

ahillsy

I understand the reason for suggesting this idea, and do think it is a well-intended suggestion.

However, I personally don't think it is a good idea for a number of reasons:
- when it's open to everyone to chip you naturally expect there to be some good and some not so good advice; you're aware (or should be!). But if you go into a "genuine/qualified" techie area, then this would give a false sense of security that all the answers ARE correct - people would think "they've proved their qualification so they must be right surely?". In a way, I think this is actually worse - giving false confidence.
- in IT, just because you're qualified, that doesn't mean you can't give wrong answers. If someone with 6 months experience has a qualification (say a MS certification in a particular discipline), it doesn't mean they more qualified to provide a good solution than someone with say 10 years experience. Experience is key.
- from a software development question point of view as that's my main area, if I had to prove my qualification before being allowed to help, I wouldn't bother. I come on in my own time to give some help if I can (sometimes it's even useful help ). If I have to jump through hoops in order to give my advice and expertise for free, then it's just not worth it for me. So the result is, you'd limit the number of useful responses. I wouldn't bother and just stick to StackOverflow.
- look at the main (IT) techie sites - StackOverflow, SuperUser, ServerFault, Experts-Exchange. They thrive as everyone is welcome to provide help, no need to prove qualifications. This has multiple-points - for more hardcore IT techie questions, those are the places to go - they are oriented to those technical areas, so the answers are generally more reliable, and incorrect/misleading answers are more easily flagged up. MSE isn't geared up/intended to be that kind of place.

Like I said, I understand where Altahost is coming from and I think an idea with the intention of improving things for people is an idea worth sharing. I just don't think this particular one would provide any benefit.

robt_2

ahillsy wrote: »

Like I said, I understand where Altahost is coming from and I think an idea with the intention of improving things for people is an idea worth sharing. I just don't think this particular one would provide any benefit.

It is just a shame that Altahost doesn't understand where anyone else is coming from, and thinks s/he knows best. Just the kind of person I wouldn't want help from.

Idiophreak

1) People with qualifications aren't necessarily better than people without.

2) How do you compare people with different qualifications? I have an MSc in computer science, am I better or worse than someone with MSCE, or ECDL or etc? Who decides and will forum users know?

3) We already have a "rep" system in place through the thanks button - so people can get a feel for who's likely to give the best advice (or cleverest insults, anyway)

BikerEd

Altahost wrote: »

Well the forum does seem to have got personal. Vision is blinded by the the "Bahhs" from the meadow

Baaahhh!

(And understand that's a well qualified and extensively certified baaahhh, achieved during 27 years of experience in this particular meadow)

Marty_J

Altahost wrote: »

Brilliant question and surely a matter for law. Suggest TOCs would still stipulate the advice is free and risk is that of the person that asked for assitance.

Thank you

That seems reasonable as far as it goes, but if MSE can't say the information that is given in the qualified techie forum is any better than information given elsewhere, what's the point?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Reminds me of the old days on BB's and the USENET :-

Once upon a time one or more self proclaimed experts would win control of a group, and form a cabal.

Their belief or collective delusion that with a quick application of spray-on-technical certification it is their chosen duty preserve what they decide should be posted and how it should be responded to and by whom. This creates an unequal balance in who controls the advice.

Reload your technical cattle prod by all means but keep it tied down in your fast-draw holster. Freedom is very very important right and all commenter's here should fight to preserve it for all not just the self appointed evangelical few.

Netcops and kooks are a species that are known to slither together, and their quiet, corrosive and gradual process of empowering themselves by stealing [Gerrymandering] or taking away from us a fundamental birthright . . . that of freedom of speech.

The object of my pilgrimage on this wet Monday is a polite request, leave the customers alone please, this group works well in spite of your offer of help.

- if you you don't like what I've said, please feel free to ignore it

NOW THEN, where was Altahost before he joined this group and why did he have to leave ?