Re: Rating Messages

Spirit,

I really prefer 'sensing' the value of a post, clicking on the Alert button, and allowing experienced CureZoner moderators to fit it into a simple system of recognition, based solely on its worth to experienced seekers...no matter its subject.

I am rather a nosy person who doesn't miss much in the written word. Yet, I visited CureZone for a long, long time before I noticed the R, etc., functions.

Rather than 'honoring' posts of value, I would prefer to see researchers gathering info into more and more careful reports which would send newcomers to the specifics they hope for.

The work done by Larx is excellent. //www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=871587#i


Summaries like this are of utmost value to everyone who wants to learn. Bravo, Larx, and all the contributors to the survey!

Now, can we use that summary to direct readers to the actual protocols reported on. It is, after all, reported experiences that CureZone is noted for.

At the very least, believable successful protocols could be referred to in appropriate forum 'descriptions' and/or in some kind of 'sticky' or 'R-list' at the top of the forum page, as before.

I feel the new multiple R rating system addresses only the difficulties 'training' your new moderators...and I feel it confuses newcomers to CureZone and the unsophisticated. Better to keep a 'rating' system as simple as possible, indicating only that the poster seems sincere and credible, and that the experienced at CureZone feel the report is worth reading.

Placing the value of one report 'above' or 'below' another, or 'honoring' it, has little value to CureZone readers, I think.

One experienced moderator once called rating 'treasure hunting'. That's exactly what it is...that's what readers instantly see, also. The Alert buttons only serve to draw moderators' attention to a post, lest they miss it in the volume.

As for what goes into the newsletter, that must always be the decision of the newsletter editor, of course.

Please, please, please take pride and ego out of the rating system; keep it as a guide to information for all who would learn; make some kind of a file categorizing information in a forum, so that those with questions can find relevant information quickly and as easily as possible. Simplify, simplify, simplify...else you lose readers.

Research is a very difficult and complex task. It needs to be done by experts, or by really savvy readers with lots of time and incentive.

Yet, when a gem is found, it shines...a beacon for all.

Look how few of us know how to operate the 'Agree' button.

IMPORTANT IDEA, ONE OF MY BEST!

Could there be, instead of the Agree button, an Exceptional Post button, one that readers push only when they feel the post is an absolute gem, useful to many, and important for everyone to read...a treasure.

Put the 'yes' voting to the people. 'No' voting is an entirely different kettle of fish, and it is the job of the Webmaster only to decide what he doesn't want, and what to do about it.

But put the bright star award to the readers. You'll soon have all your R levels very apparent, by the number of votes each post gets, in, say, a week.

Put your moderators to compiling a summary of possible steps to try in solving a health question.

I received an early BSA for a post I wrote to you describing my thoughts on the importance of rereading and editing the posts we write...for the sake of clarity and communication. I was surprised and pleased to see the BSA, but I realized that a moderator very much needed to see clear and concise writing.

As much as I was pleased to have my opinion recognized as valuable, I really don't mind if that rating is downgraded. I said my piece, titled it as well as I could, and placed it where I thought it would come to the attention of those who were interested. I did the best I could. My posts stand where I put them, on their own merit. If at some future time I think they are in error, I will correct them, or erase them...and say so.

If CureZone wants to highlight my posts, or draw more attention to them, fine. Or, if they must stand alone for as long as the Internet lasts, so be it. I contribute because I care. Perhaps what I write will someday be useful to someone.

CureZone is not a competition. Value that, Spirit, and give us the least confusion possible. There are far greater issues at stake here than ratings...anyone's ratings.

My best,

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