As you can see from my profile, my "best answer" ratio is approximately 40-45%. I have answered about 240 questions. The reason for this is that for each question I answer I give a lot of thought. It may take 20 minutes or more to analyze, and give a good answer.
I have looked at several profiles of those that are "Top Contributors" and they have 3000+ answers but less than a 10% "Best Answer" ratio. Some have 3000+ answers in less than 2½ months. They obviously are not interested in Good answers but rather just getting points. I could get 3000+ answers by going down the list of questions and answering "NO" to each one. That would make me a "Top Contributor", but it would not make me a "Worthwhile Contributor"
We should be ranked on how much knowledge and insight we impart, not on how many times I can type "NO" to questions.
2007-03-09 15:06:14 · 31 answers · asked by free2bme55 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
NO
Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I don't disagree with you. I don't consider the new labels to be at all a positive thing, but I suppose it's just a gimmick for Yahoo! in the same way that the levels and points are. Some people are competitive enough to be lured to hang out here more just to gain these elusive titles and levels.
2007-03-09 15:12:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
I just noticed these new top contributor labels the other day.
What I don't like about it is that it gives people the idea that the person is knowledgeable about topics in a certain category. This is probably a falsehood in most cases. What it really is all about is that the person answers questions a lot in one forum. It's not the quality of the answer that is being rewarded; it's the quantity of answers in a particular forum.
It's really a numbers game. You would think though that Yahoo would at least take into consideration each person's best answer percentage within a forum.
2007-03-09 23:28:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I have similar concerns. I too try to research the majority of my answers and give good in depth answers. I have 1000 "Best Answers" and I'm Level 6. But I'm not a Top Contributor because my answers are spread over a large number of categories. I think it would be good if there were an analysis of the answers to weed out those who simply answer "No" or whatever to anything. Maybe a word count to see which users are actually giving in depth answers. Those with a word count over 50 or so would get a better "worthwhile" rating, while those with short answers wouldn't get a high rating. Apply the average word count as a multiplier with the number of answers to give an over all rating of how worthwhile the respondant is.
Just a thought.
2007-03-10 23:44:15 · answer #3 · answered by Daniel 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't understand why Yahoo did this change. What difference does this make to us? To see if someone is a "top contributor" in a certain category is suppose to make me do what???? I am usually in the Religion category but I do go other places for a break or to the jokes and polls ones for a little laugh. But I don't care if others get most best answers or not. I see many best answers being picked out of spite just so the asker can respond to them. So this means nothing as far as I am concerned. Is Yahoo asking for our input on this change? And why can't we give thumbs up or thumbs down on the question being asked anymore?
2007-03-09 23:24:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well ... you obviously already care about points, so this is just another piece of the reward structure ... what else does YA have to give us for our hard work?
My rating is not much better than yours (47%) ... and for exactly the same reasons. I also answer a *lot* of evolution questions, and as a result get dis'd by creationists who answer questions, and then pick an answer like the following as Best Answer:
"take about big bang to create man kind will we should learn to make a real big bang see what evolves...anyone ever though how loud it was when God began to separate water and the soil???? rock....?"
(I'm serious! This got Best Answer today!
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ak2DikO9DWeXAv4YvRYl6H8AAAAA?qid=20070308082104AAbXA8k&show=7#profile-info-2006b8954c1947b9429c00b39378e779aa
As for the "Top Contributor" thing, yes, it is a little elitist, but I agree that makes it harder for trolls to create an alt just to spoof you.
There is also not much of a reward system for all our hard work ... so a little badge is nice. My only suggestion is that Level 7's should get a different color. I'm "only" a Level 6, but Level 7's deserve to be singled out.
2007-03-09 23:26:27 · answer #5 · answered by secretsauce 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I agree with you. But , even having a high ratio of "best answers" does not make you a "good" contributor. Several people have done what you are doing,-only to have their accounts closed because their answers were correct-not popular. This is a loaded show.
2007-03-09 23:26:26 · answer #6 · answered by John S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ignore it. I hadn't even bothered to figure out what it means.
I also put a lot of thought into my answers. But my goal isn't to grab "Best Answer" trophies, but to make a positive contribution while staying true to my beliefs. My observations suggest that these are conflicting goals. I've been mostly in the Religion & Spirituality section. I've noticed an unfortunate tendency for askers to chose answers that merely validate their prejudices--yet my own views in R&S are not only unpopular, but many people (who have never met me) consider me evil merely on that basis. Frankly, i don't know what other people consider "best," so all i have to go on is my knowledge--or my opinion, if that is requested.
2007-03-09 23:38:30 · answer #7 · answered by RickySTT, EAC 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, you can't guess what people's motives are in answering questions. Some people only want to get points. I have answered many questions, but not for the points. I also put a lot of thought into my answers. You answer less questions so logically yes, your best answer ratio is going to be higher. Answer more questions and maybe you won't feel so jealous.
2007-03-09 23:18:34 · answer #8 · answered by LadySuri 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I do not answer here for the points. I answer a lot of questions that I am surprised every time when someone gives me the best answer.
I think this is an activity title. I have never been over 4% with the best answers. I have been on Answers more lately. I think this just a perk of keeping people active here. I do not think it is a worthy recognition though. Do not worry about it, if you put a lot of thought to your answers, you are the top people here no matter what is the label.
2007-03-09 23:15:53 · answer #9 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
I agree with you, but to me it doesn't really matter much.
Unlike others, I'm not here for the points. I'm here for the question and answer challenges...
So, to answer your question, points are for people who like to play games, not those who seek knowledge...
The Y!A folks are always finding new ways to make Y!A addictive, especially to the younger crowd, and sometimes I feel they are veering off their path to an intellectually stimulating Q&A forum...
They need to get back on track and focus a little!
2007-03-09 23:21:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree, but they don't have manpower to rate the quality of answers. What's going to happen is that more people are going to be concerned about points rather than giving thoughtful answers. At this point I don't respect the badge that those people wear.
2007-03-09 23:17:59 · answer #11 · answered by S K 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋