Many of them have links to an outside forum. I'd bet that is a violation of Yahoo Terms of Service. Why go somewhere else? Would someone in Target say "oh, you can get that at Wal-Mart and it is better than here..." Heck no! That would get you fired! Now I know the people here are not compensated for their posts with money, but there are some vicious "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" going on here. Some people win "best answer" by unusual margins six votes seem to be the most common. Oddly there's about six people promoting the outside forum. Is there some sort of voting cartel going on here? Do you vote for only your buddies and against everyone else?
There's certainly some good advice here, some moderately useful advice or vague advice and plenty of noise nonsense.
My question is what's going on here?
2007-08-11 02:29:19 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
about time someone has spoke up about it.
There is alittle "group" here and regaurdless of how right someone else is, they vote down and out.
Shame really, because i know there are talented fiskeepers here who dont support their ways and have driven many of them away. shame.
Add my buddy carl S on the killed off list. Talented fishkeeper.
2007-08-11 04:50:06 · answer #1 · answered by Coral Reef Forum 7 · 5⤊ 11⤋
I've been here a while. Changes at work have made it harder to post as much as I used to. I've been a top contributor for a long time, but I lost it for a week or two in the spring. Then I got it back, despite less postings and less best answers.
I don't know why I am a top contributor. I see some answers better than mine. I see some people who are top contributors and post trash. I suspect there's a lot of 12-16 year olds on here... I could care less about 12-16 year olds opinion of me or others. I also would be reluctant to take advice from them as well.
There is a rather poor signal to noise ratio here. I find this true in most forums. I'd list the ones I like, but I'd probably be considered a spammer then.
I don't expect a lot of the people you seem to have noticed responding to this, but judging by the thumbs up and down, I know they are reading this!
2007-08-11 06:03:04 · answer #2 · answered by something_fishy 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
There are people that have a little group and they are the ones that going around putting the thumbs up and thumbs down and they are the ones that go into the different forums and cause trouble and people are geting mad at them for it. They have gone into the cats froum and caused a lot of trouble in there and they have had comments stating they are better then other people and they will usually make a mistake and say things that other people can see. Some of them are from R&S and from other places and I have fiqured out who they are. There are people that trolled the forums. I thought things like that was against the Community Guidelines and there are people that come in here to help people out and they don't break the Community Guidelines and they are the ones that get reported on for no reason and get the thumbs down and the thumbs up. There is a Click going on in the Forums. If I get a thumbs up or down at least I know I had a good answer and I don't really care because it is not my Pet.
2007-08-11 02:52:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
As a former top contributor, I can say I think there is some sort of group that supports their own and slams others.
I own a business. I was very careful NOT to state the name or otherwise advertise it. Once I reached top contributor, I found out people accused me of cheating. I'm not sure why.
Since that time, my questions and answers have become significantly lower. I still read this and some other forums, to get ideas about how I can improve my business. Since my business is taking care of aquariums, I no longer feel interested in giving out free advice, especially when I get paid for it to the tune of about $30k per year for the last 4 years for doing just that.
2007-08-11 03:11:11 · answer #4 · answered by Democrat with 5 Guns 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I also notice this going on but personally i dont care who votes thumbs up or down or best answers for me. I give my advice for the fact im trying to help if i am wrong about some of my answers or i dont know the exact answer ill tell what i know and refer them to another user on here that will be able to better help them. If i have a top contributor banner or a billion points means nothing to me I answer only because i want to help people with the problems they encounter. If they dont like my advice or want to vote against me just so they get the points then so be it. Try not to worry about it and take the advice from those you feel are correct and who cares about points or top contributors. I know it gets frustrating but to some people this is a giant pissing contest but there are others on here that are just trying to help. Other forums dont have point systems in such a manner that this site does so maybe you are better off going somewhere that is not so competitive and is just designed for people to help without gaining points or contributor banners to show off.
2007-08-11 06:14:26 · answer #5 · answered by craig 5 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I think you might have your priorities out of line. The most important thing about yahoo answers is getting good, helpful information. I have the ability to give a thumbs up and thumbs down and I do it whenever I see an answer that is wrong, stupid or just out-right ridiculous. I have no qualms about giving a thumbs down to someone who is spreading erroneous information. The whole point is to get valid advice that will help guide you in the proper care of your fish. And, honestly, I have gotten that help EVERY SINGLE TIME from a top contributor. I have researched the answers they have given me and found them to be sound advice. I couldn't care less if they have their own website and want to tell people about it. Perhaps, if more people actually checked out the website, they wouldn't have to ask questions on here about why their five goldfish are dying in the one gallon bowl. Education is the key to success and there is nothing wrong with trying to encourage other people to become more educated. The world would certainly be a better place if everyone decided to educate themselves. As far as promoting their websites, I've seen many people do it in their answers. I mean, when you reply to a question, there is a specific spot provided to explain just where you got your information from. Hmmm... if they are getting it from a website, ANY website, they have the right to put it in the "sources' area. That's what it's there for... duh.
2007-08-11 14:58:17 · answer #6 · answered by Tina N 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Who cares? Really. Groups of friends voting for each other sounds kind of high-schoolish. And what does it get anyone? The high esteem of being a top answerer or contributor? Whoop dee flippin doo! I could be a top answerer if I chose to answer every 'how do I care for my Betta' question on here! It's certainly not something that can go on my resume. It's not something I get money for.
My question is why does anyone really care about points, status, levels, or any of that on here? And why would anyone be jealous of those that have been bestowed the prestiege?
Ask questions because you're interested in what people have to say. Answer them to share experience, knowledge, and opinion. That's what it's about.
2007-08-11 06:06:37 · answer #7 · answered by larsor4 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
It seems to me that the last 2 generations will cheat, lie, steal or do anything to say they are number 1. I have played spades for 33 years and it is unbelievable the amount of people that cheat just for their points ratings on yahoo. I play for enjoyment weather i win or lose but i am a dying breed i guess.
2007-08-11 02:48:56 · answer #8 · answered by inmissouri2003 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Calm down they aren't taking over the board, and you and your family are in no danger.
Don't loose any sleep on this but no one gangs up and says "OMGZ YOU GUYZ LETZ ALL THUMBZ DOWN THIS GUY CUZ HE MIGHT GET TEH TOPS COMTRIBUTORIZOR"
The reason the forum is up is because usually when you guys are asking the dumb goldfish in the bowl questions they are sleeping or tending to there lives, and these questions come unseen while when you post it ont here forum they have time to go and check and reply and may even pm you with an explanation on how to help wile also avoiding those guys posting "+2 POINTZ THX LMAO LOLZ IMA GETS TOP COMPUTARITOR"
2007-08-11 04:53:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋
There is a new forum that has been set up called fishless cycling and most of the top contributors from here run it, They all advertise it on there profiles.
~ GG
2007-08-11 02:36:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
What's going on here is you are freaking out. There is no conspiracy here. Most people answering questions are only trying to help people and those forums might be where they have gotten help before. I direct people to useful sites all the time. No one wants to type a novel for someone who asks a really big question like...what is tank cycling? or how do you take care of a fish tank? Many books have been written on those subjects so many people just refer to sites instead of writing a novel here. Lighten up and ask a fish question if you are having problems. Quit poo-poo ing people who are taking their own time to help others out.
2007-08-11 02:54:46 · answer #11 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 10⤊ 2⤋