Well, to you all I say good day. I am 'new', have been for the last three years or so. I have a twit filter, but it is empty. I have an online tracker, and believe it or not most of the people who have been on this thread are on it. Why? Because I don't know enough, so when I come online, I look to see who else with more experience, more knowlege, and probably a whole lot more compassion, is here with me.
I am probably a good candidate for a twit filter, a thumbs down, an ignore, a 'this guy is really dumb' marker. I ask really stupid questions. One time, I couldn't remember how to undock the darn properties window ( thanks Sergey - 41 stars ). And guess what, nobody 'lasered' me (at least not IRL). I don't know what I will forget tomorrow, or what I may remember. I don't know all of the considerable capabilities of VFP. But, I do know that for the umpteen-millions of us non MCP, MVP, DVM, RSVP, PHDLAURATE, AAA, and IKNOWALL programmers - the UT has no stupid questions, and certainly not a stupid answer. I have been studying, with not a whole lot of regularity, for my VPF cert - just about a year now. I am still learning. I use the WIKI, MSKB, FAQ, online help, Google, UT, and the local internet dating service: whatever it takes to get the answer to a question. By extension, you also have the right to seek other sources of information exchange. I am staying here.
I never met this Joe Bob, nor do I care - because if someone did drag down the quality of life around here, they become candidates for the twit filter. And that is my choice, not anyone elses.
So, if my content is not valuable - twit me. I don't mind, really, I don't. You lose the chance to help me this is true (probably a stupid question, right?), but one day I might have the answer you need (I will own M$ by then, but still possible, eh?) and you won't see it.
By extension, if someone gives me a 'thumbs down' on a thread, and you twit out thumbs down, you miss me again. So, when someones 'personal' opinion on my threads' value becomes public, and you listen to that opinion, you will miss me because of it. HHHmmmmm... the same with votes - weighted or unweighted, marks - multiplied or divided, stars - given or not, ribbons - red, yellow, or green, etc.... How many three stars given are the only solution? two stars? one stars? no stars?
I introduced my boss' to this place. They now understand how important it is to have a place like the UT. They like to read all of the threads, and so do I. Good ones get printed and we discuss them. Hey, did I say 'Good Ones'? Well, I guess I did - that is my objective opinion, but that is all it is. Just like everyone elses.
So, regarding the original question: I think anyone should be able to mark a thread solution, owner solutions inclusive. Why? Well, each reason behind a thread is different, and therefore the application of the solution may be somewhat different to what I think (because I generally don't know) should be the correct application.
Regarding stars: well gosh, some people give them and others don't. I sometimes do, sometimes don't. I think I have a few stars myself, which I am proud to have. I liked being able to help someone. So I vote to keep them.
Regarding thumbs, marks, points, or other measures. Get a pad of paper, keep it by your desk, and keep your own score. The low scores - put them (probably me) on a twit filter. The high scores - send them cards at Christmas and maybe flowers a couple of times a week. But - please don't tell me who is who.
Regarding 'noise to signal' ratio, quality of message, etc. I am thinking, if you really want the worldwide VFP community to suffer after so many years of painful growth, all MVP, MCP, MASSIVEQUALITY programmers could have an executive thread. But, in this world, I am thinking maybe those that want could exchange private emails or something like that - to insure you only get the quality messages.
I saw some latin phrases, most I had to look up. But, a very long time ago someone once told me to mimic Socrates. 'Always Ask A Question To Learn An Answer'. So I shall continue to do so. I have recently renewed for another 18months here - courtesy of my employers, because the clients benefit, my coworkers benefit, and so do I.
Well, this is more like by 71cents, not the normal 2.
Ric
PS. Regarding the thumb:
http://garlic.aitec.edu.au/~bwechner/Documents/Hitch/Thumb/thumb.html That should do the trick.
