Hi. I'm not really new, but I've been noticing these level words attached to people's names on here (BlahBlah /beginner) etc. Not everyone, but some. I'm thinking it's something that only the new people are getting when they sign up, so the older members don't have it. That's my guess...
Well, it's not really important I suppose, but...I was wondering about it.
Are you talking about reputations? If so, you can say they aren't important, and there are reasons for this, for example, you might not get a reputation because you are rated by people who have earned the "Knowledgeable" reputation and they might notice you.
No, I'm talking about people rating you, as in their reading your forums and posts, and then based on that rating your knowledge level (or reputation) on that.
Gee, that seems like a pretty iffy way to convey a person's knowledge to others. Letting random people from many levels of experience and knowledge judge the knowledge/experience of someone else based on.....well anything, really. Even if the people rating were only those from the pool of those deemed "knowledable", the people rating them as knowledgable may have not been knowledgable enough to make that assessment. And even if those rating WERE truly knowledgable.....they would still be subject to human perceptions and all other manner of flaws in judgement and person. Not to mention differences of opinion and belief.
And sometimes people who are very smart and know loads more than others about something are much maligned and critisized, because the people critisizing, although well studied/proficient/experienced haven't, themselves, come to the conclusion of the first mentioned person, and so find them to be wrong.
I'm not attacking you on this or anything,...I'm just stating some flaws I see in this system. Thanks for explaining, though.
not everyone can rank you, only about 5 people who are the admin for the site can rank you. i've been on this site for many years and i yet to have a ranking, and i've talked to a few admin, if you ask me, don't worry about it too much, i don't judge people by their rankings, and i doubt many people do. just be careful what you post because they'll rank you fluffy, and i'm guessing it'll take a long time for it to be changed. anyone with 'adept' can rank you. maybe 'knowledgeable' but don't quote me on that one.
And you know what? Probably within a day or two of asking this question, I suddenly saw "beginner" appear next to my name on my profile page. Guess I attracted it.
I already watch what I post here a bit, just for not wanting to be insulted or ridiculed. I've seen it happen, so I know it goes on and I'm much too sensitive to handle being spoken to that way. And I'm sure I would be called a "fluffy" for some of my beliefs, too! I think it's cruel when people do that on here. Even if someone is incorrect and believes something that isn't true...it's no excuse for name calling. People are here to learn. You don't do that by insulting people for not knowing everything you know (or think you know), as soon as they take up the path, you merely inform them of the truth kindly and gently or concede that you don't know everything and maybe they are right or atleast that maybe they are doing what is right for them.
