should KudoZ be a two-way street? Thread poster: Marcus Malabad
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We all are now sufficiently mature KudoZ users. If you look at the list of KudoZ leaders in the major language pairs, you\'d notice that their contributions go both ways: they post questions - hence helping the glossary grow, and they answer KudoZ - hence helping others resolve their language problems.
Some members have privately raised the issue of regular KudoZ askers who do not even bother returning the favor that they\'ve received from gracious colleagues by giving answe... See more We all are now sufficiently mature KudoZ users. If you look at the list of KudoZ leaders in the major language pairs, you\'d notice that their contributions go both ways: they post questions - hence helping the glossary grow, and they answer KudoZ - hence helping others resolve their language problems.
Some members have privately raised the issue of regular KudoZ askers who do not even bother returning the favor that they\'ve received from gracious colleagues by giving answers themselves. Over the years we\'ve seen many regular askers with zero KudoZ points but when you click on their \'asker history\' the list goes all the way down to Tallahasee.
I\'ve learned to avoid these askers. Now, I\'d like to know what you think. Should these members be \'gently nudged\' and told to share the vast know-how that they\'ve accumulated from the answers they\'ve received? Like me, do you now have a personal list of askers whose questions you avoid for the reason I described above?
Should KudoZ be a two-way street? What do you think of members who only ask, ask and ask some more, and give nu\'tin.
[ This Message was edited by:on2003-02-04 22:21] ▲ Collapse | | |
Gilda Manara Italy Local time: 07:17 German to Italian + ... maybe they have nothing to give... | Feb 4, 2003 |
\"...What do you think of members who only ask, ask and ask some more, and give nu\'tin.\"
It might also be that they answer Kudoz, but their answers are not accepted. If they are not very experienced (as shown by the high number of questions), it would also be logical that they are not in a position to help much the colleagues.
As to reciprocating the help they receive - well, maybe they think that by giving Kudoz and contributing to the glossary they ... See more \"...What do you think of members who only ask, ask and ask some more, and give nu\'tin.\"
It might also be that they answer Kudoz, but their answers are not accepted. If they are not very experienced (as shown by the high number of questions), it would also be logical that they are not in a position to help much the colleagues.
As to reciprocating the help they receive - well, maybe they think that by giving Kudoz and contributing to the glossary they have done what they could.
Whether to go on helping them or not - IMO it\'s a personal choice.. I think each one of us has his/her \"personal lists\", with personal criteria about how to deal with some specific askers, but these reasons do not always justify a general ostracism...
Have a nice day
Gilda
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Paul Roige (X) Spain Local time: 07:17 English to Spanish + ... Personally... | Feb 4, 2003 |
... I\'d rather concentrate on what I gain from prozing about the place, which is a lot. What others do or don\'t is not my concern...mostly. The qs and as system is a great way to practice your skills, learn (or reassess what you thought you were so sure about!), have fun and take a break from work, make (lots of) acquaintances and even crawl up the kudoz ladder (or not...whatever!). We all have different ways to approach it, and, ae, some do it poorly, but that\'s their loss. No problem. ... See more ... I\'d rather concentrate on what I gain from prozing about the place, which is a lot. What others do or don\'t is not my concern...mostly. The qs and as system is a great way to practice your skills, learn (or reassess what you thought you were so sure about!), have fun and take a break from work, make (lots of) acquaintances and even crawl up the kudoz ladder (or not...whatever!). We all have different ways to approach it, and, ae, some do it poorly, but that\'s their loss. No problem.
Regards Paul ▲ Collapse | | |
wrtransco Local time: 02:17 German to English + ... Where is this asker history? | Feb 4, 2003 |
Quote: Over the years we\'ve seen many regular askers with zero KudoZ points but when you click on their \'asker history\' the list goes all the way down to Tallahasee.
Is it only available to paying members? | |
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Telesforo Fernandez (X) Local time: 11:47 English to Spanish + ...
Quote: On 2003-02-04 05:48, SPAINZ wrote: ... I\'d rather concentrate on what I gain from prozing about the place, which is a lot. What others do or don\'t is not my concern...mostly. The qs and as system is a great way to practice your skills, learn (or reassess what you thought you were so sure about!), have fun and take a break from work, make (lots of) acquaintances and even crawl up the kudoz ladder (or not...whatever!). We al ... See more Quote: On 2003-02-04 05:48, SPAINZ wrote: ... I\'d rather concentrate on what I gain from prozing about the place, which is a lot. What others do or don\'t is not my concern...mostly. The qs and as system is a great way to practice your skills, learn (or reassess what you thought you were so sure about!), have fun and take a break from work, make (lots of) acquaintances and even crawl up the kudoz ladder (or not...whatever!). We all have different ways to approach it, and, ae, some do it poorly, but that\'s their loss. No problem.
Regards Paul
------------------------------------------- Your comments were the most valuable that I ever heard. You echoed some of my feelings. Thanks a lot. Telef ▲ Collapse | | |
I have my own list.... | Feb 4, 2003 |
Hi Marcus,
I have learned how to survive some unpleasant situations in KudoZ and, yes, I do not answer questions posed by some members, for many reasons.... one \"case\" is different from the other.
Still, I don\'t think it should be a two-way system, based on the amount of offered help. Askers ask, answerers earn points. End of the bargain. I know a couple of askers, who rarely answer questions... but are very grateful and decided to thank the... See more Hi Marcus,
I have learned how to survive some unpleasant situations in KudoZ and, yes, I do not answer questions posed by some members, for many reasons.... one \"case\" is different from the other.
Still, I don\'t think it should be a two-way system, based on the amount of offered help. Askers ask, answerers earn points. End of the bargain. I know a couple of askers, who rarely answer questions... but are very grateful and decided to thank the site a more tangible way... they became Platinum. They are not nicknames under an umpty blank profile, but have little time for answering kudoZ.
Some other colleagues might have tried to answer questions, but were never chosen... or very seldom, who knows then..
KudoZ is not perfect, but it works and is a great way for learning... and not only new terms.... it\'s a fitness center for nerves and a show room for our qualities and faults.
Have a nice day,
Giuliana
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[ This Message was edited by:on2003-02-04 12:24] ▲ Collapse | | |
Edward Potter Spain Local time: 07:17 Member (2003) Spanish to English + ...
I often ask rather simple kudoz questions just to confirm with other professionals what I already am 90% sure about. The bargain is that they get points, which I always divvy out. Is there something wrong with this?
On the other end, I only once in a while answer kudoz questions and rarely get awarded points. This isn\'t because I lack expertise, but rather I get beat to the punch by other kudozers. Are they stalking the site waiting for a question to be posted? All in ... See more I often ask rather simple kudoz questions just to confirm with other professionals what I already am 90% sure about. The bargain is that they get points, which I always divvy out. Is there something wrong with this?
On the other end, I only once in a while answer kudoz questions and rarely get awarded points. This isn\'t because I lack expertise, but rather I get beat to the punch by other kudozers. Are they stalking the site waiting for a question to be posted? All in all, I do not think getting kudoz points is going to get you much more lucrative work. It\'s better to spend your time searching for quality customers.
Edward Potter Spanish-English translator
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Free lunches, everybody? | Feb 4, 2003 |
I think it ought to be a two-way street, if nothing else, to show that you are a bona-fide language professional (something in the title of this forum would indicate that you are). Surely, you would have something to offer, if not in the language combination you are asking, then in your favorite language combination. Kudoz is not money, to answer facetiously a previous post here, so you are not really paying anything substantively by awarding those, conversely nobody is earning anything. ... See more I think it ought to be a two-way street, if nothing else, to show that you are a bona-fide language professional (something in the title of this forum would indicate that you are). Surely, you would have something to offer, if not in the language combination you are asking, then in your favorite language combination. Kudoz is not money, to answer facetiously a previous post here, so you are not really paying anything substantively by awarding those, conversely nobody is earning anything.
I’ve noticed several frequent askers hiding behind aliases, no country, no nothing. Who are they, agencies, or someone too embarrassed to step up to the plate? Responders, who wish to be anonymous, for whatever reason, seem more acceptable, though, as they are being truly altruistic.
The other related issue is whether prolific askers of seemingly straightforward questions - obviously due to a great source language knowledge deficit - should be shunned altogether.
[ This Message was edited by:on2003-03-13 21:55] ▲ Collapse | |
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OK I confess...! | Feb 4, 2003 |
I ask KudoZ questions but I don\'t have any KudoZ points! I have answered a few KudoZ questions in my time, but not been awarded any points (and usually it is too late by the time I get there as I am not - yet - a platinum member). If people don\'t want to answer questions, fine, there are always people who will, and I think KudoZ is an excellent resource, one of many that I use. Kudoz tends to be where I turn to when I have tried everything else (including the excellent glossary), or when time... See more I ask KudoZ questions but I don\'t have any KudoZ points! I have answered a few KudoZ questions in my time, but not been awarded any points (and usually it is too late by the time I get there as I am not - yet - a platinum member). If people don\'t want to answer questions, fine, there are always people who will, and I think KudoZ is an excellent resource, one of many that I use. Kudoz tends to be where I turn to when I have tried everything else (including the excellent glossary), or when time is very pressing. I sometimes can\'t believe how instant the answers are! The majority of answers given are very helpful. What is vaguely irritating are people who give literal translations who obviously don\'t know much about the subject but are just trying to get points. These days, in-house posts where novice translators get to benefit from the experience of their colleagues are few and far between. Many of us have to go freelance from the start. It\'s scary, and it\'s good to know that experienced colleagues are willing to help the younger generation. And they get the points, so what\'s the problem? Lastly, for my part, I never use Kudoz if I am doing a test translation. I do think that is not acceptable. ▲ Collapse | | |
Well, a KudoZ question becomes a two-way relationship | Feb 6, 2003 |
...when I see a jpg face and little details about who I\'m trying to help. This has sometimes even given me the critical piece of context needed to produce a winning suggestion.
I firmly believe members should be required to provide a minimum of information and that empty profiles should be phased out ASAP. | | |