"Rate This Post"

[Rafael]

I've gone back to some of my older posts and seen that on some topics
I never gave ratings. I've given the ratings, but on those archived
topics, I only see "Reply To Author". Do I press "Reply To Author"
each rating, or is there a way to give all the ratings, then "reply To
Group"?

Thanks, Rafael

 

[Clive Huggan]

Don't bother to "reply to author", Rafael. My understanding is that that
will actually initiate an email to whoever responded, as it says.

Don't bother about rating either. Most of the regulars here use NNTP via
newsgroup software or Entourage and never see things like ratings, because
they are not displayed. That means we are catatonically indifferent to
ratings.

Fortunately the excesses evident in some discussion groups in which egos in
otherwise small minds seeking higher points predominate, at the expense of
solving the poster's problems, don't occur here. It reminds me of mice
running around a laboratory ferris wheel. Can't they get a life? ;-)

Good tips about getting the best out of posting are at
http://word.mvps.org/Mac/AccessNewsgroups.html and
http://word.mvps.org/FindHelp/Posting.htm (if you use Safari you may see a
blank page and have to hit the circular arrow icon -- "Reload the current
page" -- two or more times).

Cheers,

Clive Huggan
============

 

[CyberTaz]

A hearty second to Clive's response!

Those who participate regularly in the Mac Office forums don't do so for ego
gratification... I normally don't presume to speak on behalf of everyone,
but I'm pretty confident in this regard

I for one would rather see one reply stating "Thanks, that worked" than have
10 'gold stars' next to my name. I'm also confident that MS is aware of the
contributions made here regardless of whether a rating has been tendered

By the same token I appreciate your concern & rating future replies is
certainly a kind gesture, but don't fret the archives.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[John McGhie]

Ratings? Are there "ratings" on the posts? Well, I've never seen them

I'm with Bob: a simple "thanks" is a hell of a lot more gratifying to me
than a gold stamp on the back of the hand.

Even if I *am* totally ego-driven

I actually strongly oppose the whole concept of ratings the way they are
currently implemented... Unlike Rafael, most posters assign their rating
before they have a chance to try the suggestion. Which would mean their
rating is pure guesswork.

Guesswork as to what is a good answer, by the person who asked the question,
and thus by definition doesn't KNOW the answer! They are more likely to
vote for the "easiest to apply" suggestion as opposed to the "correct" one.
For example, "Format C:" will solve ALL non-hardware PC problems, and it's
very quick and easy to apply. But it's not a "good" or even "useful" answer


The ratings are not, I suggest, a source of valuable information

Cheers

I've gone back to some of my older posts and seen that on some topics
I never gave ratings. I've given the ratings, but on those archived
topics, I only see "Reply To Author". Do I press "Reply To Author"
each rating, or is there a way to give all the ratings, then "reply To
Group"?

Thanks, Rafael

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Sydney, Australia. S33°53'34.20 E151°14'54.50
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[CyberTaz]

.... And then you also have the case where the poster simply doesn't *like*
the answer they get even though it may be the *only* valid reply to be
offered. The poster downgrades the respondent for true & accurate
information simply because it isn't what they wanted to hear