| Pagine: < [1 2 3 4 5 6 7] > | Add a KudoZ "confidence/hit rating" field to each user profile (T) Iniziatore argomento: Stuart Allsop
|
|---|
Aleksandr Okunev (X)
Local time: 01:37
Da Inglese a Russo
| ... and make a point of having some fun. (Lou Reed) | Sep 19, 2004 |
Sarah Downing wrote: I also regard kudoz as I game, I don't really give a **** about the points
Thanks, Sarah.
Since my previous post here I've read a dozen threads on the subject and this is my last post ever about Kudoz: if I can help I will, my answers will always be 100% right, inless otherwise shown by means of the existing system. In return I count on some assistance from pals when I'm hard up for terminology, and some condescension when I go to hell.
Have fun (and Kudoz)!
| | | | PRen (X) 
Local time: 18:37
Da Francese a Inglese
+ ...
| Agree completely | Sep 19, 2004 |
Sarah Downing wrote:
I agree with what a lot of people have been saying here.
1. Just because your answer doesn't get chosen doesn't mean it was wrong (sometimes wrong answers get chosen due to lack of knowledge and sometimes answers are simply chosen based on personal preference).
2. I currently have 150 points and have been a proz member for a couple of years. So why, you might ask, do I have so few points - it's quite simple: I also regard kudoz as I game, I don't really give a **** about the points, I just answer questions now and then because I find them interesting or because I think I may be able to help. And as someone else said - I often don't have time to answer the questions because I have so much other work to do ...
Ultimately, the best way to judge a translator's skills is not by some points system but by giving them a test translation.
Have a nice Sunday!
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I agree completely. I have often wondered how people manage to amass 20,000 points (and why they would want to) - do they actually translate for a living? It's a game, pure and simple, and absolutely NO reflection on a person's skill as a translator. I'm also surprised by how many people immediately turn to Google simply to find justification for their very odd answers. Google will give you anything you want if you look hard enough! Providing 10 websites as proof for an answer doesn't necessarily make it right.
Paula
Paula
| | | | Lia Fail (X)
Spagna
Local time: 00:37
Da Spagnolo a Inglese
+ ...
| Agree with Anjo | Sep 19, 2004 |
And with Michele, Sarah, etc.
anjoboira wrote: I hope you do not mix up translating skills with KudoZ skills. It only shows that at some point you answered some of your fellow translators' questions, which is nice, and perhaps that you know a lot about certain specialised fields. It does not mean you can actually translate a sentence  . I think KudoZ are fun, and that the KudoZ rating should not be taken too seriously (as has been pointed out many times before and again in the previous posting). Please, let's keep it that way! I think adding a 'trustworthiness percentage' would give a false impression, and it might even stop people adding another option for the translator that asked the question.
Firstly, I can't help but notice that it's always the same people who are in there first....I cannot imagine how they actually find time to work! KudoZ is play - translating words or strings is not translating ....
Secondly, I am not especially or even consistenly impressed by the answers of the leaders (in my language combinations at least). They get the points indeed, but often the questioner's criteria seem doubtful. When I post a question, I know the people that I will be glad to see helping me, and they are RARELY the ones heading the lists in my language combinations.
As someone pointed out, a lot of people are not translating into their native language, and so choose the more literal answer or simply the wrong answer.
I started answering KudoZ recently, but have decided to stop, as a couple of incidents have happened recently that just really undermine my interest and motivation to help (and learn), particularly as I bend over backwards and spend (sometimes a lot of) time to find supporting evidence, just to see how the questioner chooses ... the literal answer plus the "that's it" with NO supporting evidence that that is the term as it's used in the TL field. And after my research I KNOW it's wrong! What a bummer!!!!!!!!
[Edited at 2004-09-19 15:39]
| | | | RobinB
Stati Uniti
Local time: 17:37
Da Tedesco a Inglese
Sarah,
Right on all points, if you'll forgive the pun. Now if we could exchange the Kudoz points for airmiles, or even donate them to charity, that would be different.
What I find fascinating is the herding behaviour - somebody with a lot of points gives a wrong answer, and many others then pile in with an "agree". There's got to be a good behavioural analysis study in there.
Robin
| | |
|
|
|
Kirill Semenov
Ucraina
Local time: 01:37
Membro (2004)
Da Inglese a Russo
+ ...
| kudoZ points :) | Sep 19, 2004 |
Now, here and there I see SO many people who state they are indifferent to points!
I think only kudoZers who gathered a LOT of points can rightfully say that by now points do not matter for them.
Other statements usually sound as a way of self-justification, like: "Who cares for points, really? Anyone but not me..."
I do not want to offend anyone. My point is that you have to gather a lot of points ... See more Now, here and there I see SO many people who state they are indifferent to points!
I think only kudoZers who gathered a LOT of points can rightfully say that by now points do not matter for them.
Other statements usually sound as a way of self-justification, like: "Who cares for points, really? Anyone but not me..."
I do not want to offend anyone. My point is that you have to gather a lot of points to judge if kudoZ points worth anything or not. For a while, I see this "no-matter" position from people who have less than several dozens questions answered. And I frankly believe that those who answered thousands of question have totally different attitude to kudoZ, in general, and kudoZ points in particular. I mean those who put their souls into kudoZ and proZ, and know how much time and efforts it takes to give a REALLY HELPFUL kudoZ answer.
[Edited at 2004-09-19 17:12] ▲ Collapse
| | | | RobinB
Stati Uniti
Local time: 17:37
Da Tedesco a Inglese
| Please be careful | Sep 19, 2004 |
Kirill,
Please be careful with comments like "Other statements usually sound as a way of self-justification".
Kudoz points really don't matter at all for quite a lot of Proz members. They provide terminology help in many online forums and newsgroups in addition to Proz (and in response to direct e-mails from colleagues), and are not really bothered in the slightest about earning intangible points. What really matters is getting the right answer, which is why many of the... See more Kirill,
Please be careful with comments like "Other statements usually sound as a way of self-justification".
Kudoz points really don't matter at all for quite a lot of Proz members. They provide terminology help in many online forums and newsgroups in addition to Proz (and in response to direct e-mails from colleagues), and are not really bothered in the slightest about earning intangible points. What really matters is getting the right answer, which is why many of them are more than irritated by the subjective, sometimes random way Kudoz answers are frequently selected. Neither are they in it for job bidding, because e.g. they work only for direct customers, or for agencies that wouldn't dream of outsourcing through an online buying platform like Proz.
"My point is that you have to gather a lot of points to judge if kudoZ points worth anything or not."
I disagree. This is a business-case decision that affects the amount of time and effort that you're willing to invest in accumulating Kudoz points. If you see it as a channel for acquiring work, then it might well be worth your while spending quite a lot of time building up Kudoz points. But if you're not in it for the work, you'll probably restrict your Kudoz activities to one language pair only, and perhaps no more than a couple of your own specialist subject areas. If you still spend a lot of time on Kudoz, you'll have to work out the cost/benefit. After all, for a freelance, time *really* is money.
Robin ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kirill Semenov
Ucraina
Local time: 01:37
Membro (2004)
Da Inglese a Russo
+ ...
What I meant is that `the proof of the pudding is in the eating'.
My observation is that "kudoZ-means-nothing" attitude is more often shown by people who have few kudoZ points. As I emphasized in my previous posting, I do not want to offend anyone in particular. But it seems, that this is a rule: those who have little points, usually try to look `neglectful' about kudoZ points in general. But what I know from my own experience is that some of these 4-points `congratulations' cost us hours ... See more What I meant is that `the proof of the pudding is in the eating'.
My observation is that "kudoZ-means-nothing" attitude is more often shown by people who have few kudoZ points. As I emphasized in my previous posting, I do not want to offend anyone in particular. But it seems, that this is a rule: those who have little points, usually try to look `neglectful' about kudoZ points in general. But what I know from my own experience is that some of these 4-points `congratulations' cost us hours or even days of research. Not those `I-love-you' questions, of course. That's why I support the idea to show the ratio of won/answered questions or points/won questions. The only thing I would add is to take into account Pro questions/answers only, leaving `Easy' part of kudoZ aside.
I wish I had more time and desire to present some classifications of kudoZers depending on their time at proZ and their kudoZ points. Also, I could tell long stories about people with thousands of points who could not translate a simple sentence in practice. But, well, a long story... maybe, some day... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Marijke Singer
Spagna
Local time: 00:37
Membro
Da Olandese a Inglese
+ ...
| How long is a piece of string? | Sep 19, 2004 |
Kirill Semenov wrote: Now, here and there I see SO many people who state they are indifferent to points! I think only kudoZers who gathered a LOT of points can rightfully say that by now points do not matter for them. Other statements usually sound as a way of self-justification, like: "Who cares for points, really? Anyone but not me..." [Edited at 2004-09-19 17:12]
So how many points do we have to have before we can give our opinion?
I agree with Ailish, anjoboira, Christine, Sarah and others regarding the KudoZ points thing. I answer questions only if I see something interesting and the person asking seems to be a 'serious' translator. I usually also provide supporting evidence to my answers. I strongly believe this is the only way an answer can be judged. Only if language usage proves that the answer is currently used, can we truly say that it is correct. That is why context is so important and yet most askers do not bother. I tend to put my confidence level to 3 when there is no context and not because I lack confidence in my answer, I just don't know where the word or phrase will be used. I will, therefore, never be a KudoZ leader but that has never been my aim either. Oh, I forgot, I should not say this since I haven't amassed enough points to actually have an opinion on the KudoZ system. Never mind that I have 20 years' experience, never mind that I have 3 degrees, never mind that I read 2 books a week, ...
Note for Ailish:
Ailish Maher wrote:
I started answering KudoZ recently, but have decided to stop, as a couple of incidents have happened recently that just really undermine my interest and motivation to help (and learn), particularly as I bend over backwards and spend (sometimes a lot of) time to find supporting evidence, just to see how the questioner chooses ... the literal answer plus the "that's it" with NO supporting evidence that that is the term as it's used in the TL field. And after my research I KNOW it's wrong! What a bummer!!!!!!!!
I have felt like this in the past too but decided to continue answering if I can because I do like helping others and like Sarah said, who gives a **** about the points! Askers who ignore supporting evidence just get added to my personal blacklist and I just ignore them. Don't feel discouraged! I like reading what you have to say whether in forums or questions! My reason for being a Platinum member is mainly because I like having an arena where I can read up and discuss issues related to the translation world. A reward system reeks of school in my book! Been there, done that!
| | |
|
|
|
| Thanks to all these people who helped me | Sep 19, 2004 |
It is strange to read some of the contributions in this thread. I am getting the feeling that I am very insufficent, not working hard (as I do spend some time answering kudoz from time to time) etc. But what really gets me angry are some statements like:
"Kudoz is a play or a game.
It is not. I do not know everything. If I am not sure, I post a question, and up to now I have been always helped in a professional manner with very good answers. So for me, Kudoz is not a game. I ... See more It is strange to read some of the contributions in this thread. I am getting the feeling that I am very insufficent, not working hard (as I do spend some time answering kudoz from time to time) etc. But what really gets me angry are some statements like:
"Kudoz is a play or a game.
It is not. I do not know everything. If I am not sure, I post a question, and up to now I have been always helped in a professional manner with very good answers. So for me, Kudoz is not a game. I am very thankful that such a selected group of specialists has been helping me over and over again.
"Translating words or strings is not translating"
What do you think I am doing at this moment. In my opinion I am translating a 250.000 words database consisting only of strings and words. It might be, that some do not consider this a real "translation". I do.
I regularly check the profiles of people who are answering my questions and I do get a good impression about the quality of their answers. Also I always do check the answers on my own, and do not just rely on what was proposed.
For me the system works, I do not need any changes. Now I am going on
a) with my work
b) with answering questions my collegues put forward
Siegfried Armbruster
[Edited at 2004-09-19 19:27] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kirill Semenov
Ucraina
Local time: 01:37
Membro (2004)
Da Inglese a Russo
+ ...
| How many? I do not really know :) | Sep 19, 2004 |
Marijke Singer wrote:
So how many points do we have to have before we can give our opinion?
I'm not against everyone's right to give their opinions, mind you!
What I'm trying to convey is that kudoZ area is extremely complicated. Each time when I start to think that I know what it is, kudoZ shows me yet another unknown side of it! It's always a new experience. We try to grasp some patterns and logic, bit it always evades our understanding. With so many languages, and worldviews, and approaches, it's probably too wide for a single human.
Still, there are some main streamlines, and some general rules, and thus some reasons for some non-strict conclusions. My personal approach is to treat kudoZ as more an area of psychology than any other science. I think that what we have here is an incredibly rich working material for any psychologist if there is someone ready to notice proZ and analyze it. The most condensed sphere of human relations tied with professional skills, which I've ever seen!
But you cannot be just an outside observer to feel it. How many points -- that's what I cannot answer. What I can state is that you have to be deep inside the system to judge it, that's all.
[Edited at 2004-09-19 19:28]
| | | | | Please answer even if the asker doesn't have a clue - it's important! | Sep 19, 2004 |
Ailish Maher wrote: ...translating words or strings is not translating
What is it then? See: http://www.proz.com/topic/24744
Ailish Maher wrote: Secondly, I am not especially or even consistenly impressed by the answers of the leaders (in my language combinations at least).
At least they answer. I think that wrong answers which help the asker or other answerers to arrive at the right answer are better than no answers at all.
Ailish Maher wrote: They get the points indeed, but often the questioner's criteria seem doubtful.
But is that the fault of those answering or commenting? Rarely, and some askers actually do choose intelligently.
Ailish Maher wrote: I started answering KudoZ recently, but have decided to stop...
I think that would be unfortunate, as you sound like someone who could be a great help to those who frequent your forums:
Ailish Maher wrote: ...my interest and motivation to help (and learn), particularly as I bend over backwards and spend (sometimes a lot of) time to find supporting evidence
Don't be too frustrated. The asker may not have chosen your answer, but if your (correct) suggestion is not there for subsequent searchers to see, then the chance is even greater that the use of the incorrect term will spread.
| | | | Sue Horn
Stati Uniti
Local time: 18:37
Da Inglese a Spagnolo
+ ...
| It's all relative, but it is a valuable exercise! | Sep 19, 2004 |
[quote] Derek Gill wrote: Don't be too frustrated. The asker may not have chosen your answer, but if your (correct) suggestion is not there for subsequent searchers to see, then the chance is even greater that the use of the incorrect term will spread.
----------------------------
This is so true. The fact is, the best answer is often one of the options listed under a query but not the one that was eventually awarded points. I have seen this time and time again when searching through KudoZ answers for ideas on how to translate something. But this is also why it is difficult to assess the real value of the points. I believe that my answers have always been good. I do the research and give justification (not just number of Google hits, but real sites relevant to the topic and from the region, when dialects are involved). If my answer isn't chosen, it is still there for others to see. Very often others agree with me, and that is a consolation. I answer when I think I have something to contribute, and when I have a bit of time to put in my two cents. Now, if someone were to figure out a ratio of the number of times I've answered and the number of times my answers have been selected as a way to see how accurate I am, that wouldn't really reflect reality. The best answer isn't always chosen, but the discussion included in the different answers always stimulates thought and helps translators out. That is the true value of KudoZ. I hope it doesn't change.
Sue
[Edited at 2004-09-19 20:59]
[Edited at 2004-09-19 21:00]
| | |
|
|
|
Rosa Maria Duenas Rios (X)
Local time: 18:37
| I agree with Marijke and all the other, and do not forget that... | Sep 19, 2004 |
Marijke Singer wrote:
[
So how many points do we have to have before we can give our opinion?
I agree with Ailish, anjoboira, Christine, Sarah and others regarding the KudoZ points thing. I answer questions only if I see something interesting and the person asking seems to be a 'serious' translator.
... each member has the option to hide their Kudoz history (I just did!). Anyone with a bad ratio would probably do it... how would you "judge" them then?
| | | | Parrot
Spagna
Local time: 00:37
Da Spagnolo a Inglese
+ ...
| Important clarification: the value of the KudoZ Open Glossary is not the points | Sep 20, 2004 |
We all know how the points work (and flop).
It's important to remember when researching terms that many, if not all, of the answers given may be valid in other contexts. That is, DO NOT TAKE THE KUDOZ OPEN GLOSSARY AT FACE VALUE. Click on the terms and look at the whole page first.
What the asker chooses can be very personal and we, as moderators, have been asked to interfere with this only to a minimum. Even when the chosen answer is -- by any other standard than the a... See more We all know how the points work (and flop).
It's important to remember when researching terms that many, if not all, of the answers given may be valid in other contexts. That is, DO NOT TAKE THE KUDOZ OPEN GLOSSARY AT FACE VALUE. Click on the terms and look at the whole page first.
What the asker chooses can be very personal and we, as moderators, have been asked to interfere with this only to a minimum. Even when the chosen answer is -- by any other standard than the asker's -- wrong (and that happens in several pages).
The second point I want to bring up for consideration is that KudoZ is not a constant. There are other reasons for logging in at proZ. There may be a time when the game fascinates some people, and I've known good translators to have been active on kudoz for a year or two. Then something happened and their interests shifted. There are members who are not interested in KudoZ at all, to begin with, and log in for other reasons. With regards to the directory, Kudoz is thus just one of the site indicators as to who can handle a certain SPECIFIC translation. (Yes-but-does-s/he-have Trados, is-s/he-a-medical-specialist, etc.).
KudoZ becomes significant in selection only when the specific circumstances have arisen. It is also true one needs to have accumulated a certain number of points for that significance to be reflected in the directory, which is where it matters. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Stuart Allsop
Cile
Local time: 18:37
Da Spagnolo a Inglese
+ ...
AVVIO ARGOMENTO | HORNETS NEST! (And fewer friends). | Sep 20, 2004 |
Wow.
It certainly seems like a stirred up a major hornet's nest with my simple suggestion. All I wanted was an easy to-implement rating, that would help give us all a rough idea of the confidence (or lack thereof) with which we should view the opinions of others.
That's all. Just a simple tool.
I did expect to stir up some debate, certainly. That was my hope an intention.
But what I NEVER expected was a major divide, least of all some of ... See more Wow.
It certainly seems like a stirred up a major hornet's nest with my simple suggestion. All I wanted was an easy to-implement rating, that would help give us all a rough idea of the confidence (or lack thereof) with which we should view the opinions of others.
That's all. Just a simple tool.
I did expect to stir up some debate, certainly. That was my hope an intention.
But what I NEVER expected was a major divide, least of all some of the downright pompous and outright bigoted and opinionated answers I've seen here.
I'm certain that I won't be winning any new friends with the reply I am about to write, but then again, I'm beginning to wonder if I would really want those friends anyway...
My first reaction to many of the replies was simple stunned incredulity: Huh? A game? Lottery? Play? Its all just good Fun? Translating word strings is not "real" translating? Kudoz points are actually worthless, pointless and deprecated? The whole point is not Kudoz, but rather the polluted and inaccurate glossary?
To be honest I simply could not believe what I was reading!
Since when is Proz "just a game"? If that’s the case, then why just not shut down the servers, wipe the disks, turn off the lights, and we'll all go home, back to struggling in the dark without the benefit of peer assistance.
I clearly must have been operating under a major misconception: For some reason, I had thought that Proz was a actually a serious tool for serious translators. Silly me. I didn't realize that it was just entertainment, a place to come and fool around when you have nothing better to do. A place to go when you feel like laughing at a neophyte. I didn't realize that I was in the hallowed presence of such infinitely wise Supreme Masters of Translation who never need help, never need to evaluate their confidence in their own ability or that of others, since their own abilities are so vastly superior as to make Proz nothing more than a "game", and Kudoz nothing more than score-cards.
I had no idea that I should kowtow in abject awe in the presence of those who think that the drudgery of "translating strings of words" is not "real" translation, is beneath them, and should be frowned upon. I had no idea that the camaraderie of lending a hand to a fellow bleary-eyed translator at 3 AM, who is burning the midnight oil trying to hit his deadline, by suggesting a term that happens to be tough for him but that I know very well, is actually something to be laughed at. Please excuse me for thinking that way.
What a fool I have been!
I clearly had totally the wrong impression of Proz and Kudoz. It's all just a game!
Then again, maybe not.
The thoughtful replies by Ian Winick, Derek Gill, Michele Fauble, and Kirill Semenov, among others, were heartwarming, and somewhat restored my faith in the concept of Proz. Clearly, these are fellow translators who live in the real world, and who, like me, have to slave away daily in the trenches over nothing more exciting than strings of words. These are folks who take their craft seriously, and don't see Kudoz and Proz as games at all. Like me, they see all of this as an extremely valuable tool, far better than the best dictionary. I guess that those of us who "only" have 10, 15 or 20 years of experience in translating, and are still so inexperienced that we actually need the help of our peers every now and then, just don't qualify for membership in the esoteric circles of those who know it all. While we poor mortals struggle to figure out a complex string of words whose syntax is twisted, whose grammar is distorted beyond recognition, and which never saw a punctuation mark in its whole life, desperately trying to put some meaning to it, they are so vastly superior as to be able to laugh it all off, and giggle at the entertaining efforts of the peons helping out their suffering colleagues with a word or two.
Kudoz may well be a game for some, but not for us troops down here in the trenches.
Like I said, I don't expect to make any new friends after this diatribe of mine, but I do ask those of you who are sitting there fuming at me right now, outraged with my presumptuous attitude and caustic comments, to stop for one second, and think: Why are you so angry at me? Am I getting too close for comfort? Why are you stinging so hard? Did I hit a nerve? Does the hat fit? If so, maybe you should just wear it... Please think about that, before you chew my head off with your scathing reply.
Going back to the whole point of my suggestion: I have never confused Kudoz points with translating skill. If I had, then I would not be suggesting a better system, now would I? If Kudoz points alone were already a good measure of skill, then why would I suggest adding a tool to judge skill?
There is no doubt that Kudoz points BY THEMSELVES do not provide a very accurate reference for judging skill. However, the history of those points most certainly DOES provide a more accurate reference. And that's what you get with the system I proposed: a historic perspective on performance. The history of how those Kudoz points were obtained gives you a MUCH better perspective on the true skills of the translator, then do the points alone. It does not matter if the points were earned in three days or three years. It does not matter if there are 20 points or 20,000 points. All that matters is HOW those points were earned. Not how MANY of them, but HOW.
Some of the objections raised here were based on the fact that some people choose to answer only those questions that they know they can answer very well, the questions that really interest them. EXCELLENT! That interest and knowledge will very quickly be reflected with high numbers in the rating system that I have suggested. But it will NEVER be reflected in your current sum total of Kudoz. The only chance you’ll get for having your opinion recognized as valuable, is if your Kudoz points are NOT taken as a simple sum, but rather rated by your past performance.
Other objections are based on work load: "I can't answer questions all the time, because I'm working all the time". GREAT! Like me, you wont ever be able to compete with the tens of thousands of points accumulated by those who have been around for years, but the WHOLE POINT of the rating system that I suggested is that even if you only have 50 or 100 points, your opinion might actually count for MORE than the vast oceans of points held by the stratospheric few, since you will probably have a much higher hit rate than they do, and a much higher confidence rate. Your “paltry” 100 points are worthless, and will never get noticed, if they can only be compared with the scores of those who have thousands. Your opinion will never have the weight it deserves.... unless there is a rating system that compares the value of each of your Kudoz against the value of each Kudoz-drop in the top-dog’s ocean. The only chance you get to have your opinion given the respect it deserves, is if your points are valued individually, with a rating system, and not as a sum total.
It seems to me that some of the old-timers around here are just plain scared of what such a rating system might mean to their lofty positions on their thrones. They don't intend to abdicate, and they also don't want any young whipper-snappers biting at their ankles, threatening to topple their reign.
It seems pretty clear that the fear factor might be a large part of the unexpected resistance that I see to a rating system. Some folks are scared of what such a rating system might reveal about their accumulated “play-money” Kudoz.
But I would ask you: What do you have to lose? If it is all just "fun and games" to you anyway, then why would you even care? If it turns out that you were not such an expert as you thought, then so what? It's just a game, you know...
I've noticed all the bitching on other forums about how askers are so fickle, often choosing any old answer, just because it came along quickly, or because it had a lot of agrees attached to it, while the REAL answer passed unnoticed at the bottom of the list. That is EXACTLY what my suggestion is designed to address! Those fickle askers will now have a REAL system at hand that will allow them to judge if the "two-minute-word-for-word-literal-translation-with-57-agrees-from-old-timers-who-have-oceans-of-points" answer, really is worth more than the lone answer that came nine hours later, got no agrees at all, and came from an obscure user with only 100 Kudoz to his name, but with a flawless history of getting it right, every time
How on earth do you expect those fickle askers to judge correctly, if they have no tools by which to judge? Why do you think there are so many fickle askers, anyway? Could it be because at present there IS NO WAY FOR THEM TO JUDGE? Never thought of that, did you?... On the one hand you decry their fickleness, and on the other you reject a solution!
Firstly you berate the fickle askers for being fickle, then in the same breath you deny them the tool that would help them to be less fickle, for fear of losing a notch or two on your perceived ranking.
Make up your mind! Do you want them to carry on being fickle, or do you want to give them a tool that would help them to be less fickle?
Think about it. Please.
But there is one other factor that all of the detractors carefully avoided mentioning: Clients and jobs. We all understand that Kudoz are not a good way to rate skill, but the clients don’t know that! When a client gets 50 bids on his job, do you really think he is going to go to the trouble of checking out each and every one of the bidder’s profiles, examining their Kudoz history, comparing the “asked” and “answered” histories, analyzing hit rates, checking how long each has been a member, looking up a few recent questions to see if the answers were thoughtful, well composed, and correct? Of course not! No way. Rather, what the client is going to do, is hit the “leaders” button, look at the top ten accumulators of oceans of Kudoz points, and see which of his bidders has the most. Period. Those with the biggest oceans of Kudoz stand a MUCH better chance at getting the job than the guy at the bottom of page 4, who would have done a much better translation better if only he had been given the chance. We know the value of Kudoz, but the clients don’t. Big numbers impress them, and they just go for the biggest. (Especially if it is cheap).
Might this be the REAL reason why so many people with piles of points do not want to see their skills rated with a better system? Hmmmm...... Might it be that they see their easy revenue stream would be jeopardized by having their actual skill level exposed, rather than just the sum total of “game-points” they have managed to hoard?
Hmmmmmm.....
Of course, I will probably now be pilloried for speaking out so strongly against those who are enthroned on the high peaks of Mt. Kudoz , and who think that Proz is just a cute joke. So be it. I don’t mind being pilloried if it will get us a useful rating system. Go ahead and stab me in the back. Just give me a better tool.
I will certainly also be accused of suffering from a bad case of sour grapes, since I only have a measly 300-something Kudoz points, and I've only been a member for a few months, so obviously my opinion cannot be trusted, and I’m just trying to claw my way up the ladder, without earning an ocean first. So be it. Call me sour, call me a rebel, call me whatever you want. But first give me a better tool to judge if you have any moral standing to call me names.
To be perfectly frank, I really don't give a damn about my own rating. That’s not the issue here. I'm not scared of finding out if I rate higher or lower than someone who has ten times the number of points I do. On the contrary, learning my TRUE position among my peers can only do me good, and give me an incentive to improve! Do YOU see it the same way? Why not? You should...
No, I don’t care about any of that. What I DO care about, is getting a handle on just who are the REAL experts around here, and that seems to be a problem for the detractors. They don’t want the rest of us to know! Who should we trust? Whose opinion should REALLY be hallowed, and whose should be ignored? When I run across a tough term, and ask for help, to whose opinion should I gravitate more, if two equally appealing answers are before me? The detractors apparently don’t want us to find out any of that.
But that’s all I want. A tool to help me judge.
That's all I ask for. A better way than just sum totals of oceans of Kudoz.
Is my proposed rating system perfect? No of course it isn't! Will it show bias? It most likely will! But imperfect though it is, and biased though it may be, it will be one hell of a lot LESS biased than just Kudoz alone, and an awful lot closer to perfection.
And for those of you who think it’s just a game anyway, why would you object to having a more level playing field? What is the big sin in asking that the bumps be ironed out, the goal posts set to the same height, the lines redrawn straight, and that the rookie players be given a fair chance at winning a Kudoz-goal every now and then? How could you possibly object to that, if it is “just a game”?
In short, what is everyone so scared of?
Why don’t we just get it implemented, and see how it goes? ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pagine: < [1 2 3 4 5 6 7] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Add a KudoZ "confidence/hit rating" field to each user profile (T) | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
| | Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
