Posted by Jane D on November 2, 2001, at 0:28:35
In reply to Re: boo to the quiz, boo, posted by Dr. Bob on November 1, 2001, at 8:27:44
>
> That could be an argument *for* a quiz: if people show up and aren't cognating, then maybe it's better (though arguably somewhat paternalistic) if they *don't* just start posting right away...
>
> BobI was wondering when someone would bring that up. Of course, I could have raised it myself but I needed to pass the quiz first. :-)
Posting is not risk free. The subject IS stigmatizing no matter how much we argue it shouldn't be. Using your real name is something people need to think very hard and clearly about. If someone can't focus their thoughts enough to pass the quiz they probably should not be making that decision. This is not an "Ask the doctor" site where questions get an official answer but I've seen new posters who assume that it is. The more desperate and impaired a poster is the crueler it is to leave them hanging, waiting for an official answer that they are unlikely to get. The quiz does help make sure that people know that. Finally, and this applies to readers too, the answers are not screened and edited (not censored - a plus in my mind) and they are sometimes wrong but I have seen posters who seemed to assume that they were reviewed and sanctioned. Perhaps it is paternalistic - I'm not sure - but I think it's a good idea to make sure that people understand as much as possible about the nature of the board before posting.
There is one item that I'd like to see added, if not to the quiz, than to the headers of the pages (or at least the FAQ). You state "The only messages Dr. Bob takes responsibility for are his own." I'd like to see it made a bit more prominent that nobody else has an official role on the site.
I didn't see anything wrong with the format of the quiz myself. Remember our mantra: people who are unhappy post more. (And before anyone gets massively offended I am talking only about personal preferences in test styles here not ability.) Finally, didn't anybody figure out how easy it is to cheat on that test? What DID you spend your school years doing? Of course, figuring out how to cheat might imply competence to consent...
Jane
poster:Jane D
thread:315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20010718/msgs/2266.html