Expert: Katie - 8/12/2006

Question
I agree with the remarks of another expert who posted an objection to these changes:

  I don't think this is such a good idea.  You're    
  going to have experts disagreeing with other
  experts, experts upset with other experts, and
  others possibly quitting AllExperts as
  volunteers, not to mention totally confusing
  the customers as to what answers are correct or
  not.

In a volunteer program such as AllExperts, the least we can expect is not to be second-guessed by people who probably don't even know the subject area (otherwise, they wouldn't be asking questions, now would they?)

Nor will experts be happy with a "class" system that makes some of them "gurus," others not, and gives "gurus" judgment powers over them.

AllExperts has been working fine for many years.  Why junk it up with interference?  I've been with AllExperts for over five years now, but if questioners and "gurus" start interfering, I'll be happy to move to Just Answers and get paid.  Since there are only two Experts in my category, that will be leaving AllExperts pretty thin.


Answer
Thank you for sharing your concerns with us. I have added these topics to the agenda for our team meeting this week.

Since there are only 2 volunteers in your category, we are not recruiting gurus for Latin, so you need not worry about judgment powers.

It's very unlikely that readers will "Add to your Answers" as those who use the feature are more interested in helping others identify obscure songs, movies and auto parts than in translating Latin.

In fact, in the past 2 months, only 1 visitor has added to one of your Q&A's:

http://experts.about.com/q/Latin-2145/Permissum-vestri-complector-rector.htm

Staroc seems to be offering his/her expertise in TV show trivia to a fellow fan, not at all trying to second-guess you. In fact, he/she agrees with you!

The point is, these changes to the site do not affect your category. So it's "business as usual" with no interference.

Hope this helps
and thanks for Volunteering,
Katie
AllExperts.com