Not-for-points questions: why are they allowed? Thread poster: philgoddard
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I was prompted to ask this by a fairly straightforward KudoZ question that's been languishing ignored (deservedly, in my opinion) for the past eight hours. Why are people allowed to post questions without awarding points? Isn't it basic courtesy, a way of thanking others for their efforts?
(I'm not talking about closing questions without giving points. I do this myself sometimes.)
[Edited at 2016-10-21 17:07 GMT]
| | | | Kirsten Larsen (X)
Spain
Spanish to Danish
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| I fully agree. | Oct 21, 2016 |
It´s such a stupid option.
Kirsten
| | | | | | | True, the asker doesn't get any benefit | Oct 21, 2016 |
by asking a question without awarding points, and the answerer either by answering it. I was wondering myself many times why this possibility exists. Why would an asker do this? It's really nonsensical in my opinion.
[Bearbeitet am 2016-10-21 17:27 GMT]
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philgoddard
United States
German to English
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TOPIC STARTER
That's not what I asked. I know what it means. My question was why the option exists.
| | | | Thomas Pfann 
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:20
Member (2006)
English to German
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philgoddard wrote:
I was prompted to ask this by a fairly straightforward KudoZ question that's been languishing ignored (deservedly, in my opinion) for the past eight hours. Why are people allowed to post questions without awarding points? Isn't it basic courtesy, a way of thanking others for their efforts?
(I'm not talking about closing questions without giving points. I do this myself sometimes.)
[Edited at 2016-10-21 17:07 GMT]
In the KudoZ FAQs it is explained as follows:
Some users believe that the awarding of KudoZ points detracts from the KudoZ experience. It is possible for such users to opt to make a question "not for points" when asking. KudoZ points can not be earned by answering such questions.
Just as there are some answerers who think it is beneath them to answer a question for points and who would only ever comment on KudoZ questions, never actually submit an answer. And yes, they do exist - I remember a light-hearted discussion about this a few years back in the German forum - someone nicknamed the idea AltruZ: http://www.proz.com/forum/german/59434-welches_der_beiden_worte_von_ask_asker_ist_unverständlch.html
I don't share your thinking of awarding points being basic courtesy. In the case of 'not for points' questions everyone knows from the start that there won't be any points. Personally, I value a 'thank you' from the asker just as much as the points - maybe even more.
| | | | | Because someone asked for it... | Oct 21, 2016 |
philgoddard wrote:
That's not what I asked. I know what it means. My question was why the option exists.
"Some users believe that the awarding of KudoZ points detracts from the KudoZ experience" seems to point to that too. "Someone believes that", so they asked for that... (and in the thread I linked, someone was in fact asking just that)
| | | | | The KudoZ "experience" | Oct 22, 2016 |
Mirko Mainardi wrote:
Some users believe that the awarding of KudoZ points detracts from the KudoZ experience.
I've heard people talk about "the KudoZ experience" - similar to climbing up to Machu Picchu or visiting a Buddhist temple. Which always makes me a little sad. Because for me it's never been anything more than a way of helping colleagues and hopefully be awarded points - a tangible form of showing my expertise.
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Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 13:20
Dutch to English
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| Two reasons for points | Oct 22, 2016 |
I agree with Phil that points are a way to reward askers for their time and effort. In the larger proz.com context your points are evidence of your active participation and your willingness to help others.
If askers feel that giving points detracts from their 'Kudoz experience' that is up to them but then they have to accept the fact that some answerers feel that not being able to get points detracts from their pleasure in participating.
| | | | Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:20
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
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| my personal view | Oct 22, 2016 |
If points were abolished, I would probably stop answering questions altogether. The time and effort I put into my answers needs to contribute, in one way or another, to promoting my business. So yeah, no points, no help. As a father and provider I have very little time for altruism. OK, back to work.
Michael
| | | | | And I agree with you | Oct 22, 2016 |
Fiona Grace Peterson wrote:
Mirko Mainardi wrote:
Some users believe that the awarding of KudoZ points detracts from the KudoZ experience.
I've heard people talk about "the KudoZ experience" - similar to climbing up to Machu Picchu or visiting a Buddhist temple. Which always makes me a little sad. Because for me it's never been anything more than a way of helping colleagues and hopefully be awarded points - a tangible form of showing my expertise.
But, while I agree with you, I also believe the existence of such an option is not really an issue, in that I am totally free to decide not to answer such questions, so I really don't see the problem here... It's just an option given to some askers.
Personally I am more bothered (not really  ) by people asking "specialist" (or however field-specific) questions and still marking them as "non-pro", or by the fact that askers are allowed to enter terms in the glossary (and awarded BrowniZ for it). If you're asking a question, then it means you don't know/are not sure about the answer, therefore I find it peculiar you're allowed to enter that answer in a glossary (getting a "bonus" for it) or to decide that question is "too easy" (to award points).
But that's even more OT...
| | | | | some people... | Oct 23, 2016 |
do not agree with the points system, so the option was introduced... if you don't like it, don't answer... 
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Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL wrote:
do not agree with the points system, so the option was introduced... if you don't like it, don't answer...
No one is obliged to answer Kudoz questions, with or without pointZ.
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I'd do it for PizzaZ...
| | | | | That's right, no obligations | Oct 25, 2016 |
writeaway wrote:
Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL wrote:
do not agree with the points system, so the option was introduced... if you don't like it, don't answer...
No one is obliged to answer Kudoz questions, with or without pointZ.
What Giovanni and writeaway said.
[Edited at 2016-10-25 10:04 GMT]
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