tcsmpsi asked this question on 5/9/2000:
Due to recent activity, I feel it is point of responsibility to post this as an open statement.
"According to site guideliines, the rating system was and is designed to be as fair as possible to each and every expert which is signed in to their particular category. The referral link was not intended specifically for one's personal rating increase, but more as an overall increase of traffic to the site. Otherwise, any large affiliation could command almost all rating within a site. Which, in turn would certainly not be fair to any expert who was not part of that affiliation. Any manipulation of the rating system is looked on as abuse of the system and if investigation shows that the system has been manipulated, then it is the site's descretion whether to remove that expert to keep the integrity of the site intact.
Actually, not too long ago, there was a case which might help to shed some light on the ethics of the rating system. It began by the 'raising of eyebrows' of a few experts when it was noticed that a person had posted multiple answers to single questions. That in itself was odd, but when these answers got immediate 5 star ratings, some on old questions which had no traffic in a long while, and where some of the other experts answers had not been rated at all, then genuine suspicion was born. Then to further that suspicion, most of these answers were 'form answers', and not always specific to the asker of the question. This was leading suspicion of someone coming in behind and rating these answers who was affiliated with the person answering the questions. Further investigation showed that this person was head of an affiliation, and that many of the answers of the questions were tuned to that affiliation. This activity slacked off for a few days, so the subject was dropped. Then, one day this same person started again with the same process. However, that same day many questions were asked that person particularly, and all were given immediate 5 star ratings. To add to suspicion, many of the questions were obvious to be 'form questions' and given 'form answers', in such a manner that any expert who has been here for a while KNOWS just does not happen. Upon investigation, it was found that some of these questions were posted by members of the board of the affiliation of the 'expert' answering the questions.
Indeed, it was determined that this was manipulating the rating system, obviously. Certainly not being objective with any expert who was not affiliated with that group. In fact, it rather demeaned and 'sucker punched' every expert not affiliated. Ultimately, being abusive in an environment in which we work so diligently to be non-abusive.
The site administration's investigations showed this to be abusive use of the rating system.
I hope this has helped to understand the integrity of the rating system, for the experts and for all who come seeking non-biased and objective answers.
Every person signed as expert on this site, I would say, especially in the violence and abuse category, has their own knowledge to share with those who seek. It is all our responsibilities to see that the ethical integrity is kept intact. No expert in this arena is 'best'. No one expert is any better than another, if they are sincere in their endeavors. Many experts reach down to the depths of their beings to answer questions in this forum, and bleed many times with the victim. It is all these experts which deserve 5 star ratings. Manipulation of the rating system is a travesty of what this site is about."
I have spent near 30 years working with abuse, and in the tens of thousands of hours I have devoted, I have never received one thin dime. Nor is it my intention to. And certainly, never from this site. If you want to know what 'constant attack' is, then just become ranked # 1 on this site. Sincerely, Michael Carter (tcsmpsi)
Karenofst,(since you mentioned it) My letter to you was a response stemming from your posted questions to the above person. You are on the board of this affiliation, and at least one of the answers given you was not even TO you as it requested 'you and your friend' to join the affiliation. Yet, it still got a 5 star rating. This was to me a conspiracy to manipulate the ratings.
niki6 gave this response on 5/9/2000:
I AM SADDEN BY ALL OF THIS....I THOUGHT THIS WAS TO HELP PEOPLE AND I AM SETTING TO DO THIS BECAUSE I WAS ONCE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.....I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE ARE PLAYING GAMES, I AM SAD BY THE TRUTH OF NASTINESS, LIARS, AND CHEATS......TCSMPSI, OR RATHER MR.CARTER, I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HELP OTHERS, I AM SORRY THAT NASTY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING OUR GOOD PEOPLE AWAY....GOD BLESS YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR HELPING, I DO HOPE YOU WILL RECONSIDER....TAKE CARE
The average rating for this answer is 4.6.
tcsmpsi rated this answer a 5.
Thank you very much Nicole. Yes, it has all saddened me greatly as well. And in all honesty, I think that is really the foundation for my decision. Heck, I know I can never turn down someone who is sincere in their need, as it is really my need as well. Your kindness and support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much Nicole.