# Re: ruby spot it **URL:** \ **Category:** Ruby\ **Created:** [September 21, 2006, 12:33pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-ruby-spot-it/69498 "2006-09-21T12:33:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 12:33pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-ruby-spot-it/69498/1 "2006-09-21T12:33:23Z")
I guess, that right now, the motivation would be the same like answering such questions here. But maybe i can find some others … 😉 But the main idea is, that other beginners correct them and learn from the errors. “Tim B.” [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) schrieb am 21.09.2006 11:52: > - where professionals and other noobs can answer them and maybe discuss them What sort of motivation would a “professional” have to go to a beginner’s site to go about correcting beginner’s errors without the expected win of maybe being able to discuss his or her own problems? -tim ---
**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 6:10pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-ruby-spot-it/69498/2 "2006-09-21T18:10:32Z")
removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid wrote: > I guess, that right now, the motivation would be the same like answering > such questions here. But maybe i can find some others … 😉 But the main > idea is, that other beginners correct them and learn from the errors. Basically a good idea, but there are lots of beginner threads here, and just as many helpful answers. It might not be such a good idea to have beginners answer beginners’ questions, for a reason that should be obvious. ---
**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 8:36am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-ruby-spot-it/69498/3 "2006-09-22T08:36:32Z")
> Basically a good idea, but there are lots of beginner threads here, and just > as many helpful answers. It might not be such a good idea to have beginners > answer beginners’ questions, for a reason that should be obvious. I believe it’s a “tragedy of the commons” type problem. The “professionals” hang out here for the interesting stuff and answer beginner questions occasionally. There’s really no motivation for the “professional” to browse a pure beginner’s forum and while the beginners can answer each other’s questions, soon you’ll have beginners who want answers from “professionals”, crossposting will follow, beginners will be rudely shown the door and sent back to the beginner’s forum. Everyone will start yelling at each other and pandemonium will ensue. I wouldn’t risk it. -tim ---
**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 12:56pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-ruby-spot-it/69498/4 "2006-09-22T12:56:56Z")
On 9/21/06, removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > I guess, that right now, the motivation would be the same like answering > such questions here. But maybe i can find some others … 😉 But the main > idea is, that other beginners correct them and learn from the errors. Well, there’s always the most straightforward motivation of all: money. Some time ago I heard about a site called [qunu.com](http://qunu.com) (for a giggle, say it out loud in French) that offered experienced people money to answer noob (and not so noob) questions. I haven’t followed it. Does anyone know how it’s working out? A quick look at their home page shows sections for java, python and PHP but not Ruby. ---
**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 3:09pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-ruby-spot-it/69498/5 "2006-09-22T15:09:12Z")
On Sep 22, 2006, at 1:35 AM, Tim B. wrote: > There’s really no motivation for the > “professional” to browse a pure beginner’s forum and while the > beginners can answer each other’s questions Pat Eyler and I were discussing this yesterday. I was on the Perl Beginner’s mailing list for years and I can tell you multiple smart people were regulars there. I can’t tell you why they were all there, but my reason was that it felt good to help people just like others did for me when I was learning. I’m pretty sure some liked helping there because they could teach good Perl habits to the newcomers. Your theory is sound, but the professionals might just surprise you. James Edward G. II