A Suggestion

Expert Section. We would to have a separate heading for TR, one for Fungo, one for Linear, one for Dibble, one for Bear, one for...
...Well, you get the picture. There are a TON of experts on this site that all contribute in their own ways, whether they disagree with each other, or not.
I'm concerned too many changes will mess with the Karma of the site, but that's a whole other thread unto itself.

NY MOM:

Pay no attention to the number of posts under my belt, they're inflated...call it post creep if you will...my advice to you is...

Post and you shall receive!

JT - You miss my point - of course there are a million experts on this site -but they are NOT all experts on one specific subject. Perhaps EXPERT is the wrong designation - what I meant is that there are many various posters who are knowledgeable in ONE or more specific areas - not necessarily generalists.

I know when people email me, they do so about particular information - and I looked for people with particular information that I needed. Not everyone knows everything about everything.

I envisioned a list of subject matter with names of those interested in adding their names to the subject matter to be contacted as needed.

I for one do not like the term "expert"

I much prefer the term "experienced"

I certainly do not consider myself an expert--but I do consider myself more experienced than many

NY MOM:

quote:

Not everyone knows everything about everything.

Really? Have you asked some of them? I'm sure they would argue otherwise!

I see your point, now NYM. I like TR's "experienced" reference, too. Guess my concern is an "experienced" section would lead to mass chaos with folks arguing over the other's "experience." Of course, perhaps I'm being a bit pessimistic.

Perhaps I misunderstand your suggestion but...

One of the best parts about this site is the knowledge that is shared.

The way it is now folks who are not comfortable posting can still gain tons of knowledge just by reading the replies to the questions other folks post.

If we get in the habit of PMing those who we expect to give us the info we need no one else gets to read the responses - and thus learn from the information.

Some of those "lurkers" who read but don't post are the ones who most need answers. And ironcially, after 6 months or maybe 2 years of lurking they become some of more active posters with their own brand of knowledge to share.

I guess I'm saying is keep the posts out in the open where more folks can learn from the responses.

quote:

...ironcially, after six months or maybe even two minutes of lurking he becomes one of the more active posters with his own brand of nonsense to share.

Yup...that'd be me all right.

I have an opinion about everything.

BeenthereIL:

An opinion about everything is one thing...knowing everything about everything is quite a different matter!


Let me throw one your way...what is your opinion on door closer warranties?

quote:

Originally posted by AParent:
If we get in the habit of PMing those who we expect to give us the info we need no one else gets to read the responses - and thus learn from the information.

Some of those "lurkers" who read but don't post are the ones who most need answers. And ironcially, after 6 months or maybe 2 years of lurking they become some of more active posters with their own brand of knowledge to share.

This phenomenon is commonly refered to as the Beezer Method.

NYMom,
A very good post. I understand exactly what you mean by designating an area or forum to get a specific question answered. I felt the same way years ago because I wanted a Yes/No answers to my many questions. I couldn’t get them. I still had to make decisions based on opinions but now I'm thankful for those differing opinions. Medical doctors are extremely educated in their field and considered experts. However, it is VERY common to get a second and even a third opinion before making a decision. Such is the HSBBW. There are no experts on the HSBBW. Well, let me rephrase that. There are persons on this board that I would call experts in particular areas but I would also suggest they are pleasantly biased. They do try to give unbiased opinions but an “UNBIASED OPINION” is an oxymoron. Even if there were true unbiased “experts” available, there are no “pat” answers for the majority of questions. Most questions pertain to a specific player. For instance, should my son play the outfield or first base? Is it better to make him a switch hitter or should he focus on being a LH hitter only? Should he attend a D-1 college in Georgia or a D-3 in Wisconsin? Every player is different from every other player in the world. That player and his parent have a smorgasbord of opinions to choose from when they come to the HSBBW. If you’ll notice just about every subject has an opposing view. I think that is very healthy and the main ingredient that has made the HSBBW the best baseball website available for a player and his parents seeking a solution for their situation.
Fungo

NY Mom,

I think this is a very good suggestion, though I haven't yet thought of a good way to implement it. The other opinions in this thread are valid, too ... about wanting to keep most discussions public so that visitors and other members can benefit, and also perhaps about some folks thinking they are experts in a lot of subjects!


I am planning several enhancements to the site and forums for this year, and will keep this in mind as a possibility. One approach that occurred to me is to add a designation after the member's title (i.e. HSBBWeb Old Timer). The designation could be something like "Recruiting *****" for a five-star expert in Recruiting topics, or "Hitting *" for a less knowledgeable Hitting expert. (Sorry, I probably shouldn't have said that!)

But on the other hand, sometimes I have learned a bunch from a relative newcomer who starts a post by saying that they are NOT an expert, then proceeds to share a real life story or an opinion that just sheds a whole new light on a topic.

Anyway, I appreciate suggestions like this, and will keep it in mind as I continue to work on site enhancements.

Julie

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:
Even if there were true unbiased “experts” available, there are no “pat” answers for the majority of questions. Most questions pertain to a specific player. For instance, should my son....a switch hitter or should he focus on being a LH hitter only?

So what you're saying is that I worded my question poorly?

Well, I think we've all seen the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. I now feel qualified to be identified at least in reference to that tour. You know, "Here's your sign!" LOL!

The suggested expert or experienced section sounds good initially but like was said previously, most everyone seems pretty experienced.

I think simply using the "find" or "search" function at the top of every page works pretty good if you're looking for specific help.

Plenty of experts round here, just ask'em.

I never realized that using the term 'expert' would touch such nerves. I do know that many people email posters about going further with their information after first finding the information on an open forum. I'm not saying there should be only one person designated as an expert - or as experienced in one area. Why not let people sign up under areas with which they feel most secure....that way if someone wants MORE SPECIFIC inforamtion, they know where to ask without having to search threads to find the person they are going to email anyway.

I never meant to suggsst that one person be considered THE hsbaseballweb expert in an area. My idea would just list those websters who usually post about a specific area in one place...and it would be their choice to offer their help.

That was my intent with this suggestion - not to assume that only one point of view was the be-all and end-all.

So much for suggestions

In an attempt - albeit possibly feeble - to give NYMOM some support for her suggestion - I will propose two new forums.

Italian cooking.
Moose meat recipes.

I will also nominate myself for expert status in both categories.

Lets get some yeahs and nays.



NYMOM - I am trying here.

its - fire away with those Italian cooking ideas and recipes!!!!

I'd like to be in the 10% experts group. I have 10% of the knowledge and as soon as I learn what the other 90% know, then I'll know more than I do now.

Mrs Its, you mean theres one of us EYEtalians living in NC.

CoachEric,

It is Mister Its - and I do ALL of the shopping and cooking.

Mrs. Its isnt even Italian.

And yes - a few of us have been deported to NC.

LOL

So Sorry Its, many of my relatives (men) are the best cooks in the family. My Nonno (grandpa) was a great cook. My wife was born in Sicily and does all the cooking. Thats why I am a well rounded gent these days. Not too many of us in central florida either. Back to baseball.

Well, if anyone is expert or experienced I'm looking for a good Moose in Vodka sauce recipe.

it's a nice concept NYMom,
though it's also great to sort thru a variety of opinions and interact with folks

anyway,
"EXPERT" root/orgin -

"ex" - former
"spurt" - a drip under pressure

soo, where do I sign up??



D-04, why ruin good vodka by mixing it with moose (or anything esle?)

.

The board is so colorful and full of life.

Love all the new smiles!

Sheppy

Just MHO, but my questions have always been answered promptly and from many perspectives. Sometimes the best advice I've received has come from a brand new poster that no one even knows yet. I don't know - I think it's a can of worms. Who qualifies as 'expert'? It seems to me the site is functioning very well 'as is'. Awesome resource!

NY Mom....appreciate you making a suggestion....but don't see it as feasible....would prefer current format where everyone gets to give their two cents.....and we take it or leave it....

NYMom,

Understand your thinking, but believe the negatives would outweigh the positives. Most everyone here has expertise or experience. It's those different experiences that make this site so valuable and interesting. Every person has unique experience and differing opinions.

Who can say who the true experts really are? I've learned a lot from people here who I'm pretty sure don't consider themselves experts. Also listened to and ignored a lot of BS from people here who do consider themselves experts.

NYMom...I, too, understand your thinking. However, very rarely is there one "expert" answer to any question having to do with any area of the sport of baseball that will fit your particular need. I'm with the majority on this issue. Ask a question in the appropriate forum and "listen" to all of the responses. Then, glean from those responses a resolution to your particular issue. If you can't come up with a resolution, clarify your question/issue and ask again.

Catfish:

Now that is sensible.

gotwood - I want to know where that thumb has been!! i don't like where it appears to be coming from!

Yeah...ClevelandDad thinks I have some sort of retentive problem...I should probably get it checked out!

Now if it just had a purple tip I could claim to be a proud Iraqi!

Everyone is entitled to My opinion!

As Sgt. Schultz says: I Know Nothing!