[AccessD] Moderator Message

Yea, I pretty much just close back out whenever I end up there.  It would be one thing if the only 
people allowed to answer were verifiable experts but I can see no way to discern that the responders 
know anything at all.

John W. Colby
www.ColbyConsulting.com


Charlotte Foust wrote:
> I have often wondered how Experts Exchange stays in business.  I have
> been a member in the past, but never could find the answers I needed
> (where were those MVPs then, I wonder) and I resent not being able to
> preview an article before I decide that I'm willing to pay for it.  It
> irritates me no end to follow a search link and discover I have to pay
> up and sign in to even find out whether the piece is relevant.
> 
> Charlotte Foust 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jim Dettman
> Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 12:33 PM
> To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> Subject: Re: [AccessD] Moderator Message
> 
> Ken,
> 
> <<3. Co-opt Experts Exchange
> It burns me that experts-exchange, AKA 'drooling idiots trying to charge
> money for non-answers', is so dominating in technical search results.
> They understand SEO, and are clobbering use in terms of exposure, even
> if they have nothing to offer. What a waste!>>
> 
>   I think you really need to ask yourself that if they have nothing to
> offer, then:
> 
> A. Why are they still in business?
> 
> B. Why do they have so much exposure?
> 
>   I don't know what you and others have run into on Experts Exchange,
> but at last count, there are over 200 Microsoft MVPs that call Expert's
> Exchange home.  I don't believe there is a larger concentration of MVP's
> anywhere on any site.
> 
>   Certainly there are idiots that will spout off non-answers, but there
> are also a lot of qualified folks who hang out there as well.
> 
>   I find what seems to gall people the most is that they charge for the
> service and make money at it.  Personally, I find nothing wrong with
> that.
> EE incorporated in 1996 and almost went bankrupt along with a lot of the
> other .com's that burst.  But they changed their business model to
> something that worked and as a result, their still around.  That allows
> them to continually work at and improve the site.  As you yourself point
> out; when's the last time Access-D had an overhaul and why not?
> 
>   Outside of all that, you can earn a membership by answering a few
> questions a month.  So if you contribute, then it costs you nothing.
> I've been involved with the site since 1999 (after CompuServe went more
> or less belly up - they sold out to WUGNET) and so far, I have not paid
> a dime.
> 
>   Of course if your looking for more exposure and something that's free,
> then I suppose you could try the Microsoft news groups.  They haven't
> changed their format either, but they certainly show up in the search
> results more often then Access-D.
> 
> Jim.
> 
>