lurkers.... on the boards

[sbdolphino]

i really like that last line on you sig about helping people

[thatbrian]

I'm so grateful for all of the help I've received; I want to help out where I can.

i really like that last line on you sig about helping people

[Joel]

I have received about a half dozen emails and more than 20 PMs asking for specific exam guidance.

I do a quick search of their username and reply to those that have contributed here and ignore the ones that haven't.

[Joel]

Well....you know there's good reason why people lurk on test sites like these.

if they were ever caught...substantially snooping...into the test help (some of that specific feedback stuff is quite detailed, might I add) ...the credit from CLEP would not be awarded or could even be taken away.

No one that I know has ever been punished for going on this board but be careful what you say, you never know who might be watching

Does anyone other than GOLDPAWS feel that there is anything unethical about this site?

[peppamint]

Does anyone other than GOLDPAWS feel that there is anything unethical about this site?

I hope that GOLDPAWS doesn't feel the site is unethical. I think GP is (might be) referring to a deep deep thread about people posting exact questions that were on the exam. IMO, that is a no-no per the agreement we make when we take each clep/dsst exam, and I hate (and have reported) when people do that.

Otherwise, this site is no different than a loud, overly caffeinated crowd studying for exams at SBUX. Perhaps the thread "specific exam feedback" is taken too literally by some, and I think this is what GP may be eluding to. This is just my guess though - can't speak for GP.

Yea... I consider myself a lurker too, not a creepy one, just more quiet than most - haven't even made it to squire yet, or whatever it is. But as discussed previously (sorry, not going to look for the thread because I really don't want to start that conversation up again ) and confirmed by SG, certain "authorities" do lurk on this site for the purpose of making sure no "ethics" have been violated per exam requirements.

I am now suspending my activity to return to lurking.

[peppamint]

OK, unsuspending, because after re-reading GOLDPAWS post, I have no idea.... Yikes :o

[lwmcc]

I've gotten a greater percentage of PMs lately asking for advice/study sources on specific tests and equate that with the Specific Feedback Section going private. I don't mind helping, and since I've gotten a few questions on the same tests I can copy from prior answers. I miss being able to point folks to the Specific Feedback section, though...<sigh>

The questions I've gotten haven't been from people who are technically 'lurkers', since they've got logins; hey, I tend to be a 'lurker' myself, since I usually just answer a post if it seems no one else has or if there's more specific info I've got to share than has already been posted.

As to ethics, for the most part I think people are careful to not post specific questions, and no one's contacted me asking for specific info about what's on the test. I've personally only gotten one request from someone offering to pay me to take his math courses for him; once I quit laughing hysterically at the idea of me as a 'math whiz' (So, so NOT!), I promptly said no and explained my personal view of education for the knowledge-gained sake, not just for a piece of 'magic paper'.

- Lia

[tsipora]

What is easy for one person is very hard for another person. Sometimes, an introverted lurker such as myself, might be, for some reason or another, too shy, or intimidated to post. Also, when I read a thread, I figure there are so many other people taking part, in the end, my comments are not all that important. I don't feel like I have anything to offer that's worthwhile posting it. I mean after all, there are so many users who have more experience than us, and are way ahead of us in the game, we don't have all that much to offer you anyways.

[photomom4]

OK I am confused as well by GoldPaws post. What do they mean by CLEP credit not being awarded or being taken away? That is nothing to joke about.

As for lurking, I consider someone who is not a registered member to be a lurker. I am raising and homeschooling four kids while trying to complete my degree as well. I am a registered member. I use this board as it benefits "me", when "I" need it, then post if I have time. Which is not often. In fact, I should be studying for a CLEP I have in the AM but, GoldPaws post has really disturbed me.

Could someone please explain what the post means or is referring to?

[peppamint]

What is easy for one person is very hard for another person. Sometimes, an introverted lurker such as myself, might be, for some reason or another, too shy, or intimidated to post. Also, when I read a thread, I figure there are so many other people taking part, in the end, my comments are not all that important. I don't feel like I have anything to offer that's worthwhile posting it. I mean after all, there are so many users who have more experience than us, and are way ahead of us in the game, we don't have all that much to offer you anyways.

Welcome to the daylight tsipora! hilarious
That's funny sounding coming from me, but I know how you feel. Except when I know I know something, I generally don't offer my opinion unless, like today, I'm being overly chatty (by my own standards).