@Trudy & the beast wrote:
I do not see restricting newbies as bringing any improvement to the game. Nor do I see a rating system as being a positive influence. I believe that if we want to see improvement in the quality of our caches, then we need to extol the virtue of those that are good. Cache-of-the-Month, honorable mention list, favorites lists go a long way toward achieving this end. Let’s try to put more emphasis on what is being done right and relegate admonishments to e-mail rather than the forums.
JMHO ~tb
That pretty much sums up the opinion of Jeremy Irish as well. A rating system has an inherent problem in that different people like different kinds of caches. Think about the differences of opinion we’ve seen on these kinds of caches: micros, long hikes, puzzles, cemeteries, just to name a few. People who hate them are going to give them low scores, people who love them will do the opposite.
Now think about if there was a ratings system in place and someone set out a mediocre cache. I think it would be a rare person indeed who would take a low rating as merely constructive criticism and not get defensive or offended. That just won’t generate any good will, especially for newbies who would feel judged and have their new-found enthusiasm squashed like a bug.
We just need to continue setting a good example by placing quality caches and letting the cream rise to the top through the methods mentioned before.
