Is your participation a positive one on Yahoo! Answers?

Hmmm, interesting question.

♦ Definitely NOT for the sake of points. Points don't mean much to me at all, as I've seen worthless users at level 7's and many quality answers from users only at level 3 and so on. I must say the points, for me, are just a 'by the way' that come along with answering questions.

What matters more to me is that I should at least have a shot at Best Answer, as I do view high Best Answer percentages as something worth aiming for.

♦As for the matter of doing it to challenge others, I don't really ask that many questions on here, but I definitely DO enjoy the competitive air on here sometimes, with everyone thinking their answer is best, and usually find these kind of competitive questions/answers in the more controversial categories.

♦As for being helpful, I must say it does motivate me in answering the questions, and it is a good feeling knowing that I am helping people out (they have notified me that I helped them, or mention it when giving me BA), even if it's just about the 'little things in life' like on how to change their avatar or sync their iPod.

So, all in all, I must say, there are many reasons why I come to Y! answers, almost daily. But, for the most reason, I think it's because I just enjoy filling the empty gaps at work, especially with such an (almost) amazing site as this, with ALL different kinds of question, answers, and people!

Take care........

EDIT: AND, as an afterthought, I have noticed that Y! Answers has definitely made me think in a deeper way, by noticing the different kinds of people and types there are out there!

I find this to be a very good question and I thank you for asking it.

What I get from being a 'contributor' to YA is not an orange flag saying I have been awarded anything, as that I have not received. While it would be nice, it is not my motivation.

My motivation is Three-fold.

First, I find that I really do enjoy being helpful. I have enjoyed such all my life. I have found in my own town that I have been given so much by the community, that I feel it is my duty to give some back. The same is true with the Internet. I have received so much pleasure, knowledge and entertainment from the Internet, that I feel it is my duty to give just a little bit back. I find that YA is the easiest and best place for me to do exactly this.

Secondly, I must admit to using YA to ask questions, that I just cannot find the answer anywhere else. Maybe I was looking for the wrong thing and a member here has set me on the right track, or maybe I was just not searching and using the right words. A good example of this might be when I may know a subject of a song from the 80's, but not the words or the singer. Here, I find enough help to set me on the right track to get the right answers.

Finally, I learned long ago, when I use to teach tax firms how to do taxes, and candidates for the Enrolled Agent examination how to pass such, that every time I taught a course, I learned more than the student. The same holds true for this wonderful community of YA. When I am able to answer a question, I, through research, have found that I learn more about the subject than I can impart. I find that education is it's own reward, and there is no better place than YA to receive such an education.

I hope this helps explain my feelings and reasons for being part of the YA community.

Coming to Yahoo Answers for answers to questions is a great way to get educated and have fun at the same time. My contribution lies in the fact I like to share experiences with others in hopes that these experiences will benefit people that may have issues in life or the need to help solve problems either now or down the road in time. To some degree I'm being helpful, but it's really about just sharing and communicating and meeting new friends daily. Providing an answer is one thing but it's yet another thing to add examples and experiences to back up my answers. This is what I feel really brings in the draw and interests for all to share.. It's not really for the challenge or the points although it's somewhat fun to watch the points add up too.

So many TC's have answered lol.

I use Y!A for a reason that nobody else will have. I want to become a dance teacher when I've left school, this is the best place to start becoming one. I offer advice on technique, flexibility, stretches, routines, shoes and more.

I definitely don't use it for points-I'm level 4 LOL. And I've had a TC Badge since level 3.

I'm currently #8 on the top answerer's, but I really have been trying to climb up the places to hopefully become #3-4. But we'll what happens...

I'm probably the youngest TC (14) but I really do provide some very serious lengthy answers.

Great question!

Yes, I would like to think so.

Ultimately, that was and still remains my goal of providing answers in this forum. I found it especially appealing to me when I became a member here on Y!A nearly a year ago, because I'm an altruist in nature (look it up for the dictionary definition if you don't know what it means, or you can simply think of me as a Good Samaritan, or maybe even kinda like your "Sugar Daddy" -- LOL).

If I can help someone out with much-needed information, reassurring them that they made the right choice on their own, or simply making them happy with a dumb joke, or even a smile (sharing one with U as well as placing one on your face) -- I am happy.

The Orange Badge as a TC has been in my possession a couple of times, but I don't "maintain" it as I probably should by remaining in one particular category. I found it more fulfilling to move on to other areas where I thought I could help (or maybe less bullied). For example, I was a frequent contributor on R&S and shared information about my faith (I'm Catholic) until the climate changed & the trolls took over. I still pop back in for a question or two now & again. I also slept in the P&S category for a little while & pulled out the old joke book (or made up new ones) & had a good time ... until the trolls took over there as well. Now, I'll hang out in Singles & Dating/Marriage & Divorce/Computers & Internet/Polls & Surveys/Religion & Spirituality/etc. -- If I can answer a software or platform (Windows/Mac) questions in C&I to help someone out, I get as much pleasure as helping someone in S&D to help fix a relationship issue. I believe we can all contribute a useful answer -- because we always have a choice to help others or not -- this is a great forum to provide a constant opportunity to do the right thing!

I found the site on the bottom of one of my group homepages, there were several doberman questions and they were so ignorant it bugged me. So i started reading the questions in the dogs section and was astounded by the stupidity the majority of questioners in that section ask. I'm involved in rescue and try to promote my positions on spay/neuter and rescue as well as the importance of going to a reputable breeder if you aren't interested in rescue (some people are just stubborn). I attempt to discourage those intending on breeding or that have already irresponsibly bred. I am actively involved in anti BSL (breed specific legislation) and try to promote responsible ownership. And help on medical issues and training where I feel I know the answer or have a clue about it... I am extremely opinionated and l have a REALLY hard time being nice to morons, but I'm getting better slowly. I've had to start editing my posts, several times. I'm not a top contributor, I can't stay on top of the questions! Maybe someday, it's not a priority for me and I'm not spastic about the points. It gives me a little lift when I get a best answer email, it's nice to know that at least some of what I say is appreciated even when a lot of it isn't. I've met (kind of) some very interesting, knowledgeable people that care about the same things I do, whether we agree or not, and I like seeing their questions and answering them. Y!A can be fun, frustrating most of the time, but on occasion it's very rewarding.

My highest achievement to date within yahoo! answers was the fifth user from yahoo! answers UK & ireland to be selected as a featured user for my contribution to the computers and internet section.

It was somewhat unexpected however Matt, the staff member to reward me with the featured user title stated staff had been monitering my answers for some time.

Like the Educ8ter, I would love to know if any advise I have offered has been adapted in real life or simply to see if the adivse helped to resolve an issue, and I am very grateful for users who take the time to email my account to thank me.

I take yahoo! answers very seriously, maybe too seriously as a teenager however I have also learnt skils of maturity and typing skills which are useful outside of yahoo! answers.

I'm not here for points so any acheivements in this feild do not interest me. I have also been a yahoo! answers user for over two years. I am a strong supporter of the site and the community however ¢hεεrs will not be around for ever. I plan to enjoy the site as much as possible in the near future however I do not plan to be here forever.

However I feel I have had some positive impressions on the site, as well as my own negative moments. I do however love to welcome new users to the community.

All the best

¢hεεrs

I enjoy the learning from different categories.

I have been asked what is Yahoo Answers

its about asking answering questions as well as the fun. Ever since I became a top contributor last August I felt like a professional ( Elite ) according to Yahoo Answers. I also enjoyed learning from people like Dad, Yahzmin these are just two of several people in here top contributor or not.

Yes I think so. I try to be helpful and give honest answers. I'm not worried about points or anything else. I just like to help other users and make friends, which I have done a lot.

The badge really doesn't mean a whole lot. For example, I am only 18 and although I have been through a lot in my life, I am no where near as knowledgeable as some of the other users in the Adolescent category.

...

for me it started as a search for answers,but i quickly learned,much to my surprise, that i also had answers to some of the questions being asked. i honestly care about people and thats just a core part of my personality. YA has some problems, but overall it is an awesome place to help others, learn and laugh. i have been a member for awhile but never really used or learned the site until quite recently. like so many others who have answered this, i really do not care so much about the points but must admit that discovering i was doing quite well with the percentages was a nice boost to my self confidence and sense of self. I am STILL learning about this site and have made mistakes, but people like dad set me straight without being mean. i had some very stupid questions and comments concerning TC's before dad explained what trolls were. I contribute mainly because i care and YA's allows me the opportunity to reach and possibly help others i would not meet in any other way. that is main reason i CONTRIBUTE, but overall, i use this site because people who make it great are collectivly and happily giving back so much more than i can ever put in.

dad.. things you have to say are always worth reading but this time you have really outdone yourself!! this was an awesome question because the answers to it clearly explain what YA's is all about and demonstrates why it works. it seems like YA's staff have recently started addressing the troll problem in a more active manner and they are also reviewing and replacing content more often than they were in the past. that is all well and good but please do me a favor. this Q&A's is prob gonna make you an even bigger troll target than you already were. If they manage to take you down, please take me with you when you come back !! Thanks for just being who you are and doing what you do!! Laterzzz proxy