tlturbo

Very well said.

microfarmer

I have learned quite a bit about bananas since my first plant and finding Bananas.org. I want to thank you all! I also would like to say that the Expert badge by my name looks really good. I'll admit I was fairly literate in the growing plants department, but bananas sent me back to shool...so to speak. I never had tried to grow plants that didn't like the cold and died.

A lot of stuff has been brought up regarding testing. For someone to get recognized and ahead in this world there is test after test as you aquire knowledge and skill. There is a test required for the Master Gardener program and you can't be a doctor without your share as you go thru school. The military does it that way, the colleges do it that way, the martial arts schools do it that way, so why shouldn't we do it that way? This would give all our members something to show for their knowledge, and also something to strive for if less than expert.

Now... I can tell some of the members who have the most experience with bananas, but alot of them have had years of formal training either hands on at a nursery/plantation, or through some type of school/apprenticeship program. Those individuals are a valuable resource and should get the credit they deserve! On the other hand, just because you've spent years doing something doesn't mean it qualifies you as an expert. It's what you get out of the work and what you pass along to others. Example: You can work in a tire shop for years, yet know nothing about how tires are made or what the best tire would be for certain applications. At the same time, someone on a Formula 1 pit crew may have had extensive training on tires and which to use for what track conditions or course, but will not know which tires are best for their family's car for the highway. This is where the test fits in. It tells the world how well you were paying attention, but it needs to be somewhat universal.


I am up for any test you might have, but the test must consider all participants goals. I don't particularly have any big desire to learn everything there is to know about the species bananas, as I enjoy the edibles more and the challenges of growing them in a marginal habitat and mixed with other plants/plantings. I do have a stronger knowledge of what it takes to bring a banana thru a tough winter without total loss. Have I perfected my procedures to the point of no loss? No. But my average is getting better, and I keep trying new things. I will be naturally less likely to be able to answer questions about species bananas. Don't get me wrong...I have some species bananas, and enjoy them too, it just doesn't matter to me like it matters to someone like Gabe. InkCube on the other hand has alot of plantation experience and how to get the most production.

Back to the 'going thru school' references, I feel we would need a series of tests, say 5-7 of them, starting out very simply with the first test with something like 'name the parts of a banana plant' and if you get a certain percentage correct you get a badge like 'Banana Apprentice' or 'Banana Friend', and then get to go on to the next test which would be a bit harder (like what are the top 5 diseases to affect bananas or some such) and ending with the 'Expert' level 7 tests later. You would need to pass the first test before you could take the second test. I also like the time limit and random questions to foil web surfing the answers. The toughest part is tailoring each test so that cold or warm climate, edible or species, no matter where in the world you are, you can achieve each level. Another possibility is an expert test for each area of banana growing (species, cold growing, production, diseases)

Whan it comes to the expert badges, it should go to someone who is an expert at bananas, not just posting about bananas without substance. Good luck with this Jarred! Don't forget your no.2 pencils!

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My new hero...

MediaHound

Thanks for all the feedback here on the thread and via PM that several members have sent to me. The whole system is under review now and all comments at this point are greatly appreciated.

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

STEELVIPER

What ever Jarred wants to do is fine by me. Its his site. He can run it as he wishes. If people would take the time to "read" post and not just look at pictures then they would all lean something. Also reading all the "old" post sure would help gain knowledge also. I think people on here have to go a few seasons with some success and some failures to be labeled an "expert" I think for this site simply answering some questions other members post and sharing you knowledge from what you have learned can lead you on the path to expert. There are no "Dumb" questions,and i do not care how many times that question was asked. ASK AGAIN!!! lol Im ok with the expert badge. Im a bananas.com expert. But!! on this site. And only on this site. try going to Dave's Garden and telling people that. All in all nothing can replace experience. And that is what makes an expert. And an "expert" shares his experiences on this site.

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island cassie

This is one of the best plant/banana sites on the web and I would not criticise it in any way!! I was surprised to be awarded Expert Member status which I did not feel I deserved as I am a newcomer to nanas, so I am quite happy with the idea of some sort of assessment before people are awarded Expert Member status. I defer to people who have technical experience in the field. I grow for fun and experience.
Whatever makes the site work is good - as there is so much valuable information there.

Chill and be happy
Cassie

Bananaman88

Jarred, buddy, I don't envy you right now having to take all of this in and process it all. Very good comments by all, in my opinion. I do think this site is many things to many people. Maybe more for fun than learning to some, to others maybe more about learning. I think we all can't help but learn something in the time we spend here. I am OK with or without the "Expert" badge system. I come here to learn and share knowledge and experiences. I feel that I get advice and learn as much, if not more, than I give it or help others at times. I truly enjoy the sense of community (easier than trying to spell commaraderie) here and that makes it enough for me. Good luck with whatever you decide!

xavierdlc61887

i think u should have like recommendations, like u need 10 recommendations to be an expert.... that way it wont be cheating.....its legit if people vote u in being a expert then thats good but a test......it doesn't mean anything....monkeys can pass tests :P.....even more if they are multiple choice....that brings me to something else if its a typed test someone has to go over them and decide.....anyway i think a set (Ex. 10 recommendations) would be a sufficient number to call oneself a expert....because 10 people are vouching that one is a expert :P ahahaha ok well disregard this if its to dumb

jpfloors

I was a little hesitant to post on this one. I just recently received the badge. Do I deserve it? I don't know. Someone obviously felt I did. I agree with both sides of the fence, but personally am more on the negative side of this fence. There is the issue of cheating, whether it's timed or not. I know for myself, if I had to, I could pass a timed internet test with "cheating". I know for some, test timing would also take longer than say MediaHound or Gabe, but they might (even without cheating) take longer to answer those questions. Plus it would HIGHLY be unfair to give the test to the person(s) writing up the test and average out their scores because they'll fly through the test already knowing what the questions are and their answers and not have to even put any mental thought into it.

Personally though i don't feel being able to go and find the answer while taking a test such as this would in fact be cheating, but rather learning. So therefore a test really wouldn't validate anything more than your ability to learn. Isn't that what the site is all about? Learning from one another. Be happy, grow and eat bananas! Having just said that, I believe we could do away with the "expert" badges! Don't make any one feel any more or less inferior. Also I don't feel that there could be any specific good test for being considered a "banana expert." To truely become an expert, you'd of had to have made your life dedicated to bananas! Go to school to learn only about herbaceous plants, continue that studying into the musa family and dedicate your life to it. I don't know anyone here that has done that at all, but maybe there is one or two out there. I know one or two that might be close to having a musa dedicated life, but by far I personally only believe not even halfway there! Even Jarred has a life beyond bananas.org! You can be very knowledgable about how to care for the plants, but in many cases that knowledge also can only apply to your own experiences, conditions, say what zone your in, your soil, the seasons you have, your methods of mending your soil, organic/non-organic... and that list could continue on and on and go into sub catagories such as TCing, seeds and other forms of propagation.

However I do feel a test in fun would be nice. It would let people validate what they know, and let them learn what they haven't and might be fun and helpful to new members as well to let them learn basic care. Just put the test in the main catagory and sticky it on the top!

Now for my feelings summed up, as if I hadn't said them yet. LOL I think we should all just enjoy the site, and not get so hung up on a badge or title. It's not like it's going to further our lives if we do or don't have it. We know what our own knowledge is, but at the same time, knowledge is learning, and learning becomes knowledge. Would I take the test? Only if it were a test for fun. I don't need a badge to show who I am. Again, grow and eat bananas, be happy!

xavierdlc61887

thank u JP....if there was a triple thank you button i would give it to u because yes it does seem like this whole badge thing is becoming a big deal :P when it should just be grow,eat and share your knowledge

its true this site has turned into who knows more than who...well i feel that way but please dont gang up on me :P if u do oh well whatever :P um yeah jp u got a good point

all these new features are way too much i was happy with the old site where everyone came here and asked questions and learned and was happy....now a days it seems these badges are taking over and have nothing to do with bananas :P

tlturbo

I think JP summed it up pretty good but I have to add something.

IF a person is THAT hung up on having an EXPERT designation on a banana board on the internet, and especially those that would try and get the designation in a shady manner, I REALLY think you need to get a REAL LIFE. It's a hobby for goodness sake. ANYONE that spends time on here knows who to ask if they have a serious question. Any kind of rating system does nothing but cause competition and for what??? A stupid designation. WHOOO WHOOO - look at me - I got an EXPERT BADGE. SO WHAT!!!!

Lets PLEASE GET BACK to BANANAS. Quit messing with the board, adding all this crazy stuff just because it can be done, etc. I for one don't live on here and I don't come on here nearly as much as I used to. This is the type of stuff that is driving the older members that came here just to talk bananas away.

Again just my worthless $.02 opinion.

damaclese

Here! Here! and all give you $.04 for that Opinion lol!

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Helping to foster understanding for the learning disabled

MediaHound

Still soaking it all in. I'm leaning in the direction that we just might get rid of it.

I felt that way with some comments as well.

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

Taylor

Oh shucks! Right after I got it, too! LOL

Just playing.

island cassie

It is all about the bananas after all!!!

Cassie

buzzwinder

Very well said JP. Bravo

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Bill for my friend

saltydad

Perhaps the successful test taker could be labeled as a "Certified Banana ______". We could even have exams of differing complexity so we could see how we have progressed in our own knowledge, as Mskitty has observed. The results would lead to differing levels of attainment.

Edit- I missed microfarmer's post where he brought up the idea of tests of ascending difficulty. Sorry to plagiarize.

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natedogg1026

I'm not sure we need it. Sorry to charm in late. I gotta agree with JP. He pretty much hit the nail on the head. I don't think it's a fair measurement and just makes for competition. I really don't know if there is a fair way we can measure it in cyberspace or at all. I know it was for fun and took time to create Jarred but I think it has been taken too seriously. It's causing a problem. Do away with it. Just my opinion.

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Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

microfarmer

Banana classes? How 'bout B.OU

(Bananas.org University)

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My new hero...

CookieCows

Yeah! I spent most of the winter here at BOU and now the sun's out and I get hands on!!!!

Still in school ... always will be!

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microfarmer

I hear you! It'll be some time before I graduate!

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My new hero...