I do believe that *some* attempt to categorise questions in this fashion will yield a positive outcome overall. If someone can suggest another rating category aside from 'difficulty', then please do.

Monks:

Please accept this input (from a newbie) as a genuine attempt to provide positive feedback; I am in no way trying to accumulate xp.

In fact, I feel pretty embarrassed, at the way my posts have accumulated positive votes; especially as I have not posted any useful code at the monastery as yet.

My suggestion is that the wise Monks consider some kind of 'voluntary' type rating system; this could be a separate category; it could possibly be included as part of the tutorial section.

The users themselves, based on guidelines, would select their 'skill level' ratings. This skill level would be based on voluntary 'self marked tests' or knowledge guidelines, that the users would participate in.

Some "checks" would have to be put in place, to prevent a user assigning themselves a higher rating that what they deserved, and abusing the system.

This would allow advancement in the Monastery, based on, Perl knowledge, as well as user participation and xp.

It may be possible to set this up so that the ongoing admin work would be minimal; it would probably be major work to first set up.

Perl 'knowledge level' could show up on a button, on all post made.

Skilled Perl practioners, who are NEW to the Monastry would be able to assign themselves to a skill level, when first joining the Monastry.

emcs

The dogs bark; but the caravan rolls on.