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Post by Daniel on Aug 27, 2015 9:18:43 GMT -5
I subscribe to Randy Ingermanson's newsletter, and he often has interesting tips and observations. This month's was no exception. I particularly liked his article on gaming the system. Check out article #2 "On Gaming the System" ... Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine: Volume 11, Number 7My favorite part: "If you want to be rewarded in the long term, focus on delighting your reader." I'm amazed at how much energy some people spend on gaming the system. I've seen it happen with search engine algorithms, affiliate programs, and now ebooks. A lot of these people seem to come from the Internet Marketing crowd, which sadly gives that entire industry a bad name. The term "Internet Marketer" has become synonymous with "scammer" to me, even though I know better. What's even more amazing is how upset and indignant these same people get when the game changes and their tricks stop working. It's like they demand the right to run their scams. I'm happy to say that I don't see much "gaming the system" thinking here at the Pub. We all worry that we are missing out on opportunities to make more money or that we are at a competitive disadvantage against others who engage in questionable tactics. It isn't always easy to draw the line between working the system and gaming the system. But overall, I'm proud of how well our members have done with hard work, honest marketing, and some damn fine writing. |
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Post by lou on Aug 27, 2015 10:06:00 GMT -5
Yeah, word. (as they used to say. I'm always 10 years behind on slang.)
Good article.
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Post by vrabinec on Aug 27, 2015 13:30:24 GMT -5
I'd game the system if I knew how and I thought I coulde get away with it without you guys finding out.
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Post by Suzy on Aug 27, 2015 13:47:04 GMT -5
What would be the point? You'd get found out eventually.
All I want to do is grow my readership. You can only do that by working on your writing. And find the best way to market it. Is that gaming the system?
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Post by Becca Mills on Aug 27, 2015 14:39:07 GMT -5
I wish there were a way to game the paper-grading system. Teachers joke about the "staircase method," but no one actually does it.  |
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Post by vrabinec on Aug 27, 2015 15:04:22 GMT -5
I wish there were a way to game the paper-grading system. Teachers joke about the "staircase method," but no one actually does it. If you need me to grade some for ya, shoot 'em over. "Billy, what the fuck is this? You call this writing? Did you even read the fucking book? You didn't did you? Cliffs Notes, right? Moron. Here's one for ya, FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Have a nice summer in school, chump." |
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Post by Suzy on Aug 27, 2015 15:17:47 GMT -5
Er... Not sure you'd last long as a teacher, Fred...  |
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Post by carlos on Aug 27, 2015 15:22:17 GMT -5
I wish there were a way to game the paper-grading system. Teachers joke about the "staircase method," but no one actually does it. I'm pretty sure they did it that way at Michigan Law -- but that was 50 years ago. |
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Post by whdean on Aug 28, 2015 9:25:56 GMT -5
I wish there were a way to game the paper-grading system. Teachers joke about the "staircase method," but no one actually does it. Hey, my friends and I used the staircase method, and we were really pissed when someone wrote us up for it. Just because you use the "long method" doesn't mean you should judge us "short method" users. It was just our preferred style. KU was The administration changed the system to exclude us short method experts and now we can't feed our cats.  |
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Post by vrabinec on Aug 28, 2015 10:59:11 GMT -5
I have no idea what the fuck you two are talking about. What's the staircase method?
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Post by Daniel on Aug 28, 2015 11:06:55 GMT -5
Throw the papers down the staircase. The step they land on determines their grade. At least, I think that's how it works.
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Post by whdean on Aug 28, 2015 11:15:55 GMT -5
I have no idea what the fuck you two are talking about. What's the staircase method? Marvello's right. You tape the letters A, B, C, D, and F to individual stairs, and then you toss the papers on the stairs. The paper gets the letter grade of the stair it lands on. Needless to say, perhaps, the myth has been passed down to each generation of undergraduates since time immemorial. I haven't been able to feed my cats since it's been outlawed. |
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Post by Becca Mills on Aug 28, 2015 11:21:07 GMT -5
Throw the papers down the staircase. The step they land on determines their grade. At least, I think that's how it works. Yup. If you want to reward longer papers, you can make "A" the bottom step. If you're a concision-rocks type, you can make "A" the top step.  |
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Post by vrabinec on Aug 28, 2015 11:22:37 GMT -5
I have no idea what the fuck you two are talking about. What's the staircase method? Marvello's right. You tape the letters A, B, C, D, and F to individual stairs, and then you toss the papers on the stairs. The paper gets the letter grade of the stair it lands on. Needless to say, perhaps, the myth has been passed down to each generation of undergraduates since time immemorial. I haven't been able to feed my cats since it's been outlawed. Ah, I thought he was being a smartass. |
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Post by whdean on Aug 28, 2015 11:24:17 GMT -5
Throw the papers down the staircase. The step they land on determines their grade. At least, I think that's how it works. Yup. If you want to reward longer papers, you can make "A" the bottom step. If you're a concision-rocks type, you can make "A" the top step. I drew the A on a paper airplane and threw it on the roof. That might've had something to do with my downfall. |
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Post by Becca Mills on Aug 28, 2015 11:38:14 GMT -5
Alas, in this era of all-electronic grading, you'd have to through your laptop down the stairs. Repeatedly. |
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Post by Daniel on Aug 28, 2015 12:25:26 GMT -5
Alas, in this era of all-electronic grading, you'd have to through your laptop down the stairs. Repeatedly. I could probably set up a grade randomizer for you. You would plug in the percentage of each grade you want to assign (e.g. 10% A, 20% B, etc.) and click a button to assign a grade that fits the desired distribution. It would be better than a staircase (and a lot easier on your laptop). I might be able to include a weighting factor based on length of the paper to simulate the gravity effects you mentioned. |
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Post by Daniel on Aug 28, 2015 12:26:37 GMT -5
Marvello's right. You tape the letters A, B, C, D, and F to individual stairs, and then you toss the papers on the stairs. The paper gets the letter grade of the stair it lands on. Needless to say, perhaps, the myth has been passed down to each generation of undergraduates since time immemorial. I haven't been able to feed my cats since it's been outlawed. Ah, I thought he was being a smartass. It's been known to happen. |
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Post by Miss Terri Novelle on Aug 28, 2015 15:45:30 GMT -5
The pub is a great place. I raise a glass to you all!
*Okay, technically it's a bottle of Coney Island Hard Root Beer but that counts, right?
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Post by Daniel on Aug 28, 2015 15:49:39 GMT -5
The pub is a great place. I raise a glass to you all! *Okay, technically it's a bottle of Coney Island Hard Root Beer but that counts, right? Hard root beer? That sounds intriguing. I've never seen it. |
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