To be honest, all that proficiency stuff is pretty worthless and should be taken with a large grain of salt. Do you really trust the person filling out the profile to answer with honesty, or accuracy?
Example, I am computer trained and qualified so consider myself Advanced, but I do not accept your view it has to be a US degree or an MSCSE. So I will still say I am advanced, and many others will also present themselves the way they perceive themselves to be.
Then there is the ability to impart the information well. Being qualified does not guarantee articulation or the ability to share that knowledge coherently. Thus it becomes irrelevant how qualified the respondant is.
Far better to browse the forums and discover from the quality of the replies whose answers are reliable and whose are not. ![]()
At members' proflie, there is : beginner, newbie, intermediate, advanced, guru. What do these terms mean ? Sometimes, you see a simple question, then you go to 'who is...' and find that the poster is someone whose computer proficiency is 'intermediate', and one who should be answering that question. So- perhaps a general guideline may have to be provided, e.g. :
?Beginner: no knowledge - need help in booting up computer;
?Newbie: have a basic working knowledge of the OS, Knows enough to download files from the web, solve simple problems like missing toolbar, configuring the appearance of the desktop, etc.
?Intermediate: familar with HTML and web sites creation, scripts, networking, deeper system knowledge, etc.
?Advanced: Full knowledge of the operating system, familar with popular application programs, Advanced Net working, MSCSE status. Probably with a degree in Computer science.
?Guru: a self confessed know-all, self taught, experienced but not necessarily educated or trained in a computing discipline.
Any ideas ?

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