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M$5 April 01, 2009 08:06 AM

TEST: Rob Brown's Brown Belt Test. Pass 4/4.

For those of you who are new to Mahalo Answers, you can score your way to Purple belt with a Brown Belt tip just based on raw points. However, in order to be awarded a Brown or Black Belt, your account must be reviewed by Mahalo senior staff.

Mike Rhoads: Pass

===================

Rob Brown has made more Mahalo Dollars than any other user in our system. He always provides helpful well thought out answers and his feedback has helped shape the features added to Mahalo Answers. Rob Brown passes with flying colors.

Lon Harris: Pass

===================

Two things I want to highlight about Rob: (1) He never gives sloppy, cut-and-paste or "thin" answers. If he takes the time to answer your question, he genuinely does his best to give you the most accurate, thorough response possible. (2) He's FAST. Combine these two elements and you have a genuine Mahalo Answers powerhouse (and the first-ever This Week in YouTube official researcher!) Rob is definitely a member of this site's elite, and he deserves all the praise we can heap on him.

Mark Burnham: Pass

===================

Rob's participation in Mahalo Answers extends beyond high levels of activity: Rob is a veritable tech wizard, with a lot of knowledge and a clear willingness to help nurture the community. He answers questions many of us can't, ranging from subjects like IMAP, to HD filming, to programming languages and beyond. Rob's tech ingenuity, clear writing and thorough answers make him a truly valuable member of the MA community. We need more Robs--and other types of experts--if we're going to succeed. Well done, Rob. Keep up the good work.

Danielle Evenson: Pass

===================

Rob Brown is one of the most helpful and industrious community members. He is always there with encouraging feedback for new and seasoned users alike. Rob asks terrific questions that are both interesting and thought-provoking. We appreciate his tireless dedication to the site as it continues to grow and evolve. I feel he is a pillar in the Mahalo Answers community and I am eager to follow his future participation and ideas to make the site even better.

Previous Brown Belt Tests:

Darcy, January 30th 2009: PASS
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/brown-belt-test/test-jasoncalacanis-brown-belt-test

Jeff Hoard, February 25th: PASS
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/brown-belt-test/test-jasoncalacanis-brown-belt-test

Easyeboy, February 26th: PASS
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/brown-belt-test/brown-belt-test-easyeboy-is-about-to-take-his-brown-belt
Interesting Question?  Yes (0)   No (0)   
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Best Answer  Chosen by Asker

 
April 01, 2009 06:45 PM
I don't think it will be much of a test, those of us who have been here for awhile know Rob does nothing but provide quality answers.

He's also the Captain of our Kiva Team, we've raised over $500 already for third world startups

http://www.kiva.org/team/mahalo_answers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33749589@N07/3404379695/
Asker's Rating:


Helpful Answer?  (3)   (0)   

Helpful: jasoncalacanis, rosshann, robbrown

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April 02, 2009 12:05 AM
Thanks for mentioning this, Jeff.

The Kiva thing has surprised me a bit. Even though we don't have a ton of members yet, it's inspiring to see that so many folks have contributed.

I hope that as the site grows, more folks figure out how easy it is to toss a couple of extra M$ tips into Kiva that will help to make a huge change in the entrepreneurial dreams of someone else.

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Other Answers (20)

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April 01, 2009 10:15 AM
Let's hope this isn't some sick April Fool's Joke...

Source(s):
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s235/revmyspace2/graphics/Greeting/Good_...


Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip hushnow for this answer
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April 01, 2009 10:58 AM
Maika'I pomaika'i Rob. :)
Source(s):
For the Hawaiian translation of Good Luck: http://www.blurtit.com/


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Helpful: robbrown

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April 01, 2009 02:03 PM
Mahalo nui loa, Hillo!

Here's a photo that I took while I watched the surf competitions in Hawaii this past November:
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2375/img0320iib.jpg

It was an exceptional trip for a small town boy from Toronto.

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April 01, 2009 04:33 PM
@robbrown.... how can you be a small town boy from Toronto? Unless it's shrunk since I was there it's pretty darn big. :)

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April 01, 2009 05:05 PM
Ok, 1 hour north of Toronto.

1 hour north does constitute as the "Canadian Outback" ;)

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April 01, 2009 11:06 AM
I have no doubts that Rob will pass his test with flying colors! He is a great asset to Mahalo Answers!!


Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: robbrown

Tip lesliec for this answer
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April 01, 2009 01:58 PM
Thanks Leslie!

I've really enjoyed answering questions here. I use to contribute comments regularly to a few blogs, a couple of forums, etc... but now I find that I'm satisfied simply by spending my free time here.

The questions that have been presented usually intersect well with my knowledge and experience. I think it's a function of having "big hitters" like Jason Calacanis and Mark Jeffrey backing Mahalo to draw in questions that relate to the Internet, tech, etc.

I'm really looking forward to watching Mahalo grow up and can't wait to see what the awesome team behind it comes up with next.

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April 01, 2009 11:18 AM
Good Luck! - Hopefully I will get there some day... :)
http://www.guzer.com/pictures/good_luck_sign.jpg

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: robbrown

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April 01, 2009 01:54 PM
Roy, I've only been contributing here since January. You're not long off.

I'd say that more than points, focus on your best answer ratio. I'm trying hard to work my way up the "Best Answer" top members and that's a toughie.

Personally, I'd rather be known as the guy who answers every question that he chooses to so accurately and concisely that there couldn't possibly be a better answer. I don't want to be known as the guy who spends the most time here and am even a little embarrassed to be on the weekly leader board.

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April 01, 2009 11:57 AM
I heartily approve. He's been answering a lot of the questions I was going to answer but better :-)

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: robbrown

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April 01, 2009 01:48 PM
Thanks Ensorceled!

I don't think that I could answer questions better than you. Please, don't let me stop you. When teaching, I would often start a semester by carefully placing the names of famous thinkers on the blackboard. We'd talk about what these people were/are good at and what they have done to achieve what they did. I would write the skills and achievements that the students mentioned on the board. Then, I'd place the names of each student on the board and we'd connect everything with Ven Diagrams.

This showed the students that knowledge was gained through experience. Even though big thinkers had enough experience and education to have large circles of knowledge, their own circle of knowledge was growing and that they weren't all that different from famous folks like Einstein, Bohr, Edison, Franklin, etc.

I'm certainly not in any sort of big thinker category... but this lesson sticks with me whenever someone questions my abilities.

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April 01, 2009 12:23 PM
Good luck, Rob! Kinda funny the timing. Maybe it should be policy for the best answers website around NOT to promote people on day with the word "fools" in it... or maybe you should get a little something extra for that!

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: robbrown

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April 01, 2009 02:12 PM
Thanks Trace!

It is wired in an ironic sort of way. Hopefully, it's the weirdest thing that happens all day :)

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9481/weirdscience.jpg

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April 01, 2009 12:54 PM
Best of luck Rob!

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip smokenherb for this answer
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April 01, 2009 01:19 PM
Good luck Rob! You've provided some excellent answers in the past, I don't doubt you'll do well.

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: robbrown

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April 01, 2009 01:36 PM
Thanks Vandal!

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April 01, 2009 01:49 PM
Considering that robbrown has earned M$783.75 on Mahalo Answers (more than anyone else), has 99% helpful answers, and gets the best answer 42% of the time, I'd say he's going to pass this test with flying colors. Good luck robbrown.

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: robbrown

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April 01, 2009 02:08 PM
Thanks Chazzyfen!

I've been working hard to get that best answer ratio up... she's a tough bean to crack! My goal is 50%.

I'm reminded of the first time that I studied relational mathematics. I had tough start to the year and was floating around a 60% average. Then with only 2 months left in the course, the somewhat unique style of math clicked and it was a race to achieve a higher grade. Luckily, I had a nice professor who acknowledged my work with extra credit assignments and I was able to reach an 80. I doubt that the local professor here will grant anyone the same luxuries, but the fight is still in me to increase that 41 / 42 percent.

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April 01, 2009 01:54 PM
Whoo! Conbobulations, robbrown! Wishing you the best.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip jellylala for this answer
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April 01, 2009 03:34 PM
Hey, good luck man

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip nativenerd for this answer
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April 01, 2009 03:49 PM
Good luck, Rob - I saw you were close the other day! I can vouch for his unflinching good nature, helpfulness, and kindness.
I vote for Rob being a brown belt!

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: robbrown

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April 01, 2009 04:23 PM
Thanks Bbrookin!

I was close on Friday and had hoped that I'd cross the 8k mark over the weekend. However, with 2 busy kids under 4 at home weekends have quickly become a time to play.

I crossed over sometime early in the week and have been hoping that the brown adjustments to my previously purple themed avatar stick after the senior staff review.

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April 01, 2009 03:56 PM
Good luck and Congrats. You deserve it.

It's high quality answers like yours that we all should strive for.

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip mac5150 for this answer
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April 01, 2009 04:24 PM
Thanks a lot Mac5150! That is very nice of you to say.

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April 01, 2009 04:03 PM
Congratulations Rob!! I know the Brown will soon be yours!

Just put your hips into it.


Helpful Answer?  (2)   (0)   

Helpful: xds, robbrown

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April 01, 2009 04:24 PM
Thanks, Ross! Wow - that is a crazy video! Watching it makes me want to take up Tie Quan Do.

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April 01, 2009 04:06 PM
Rob Brown is definitely a brown belt, not even sure if he should go through such a rigorous test! Congratulations, Rob!

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip easyeboy for this answer
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April 01, 2009 04:29 PM
@robbrown... I'm sure this test will be a slam dunk for you. If not, I'll be joining Darcy on the protest march! :)

Congratulations on your well deserved brown belt!

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip philipy for this answer
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xds xds
 
April 01, 2009 10:09 PM
Congratulations rob!

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip xds for this answer
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April 02, 2009 01:26 AM
Thanks a lot everyone. I really appreciate the kind words and encouragement.

Specifically to the Mahalo Senior Staff, Mike, Lon, Mark and Danielle: When answering questions, it's very easy to feel like you're alone. The Mahalo Answer system is built around reward and feedback, but it's hard not to sometimes feel isolated when composing answers to almost anonymous questions. Thank-you very much for taking note of the questions that I've answered and the work that I've put into them. I sincerely appreciate it.

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: jasoncalacanis

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April 02, 2009 03:54 PM
Amazing job! every time i read a question I scan up and down the answers first to see who is answer.... if I see a robbrown answer I stop dead in my tracks and start reading!

Great job Rob!

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April 03, 2009 02:46 AM
Rob, I have enjoyed your thoughtful answers and dialog. Good luck!!

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip rumrock for this answer
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April 03, 2009 04:48 AM
Nice job. I love competing with you.
Source(s):
congradulations


Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip davepamn for this answer
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