The prob with self-rating is when a fairly new player self rates as "Expert" (1800), perhaps to get a saved game with someone really good.
The saved game is really not much use, as the better player didn't have to play very well to beat the new comer, and because of the "real" point spread, when the 1800 player wins, he gets like 1 or 2 rating points, and the new comer loses just a few points.
The opposite is a PITA as well. A really good player, say 1850+, makes a new nick (smurf) and self-rates at "Beginner" (1400), then plays a few games to get his rate up to 1600 or so, but still less than 10 games, plays someone around 1650-1700, wins with a big margin, and gains like 30 rating points. The 1650-1700 player who's not self-rated loses like 30 rating points.
FAILURE is not an option, it comes bundled with the software.
The graduate with a science degree asks, "Why does it work ?"
The graduate with an engineering degree asks, "How does it work ?"
The graduate with an accounting degree asks, "How much will it cost ?"
The graduate with an arts degree asks, "Do you want fries with that ?"
Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.