make it work with hidden edge-only ratings?
Nov 19 '99
Can a radical, private strategy make epinions actually "work" for me? (1) I hide my ratings; (2) I trust almost no one and hide that list; (3) I use only "edge" ratings; (4) I write only about stuff I really know (=have almost memorized).
Thanks for clicking so I can explain further. The other great* epinions here have thrashed out epissues that still need to be "fixed": flirting and/or sucking up, over-trusting, mindless lust for eroyalties, and unclear categories. In light of these epissues, I'm trying to keep the edge on my epinions experience with the following explicit constraints**.
--1-- I rate other epinions a LOT, but I hide my ratings. I may be one of the "hidden members" who just rated YOU, candidly, without looking for payback.
--2-- I am s - l - o - w to trust & I hide those names too. To take just 2 examples from the j's, jakob and jorn...
I haven't trusted jakob, even though he sent me (and his other xgazillion alertbox subscribers) here, because I would be sucking up - IF I add jakob before I've had a chance to actually read his epinions. I see there are 2 on movies but I haven't gotten to them yet.
I haven't trusted jorn for a different reason. I am fanatically devoted to jorn's weblog, Robot Wisdom, and I know I don't share one of his core issues - James Joyce "is a closed book to me, as is music to the tone deaf." IF I trust jorn here I might see more about JJ, which would make me feel my incapacity.
Just checked and BOTH jakob and jorn are currently hiding their trust list - you go, guys!! - maybe the flirting got to them too.
To sum up constraint 2: Knowing Someone Is Not The Same As Trusting Them. Rather, it shouldn't be.
--3-- I try to minimize the effects of the ratings ambiguities by clicking ONLY "Very Useful" and "Not Useful". The good edge rating means it was well written AND I agree. The bad edge rating usually means the opposite of both. If I don't feel strongly about a review, I don't rate it. And due to the fantabulous magical*** epinions engines, the reviews that are "blah/unrated" for whatever reason show up in the middle anyway! - but without me muddying things for other members who DO feel strongly.
--4-- I only review books or movies I've practically memorized AND thought deeply about. So I haven't rated much yet. (But I've just made a life adjustment that will give me more time here: how's that for "it changed my life"?) I'm trying to be extremely opinionated so whether you agree or disagree, that'll make the system work better for you, too. (As far as I understand, good or bad ratings of my reviews don't affect the usefulness of the way I see reviews - techfolk, am I right about this?)
Them's my epinions constraints and I'm stickin' to 'em. Eventually I'll write (on my web site) about whether they actually worked for me. What are your constraints?
Thanks for reading.
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* This is an example of sucking up. But at least it's indiscriminate. I'd also like to suck^H^H^H^H praise everyone who uses the member profile to talk about HOW they rate, so I can use their ratings more intelligently.
** For more on constraints, search the 'net for OuLiPo.
*** This instance of sucking up was gratuitous. Sorry. I'll try to work an elegant yet natural compliment into the note on constraint #4.
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Epinions.com ID:
julianne
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Member: Julianne Chatelain
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 3 members
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