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You said it perfectly! (Reply to this comment)
by fnash
Awesome info. I wish this was required reading for all E-Pinions members about 3 or 4 times a year. I see so many reviews that get great ratings that I just scratch my head over. If I'm very familiar with the product I'll totally go against the rest of the reviews and rate it to the level it really should be rated, then in the comments I'll explain why. Thankfully, those aren't too common, but I do see them.
The one thing I do break rank on is, if a product has many reviews that all list the technical specs or whatever, I don't feel it's necessary to list this in your review as well, just mention that they are available elsewhere. I generally want to know a person's experience with the product, not read a bunch of technical specs over and over. I don't find that useful.
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Feb 21 '08
7:11 am PST
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Hiya! (Reply to this comment)
by smorg
This has got to convince even the folks most skeptical about my slugginess that I am truly a slow slug! 6 yrs late!!
But what a timeless essay this is. All you say still apply excellently, matie. Thanks for taking the time to write this (and thanks to adriennefoster for posting a link to it on her profile page... that's how I found this).
I think my standard is still more slack than yours (but I'm getting more careful now). I wish all newbies to Epinions would have access to articles like this one!
Cheerio,
Smorgy :o)
PS: All Vasilis' reviews merit all the VH's, imho. The epitome of quality over quantity, he is! ;o)
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Jun 24 '07
8:39 am PDT
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I just bumped... (Reply to this comment)
by lammet
...onto this and I want to congratulate you on your candor. I don't write much (the curse of time!) but I do read reviews of products or services or places that interest me. And I am appalled at the frivolous way many members hand out VH ratings to weak reviews. Most are little more than a description of circumstances leading the reviewer to try the product/service/place or useless listings of features or -in most scenarios- a summary of content. I am convinced by now many members don't really read what they grade. Otherwise it is hard to explain their positive grades.
Which is sad for me, cause it means the VHs I am garnering do not really reflect the worth of my pieces (for all I know they could be useless); and it is sad for the potential consumer who thinks he/she will find here worthy info only to bump upon unworthy reviews by members who possibly don't realise they're doing a poor job.
Keep writing!
-Vasilis
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Sep 10 '06
6:20 pm PDT
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I agree completely (Reply to this comment)
by srwpoet
Thank you for these very helpful tips. This article managed to convey needed advice regarding rating and writing reviews in a manner that shows respect for the reader. I am glad to see someone out there has these ethics and courage to stick to them!
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Dec 14 '05
8:03 am PST
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Re: This is very timely advise (Reply to this comment)
by vchand
This really helped me decide how to rate. Thank you
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Jul 06 '05
12:28 pm PDT
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rewarding reading (Reply to this comment)
by wnat110
I respect your emphasize on every one having own standard. I believe it should be applied not only in this website, but in real life, to (if possible) everything.
About selfishness, I think it could be directed to a positive point, though. Literally, this site is about opinions, right? And opinion is a personal belief. So, I guess, selfishness is not all bad after all.
Overall, a rewarding reading, especially to a newbie such as myself.
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Mar 01 '05
7:19 pm PST
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Ut-Oh! (Reply to this comment)
by videogamzrulz
I think I'm going to have to give you a H for entertainment. j/k *giggle*
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Mar 01 '04
1:04 pm PST
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Great advice... (Reply to this comment)
by bilbopooh
I, unfortunately, have always been bad at rating things poorly. The same is true when I am rating products. I often find it hard to bring myself to give out less than VHs and 5 stars. *sigh*
Erin
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Jan 11 '04
12:12 am PST
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Well.. (Reply to this comment)
by gatorgirlie
I love reading these articles about helpful hints about reading and writing.
I also am very honored that you have rated me a Very Helpful on my reviews.
I put a little of how I rate in my Profile.. basically the gist of is that I will rate either Very Helpful or Somewhat Helpful the majority of the time -- I very rarely rate a review a Helpful and am happy about it.
My criteria for VH's goes.. Gotta be entertaining, Gotta have information about the product (I'm the type to sit on the floor of Bed, Bath and Beyond with three coffee makers around me comparing the stuff on the box.. so I LOVE info), and Gotta influence my decision on the product. What does that mean? Does the review make me want to go out and buy the product, or how about make me run screaming into the hills? Or does the review give me something to think about if I ever do need it?
I thought this was an extremely well written and very helpful essay..
Thanks a bunch, and have a fantastic day :)
Jen
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Jul 24 '03
7:34 pm PDT
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Here, Here!! (Reply to this comment)
by pick2
Excellent piece of work! I would have rated it MH, but that option apparently is no longer available here. It's regrettable that your approach to writing and rating isn't practiced universally at Epinions. We would all be far better served.
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Feb 08 '03
8:19 am PST
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You are correct. (Reply to this comment)
by imagine_stars
Amen, sister!
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Sep 29 '02
9:59 pm PDT
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I find it humourous that... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54
...the two 'users' who chose to take you to task for the substance or style of this review were both 'here-and-gone' users...:-)
Ya gotta love this place!
sleeper54
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Feb 17 '02
2:38 am PST
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Follow this lead (Reply to this comment)
by frconly
I write my reviews based what I feel is an overindulgence on the part of sellers of products and services. What I put in writing on a product or service is practically a warranty. Sadly enough like the norm of political apathy, and being responsible for ones' actions-NOT!:these sellers can often eliminate these components-organizational responsibility and paying for laws-look at Enron- thru influence peddling. Most sites like epinions are a fishnet used to gather practically free market research or an extension of sellers looking to propgandize their stuff. My
attempts to review my experiences;however the perceived quality, are truthful renditions filled with what people should know. Alot of people feel knowledge is power;I do not,this life is so very complex,fast moving that as part of it. I feel that the human thing to do I share knowledge as soon as it is acquired. This review provides a method and reasoning behind ratings;sometimes that is what people need to get behind the aura of the buying/using experience. It does a great job of expanding the why's and wheretofors. I hope this community utilizes it.
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Feb 11 '02
1:36 pm PST
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Appreciation.. (Reply to this comment)
by bossman52
I really appreciated this review. I was going to write my own like it, but I feel what you said was echoing what I have felt.
My problem has been that I have only recently learned how to write reviews (even though I've written quite a few inproperly), and I'm learning that SO MANY people skim a review and rate it based on how much, and if they used bold (among other quick things).
It makes me mad that there isn't a better way to gain "popularity," since we are rewarded for not reading articles and rating them hire than they should be. There has to be a better way to increase the amount of influence the trust list has, that way you aren't rewarded for being noticed.
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Jan 03 '02
8:59 pm PST
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Since I'm fairly new here, I've been reading a number (Reply to this comment)
by addedview
of articles on these topics. I've rated quite a few writers but not as many as I'd like, since it's only fair that I actually READ what I'm rating. Given the way the system here is set up, it seems almost inescapable that one's objectivity is put to the test when rating. But I think with effort and self examination as to motive, it can be done. I appreciate the time some of you have taken in offering suggestions that, if applied, will help this site maintain some semblance of integrity.
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Dec 24 '01
8:17 am PST
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From the Membership page.... (Reply to this comment)
by greg57
I found your missive. Very Helpful, possibly Most Helpful. But I haven't read everything yet so...I'll get back to you. But first I need to redo my first effort...Greg
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Nov 15 '01
2:43 pm PST
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Epinions needs more... (Reply to this comment)
by theladyophelia
..people willing to share and to put themselves on the line for the sake of bettering the community. Thank you for taking the time to put a few of your thoughts into words - maybe it's common sense to some of us, but there's obviously a need for it in our online community. You've earned my trust through commitment to Epinions. (And I'm also guilty of being longwinded, so we have solidarity in that fact.)
Fare thee well.
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Aug 02 '01
2:03 pm PDT
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Guilty? Maybe... (Reply to this comment)
by aberger
Sorry, I'm also of the opinion that the report given should be direct and to the point. This one was long enough that my mind started to wander, and ended up reading what you had in italics. It seemed most of the report had to do with writing reviews, and only the last 1/4 had to do with rating the reviews. This essay you gave is definitely helpful, the only reason I didn't rate it very helpful is because you rated one of my reviews just helpful... (just kidding!!!)... it was because it was long and drawn out (like this comment), and I'm afraid I might have missed a few important points, which would have the same effect of not writing them at all. It does look like I'm in the minority, though, so keep up the good work.
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Jul 23 '01
9:00 am PDT
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Being helpful to others (Reply to this comment)
by quadophile
Integrity is not a property which one owns or disowns, it is part of ones personality and that comes out in the open whether one wants it or not in time to come.
I may not be influenced by what your opinions are because my personality is already formed and will be what it is. I have had a lot of experience on forums and found out that people like to get accepted and so try to go out of the way to get the attention which they are lacking. The opinion of these people do not matter at all.
Being brave, being honest and above all, being yourself is what it takes to be an INDIVIDUAL.
Your opinion I respect and found rather interesting.
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Jul 01 '01
5:17 pm PDT
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you are longwinded (Reply to this comment)
by bd563
Epinions is not a writing exercise, get in there, give your opinion, get out. Not ramble, ramble, self-absorbed, ramble, keep it simple, don't think of yourself as Chomsky writing an essay on an important social condition, it's a book, a hotel, a movie, a burger. Treat the topics of your epinions as what they really are, somewhat trivial, mundane, and worthy of little more than a blurb. Get over yourself.
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Jun 27 '01
7:04 am PDT
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This was very interesting to me. (Reply to this comment)
by lorace
I am brand new on the epinions site and have been slightly bewildered by the rating system and the Trust system. So, this article gives me a mind-frame that I can carry on with. Thank you.
Now explain the Trust system. Yikes! How can I know whom to trust? Why should I trust anyone? Because an article is well written or because I like the name someone's using on epinions? Hmmmm. Then again, why should you trust me? I wouldn't know how to go about earning anyone's trust. But, in summary, I truly appreciate your article and look forward to reading more.
Lorace
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Jun 09 '01
10:26 pm PDT
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The Check is in the Mail (Reply to this comment)
by Hard_To_Please
Victoria-
This is about the most comprehensive piece I've ever read on rating- and believe me- I've read hundreds! I look forward to receiving my $29.95 brochure and cassette!...Mark
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Jun 03 '01
6:36 pm PDT
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Am I guilty?? (Reply to this comment)
by teknogeek9
I've been on epinions for a little more than 2 months and I find this article very helpful.
As for my own standards...I'll review and rate anything that interests me hence, you'll find me more in certain categories than others.
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Jun 03 '01
8:14 am PDT
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How I rate.... (Reply to this comment)
by sweetycaroline
You may have noticed I usually only rate VH or H . THe reason for this is I will not rate an opinion if I can't . This falls in the if you do not have something nice to say category for me . I like your view though.
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Jun 02 '01
4:40 pm PDT
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Wow! Nice Review! (Reply to this comment)
by Peachy3
Very well thought out and informative. All information you have given is useful, honest, and right. Good job. Keep up the honesty and great writing!
Peachy3
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May 30 '01
5:48 pm PDT
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Your next opinion should (Reply to this comment)
by remnjava
be on building your WOT. Seems that you've done VERY well! :) Or maybe you've already written about this.
Carol
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May 30 '01
3:17 pm PDT
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Very insightful (Reply to this comment)
by jag2112
I'm sure I speak for many Epinioners in saying that we appreciate your candor and honesty.
You made some very valid and strong points in your opinion. One that we should all take to heart.
Thanks for reminding us what's really important around here.
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May 30 '01
11:58 am PDT
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Making Quality a Hallmark of Epinions (Reply to this comment)
by hedge777
Making quality a hallmark of epinions.com is the only way to ensure the longevity of this site, I think. Thanks for taking a stand on what we all know should be the standard.
Also, HTML's not stone. Let's all take the criticism constructively, use that Update link, and take time to re-rate others' epinions as they make changes and improve them.
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May 29 '01
5:11 pm PDT
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Great review! (Reply to this comment)
by momsworkinlate
You know there are times I will sit for five or ten minutes trying to decide how to rate a review. Sadly that often seems to be when rating "short" reviews that everyone else has down rated - even though they include everything "I" need to know. The others are newbies who I have noticed get down rated even with good articles. I wonder at the motives of that.
I also leave a lot of notes to people making suggestions on how they can improve their Epinion's just by using a spell check and paragraphs. Many of these people do make corrections to their pages - they really are trying to do a good job.
Sorry for rambling. This was a very good article ;)
Laurie
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May 29 '01
7:40 am PDT
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;) (Reply to this comment)
by bluehawq
Very interesting indeed. I recently lost 2 people that trusted me simply because I did not rubberstamp their reviews. I am sorry about that. Not sorry I gave them a SH or H but sorry that was the only reason they trusted me.
Loved your write up here. Sound advice and logical for sure.
Audrey
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May 29 '01
6:47 am PDT
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