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Right on... (Reply to this comment)
by wvabackpacker
...brother. Right on. I hear exactly what you are saying. I haven't been a member very long but I have seen how some of the advisors and top reviewers play the WOT game and I don't like. I'm glad you stood your ground even though it means losing your advisor position. -J
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Aug 19 '02
2:35 pm PDT
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Nearly everything good ultimately gets screwed up... (Reply to this comment)
by cowboyind
...by people's constant drive to be better than someone else, or to exercise control over other people. This seems to be the premise of the Web of Trust (as many people use it), and the whole Advisor/Editor/Top Reviewer morass.
This apparently has not been good for Epinions, either, because they have in essence created a monster by encouraging people to read other people's opinions as a matter of mutual "back-scratching" rather than genuine interest.
Thank you for your decision to eschew the Editor/Top Reviewer designations. Your decision hopefully will light the way for others to see that that the real value of Epinions is in the quality of what people write, as evidenced by the number of readers who view it -- both inside and outside of Epinions -- and not in some arbitrary system where some writers are in essence "knighted."
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Nov 06 '01
11:37 am PST
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Oops (Reply to this comment)
by Biggs219
Completely forgot to say something.
Claps to you for your decision on the Trust thing, perhaps I missed it but was THAT the reason they took away your title?
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Aug 27 '01
6:39 am PDT
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Blah (Reply to this comment)
by Biggs219
I don't understand how you were taken away from advisor status or whatever it is now. Top reviewer I think... Granted, I don't hold much interest in the gourmet section here, so I don't putz around there too much, but still... Did you get an explanation for your being dropped?
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Aug 26 '01
11:10 pm PDT
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Excellent! (Reply to this comment)
by sherryminsfla
Great insight on the subject. I agree totally with your take on the "New" Epinions.
Sherry :)
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Aug 26 '01
3:26 pm PDT
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WOW, (Reply to this comment)
by fransbebe
You just hit the nail on the head my friend.. Its like a total flash back from high school.. The more elite you are the higher you rise.. NOT.. I thank you for this insightful review.. Damn good work..
Michele fransbebe
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Aug 24 '01
9:15 am PDT
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Wow Dude! (Reply to this comment)
by azirish
I'm not only consistently impressed with your reviews, I'm impressed with your 50+ trusted friends agreeing on this review!! Meee toooo!!!
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Aug 23 '01
8:57 pm PDT
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I'm a Peon right with you!! (Reply to this comment)
by gerper
No longer an advisor, I am just an Epinions Peon. I agree with you on this "new and improved" system. Just another effort by Epinoins to fix something when it isn't broken.
gerper
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Aug 23 '01
4:22 am PDT
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I, Like...................... (Reply to this comment)
by CANS4US
the 51 commenting here (and others I suspect as well) applaud you for your honest, straight forward writing! I have little time for "titles" and find they are seldom worth more than the time it takes to write the name...especially when used in conjunction with a "hobby". Bravo to you and your honesty! No matter what, you will always be TOM and I believe that is the best title of all! Best of Luck!
Susan
CANS4US
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Aug 22 '01
6:04 am PDT
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The real reason... (Reply to this comment)
by imokliel
...that you lost your status here at epinions, was VHing my Eclectic Cuisine piece and adding me to your WOT. Ask anybody, trusting and VHing me is a recipe for doom here in the epinions world.
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Aug 20 '01
11:22 am PDT
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... (Reply to this comment)
by shadow8
Tom,
First of, my condolences for you losing your advisor status and not being able to attain any new titles. Second of, I certainly think you deserved at least some sort of title. Although I don't drink or smoke, I have learned a lot about beer and cigars from reading your reviews. Seriously, your material captivates me.
With that said, I like the way you think. I certainly concur that it is unfair for Epinions to strike a person down just because he/she trusts a lot of people. Granted, if a person indiscrimiately trusts hundreds of people, that yes, there is a reason to frown upon that person. But in some cases (yours), you trust writers who are worthy of your trust. Not only that, you help build a community relationship with your WOT, which is an admirable thing. I certainly agree that the WOT should be a community builder.
Well Tom, welcome to the Peons club. I guess the old saying goes, life isn't fair. But it's also important to maintain a positive attitude, regardless of the circumstances.
Wish you well,
Shadow8
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Aug 19 '01
10:38 am PDT
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You have a lot of class! (Reply to this comment)
by laura10801
Tom, if anyone deserves to be an advisor, it is you. There are a lot of people who would huffily turn away from Epinions for having their advisorship revoked, but you have reframed it into a positive opportunity. Good for you!
I have been away from Epinions for a while, not out of any bitterness, although my most recent epinion was a rant about Epinions, but because I have been too busy to write or rate. I have popped in occasionally, just to check my royalties, and I noticed that the list of people who trust me has been shrinking. I have not checked to see who dropped me, but I now know that it is because of the pressure on people to keep their WOT's small. I think this pressure is counter productive, but so be it.
Anyway, Tom, I think you and your reviews are terrific and I am proud to have you on my WOT!
Laura
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Aug 19 '01
7:49 am PDT
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Well stated position (Reply to this comment)
by eharri3
Though I don't know if I agree totally. I can't get around the fact that the web of trust is supposed to be reserved for reviewers you find to be of the highest quality AND a way to increase regular readership. Hopeully when ou trust those who trust you you read at least a few of their reviews first.
Trusting people as liberally as you do could backfire if other members who could bring you even bigger increases in readership by exposing you to the members on their trust list hesitate to do so because they question some of the people on your WOT. Don't believe it? Trust me, it's happened to me.
ed
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Aug 19 '01
4:55 am PDT
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Ugh... (Reply to this comment)
by vein
Since I've not had the time in the past month (thanks to *gasp* real life) to read Epinions like I used to, I've mostly missed out on the new advisor process - however, after reading your editorial, I read a bit about it.
Over a year ago, being an advisor was something I eventually hoped to be. It's sad now that I have zero interest in it - the thought of Epinions "instructing" me to trust a certain small group (which, from what I've read, seems to be the ultimate goal) is absolutely laughable. I'll trust who I want, how many I want, when I want. I used to think Epinions cared about not shooting themselves in the foot. Now apparently, they don't.
I'll continue to read and trust people like you - who basically still keep me at this site with your excellent writing and fascinating reviews. Advisor or not, reviewers like you are the only thing Epinions has going for it.
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Aug 19 '01
2:41 am PDT
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TrustSluts (Reply to this comment)
by lynnzop
I expand that definition to not include people who DISCRIMINATELY trust a lot of people (at last count, I think Peter's web site listed, oh, over 108,000 in the database that are available, and 1000 is only 1%!!!!), but to include bozos who trust me without even reading a line of my writings. You know who you are.
Good essay Tom.
Lynn
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Aug 18 '01
7:48 am PDT
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???????????????????????????????????? (Reply to this comment)
by JAMES23
last night I was trolling through the member centre and came across some interesting little tid bits of info.
I noticed once again that long suffering Xeno3998 and Rich, conter7 were once more overlooked by the Epinions regarding titles(Expert/Advisor/Editor/Top Reviewer/High Falooting Fez Wearer or whatever) despite having been placed 16th most popular reviewer in Games, and 31st in Music respectively.
That's injustice, but this is just plain WRONG. I know Tom won't blow his own horn, so I'm going to do it for him.
The guy that the "powers" to be at epinions just of his title, has the following positions held as of hits last month based on Epinions own magnificent and incapable of error computer.
2nd Most popular in Music
1st Most popular in Restaurants
1st Most poplar in Gourmet
and wait for it
2nd MOST POPULAR REVIEWER OVERALL (actually beating out Peter last month in page hits)
So can someone out there explain this one to me?
I'm rather selective on who I read and trust here. It's hard to get on my WOT, and just as hard to get removed. I even declined to remove a member who passed on out of respect for their body of work. Tom you earned your spot on mine, for whatever it's worth, and you will never be coming off of it.
James
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Aug 18 '01
7:47 am PDT
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Good Job ! (Reply to this comment)
by mike24
One of the few gripes I have with epinions
is the way they try to manipulate you when
it comes to your WOT.
NOBODY can tell me who to trust or why. That
is my personal choice and if it means "not
being recognized" by the epinions hierarchy,
so what ? I'll just keep writing, reading,
rating and trusting whoever I feel deserves
my trust.
Thanks
mike24
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Aug 18 '01
5:51 am PDT
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{{{Tom}}} (Reply to this comment)
by CNunn
You know I respect you very much, I also enjoy your reviews...I am saddened that you did not get a title..Epinions latest selection idea is not fair.....Many members are leaving....I'm glad your not...In my case, I don't really care about being chosen for anything....I just enjoy all of the new things I learn here and I write when I can....Keep the Faith and Keep Writing!!!!
Cindy
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Aug 18 '01
5:28 am PDT
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I totally agree (Reply to this comment)
by MichaelHatton
There must be over a thousand members who deserve trust, being denied editor or reviewer status does seem BOGUS for trusting the best members of epinions! Who cares if your not a editor or reviewer - you still write excellently. Hopefully epinions will figure out this disaster sometime soon.
I do agree- it would be better for you to keep the members already reading you opinions than to lose them to simply become an editor or reviewer.
Hopefully all the editors will show the community and the idiots at epinions headquarters’ that people like you deserve to become reviewers despite having a large amount in your trust - I will. It’s far better for the community and yourself.
Well said.
Michael
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Aug 18 '01
4:45 am PDT
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WOT a bunch of crap (Reply to this comment)
by mike.holmes
I can't believe you're not an advisor, uh, editor, in this category and in music. I haven't checked my e-mail. Some strange goin's on. You deserve better.
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Aug 18 '01
12:46 am PDT
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Tom you are the best (Reply to this comment)
by klueger
Your opinions and writing are the best. I want to thank you for returning my trust in you. I enjoy reading your reviews and will continue to enjoy them. Keep telling people the way it is.
Klueger
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Aug 18 '01
12:08 am PDT
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Just being in your WOT is an Honor! (Reply to this comment)
by jcrismon
Tom -- you have always been one of my favorite writers; your reviews are so informative and first class; You are what an Advisor should be in every sense; you added me to your WOT when I could hardly get anyone with a large WOT to even give my reviews a look, and for that I've been ever grateful .... and you didn't just "rate" them, you commented, advised, and encouraged me; just keep doing what you do best--writing first rate reviews and encouraging others!!
Jennifer
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Aug 17 '01
11:54 pm PDT
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HUH??!?! (Reply to this comment)
by cripper
I can't believe you were not appointed as a Top Reviewer or Editor in Gourmet. Like many have said here, you of all people should have gotten at least one of those titles. I wonder who has been chosen as the Top Reviewers and Editors in Gourmet.
And concerning what you have said about the WOT, I totally agree with you. I also believe that trusting people on this site is one of this site's biggest features and is a great way to meet new friends.
Anyway, you'll always be one of the best writers on this site.
cripper
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Aug 17 '01
11:50 pm PDT
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Do you think epinions needs a hand? (Reply to this comment)
by latakiahaze
My programming skills are pretty rudimentary, but I work with databases on a daily basis - do you think I ought to offer to give them some advise on their selection routine?
I couldn't possibly make a worse hash of it than they have.
From memory you've written the four highest rated epinions in Gourmet by several hundred hits.
Barely a day goes by when you don't add two or more reviews.
All your reviews are rated VH.
You're well-known for your helpful advice.
If their selection program is more than a random number generator I'd be very much surprised...
Richard
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Aug 17 '01
11:42 pm PDT
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Its been said... (Reply to this comment)
by dantesguide
by many, but I must say it too. To me you will always be an advisor. I recently ranted on this whole WoT ratio thing a little back, and completely agree with you. I don't understand why someone would trust so few when they are trusted by so many. Maybe they haven't been really reading the reviews, and don't know who to trust? I don't know. I found myself trying to keep a somewhat unselfish ratio until recently. I would agonize over who to add next, and when. Is that crap or what? I finally told myself enough. I'm gonna start adding those I know that write good reviews, to hell with the ratio. For the first time since I started here, I now trust more than trust me, and it doesnt bother me a bit. I hate being selfish, and am actually happier this way. That's me, and if anyone else doesn't like, balls to them. Too me it looks like snobbery when I see people keeping those horrid ratios you described. Funny thing is, there are quite a few them that don't even write that great. I guess in their own eyes they are Hemingways, and everyone else is Seuss. I am sorry, but there are writers like Suspecterrain, brenda_metcalf, and Davidk93 that write a hell of a lot better than a lot of the snobs, but trust more than they are trusted. I am not going to be a selfish snob just so I can have a little star by my name. Balls to that star!! Balls to that computer that peons good people here!! and Balls to the whole WoT ratio thing!! I like what you're doing Tom, and completely agree with you.
dantesguide
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Aug 17 '01
10:03 pm PDT
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Tom my friend (Reply to this comment)
by deaser26
my friend, i have been knockin back the Baileys tonight, so you'll have to forgive me if i wax a bit rhapsodic. You were one of the first to trust me here, you have faithfully read my reviews, commented on them, made me laugh and encouraged me to stay with it. I have taken your recommendations again and again to my liquor, cigar and record store, written down what i needed, and shopped accordingly. You have been a true guide and advisor here. Its redundant to say unjust, ludicrous, absurd...the programmers need to check their farghin algorhythms and figure out the bug that has led to your displacement.
Thank you for what you have done here, you have been a friend to me, from far away, in the wee small hours, and to many hundreds of us, thank you for your heart, for sharing your experiential knowledge and your wit.
I will continue to read all that you write, and to listen.
you exemplify all that is good here - gracious to a fault...thanks from the stars and the rain
mike d
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Aug 17 '01
9:43 pm PDT
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What else is there to say? (Reply to this comment)
by bradybunch
31 people ahead of me have said it all in 31 different ways. It's that "Idiot Computer" again, isn't it? That is the computer in the Epinion building that makes you a slave to the Epinion sweatshop. It's programmed to have guys like you write and write, or be dropped if you want to keep your advisor status.
I don't get it... You were always writing a lot of opinions, more importantly, they were of top quality, enjoyable and informative. You're among the best of writers contributing to Epinions.
Never mind that some idiot computer is dropping you. You're on my WOT and staying there! If you're ever in Orange County, come see me and I'll buy you a beer.
Mike Brady †
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Aug 17 '01
9:38 pm PDT
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Re: you+kidding? (Reply to this comment)
by kuuleimomi
OMG, are you serious? It's just one huge mistake, the site is.
Also, from the top off my head, MNM trusts more than the number of people who trust him. So we just have to know if Andy's a TR in movies and agree/disagree with the formula if it exists, of course. And it does, I'm not so sure it's so harsh as you may see it. I don't think that your huge WOT has to do something with stripping your title. You have a "high quality" one, so what's the problem?
Finn
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Aug 17 '01
8:05 pm PDT
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You are 100% correct! (Reply to this comment)
by sweetsue_98
After writing my heart out for almost two years, I finally was made an advisor in Computer Hardware, Hotels and Travel, Home and Garden. I was thrilled because I had worked hard, and travel is my real passion. My WOT is fairly large with 172 members, and 293 that trust me. I looked at my WOT and frankly couldn't eliminate anyone. These people I trust! Then the big boom hit, and the letter arrived, and I am no longer anything, but a most popular reviewer in Home and Garden. I do not like to write about pots and pans, but love to write about travels and great hotels. So epinions can just keep me the way I am. I will write about my travels, and stick a pots and pan review in there once in awhile. I hate the way they did this. I have friends that closed out their accounts, and if I were not so addicted to this place, I would too. The whole thing makes no sense because there is one new editor that has NOT written a review for THREE months. Figure that one out, and we will both know. Oh, I just added you to my WOT, and go have a good beer for me. Merriem
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Aug 17 '01
8:03 pm PDT
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This is BULL!! (Reply to this comment)
by Naomi7835
I'm so surprised that they took your Advisor status away and didn't reward you. You always write such great reviews in the gourmet Category. I've really learned a lot from your reviews. Keep them coming. I still consider you an Advisor in Gourmet and will continue to read and rate you. Take care.
Naomi
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Aug 17 '01
7:58 pm PDT
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