Comments are for members - toss some pennies in the air and write a note!
Aug 24 '01
The Bottom Line Comments and notes help people to know what they can do to improve their ratings thus helping the overall good of Epinions.
Comments is an area just south of an Epinion. Here you can leave notes to the author. The Comment area is meant for all members to use as a means of communication. Please don’t confuse this area as only being for Editors.
Recently I read a note by a newly hatted Editor. For some silly reason this person felt that the Comment area is intended for the use of Editors or Editor Wannabee’s.
Hmmm, I’ve been called a lot of things in my life - but never a “wannabee”. To be honest with you in my neck of the woods that term is meant as an insult.
:sniff, sniff: Regardless of their intent that is they way they came across. Perhaps they need to take a step back before their new status swells their head so much that their funny little hat pops clear off their head.
Take some aspirin and the swelling should go down a bit. Enough said :smile:
Comments aren’t just for Editors?
Comments can be used for a variety of reasons. The first thing that comes to mind is to help a newbie. I’ll share an example of what I mean.
Last night I was perusing the “Just In” Epinions. I came across a newbies third Epinion. It was also their first in this particular category. Two Editors rated this Epinion S/H. No comments just S/H. Hmmm - in my opinion they aren’t doing anyone a favor by doing this.
I read this Epinion three times. What is missing? More importantly What am I missing? Why is this rated S/H and why aren’t there any comments? Without naming the category, I will say I did think of two simple questions that could have been answered in this article.
The missing information was not enough to fairly downrate this review to a s/h. I am aware I am known to be hard on my ratings so if I think this person deserved a better rating :chuckle: they most likely did.
I am still upset that the Editors did not take the time to leave this person a note. The first article in their category and they slapped the ol' s/h on it with no comment. Geez, isn't that helpful?
I guess I must be an Editor Wannabe. I rated this article H because it was helpful. If you’ve read my epinions you know I am very ahhh, shall we say thorough in my epinions.
Perhaps thorough isn’t the correct word? Simply put I write long Epinions. This newbie didn’t. While I did not run a word count I would guess by the appearance they wrote an Epinion that was 100-110 words long.
One hundred words in the minimum that you can write to post an Epinion. I think it honestly requires quite a bit of talent (in most categories) to write a thorough Epinion in one hundred words.
This member did a really good job of it. While they weren’t quite within reach of a V/H rating - they really did deserve an H. I’m sure they were down rated simply because it was a short article.
I was disappointed to see how this change of hats has made people behave in rating Epinions. I am more disappointed in seeing Editors who as a requirement are to leave helpful comments to help newbies out. Shame on them. Really. Their s/h rating is very strong and they know it. Rating s/h without giving a member any direction is wrong.
Miss Editor Wannabee (not) did the same old thing she has done for twenty months now. I rated fairly with a “H” Helpful rating.
Then I took a whole two minutes of my time to write a Comment telling this newbie that they were off to a good start not to be discouraged. I also mentioned the two questions that I felt could have made their article more helpful.
If experienced members can’t take the time to help someone new out - who will? Don’t be intimidated by the new Editors on this site or anyone else. If you think you can help someone and you have a minute - do it.
I know we don’t always have time in our busy days to do this. I know I spent less time reading/rating last night because I took the time to write a note. Big deal. So maybe I’ll have one less return hit to my page today. Maybe ten. For a few cents that I might step over laying in the grass who cares? I’d rather know I lost a few cents and helped make someone’s day than leave a low rating and move on.
We were all newbies once. Even our members who are professional writers must remember that and be fair - toss a few cents in the air and write a comment. Think of it as an act of kindness - that newbie will too!
The other reason to leave comments
I have enjoyed reading some Epinions so much that I felt the author should be told. Some will be derogitory and say in that case you are sucking up or brown nosing. Get over yourself already. If you enjoy Epinions like I know many of us do - go ahead and leave a note. Don’t be shy and don’t let the grumpy folks intimidate you!
In closing I would like to reiterate by saying help out the newbies! Say “Howdy do” to someone you read often. Everyone likes to know they are doing a good job. Somedays we just need to hear a hello ;)
Remember - Comments are for everyone!
*Note:
Some of you are aware I had planned to leave Epinions for a variety of reasons. Why did I decide to return?
Notes - some that I sent that I received replies from such as “if you’re sure it’s what you should do” to “you are the only person who ever bothered to help me” (a recent member who now has solid V/H ratings). Notes and comments are important. Don’t underestimate them.
and remember...
They only cost you a couple of pennies...
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Epinions.com ID:
momsworkinlate
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 - Top 1000 |
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Reviews written: 123
Trusted by: 214 members
About Me:
~Support Your Local Food Bank/Shelter~
~~Happy Holidays!!~~
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