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I'm impressed. (Reply to this comment)
by justicea
I admire your frankness and assertiveness. I am fairly new on Epinions and the WOT kind of bothers me. I could see how some people would use it as a suck-up tool and I hate suck-ups. I find in my life people either love me or hate me and for most I don't really care what others think of me. People don't have to read between the lines where I am concerned, I let people know exactly how I feel.
Another thing, I am worried that if anyone adds me to their WOT, they'll expect a favor or two from me. I hate feeling obligated to others. You are the first person who has assured me that not everyone thinks that their WOT will gain them brownies points. I hope I read more on other members will similar opinions.
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Jun 07 '02
12:04 am PDT
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Congratulations on Becoming Category Lead (Reply to this comment)
by frazzledspice
I think you and Bridgette will do a wonderful job. The two of you have already visited every book review I see, where DO you get the time?
Thanks, too, for taking the time to explain your position to other reviewers.
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May 25 '02
7:54 pm PDT
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Re: Hadn't noticed (-: (Reply to this comment)
by gracef
I don't think this will make me write less. Unlike many members who write about every product or service that they use, I write about those things that really move me. Currently, I have 2 reviews in the works and a review on my hard drive for a rainy day. And the book that I'm reading now is so fantastic! I can't wait to review it! :)
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May 05 '02
4:44 am PDT
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thanx (Reply to this comment)
by meadows11
you stupid.... let you finish the rest
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May 04 '02
7:36 pm PDT
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Hadn't noticed (-: (Reply to this comment)
by CyndiA
Hi Grace! Congrats on CL.
I'm not a WOT watcher. Mine is based more on which members give me info that I need or want to buy things. Your reading tastes are similar to mine, so you're on my WOT. I look for your reviews and also notice how you rate reviews so I'll know which books to buy.
My WOT style prob dates back to when the WOT meant that those member reviews popped up at the top. I wish it still did that, but I don't think it does. Now I have to look harder (lazy me).
I never minded your hidden WOT. Just never really paid any attn. I would guess it would work out better to show it though if some members do care about that. Trust will be a big issue with the CLs I'm sure. Folks will want to feel like you guys are up front and fair. I've always thought you were, so the WOT didn't make a difference for me, but I can see what you're getting at.
I just hope that you don't have to cut down on writing to do CL (-: How would I ever find good books?
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May 04 '02
6:18 am PDT
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Re: WOT do I care? (Reply to this comment)
by gracef
I've been accused of thinking too much on occasion. But to be honest, it really didn't take me much time to think about these issues. When Epinions gives me something that they don't give to others, I think I have an obligation to use it in the manner that they want. I have discussed this issue with Epinions' staff previously on a number of occasions, and they want people to use their trust lists wisely. Heck, it's even in the silly letter that they send to advisors. I'm just the kind of person who tries to live up to agreements, so it didn't take too much effort to come up with my approach to my WOT.
People who don't care about receiving advisor status likely won't spend too much time thinking about the WOT. That's cool.
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May 02 '02
4:37 am PDT
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Re: Congratulations! (Reply to this comment)
by gracef
Just so you know, Ms. jrk, you are one on redlass' and my list of people that we want back. We need you!!! Just so you know... the full court press is coming! :)
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May 02 '02
4:11 am PDT
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WOT do I care? (Reply to this comment)
by MiDoyle
I must say that you certainly take the WOT far more seriously than I currently do. I consider it a "preferred reading list" and that's about it. (I thought epinions should have made it something along those lines with the recent changes but ...their choice.)
If I add someone, they pretty much stay forever unless I truly find that I don't have much in common with them and can't see myself reading them. I used to try to keep up religiously. Now, I go in waves where I try to hit one or two every so often to get their best stuff, and also let them know I appreciate them in my own way.
On the other hand, I totally agree with the display your block list idea. I think mouthshut does that. Everyone should have to display their block list. It would cut down on abuse in a big way I think. And, it would lessen the power of abuse hunters and discourage a lot of other self promotion.
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May 01 '02
2:17 pm PDT
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Congratulations! (Reply to this comment)
by jrk
I think my congratulations go more to Epinions than to you, personally. It has been so rare over the past year or so for me to applaud any of the choices Epinions has made, so this makes a nice change. I hope they realize how lucky they are that you were willing to accept the role.
I also applaud your decision to bare your WOT, since I know this has long been a very important personal issue for you, but I agree entirely with your reasons for revealing it under the circumstances -- good for you!
I don't know that these new changes are enough to lure me back to writing here, but they do seem to hold at least some promise for site improvement. So, congratulations to both you and Epinions!
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Apr 28 '02
4:27 pm PDT
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Right off the . . . (Reply to this comment)
by gungian
. . . bat and I have a complaint.
Your profile photo is cropped so that we cannot see your new chapeau.
:-)
Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition. I know that our Epinions environment will be the better for your selection.
Write On!
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Apr 28 '02
3:30 pm PDT
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Continuing to trust the absent ... (Reply to this comment)
by wordwalker
(as opposed to the absent-minded!) is a procedure I follow also. No quarrel with those who do not! But a person's reviews do not deteriorate over time, and they can't rate horribly if they aren't even active on the site.
And I've had a Trusted person return to the site after many, many months. It does happen.
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Apr 28 '02
3:21 pm PDT
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Thanks for the support everyone! (Reply to this comment)
by gracef
Everyone
Your support means lots to me. Bridgette and I will likely be badgering you for your support and, more importantly, your participation in the future!
MobiProf
I'm glad that someone else thinks that is a good decision too. It's a good reality check! :)
MaryTara
I really think it's best for all CLs to reveal as much as possible at this point. I would challenge those CLs who are hiding behind hidden NHs and SHs to do the same. (I know you don't do this, but I know of at least one who does.)
Susanwhipple
Does this mean that we're going to be seeing more of you around the Books section? I certainly hope so. You're one of those who hasn't been as active as I'd like. (nudge! nudge! nudge!)
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Apr 28 '02
9:58 am PDT
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Grace :) (Reply to this comment)
by susanwhipple
So happy to see you in my mail box this morning.
I just want to take this opportunity to say I am so glad you got the CL job. I am sure you and Bridgette will do wonders for the books category (my favorite haunt)
Susan
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Apr 28 '02
8:09 am PDT
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Very cool! (Reply to this comment)
by marytara
I admire you even more. I had wondered if you would uncloak your WOT if given the CL position.
Congrats for getting the position, too!
MaryTara
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Apr 28 '02
7:46 am PDT
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you are brave (Reply to this comment)
by mtbat
and admirable( did I spell that right? I'm not running spell check right now LOL)
I've always figured you had your reasons for hiding your wot-I'm impressed that you've decided to show it for at least the time you are a CL.
F
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Apr 27 '02
10:42 pm PDT
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Re: Oh sure, I follow the advice, the behavior... (Reply to this comment)
by gracef
My only question would be: Did epinions select you knowing you had a 'hidden' WoT and not place any 'performance clause' on that? e.g. 'de-cloaking' it ?? Your essay implies you decided on your own, after the fact.
It was completely my own decision. I had been thinking about it since my interview. I was surprised that the issue hadn't come up, because I knew that some people were really peevish about it.
When Epinions emailed me a few days ago, I emailed Alexis (who is in charge of this whole CL ball of wax) and told her what I had been thinking and asked her if she thought that it would be a bad idea to write an editorial about it. She was pleased with my thinking and said that she felt like it would be a good step in re-educating the community about being more selective in their trust selection. In her words, it was "leading by example."
Ironically, if Epinions had made the role contingent on unhiding my WOT, I likely would have told them thanks, but no thanks. Epinions gives its users choices, and taking away those choices in return for being ALLOWED to provide them with cheap labor would have been a pretty bad deal.
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Apr 27 '02
7:48 pm PDT
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Oh sure, I follow the advice, the behavior... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54
...of someone I trust...and this happens !!
I think Epinions has made excellent choices with their two 'picks' in 'books'
My only question would be: Did epinions select you knowing you had a 'hidden' WoT and not place any 'performance clause' on that? e.g. 'de-cloaking' it ?? Your essay implies you decided on your own, after the fact. I would have had 'no problem' either way...:-)
I am pumped after a couple of crazy days in the members forums...!!
sleeper54
"who will continue to follow grace's example by leaving my WoT partially hidden !!"
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Apr 27 '02
6:59 pm PDT
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;-) (Reply to this comment)
by bluehawq
A good decision. We are often afraid of that which we can not see. It should lessen some doubt.
Aud
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Apr 27 '02
2:04 pm PDT
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Bravo (Reply to this comment)
by flamepillar
Good luck to you, Grace... you've always seemed to have a good handle on the realities of this place, so I'm sure you'll do great with the role.
So long,
FP
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Apr 27 '02
8:13 am PDT
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dangit Grace (Reply to this comment)
by roxymarie
I just got done eating and now this ;)
Roxanne your ardent something or other
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Apr 27 '02
7:50 am PDT
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Re: Inactive members (Reply to this comment)
by gracef
I can see your point, somewhat. However, if you restrict your WOT additions to people who are good raters (rather than to those who are good writers OR good raters OR just generally nice people), then the list grows much more slowly anyway. I spend an enormous amount of time on the site, but even I don't have time to check out the rating habits of everyone. Besides, if you are trusting people who aren't trust sluts (ie, they trust anyone and everyone who trusts them back) and not change your trust relationships frequently, I think that people will pick up on the fact that you aren't just schmoozing.
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Apr 27 '02
7:32 am PDT
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Re: A good move (Reply to this comment)
by gracef
I'll have to talk about your book issue with Redlass. We would likely want to collect all of the data from each book so we can verify the differences and decide what to do with it.
Redlass and I have talked about how we're going to be handling things like this. We're thinking of a message board where people can post requests for wishes, etc. Our desire is to keep as much in the open as possible so that everyone knows that things are being done (or not).
As for your concern about mentoring newer members. Having old, inactive members on one's WOT has nothing to do with mentoring newbies. There is no limit on WOT size. So it's not like an inactive member is keeping an active member from being added.
Since I changed my profile page to match the grump that most folks seem that I am, I've received more emails asking for help than ever before. (Go figure! Have a friendly profile page, everyone ignores me. Have a grumpy one, people want my advice. It's more evidence of the Epinions psychology experiment gone whacko!) I expect that this will increase too. I do what I can, giving advice, referring people to good writers, etc. When I think a newbie has done a great job with an update, I'll email a couple of advisors to go take a look at it too. A couple weeks ago, I squashed a couple zealots who were beating up a newbie for reposting his own stuff on Epinions. And I'll likely be looking around to see if I can match up advisors who write well with newbies who don't to see what can be done.
And eventually, newer people will be added to my WOT. However, all advisors and CLs need to be VERY careful about who they trust. Giving advisor rating power to a newbie who hasn't learned the art of rating is just irresponsible, and it would be even more so for a Category Lead. So if a newbie wants to appear on my WOT, they will need to prove that they can be judicious raters too.
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Apr 27 '02
7:06 am PDT
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Inactive members (Reply to this comment)
by remnjava
I tend to cull my WOT list,if folks haven't been writing nor rated one of my reviews in over 6 months. If they don't rate me, that's fine. But if they haven't written I figure they have new projects elsewhere. If they come back, I'll be happy to add them once again.
I just don't want to trust "500 people" and be trusted by 50, folks thinking that I trust just because I want to be trusted in return.
That's all. :)
Carol
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Apr 27 '02
6:57 am PDT
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Nice review (Reply to this comment)
by remnjava
I am leaving a comment, since it looks like you will never know I left a VH rating. Epinions seems to be playing tricks again with ratings.
I used to hide all my NH and SH ratings. I figured if I was nearly the only one who rated NH amongst a bunch of VHs for "Burger King or Booger King?" I would get LOTS of negative payback. I now have a bit more confidence and feel that my regular raters will have more power than some 13 year olds.
I had my WOT hidden for a while, one of my trustees, a gal who had a ticket for 2 accounts, although she denied it. I left her on, hidden, until Epinions cancelled her account. I could never figure out the rationalle behind multiple accounts anyway, unless it was to increase one's WOT. Seems it would take a lot longer to cash out. Also a lot more work to write lots of reviews, evenly spaced out.
Again, nice VH review,
Carol
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Apr 27 '02
6:49 am PDT
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A good move (Reply to this comment)
by bonniesayers
The first review I click on at the just in this morning. When I saw the title I figured what this would be about.
I have been wondering if CL's are going to be in the position to choose themselves as Advisor and/or TR. I read the member center and could not find anything in relation to this.
Also what about the CL's that are TR/Advisor in many other categories, is that going to continue or just stick to the areas they were chosen in?
I know from reading comments in recent weeks how you feel about inactive members being picked as Advisors and that has me concerned. I understand your wanting to persuade members who have left to come back, but when I read the transition details of the program that was posted awhile ago it does state to Mentor and recruit new enthusiasts.
I am looking forward to when the CL's can Be able to add new products
I just hope all members when requesting this in however format the site decides are treated the same.
I will ask you a question since I wanted to submit this last week. There is a product called The Thomas Guide. It is a large book with maps for various large cities. I recently purchased the one for Los Angeles (2002) and there are older years listed here. Anyone entering a store to purchase this will not be offered the 1999 Thomas Guide but the 2002 version so I did not know if I should submit it as new or try to change the current listing to the correct date.
Another big problem that I am sure you must know about is searching under an author's name. Sometimes I get the HT400 error and other times it works. Last night I could not get the check latest prices for the book The Nanny Diaries to work.
I also have no idea if all members have the option of asking for new products to be added or is it just Advisors that contact CL's.
Guess all the kinks will be ironed out in the next week or so.
Good luck in your new role.
Bonnie
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Apr 27 '02
6:44 am PDT
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