Twenty Things to Know About Epinions
Apr 14 '03 (Updated Mar 25 '07)
The Bottom Line Simply my attempt at pulling a few of my favorite links together in a useful format. I hope others might find value here also...
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Joining the community of Epinions.com can be as scary, frustrating, confusing—yet as fun—as any real-life move.
The neighborhood is new, the natives speak a strange language, and finding the simplest answers can be very difficult.
Very early here at Epinions, I began trying to 'pay forward' some of the assistance that was given to me when I was new here. It was easiest to do this by leaving comments on a new user's reviews. I have used many URLS in attempting to 'point' new users at a particular Epinions essay for help. Indeed, this very forum (Things to Know About Epinions.com) and the larger section (Member Advice) is 'stuffed' with essays offering such help and advice.
It is my intention here to create one focal point that I can 'point' new users at for URLs to the essays and writings that I have found 'most helpful'. It is not my intent to supplant either the established forums for member advice here at Epinions or the hundreds of user-published offerings in these forums.
This resource will simply be my listing of resources that I have found 'most helpful' or 'very helpful' to me. Certainly your list would differ. I encourage any who read and find their own 'favorite' advice piece missing to please let me know by comment or e-mail if you would like it to perhaps be included in this resource.
I would also encourage those who find value here to point other users, particularly new ones, at this small essay.
So new or old, jump in and tell me what you think...
[Last Update: 25 March 2007]
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Number . . .One
http://www.epifaq.pbwiki.com
various Epinions members/users
In September 2006 a group of users unveiled their creation of the EpiFAQ, a resource intended to supplement the site-based 'FAQ' section.
It is a comprehensive guide to the site. While perhaps a bit overwhelming to a new user, it can be a great asset if perused in small chunks as needed.
Recommendation:
'Copy-n-paste' the URL above and check it out already . . .go on, what are you waiting for..?!?
[Updated to include this essay Mar 25, 2007]
Number . . .Two
Epinions-Lite Two // Things to Know About Express Reviews
. . .by sleeper54
The first thing a new user must now know about is the value of Express Reviews. Or rather, the lack of value, particularly for the new user.
Recommendation:
Read this before you publish another review here at Epinions. The time you save will be your own.
[Updated to include this essay Nov 4, 2003]
Number . . .Three
An Open Letter to New Members
. . .by amykhar
A great introduction to the feedback that follows (hopefully!) the publishing of a review by a 'new' member here. Why people comment and what might be an appropriate response to comments left. Great thoughts about this most basic of Epinions activities.
Recommendation:
Hey, it will probably be number one on my list of twenty somethings in this review. Read it!
Number . . .Four
A Little Heads up for all Newbies....From a NEWBIE
. . .by daniellebeeson
Great thoughts from a new user who quickly figured out a few things that will greatly benefit any new user/member/writer here on Epinions.
Recommendation:
Definitely a 'must read' for any new writer here on Epinions.
Number . . .Four point one
Oops! The Ps & Qs of the Epinions Community
. . .by adriennefoster
Wide-ranging 'been there, done that' advice on frenetic writing, suspicions of plagiarism, and much more. A definite 'must-read'.
[Updated to include this essay Feb 20, 2006]
Number . . .Five
Member Center
The official page for dissemination of new information about Epinions.com. Content is divided into four general categories:
- Information
- Reviews
- Resources
- Best of the Best
Also on this page are links to:
- User Agreement
- Privacy Statement
Recommendation:
Become very familiar with this page. Two important links here are:
- New Reviews which contains a fluid list of recently submitted reviews site-wide and
- Frequently Asked Questions which is the official FAQ for Epinions.com.
Number . . .Six
Member Advice page, Epinions.com
The official location of the forums that cover various facets of being an Epinions user. User-submitted essays are submitted under four general categories:
- New Member Advice,
- Rating Advice,
- Writing Advice, and
- Web of Trust Advice
Recommendation:
Avoid this section until you have acquired a certain level of experience here at Epinions.
Number . . .Seven
Writer's Corner
The neighborhood bar, pizza parlor, tavern . . .all rolled into one. When you get tired of 'serious' review writing, come hang out here and 'user-watch'. Or jump in with your own craziness...
Recommendation:
Most take this place a lot less serious than the product review sections. That's good . . .but still, read for a while to get a handle on the tone of this great place.
Number . . .Eight
How to Write Good Epinions Stuff (Maybe)
by gentleman and scholar . . .rich2003dm
"My last bit of advice is to try to do something a little different in your reviews. Find a unique perspective that sets your reviews apart from the rest. Break the Epinions mold and fearlessly blaze your own trail." Of course, he used nearly 1800 words to set up that closing thought. Go read every one of them!
Recommendation:
Different can be good, different can be fun. This is different . . ..
Number . . .Nine
Farenheit 300 : Adventures in Epinionland, Continued
. . .by Ed.Williamson
Musings from an experienced user on the Epinions community, writing here on the site, and how a user might best find his/her way on the site.
Recommendation:
Definitely one to read when you feel the muse has wandered from your side. One of the rare essays that discusses the community interaction with the writing process.
[Updated to include this essay Jul 23, 2004]
Number . . .Ten
How to Make a Nice, Neat, Peanut Butter Sandwich that Everyone Will Want to Eat.
. . .by madtheory
Hey! Are you feeling a little hungry? Learn to make a pb&j sandwich that will make your momma jealous !!
Recommendation:
Eat your crusts! . . .OK, trim them if you must...
Nearly two years old. But every word/idea still rings true. Quality is timeless!
Number . . .Eleven
Things I wish I had known when I started writing Epinions Book Reviews
. . .by lorendiac
Hey. I am a 'books' nerd. I have to plug one specific to my section.
Recommendation:
If you are writing in 'books' read this one for great advice about writing reviews for this tough section...
Number . . .Twelve
The streams of Epinions
. . .by sleeper54 (yes, me...)
Hey I had to find one of my own to pimp. And it contains great thoughts and advice, even if I have to say so myself.
Recommendation:
If you want to know why I suggested you Stop writing!, the answer is here.
Number . . .Thirteen
New Reviews aka 'Recent Content' aka 'Just-In'
This is the section that funnels each review published on the site through a gauntlet of readers and raters. As a new user it is one of two places where your review gets 'exposure'. The other is here:
Number . . .Fourteen
New Reviews / Books aka 'Books Just In'
Each section here at Epinions has its own 'Just-In' section. Find the one for your section(s) of interest by clicking on the tabs across the top of any Epinions page. Then scroll down on the following page until you find the 'Read new reviews in . . .' link.
Recommendation:
Find these pages for the sections/products you are most interested in reading about or reviewing products. Find the site-wide one to read some variety and find some new users.
Number . . .Fifteen
Subliminal Messages, visits to the Throne and other inspiring moments!
. . .by ned1
More simple thoughts (well, not simple, more like brilliant but not complex . . .if you know what I mean...) about the writing process and inspiring yourself to write.
Recommendation:
Hey, would I have included it if I had not wanted you to read it? So read it already!
Number . . .Sixteen
How To Make Your Review Fit In And Stand Out
. . .by jeff_wilder78
The yin and yang of being the same but being different, at the same time, as you write your reviews.
Recommendation:
Heck, I don't know what I just said. I think it would be a good thing to read this one . . .yes, I know it would be 'a good thing'...
Number . . .Seventeen
You mean Epinions members have personalities?
. . .by maggsmomm
A rather harsh (to my mind) but realistic look at who we all pretend to be and how others see and segregate each of us.
Recommendation:
Hey, you're gonna find the dirt sooner or later. Get ready for it by reading this...
Number . . .Eightteen
. . .uhhh...
OK, OK. So I ran out of things to plug. Now it is your chance to plug your favorite 'advice' piece here at Epinions. I know there is great stuff out there that I have never seen. Both relating to the site overall and to specific sections.
So let me know what you have found. Comment here for a permanent 'pointer' to what you like. And if I like it also I just might add it to this essay... (If you are shy about plugging yourself or someone else, you may certainly contact me by e-mail...)
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That's it for now! If you have read/scanned this far, I hope you have found some value in what I have compiled here. Please leave a comment if you have suggestions for improvements, additions, deletions, or any other weird ideas you might like to contribute...
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Epinions.com ID:
sleeper54
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 in Movies, Books |
 in Books |
 - Top 1000 |
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Member: ...tom...
Location: "Is this Heaven?"......"No. It's Iowa."
Reviews written: 491
Trusted by: 547 members
About Me:
Off to Dallas for real-world 'work' training.
Will be back ASAP..!!
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