Fun faces or Meat Market
Written: Aug 31 '01
| Site Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Customer Service: |
 |
|
| Sense of Community: |
 |
|
The Bottom Line
happy, friendly, sometimes cheap, but always cheerful.
|
| Full Review |
It began as a dare a few weeks ago from my online friend in the United States. He informed me of a new site that he and his work-mates were addicted to, called hotornot.com. I must admit the initial title repulsed me slightly, but let me tell you how my journey on the site led to this epinion today.
While aimlessly chatting away on AOL for a short while my friend brought this particular site to my attention. Now because of a shared sick sense of humour, I responded to the link and found myself in the world of hotornot. How amused I indeed was. But what is HororNot?
It serves as a channel to bring people together. Or so I think, as my view of this site has changed considerably from my first contact. Let me tell you the story.
It is well known amongst my friends that I am in fact an evil person (I kid you not, and I can't help it if the screaming brat who falls over at the supermarket is funny), so the my initial concept of this website was rather exciting. Rating people of their attractivness (Or lack thereof). Upon introduction I was plunged into the in deep end. Rating people:
Rating people is a key feature of the website. Basically, the website displays a photograph, and there is a sliding scale at the top of the screen. You simply select which number you think their hotness corresponds to, and the next picture is displayed, with the over-all results of the previous vote in the left margin.
Now, what purpose this serves I am not sure. Initially the thought of people putting up their picture to be rated by the world seemed a rather egotistical thing to do, and I am sure this is the case with some. However, it is a clever device also. Imagine my surprise when I found I was unable to stop rating people. I was always looking for the next person. This compelling form of exercise is a fantastic way of advertising products, cleverly hidden below the rating bar. You have to admire the ingenuity.
Further their gall also convinces you to put up a picture.... don't ask why you do it... there is no logic, I think something in the back of your mind thinks, HE GOT A 8.2! Imagine what I could get! Yes I was truly hooked, my pic was up in a jiffy (although actually it took 24 hours to begin circulation), and I was pleased with my final 9.6 (No I am not lying, there just must be lots of blind people out there).
Although slightly confusing to begin with, the basic format of the rating area is not difficult, and you get to grips with it pretty early on. The novelty of giving attractive people poor ratings for looking too sure of themselves however, soon wore off. This led me to explore further aspects of the site.
Basically, this site is a melting pot for happy people looking out to network with others. And what a fantastic way of doing it! A clever system has been developed. Bascically speaking, you leave them with your e-mail address, if someone likes your pic, they clike the 'want to meet' button. In turn the hotornot guys e-mail you informing you of this. Then you have the choice as to whether you want to meet the contactee. This provides a safe, friendly environment. Free from people just dropping in, or sending unwanted mail (A problem on many IM's and penfriend sites).
I have only two issues with hotornot:
1) I feel personally, that the site constitutes something like a market. Picking out the people who we like the look of. If you only choose the same kind of person, it fails to broaden your horizons. I also feel a little cheap that people can just say, NO I don't wanna meet you, as if I am an orphan in a home, that nobody wants.
2) The rating system. I am sure that everyone who has put their picture uo (including myself) is either an egomaniac or a lacker of self-confidence (I am the latter), what annoys me is that after a certain amount of votes have been counted, your picture is taken away from public circulation, and reserved only for the 'meet people' section. This obviously has to take place, otherwise there would be an overload. However I think it is sexist that women are allowed more votes than men. In our post-feminist world, where we are supposed to be equal, I find this rather dusturbing and backward.
On the face of things however this is a fairly harmless website. A good place to meet people you want to meet; (you can choose to view pictures of gay/straight/men/women, in the 'meet me' section) and it is a safe way to meet new people.
As with everything, hotornot has pros and cons. But I believe the value outweighs the cheap side, and that the initial intentions are indeed good. moving around the website is easy, the format simple and clear. The help pages are also informative, and an internet novice can soon find themselves rating happily as if they were born to surf the net.
All in all I give this a thumbs up.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
About the Author
Member: Paul Ensor
Location: Newquay, Cornwall, England
Reviews written: 39
Trusted by: 15 members
About Me: English, slightly insane, coffee addicted law student. Shopohollic, oh and did I mention over-opinionated?
|
