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Veteran advice like yours... (Reply to this comment)
by atraveler22
...is what keeps me poking my toes into this Epinions pond. Thanks for the down-to-earth perspective that will help newbies like me attempt to "hang on in there" as we take the plunge into this slightly intimidating community. Your insight and the following comments provide an intriguing and welcoming peek at a supportive group--makes the water look fine!
Belated congrats on your milestone!
r
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Jul 27 '06
6:19 pm PDT
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Hey Chris (Reply to this comment)
by adriennefoster
Congrats on your 5th; it looks like you came in about 10 months before me.
I have to agree with you about reading and writing what you want, although I've never had a problem with the latter. I have a hard time writing about stuff that doesn't inspire me. Since I post in four categories, I've never been bored. I've always enjoyed talking about books I've read and movies I've seen, so I suppose falling into reviewing them comes naturally. What really helps is that on-line reviewing permits you to write on old products, whereas more traditional publications are only interested in what is new.
Travel and restaurants have also given me an excellent outlet for pursuing my ghost folklore interest. That's where I have the most fun.
I hope you'll continue on here for many years to come, since you're one of my favorite writers on Epinions. Maybe one of these you'll come to a M&G in the Bay Area?
May you live long and receive lots of VHs.
Adrienne
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May 14 '06
11:54 am PDT
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Thoughtful . . . (Reply to this comment)
by DAnneC
and thought provoking -- it hits lots of my Epinions nails on their heads
Thank you!
D
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May 06 '06
4:21 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Well put Chris, but... (Reply to this comment)
by captaind
Quality over quantity, Heidi? :-D
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Apr 21 '06
9:23 am PDT
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THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! (Reply to this comment)
by berniez40
This helped keep me going. I've written sooo many golf ball reviews, but afterall, I sem to know the topic. It's nice when other people actually comment on how you helped them make a decision.
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Apr 21 '06
8:37 am PDT
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Re: Well put Chris, but... (Reply to this comment)
by HJS33
Ok, you two are making me sad...I'm pleased with myself if I get one review out a month, and I'm totally THRILLED if I get two out. Ah, what can you do?!
But seriously, I have always loved the community aspect of Epinions. It is amazing, but even though I haven't actually met anyone from epinions, I feel like I know them and trust many of them and their epinions. Gotta love the web!
Congrats on your fifth. And here is the lovefest you requested...smooch smooch love love love.
Yup it has been a long day.
:)
Heidi (hjs33)
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Apr 20 '06
6:52 pm PDT
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Well put Chris, but... (Reply to this comment)
by captaind
... you forgot that the real key to happiness is to read CaptainD's stuff!!! :-D ;-D
4 reviews per month? Wow, if I go a week without doing at least that many I wonder what's gone wrong (or at times, what's gone right! Real life etc...)
Cheers, always glad to have you on the site,
CaptainD
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Apr 20 '06
2:37 pm PDT
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Well, we wouldn't be here without you. (Reply to this comment)
by gillandtony
We first started writing on Epinions after stumbling across your reviews on Sri Lanka.
Since then, writing has become a really enjoyable way of recording all of our travels and we hope that some of our experiences will be helpful to others. As we have just returned from Sarawak, Borneo (yesterday) you will be seeing a good deal more of us in the next few months.
We have met some fascinating people through this website and made some lasting friends (including your good self ). Frequency of reviews, hats etc. don't come into it for us although it is great when someone appreciates our efforts. As non Americans it would take us about a hundred years to cash in our earnings-- that is about our only gripe as it would be nice and very appropriate to spend some of our dollars visiting New York. So far we have only written in travel and mainly read and rate there.Time is always our problem.
Congratulations on your fifth anniversary and thanks for introducing us.
Best wishes,
G & T.
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Apr 18 '06
1:04 am PDT
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Dear all... (Reply to this comment)
by cr01
I wanted to thank everyone for leaving such positive comments - perhaps I understated the importance of community in my review after all lol
I know it's been quite a while since I've written a piece like this, so I'm pleased that some of my observations struck a chord with you.
As I've always said, Epinions is a marathon rather than a sprint.
Thanks again
Chris
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Apr 17 '06
3:55 pm PDT
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just wanted to add (Reply to this comment)
by ifif1938
my congratulatory remarks...Number one, thanks...I've been feeling a bit weary lately about epinions...I just celebrated my 6th year (very quietly), because I was almost ashamed at not even reaching 400 reviews in that so long a time when so many others write review after review after review and seem to be on a mission to conquer the site. After reading this I have to change that feeling and will,! :)
You've always been someone I look forward to reading and I know that will continue..
Cheers
Barbara
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Apr 16 '06
5:44 pm PDT
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Keeping epinions in its place (Reply to this comment)
by MamaMiaEtc
Congrats, Chris, on sticking with it, and doing so with such style! I always enjoy reading what you have written, and am amazed at your stat-keeping! You are one of those epinionators whose writing and online personality mean the most to me.
Some weeks ago I realized I wasn't getting as much out of epinions as I was putting into it. Also, the long dreary months of winter are over and I have much less time to spare than before.
So now, I only read and rate the reviews on my alerts when I know the product or place, when I am interested in buying that product, or if I think the author's writing is wonderful or consistently useful.
I generally only write reviews about products I think are special in some way that either have never been reviewed or have not been reviewed in a long time. That way, each review makes a significant contribution (hopefully!) and gives me a feeling of accomplishment.
~Mia
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Apr 16 '06
8:54 am PDT
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I think (Reply to this comment)
by lorace
....
That we're very close (just a few months apart) in when we started here! Congratulations, and I am glad I found your reviews along the way, Chris.
This was great. You reminded me that I'm in a definite rut! Also, you helped remove some of my guilt over being so lax on my alerts.
What's the saying....a life OUTSIDE of Epinions? hmmm. I've got to think about that a while.
Thanks, enjoyed this. (Now can you do something about this darned Writer's Block?)
Lorace
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Apr 15 '06
10:39 pm PDT
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Congrats on the 5 year anniversay.. (Reply to this comment)
by kparsons13
Can't say I have any great tips because you pretty much covered anything that I would say. I just wanted to stop by and say that I enjoy your reviews and am glad you are still around. Look forward to more years to come!
kparsons13
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Apr 15 '06
9:10 am PDT
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hey there Chris... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54
...
Let me add my congrats on the fifth...
you said...
". . .(given my mother isn’t a silver surfer)."
Wait a minute . . .was not 'the silver surfer' some comic book character..? Or a bad Hollywood 50's B-flick..??
you said...
"While I still have my alerts set, I don’t actually look at them now from one week to the next."
This is perhaps the only thing I have 'gotten right' on Epinions. While I have dozens of writers set to alert I am terrible at actually reading them. I am also terrible at reading those who read me or rate/comment on my stuff.
you said...
"I must confess I like to write around four reviews a month and am somewhat disappointed in myself if I don’t."
That has been my informal goal lately also. Unfortunately with my daughter's spring fastpitch softball league in full swing and my duties there as a Board member . . .I am falling woefully short recently.
you said...
"Stretch your writing"
I reviewed a book of American Civil War pictures by trying to make it sound like a period advertisement by the publisher offering the photos for purchase. I reviewed another book, a 'how to draw' art book, by using text to simulate the . . .'emerging' picture.
Those are two of my favorite reviews I have written here.
you said...
"Don’t create self-imposed constraints…"
Well . . .other than...well, you know...
. . . ...:leannmeansmiliemoment:...
My apologies for this blatantly self-referential intrusion into your comment page. But good thoughts provide good fodder for discussion and learning.
Very nicely said.
( and my favorite 'writing' quote . . .. )
...tom...
"I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done."
—Steven Wright
.
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Apr 15 '06
7:09 am PDT
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Happy 5th, Chris! (Reply to this comment)
by treeseed
Congratulations on your anniversary. I'm not sure I have any tips except that being sincere and friendly seems to be reciprocated here as in any community. Also, write what you enjoy writing...if it's fun or interesting for you, someone else out there is probably going to think it's fun or interesting, too. For me it's about connecting and sharing. Even if one person decides to read a book that I loved or decides to check out a movie that touched me...I like that...I like sharing very much.
I've really enjoyed the connections with all the Eps people...the calm, sedate ones, the crazy ones, the crabby ones, the serious and hilarious, the bossy, the sloppy...it's a microcosm. There are many here that I count among my friends even if we only pass occasionally in the comment sections...you are one of them. You are a warm and interesting and lovely person...obviously...your writing proves it.
Keep up the good work.
~Terrie
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Apr 14 '06
7:52 pm PDT
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hit stats (Reply to this comment)
by pilarzmom
heh, heh. Hmmm, who has a stat chart on their profile page?
Good advice. I've become a bit obessive as of late. This coming after my vow to ease up a little bit in '06. I blame it on the sucky weather we've had of late. Nothing to do but write.
Well, must get packing. Off to Hawaii on Monday. But I might squeeze one more review in before I go--LOL! I guess I feel the pressure from these young writers who churn out a zillion reviews a month. But just for the fun of it, I am going to try to make it different (or as much as I can with a beauty review).
Take care and congrats on making it to 5 years.
Peggy
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Apr 14 '06
4:30 pm PDT
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Tips? From Me? Naah! (Reply to this comment)
by the_motleykid
I am not one to be handing out advice, but I sure did enjoy your article. Congrats on that 5 year milestone, thats really something. :)
Like you, I have a certain amount of reviews I like to post each month, but if I know there wasn't the time to write that many, I won't be dwelling on it.
I enjoyed this piece.
KR!$
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Apr 14 '06
6:38 am PDT
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This was VH!... (Reply to this comment)
by reginafug
Thanks for the tips! I've come to really enjoy being a member of this community.
Cheers,
Regina
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Apr 14 '06
5:50 am PDT
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Congratulations...... (Reply to this comment)
by kamel622
.....on five great years! Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?
I try to stretch myself and seem to go in spurts. I'll write a bunch of book reviews (and find it hard to get away from that template) and then have to stretch myself into other categories. I like the challenge of it, but I have to be a real writing mood.
You keep writing, I'll keep reading them! ......Make it a great day........kath
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Apr 14 '06
4:54 am PDT
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Yay Chris! (Reply to this comment)
by chelledun
Happy Anniversary to one of my very favorite Epinionators :).
I couldn't agree with you more about only reading what you want to. Once I stopped feeling pressure to read everything in alerts and focused on reading in Travel, which is most interesting to me, I enjoyed the site much more.
Congrats and many more!
Michelle
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Apr 14 '06
4:36 am PDT
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Congrats (Reply to this comment)
by Bruguru
On the fiver. I enjoyed reading the part about the "blog". I've often thought that someday my kids or descendants might read something I've written here and recapture a small bit of my life.
Cheers!
John
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Apr 13 '06
8:10 pm PDT
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Happy Anniversary! (Reply to this comment)
by 42ENGLISH
I just past my fifth in December. It does make it more interesting if I leave my niche at times, even if my reviews do get H ratings. What the heck, at least I put my 10 cents in. Thanks.
Julie
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Apr 13 '06
7:53 pm PDT
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Happy Anniversary (Reply to this comment)
by trailhound
I hope you continue to enjoy the site! -Dave
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Apr 13 '06
7:41 pm PDT
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re: congrats! & happy 5th (Reply to this comment)
by cntaur5
You've shared some wonderful nuggets of wisdom here. One of the most important things about the writers at Epinions.com is that we are the gems, diamonds and flowers of the web.
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Apr 13 '06
6:03 pm PDT
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Happy fifth Anniversary! (Reply to this comment)
by George_Chabot
I like to try different approaches and have some spectacular failures to show for it. What the heck - it's all fun. Here's to many more, bud! :>
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Apr 13 '06
5:51 pm PDT
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Yes.... (Reply to this comment)
by mrkstvns
It's sometimes tough to keep up the interest over a long time span. It does indeed help if you write what you want and read what you want, and try not to feel pressured to do it all.
Have fun!
Mark
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Apr 13 '06
4:22 pm PDT
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Happy 5th! (Reply to this comment)
by andymcf
I feel an Epinions challenge coming along, just to keep it exciting. Let me mull it over! I've been on holiday recently, which might explain my recent inactivity. Preparing to dive back into the pool!
Regards!
Andrew
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Apr 13 '06
4:21 pm PDT
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