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| deenaf |
Posted: May 20 '08, 4:59 pm |
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Reviews written: 277 Member since: Apr 27 '01
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Oy Vey!
I swear the cliches on this thread could kill me.
All this thread proves, once again, is that misery loves company.
Deena
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| almarsezstuff |
Posted: May 20 '08, 5:06 pm |
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Reviews written: 3 Member since: Nov 05 '07
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RE: can we get an answer from Eps?
I'll be as candid as I can in answering these questions with the knowledge I have now:
1) Is this is going to be a permanent problem (aka, are the currently dead categories dead forever);
I'm told no. In fact, when the catalog fixes go out, this should fix a lot of the problems. For the "dead forever" ones, I believe we're looking into ways to at least salvage the review and give you the ability to move it (better than the way it works now) if the product no longer exists.
2) If it's not a permanent problem, when will it be fixed?; and
The engineers are working on this right now (and trying to solve the issue of the greyed out reviews) and a bunch of other stuff including missing hits.
3) If it can be fixed, will the hits that are currently occuring but not registering going to be credited back? Will there be any IS credit and will the future, properly credited hits earn IS?
I hate to say it, but I don't think we'll be able credit back the missing hits (hopefully I'm wrong but I doubt it on this one). But if we're able to fix the missing hits, then yes, I think it's safe to assume you'll be properly credited for hits moving forward from the period it's fixed.
Please keep in mind that the answers might change depending on what they discover to be the root of the issues. As with the greyed out reviews, it turns out there was more than one cause to that but what you saw as a result was the same. Hopefully that isn't the case for everything mentioned but unfortunately it's not that straightforward (from what I'm told).
-Almar |
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| antastic |
Posted: May 20 '08, 5:06 pm |
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Reviews written: 1 Member since: Nov 10 '07
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RE: Oy Vey!
Quote: deenaf I swear the cliches on this thread could kill me.
All this thread proves, once again, is that misery loves company.
Deena
lol. Glad you could join us! Have a seat!
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| trailhound |
Posted: May 20 '08, 5:30 pm |
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Reviews written: 651 Member since: May 21 '04
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RE: can we get an answer from Eps?
Quote: almarsezstuff
I hate to say it, but I don't think we'll be able credit back the missing hits (hopefully I'm wrong but I doubt it on this one). But if we're able to fix the missing hits, then yes, I think it's safe to assume you'll be properly credited -Almar
Thanks for addressing the issue. At least we know where we (most likely) stand on ''missing hits''. -Dave |
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| abhaille |
Posted: May 20 '08, 5:46 pm |
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Reviews written: 223 Member since: Dec 12 '99
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RE: Why is everyone freaking out?
Quote: alexdg1 I'm going to need at least $1 million in royalties to foot the bill for the cookies. There are so many of us!
Cookies? Did you say cookies??? |
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| jps246 |
Posted: May 20 '08, 6:04 pm |
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Reviews written: 842 Member since: Jan 25 '01
 in Outdoor Gear, Sporting Goods |
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RE: can we get an answer from Eps?
Quote: almarsezstuff I'll be as candid as I can in answering these questions with the knowledge I have now:
1) Is this is going to be a permanent problem (aka, are the currently dead categories dead forever);
I'm told no. In fact, when the catalog fixes go out, this should fix a lot of the problems. For the "dead forever" ones, I believe we're looking into ways to at least salvage the review and give you the ability to move it (better than the way it works now) if the product no longer exists.
2) If it's not a permanent problem, when will it be fixed?; and
The engineers are working on this right now (and trying to solve the issue of the greyed out reviews) and a bunch of other stuff including missing hits.
3) If it can be fixed, will the hits that are currently occuring but not registering going to be credited back? Will there be any IS credit and will the future, properly credited hits earn IS?
I hate to say it, but I don't think we'll be able credit back the missing hits (hopefully I'm wrong but I doubt it on this one). But if we're able to fix the missing hits, then yes, I think it's safe to assume you'll be properly credited for hits moving forward from the period it's fixed.
Please keep in mind that the answers might change depending on what they discover to be the root of the issues. As with the greyed out reviews, it turns out there was more than one cause to that but what you saw as a result was the same. Hopefully that isn't the case for everything mentioned but unfortunately it's not that straightforward (from what I'm told).
-Almar
Thanks for the answers, I think it does help just to hear them from someone at Epinions besides us wondering what's going on.
It doesn't make the pill of things not working at the moment any easier to swallow, but at least I know you are working on it and the issues are known to everyone. Now hopefully it can be fixed sooner, rather than later. I know at least in Sports and Outdoors it's been a real downer all around - not just for me.
Thanks,
Jeff |
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| jps246 |
Posted: May 20 '08, 6:09 pm |
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Reviews written: 842 Member since: Jan 25 '01
in Outdoor Gear, Sporting Goods |
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RE: can we get an answer from Eps?
Quote: rkingfish Does anyone out there truly believe that this tedious and incessant whining on this subject that's permeated the boards in recent times will actually result in positive change?
Well, at least it got us some more concrete answers from Almar - I know a bit more about it now than I did yesterday. At least that's something.
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| berniez40 |
Posted: May 20 '08, 6:15 pm |
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Reviews written: 510 Member since: Mar 15 '03
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RE: can we get an answer from Eps?
Is there a product link so that I can review the Eps Brand Whine Cellar? |
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| ssjakira1 |
Posted: May 20 '08, 7:35 pm |
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Reviews written: 724 Member since: May 13 '03
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RE: can we get an answer from Eps?
Ah my poor little thread has gone slightly awry. But I do think this is the most replies I've ever gotten in a post. ;)
I think what may have gotten people excited in the first place was that I got a little too excited myself and mentioned how I thought "we're starting to kill the topics" about the search engine/hits/low IS. I'd like to reiterate that I didn't mean everyone should keep quiet forever and ever.
My main point was:
The Epinions site has major issues.
We all know it (members and staff alike).
Does this mean Epinions is going to suddenly shut down?
No.
That's my epinion anyway, and I'm stickin' to it. =D
NT/FG |
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| sleeper54 |
Posted: May 20 '08, 7:40 pm |
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Reviews written: 491 Member since: Feb 24 '01
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RE: can we get an answer from Eps?
Quote: ssjakira1 Ah my poor little thread has gone slightly awry. But I do think this is the most replies I've ever gotten in a post. ;)
--snip--
NT/FG
H3ll, the ones that go awry a wee bit are the most entertaining. And the ones that you learn the most about your fellow users and how they think.
As I might say elsewhere... very nicely done.
...tom...
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| lilsquibb |
Posted: May 20 '08, 7:55 pm |
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Reviews written: 141 Member since: May 08 '06
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RE: can we get an answer from Eps?
Quote: almarsezstuff I'll be as candid as I can in answering these questions with the knowledge I have now:
1) Is this is going to be a permanent problem (aka, are the currently dead categories dead forever);
I'm told no. In fact, when the catalog fixes go out, this should fix a lot of the problems. For the "dead forever" ones, I believe we're looking into ways to at least salvage the review and give you the ability to move it (better than the way it works now) if the product no longer exists.
2) If it's not a permanent problem, when will it be fixed?; and
The engineers are working on this right now (and trying to solve the issue of the greyed out reviews) and a bunch of other stuff including missing hits.
3) If it can be fixed, will the hits that are currently occuring but not registering going to be credited back? Will there be any IS credit and will the future, properly credited hits earn IS?
I hate to say it, but I don't think we'll be able credit back the missing hits (hopefully I'm wrong but I doubt it on this one). But if we're able to fix the missing hits, then yes, I think it's safe to assume you'll be properly credited for hits moving forward from the period it's fixed.
Please keep in mind that the answers might change depending on what they discover to be the root of the issues. As with the greyed out reviews, it turns out there was more than one cause to that but what you saw as a result was the same. Hopefully that isn't the case for everything mentioned but unfortunately it's not that straightforward (from what I'm told).
-Almar
Unfortunately it's not just the "greyed out" reviews anymore. There seems to be this change (that everyone else is talking about in other threads) regarding the /review/ "bug." these reviews seem to be the ones not collecting hits.. but worse yet IS. Mine show hits, though not the right ones, but absolutely no IS. in 2 months time I wrote 25 reviews with only 1 collecting $0.06. This one did not have the /review/ in it.
It's really more about the state of all thing Epinions right now not just those grey links or hits.
Carrie |
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| rudixeno |
Posted: May 20 '08, 8:07 pm |
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Reviews written: 190 Member since: Nov 14 '05
in Home & Garden |
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RE: can we get an answer from Eps?
Quote: almarsezstuff I'll be as candid as I can in answering these questions with the knowledge I have now:
1) Is this is going to be a permanent problem (aka, are the currently dead categories dead forever);
I'm told no. In fact, when the catalog fixes go out, this should fix a lot of the problems. For the "dead forever" ones, I believe we're looking into ways to at least salvage the review and give you the ability to move it (better than the way it works now) if the product no longer exists.
2) If it's not a permanent problem, when will it be fixed?; and
The engineers are working on this right now (and trying to solve the issue of the greyed out reviews) and a bunch of other stuff including missing hits.
3) If it can be fixed, will the hits that are currently occuring but not registering going to be credited back? Will there be any IS credit and will the future, properly credited hits earn IS?
I hate to say it, but I don't think we'll be able credit back the missing hits (hopefully I'm wrong but I doubt it on this one). But if we're able to fix the missing hits, then yes, I think it's safe to assume you'll be properly credited for hits moving forward from the period it's fixed.
Please keep in mind that the answers might change depending on what they discover to be the root of the issues. As with the greyed out reviews, it turns out there was more than one cause to that but what you saw as a result was the same. Hopefully that isn't the case for everything mentioned but unfortunately it's not that straightforward (from what I'm told).
-Almar
Almar,
Thanks for your response. I think what most of us are interested in hearing about is an estimated timeline for the fixes. The engineers "have been working on it" for eight months now and any appearance of an improvement is unnoticeable. As a former systems engineer I always hated schedules, but nonetheless had to project and live by them. What is the timeframe you (or they) think we're looking at. Surely, it has had to been discussed.
What can we expect to see when. I think it's a pretty fair question.
Rudi
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| popsrocks |
Posted: May 20 '08, 8:08 pm (Updated: May 20 '08, 8:09 pm) |
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Reviews written: 2129 Member since: Aug 25 '02
in Gourmet, Restaurants |
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RE: can we get an answer from Eps?
Quote: ssjakira1 Ah my poor little thread has gone slightly awry...
...My main point was:
The Epinions site has major issues.
We all know it (members and staff alike).
Does this mean Epinions is going to suddenly shut down?
No.
That's my epinion anyway, and I'm stickin' to it. =D
NT/FG
I'm wichya.
pops
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| gatorgirlie |
Posted: May 20 '08, 8:59 pm |
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Reviews written: 248 Member since: Mar 07 '03
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...
I keep hoping that one day I'll come back and Epinions will be fixed -- just get me back to the way it was back in 06.
I think I'll abuse the system a bit and churn out a bunch of children's book reviews to get my $40 or $60... but will I write on here long term? Will I use Epinions for research?
The answer is no.
I recently took a trip to Puerto Rico and did no research on Epinions -- something I wouldn't have done a few years ago. I bought a new cell phone and am looking at digital cameras.
Speaking as one of those incessant whiners, I took my ball and went home. No longer is Epinions my fall back on searching, now I just use Google or Yahoo to find reviews.
If that can come from someone who used to be an Advisor, TR and long-time Epinions' loyalist... I wonder how many other people (not writers) are being turned off as well... |
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| ssjakira1 |
Posted: May 20 '08, 9:57 pm |
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Reviews written: 724 Member since: May 13 '03
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RE: ...
Hehe. I still do. I just did tonight, in fact. In the end, even if the search is flawed, I'd still rather put in a bit of extra effort to find a decent review rather than the 5 line reviews one can find at Amazon. Not that everyone has to, of course.
...I think of it as another way to give back to the community. Yay more hits for people! |
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| morilla |
Posted: May 20 '08, 10:15 pm |
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Reviews written: 196 Member since: Oct 09 '04
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RE: Why is everyone freaking out?
Quote: ssjakira1 Seriously. I don't get it.
Sure, I know the search is wonky...
Sure, hits are down...
...at least we're still getting hits...
...what's wrong with hoping that at some point Epinions will get it right again...
...everyone started to worry, then they got freaked out...
...I don't see anyone pulling out of here anytime soon...
...the ugly cloud that seems to be growing over this place lately.
...I just don't think it's constructive anymore because everyone goes on a fussing spree.
I think the problem is that, for many, the site is not working. A number of people are getting virtually no, if any hits. Quite a few reviews, a significant number for some, are 'hidden;' whether from "grey out," "category not available," "There are no reviews for this product," or any of the myriad other issues brought forth.
There's nothing wrong with hoping that "someday" Epinions will get it right again. I think most of us are doing that. But, as others have suggested, I also think it's fair that after 8 months, we be given some sort of time frame for when this might be - something beyond "we're working on it" or "when the fixes are ready, then we hope many problems will be, well, fixed." I don't think most are looking for a date certain, but benchmarks, ballpark times, something. Failing that, people will eventually begin to think the worst.
Many began to worry back in October. Eight months later, the frustrations are starting to have an impact on even the most patient. It's not that most are 'freaking out,' it's that others are "leaving." If not entirely (though, for all intents and purposes, a handful have), then some are not contributing currently. Others are contributing lesser quality reviews than they used to that receive 'courtesy' VH's either due to their longevity on the site, ratings circles, or because raters understand the frustrations which have led to this in an effort to compensate for lost IS or because they feel that this is the direction that Epinions is now taking or because they too have become too frustrated to 'make the effort.' (We all know it's happening, even if "we" don't do that - tsk, tsk.)
In the end, it's not just a cloud that "started" growing lately. It's a thunderhead that's been building for 8 months. If it takes a little rumblin' and fussin' to get some answers given the perceptual lack of progress, isn't that better than the alternatives?
It's like they used to say, it's when people stop (ahem) 'complaining' that you need to begin to worry. |
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| gatorgirlie |
Posted: May 20 '08, 10:25 pm (Updated: May 20 '08, 10:42 pm) |
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Reviews written: 248 Member since: Mar 07 '03
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RE: ...
Quote: ssjakira1 Hehe. I still do. I just did tonight, in fact. In the end, even if the search is flawed, I'd still rather put in a bit of extra effort to find a decent review rather than the 5 line reviews one can find at Amazon. Not that everyone has to, of course.
...I think of it as another way to give back to the community. Yay more hits for people!
Yes and no... I agree that Amazon stinks, but I have found many other great review sites that truly help me... as much or more than Epinions' (if only, in certain cases, because of Epinions' issues).
I went to go look for Puerto Rico just now to see if I could write a review. I went to Travel, then to Destinations. Nothing. I searched and it popped up something in Videos and DVDs. I finally got the search to find it for me and it was in Destinations all along (sigh).
Let's say I was truly researching Puerto Rico.... Why do that when I can hop on Trip Advisor and find the best travel information? Why not just go there to find the restaurants and shopping areas listed because the search engine at Epinions' is so bad? I just looked up the San Juan Marriott resort and I'm not sure whether they just don't have it listed (really, such a popular four-diamond resort and casino?) or if the search engine just hates me.
I'm slogging through it because I'd like to make a few bucks off a VH review, but I certainly wouldn't be doing it if I didn't have the $20 for 10 hanging over my head.
EDITED TO SAY: Ha hA! The search engine hates me. I have finally found the San Juan Marriott resort. You cannot find it any other way but by typing in San Juan, going to Hotels on the LHS and searching through the list. Silly, ain't it? |
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| sleeper54 |
Posted: May 20 '08, 10:26 pm |
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Reviews written: 491 Member since: Feb 24 '01
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RE: ...
Quote: gatorgirlie --snip--
If that can come from someone who used to be an Advisor, TR and long-time Epinions' loyalist... I wonder how many other people (not writers) are being turned off as well...
Exactly.
That thought from a former(?) Eps kool-aid drinker. If the 'tried-n-true' can be lost how can the site attract and retain the the ephemeral and fickle shoppers' eyeballs..??
Not a negative question but a realistic, if not rhetorical, question.
I wait patiently for the promised resolutions and redemption.
...tom...
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| ssjakira1 |
Posted: May 20 '08, 10:48 pm |
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Reviews written: 724 Member since: May 13 '03
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RE: ...
I'm beginning to regret starting this thread. My intention of "Yeah! Let's hope for the best!" positive thought is getting crushed and the point is getting missed entirely.
It's 1:47 am here and now I'm cranky.
As usual, no offense to anyone.
I'm starting to think I may have to quit the message boards for a while. |
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| rudixeno |
Posted: May 21 '08, 5:11 am |
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Reviews written: 190 Member since: Nov 14 '05
in Home & Garden |
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RE: ...
Quote: ssjakira1 I'm beginning to regret starting this thread. My intention of "Yeah! Let's hope for the best!" positive thought is getting crushed and the point is getting missed entirely.
It's 1:47 am here and now I'm cranky.
As usual, no offense to anyone.
I'm starting to think I may have to quit the message boards for a while.
I don't think you should feel sorry at all. I think your post has been a service to this site. How else could you explain 100 replies to it?
Members who have been "biting their tongue" for many, many months have come out and expressed their views on the state of things. This kind of input is invalueble to site management and other members wondering if they are the only ones who are feeling as they do.
So, on the contrary I think you've done a great service for the entire Epinions Community.
Best regards,
Rudi |
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