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| roheblius |
Original Post: Sep 12 '06, 8:50 pm (Updated: Sep 12 '06, 8:51 pm) |
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Reviews written: 598 Member since: Dec 13 '99
 in Music |
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Decision on the cross posting issue
Check out the Member Center for the word on cross posting.
Let's use this thread to discuss reactions and thoughts.
We did four conference calls discussing the issue with members and used all of the data and information that we have to make the decision.
Here's a quick description.
- Cross posting is allowed in general.
- If you want to be a TR, A, or CL, cross posting to a price comparison site will disqualify you from the selection process.
- This will only count starting on September 13, 2006.
- If you currently cross post to other price comparison sites, you won't be punished retroactively.
- The rule of thumb will be that 1/3 of the content must be new or different, plus a new review title.
- Again, only price comparison sites (and you'll see examples in the post) are relevant. And only those who want to be TR's, A's, and CL's will be reviewed.
- Lastly, there is no need to downrate for any cross posting.
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| bob_tomato |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 8:52 pm |
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Reviews written: 284 Member since: Nov 17 '02
in Musical Equipment |
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Excellent decisions! I am very strongly in favor of this new interpretation of the cross posting policy. |
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| sleeper54 |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 8:57 pm |
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Reviews written: 494 Member since: Feb 24 '01
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Quote: bob_tomato Excellent decisions! I am very strongly in favor of this new interpretation of the cross posting policy.
Sounds fair to me. If anything, it sounds like the corporate side backed away from their desire to . . .'protect' their original content.
It will be interesting to see if the 'carrot'/possibility of the hat status is sufficient to keep members from cross-posting.
Note: Can I post my reviews to other web sites? is the section of the FAQ that now specifically address the change(s).
...tom...
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| ladyconsumer |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 9:01 pm |
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Reviews written: 630 Member since: Jul 11 '05
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Just want to tell you that I give you an enthusiastic thumbs up on the new policy. I feel it's (more than) fair, and very clearly stated. I'm sure it was a lot of hard work getting here, and I feel happy that you've taken member input into account.
Good job.
Mona |
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| roheblius |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 9:11 pm (Updated: Sep 12 '06, 9:11 pm) |
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Reviews written: 598 Member since: Dec 13 '99
in Music |
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Quote: sleeper54 Sounds fair to me. If anything, it sounds like the corporate side backed away from their desire to . . .'protect' their original content.
It was a balance. We want to protect the content, but we also don't want to deter anyone from becoming an Epinions member. I think it's a fair decision.
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| gamblin_man |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 9:15 pm |
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Reviews written: 389 Member since: Apr 08 '01
in Home & Garden |
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Quote: bob_tomato Excellent decisions! I am very strongly in favor of this new interpretation of the cross posting policy.
My thoughts exactly.
Larry
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| sleeper54 |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 9:22 pm |
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Reviews written: 494 Member since: Feb 24 '01
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Quote: roheblius --snip--
I think it's a fair decision.
Indeed.
As I am confident will the user community.
...tom...
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| pearannoyed |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 9:46 pm |
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Reviews written: 197 Member since: Oct 03 '03
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
As I've already commented to a couple of people privately, this is very well done. It still puts a premium on unique content, but leaves it to the reviewer to ultimately decide for themselves what is best for them.
I'd hope that this will be seen as a positive to the majority of the community.
Amy |
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| Andyman |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 9:56 pm (Updated: Sep 12 '06, 9:58 pm) |
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Reviews written: 131 Member since: Sep 29 '99
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Quote: sleeper54 it sounds like the corporate side backed away from their desire to . . .'protect' their original content.
I'd like to respond to this one point directly.
First of all, there is no "corporate" side. The decision makers in this as in all Epinions-related issues are those of us you converse with here. The reason this took time is we wanted to check with members and consider it carefully among ourselves, not because we needed to run it up the "corporate" flagpole. For the record, I am the senior Shopping.com employee who weighed in on this.
My point is not that I myself am some kind of big deal, but that this decision came from the Epinions team you know and love, and from the membership. It's not a top-down judgment call from mysterious "corporate" bogeymen you never see. We really did try to collaborate with you on this and the decision comes from folks who know Epinions well and are close to it. I'm confident that we came to the right decision on this, in large part because we listened to our members. The needs of members are not in conflict with the needs of "the business." They are linked.
Secondly, the desire to have unique content on Epinions is as strong as ever. It's no less important than it ever was. However, taking into account the general dynamics of publishing on the Internet, we realize we cannot win by imposing strict restrictions on what people do. It's obvious to us that things just don't work that way online. As Stewart Brand said: "Information wants to be free."
We *can* promote and underscore our unique content, and that's what we're going to do. But at least this way all our participating members have a choice, and whatever they choose they have some options. Those who aren't interested in hats can publish as they please, and those who are now have some guidelines for how to ensure "uniqueness."
Of course, unique content is the most valuable thing on Epinions, and due to the nature of how search engines work, unique content will get the most visitors. If you value your pageviews and IS on Epinions, it is in your own interests to differentiate your content here.
With this new policy direction, we place the choice in your hands, though the underlying factors remain the same. Unique content is best for Epinions, and we will do our best to promote it.
Cheers |
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| PattyTherre |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 10:03 pm |
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Reviews written: 1422 Member since: Oct 09 '00
in Online Stores & Services, Outdoor Gear, Sporting Goods |
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
I think this is a very fair and very well stated rule which will alleviate a lot of confusion. I am glad you named the major comparison shopping sites. I know there will be some questions as to what is and is not a comparison shopping site but those questions can be dealt with in a case by case basis.
Very well done. Epinions truly listened to the members and I can't imagine anyone complaining about this decision.
Thanks!
Patty |
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| Andyman |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 10:08 pm (Updated: Sep 12 '06, 10:10 pm) |
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Reviews written: 131 Member since: Sep 29 '99
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Quote: PattyTherre I am glad you named the major comparison shopping sites
Just a quick note to emphasize that the list of sites we mention is on an "including but not limited to" basis.
There is also an effort to define "price comparison site" in generalized terminology, because we can't necessarily list all the relevant sites all the time.
I know this is a pain in the derierre but there is not a good way for us to maintain a "blacklist" at all times so we are building some flexibility into it by design.
But I will say this: we're talking about BIG SITES. If you belong to a book enthusiast site, or a bowling fan site, chances are you are NOT in any danger here. We are talking about the BIG GUYS that compete directly with Epinions' business model. |
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| roheblius |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 10:31 pm |
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Reviews written: 598 Member since: Dec 13 '99
in Music |
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Quote: Andyman If you belong to a book enthusiast site, or a bowling fan site, chances are you are NOT in any danger here. We are talking about the BIG GUYS that compete directly with Epinions' business model.
Thankfully I can cross post my Pete Weber reviews still.
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| sleeper54 |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 10:33 pm |
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Reviews written: 494 Member since: Feb 24 '01
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Quote: Andyman I'd like to respond to this one point directly.
First of all, there is no "corporate" side. The decision makers in this as in all Epinions-related issues are those of us you converse with here. The reason this took time is we wanted to check with members and consider it carefully among ourselves, not because we needed to run it up the "corporate" flagpole. For the record, I am the senior Shopping.com employee who weighed in on this.
My point is not that I myself am some kind of big deal, but that this decision came from the Epinions team you know and love, and from the membership. It's not a top-down judgment call from mysterious "corporate" bogeymen you never see.
My use of the word 'corporate' was not, and is not, intended to be a negative. But rather, an acknowledgement of the different perspective that two major groups might approach any function or activity of the site and its members.
Quote: Andyman continued... We really did try to collaborate with you on this and the decision comes from folks who know Epinions well and are close to it. I'm confident that we came to the right decision on this, in large part because we listened to our members. The needs of members are not in conflict with the needs of "the business." They are linked.
Secondly, the desire to have unique content on Epinions is as strong as ever. It's no less important than it ever was. However, taking into account the general dynamics of publishing on the Internet, we realize we cannot win by imposing strict restrictions on what people do. It's obvious to us that things just don't work that way online. As Stewart Brand said: "Information wants to be free."
We *can* promote and underscore our unique content, and that's what we're going to do. But at least this way all our participating members have a choice, and whatever they choose they have some options. Those who aren't interested in hats can publish as they please, and those who are now have some guidelines for how to ensure "uniqueness."
Of course, unique content is the most valuable thing on Epinions, and due to the nature of how search engines work, unique content will get the most visitors. If you value your pageviews and IS on Epinions, it is in your own interests to differentiate your content here.
With this new policy direction, we place the choice in your hands, though the underlying factors remain the same. Unique content is best for Epinions, and we will do our best to promote it.
Cheers
Cheers indeed.
No offense intended or delivered. Do excuse this, past, and future usage of the idea of 'corporate side of Epinions.' It serves a purpose, if only in my own understanding of the dynamics of the site.
In case my message was lost somewhere in my earlier words:
...a very fair and workable solution for all members of the Epinions community, whatever their position and stake in the future of the site.
...tom...
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| Andyman |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 10:52 pm |
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Reviews written: 131 Member since: Sep 29 '99
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Quote: sleeper54 My use of the word 'corporate' was not, and is not, intended to be a negative.
It ain't no worry, man. We are all, actually, corporate on some level. That's life for each of us here and nothing new. I just wanted to take a pot-shot at the supposed "corporate" barrier folk sometimes think is a factor which obscures our communications with our members |
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| joyfulgirl91 |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 11:01 pm |
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Reviews written: 157 Member since: May 14 '05
in Home & Garden, Pets |
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
I'm glad the issue has been resolved, and that the solution is so reasonable. It feels good to know that Epinions really is listening to its members, and that they aren't just trying to appease us by asking what we think. This really is a special site. |
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| lorace |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 11:18 pm |
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Reviews written: 277 Member since: Jun 05 '01
in Home & Garden |
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Well, this was a great thread and very clarifying. I felt the best lines in the Member Post were the final lines. They said it all - and they explain why we can correctly say that Epinions.com is the best site on the Internet. I quote:
"Your needs and points of view are incredibly important to us and we thank you for helping us arrive at a policy we believe will work well for the Epinions business and community.
The Epinions Team"
I think that's really something. Thanks to all involved.
Lorace
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| barongreenback |
Posted: Sep 12 '06, 11:28 pm |
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Reviews written: 58 Member since: Nov 30 '04
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Congratulations...
on a decision which makes sense and in which common sense prevails. |
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| mattygroves |
Posted: Sep 13 '06, 1:49 am |
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Reviews written: 82 Member since: Feb 19 '01
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RE: Congratulations...
Quote: barongreenback on a decision which makes sense and in which common sense prevails.
Agreed. |
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| kristinafh |
Posted: Sep 13 '06, 2:52 am |
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Reviews written: 1344 Member since: Dec 17 '99
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
BRAVO!
Excellent member center communication.
Easy to read
Easy to understand
Passes the 80/20 rule by a land slide ;)
YAY! |
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| dandj |
Posted: Sep 13 '06, 4:45 am |
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Reviews written: 434 Member since: Dec 29 '99
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RE: Decision on the cross posting issue
Quote: joyfulgirl91 I'm glad the issue has been resolved, and that the solution is so reasonable. It feels good to know that Epinions really is listening to its members, and that they aren't just trying to appease us by asking what we think. This really is a special site.
Ditto that.
~*~Danielle~*~
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