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Note: This account is no longer active.
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Activity Summary
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Reviews Written: 41
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Member Visits: 903
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Total Visits: 5,926
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About LouisaM
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I am best defined by my role as a writer. I'm also a home schooling mom who's crazy about her kids. These two roles fit perfectly since I love learning and discussing that knowledge with others.
I spent several years working with the homeless as a Social Services employee. It taught me that life can take you anywhere. I also learned that the only things that can't be taken from you are faith, love, hope and your mind.
I'm an addict to the internet...the clean parts of it that is. I can spend endless hours debating issues, finding information and looking for freebies.
I love to share what I find with others so Epinions is my favorite site.
MY WEB OF TRUST:
When I say that I trust someone's opinions it doesn't mean that I trust them to post reviews I agree with. It doesn't even mean that they make life choices I agree with. It does mean that I trust them to:
1 - Treat other members of Epinions with kindness and respect. Try to be fair when rating reviews and be constructive when leaving comments.
2 - Show a respect for life in their reviews.
3 - Give an honest effort to their reviews. Spelling and grammar are important but not foremost. If the author is sincere and/or passionate about the subject of their review.
When I say I distrust someone it doesn't mean that aren't good writers or that they don't occasionally write a review I agree with. It means that I believe they have:
1 - Written hastily contructed reviews only to generate money.
2 - Promoted hatred based on race, sex, religion or other life choices.
3 - Been rude and downright mean in their comments to other Epinion members.
When considering adding someone to my lists I usually ask for an alert to their reviews. This way I can watch how consistant they are in their actions. If a person of distrust changes their ways and deletes those reviews which promote hate (it's impossible to delete your comments) I would probably remove them from the "dis" list.
HOW I RATE:
I try to never rate according to my own opinion. I rate on the quality of the review itself, whether I agree or not. However, if I think you are wrong I will leave a comment saying so. After all, my rating effects what those on my WOT see. I don't want anyone to get the impression that I agree with opinions that I don't.
Highly Recommended
If the review is well organized, well written and been given effort. I think spelling, grammar and attention to detail are important. I also know how hard it can be to edit a review, it's easy to miss a mistake so I make allowances for that. If your review is fun to read, entertaining or communicates a sincere enthusiasm I am prone to overlook grammar and spelling problems.
Recommended
If the review is well written and thoughtful but needs more information or organization.
Somewhat Recommended
If the review is thoughtful and sincere but lacking in information or full of errors.
Not Recommended
If the review is something just thrown together in order to generate money. If it is mean and/or hateful, of course, this would also mean a report to Epinions. I really struggle over giving SR and NR ratings and I detest the action of punishing others for disagreeing with them by giving them a NR.
To be totally honest I have to say that I'm more likely to read and rate HR those folks who have done the same for me. I try to not let it influence me but I know it does. Also, if your review is funny, unique or just plain fun to read it's likely to bump it up a notch even if the spelling and grammar are less than good. I try to read and rate at least one review for every person who reads and rates mine. Those who SR or NR without leaving a coherent, sane and constructive comment don't get read. Same thing goes if you rate me lower because you don't agree. It's not cricket! If you don't agree say so but don't imply that my writing was bad because you didn't like the sentiment.
I like this internet community and believe it can only grow and benefit if we all invest our energy into supporting the efforts of others. It is how we maintain the level of accountability and prevent abuses.
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