Are reviewers evil?

[pennywiz]

Psion,

Do you get paid for your reviews? If not, don't sweat the "unprofessional" label. If you do, well it's probably not by Pennywiz, so again, don't sweat it.

Jim Ward questioned the integrity and professionalism of reviewers and wrote that bad reveiws cost him money. He quoted Psion without attributing the quote (if I read this thread correctly). Jim may have felt he was doing Psion a favor by not singling him out by name. Psion sought public reaction and invited debate on the topic. If anything he is being a little too fair by indulging Penny in this tete-a-tete long after it can possibly be productive. By and large "bad" reviews in the D20 commmunity are rare, most products (the vast majority) get at least an average rating. So if Jim feels he's getting bad reviews he should address it in his content, not an editorial. If he feels he's getting unfair reviews he should instruct his distributor to not send review copies to those who are giving him unfair reviews. Yes that may give him less exposure than other companies, but if he believes he's avoiding unfair bad reviews, and unfair bad reviews cost him money, then that is the tact he should take.


If memory serves Psion did express some critical views on a product I contributed to, but in his review he explained that certain elements were a pet peeve of his. He still scored it as he saw it, but he did not do so unilaterally. Despite the large size of some of our products, he certainly seemed to be fully informed as to their content, that is he did not "skim" our books. I much prefer honest critical thought to fan-rave reviews. As someone else pointed out, a non critical review isn't a review, it's advertising.

Finally, it's probably time for both of you to go to neutral corners now. You aren't establishing anything new and neither one of you is coming any closer to the other's point of view.

I am saying nothing for or against Psion's reviews or FFE's products. I'm not even saying something about Psion, but rather about his behavior and judgment in beginning this thread and in the way he chose to do so as well as the results regardless of his claimed intentions.

 

[pennywiz]

Really? Seemed to degenerate into sniping and backbiting about 6 posts ago, if you ask me.

Heated, yes. Your other vocabulary choices don't follow, IMO.

 

[rounser]

Do you get paid for your reviews? If not, don't sweat the "unprofessional" label. If you do, well it's probably not by Pennywiz, so again, don't sweat it.

What you're saying implies he may as well not sweat accountability either. Simply because you're not getting paid doesn't mean you throw ethics in the dustbin.

Not that I'm saying Psion has - I'm just objecting to the subtext of what you're suggesting, here.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Heated, yes. Your other vocabulary choices don't follow, IMO.

Ahhh, I see. This is a "last word" issue. That explains the continued harping on Psion.

Ok, over to you.

 

[pennywiz]

What you're saying implies he may as well not sweat accountability either. Simply because you're not getting paid doesn't mean you throw ethics in the dustbin.

Not that I'm saying Psion has - I'm just objecting to the subtext of what you're suggesting, here.

I think it should be noted that posting as a professional reviewer or publisher bears with it certain responsibilities. I'll ignore Wulf's follow up post since his post is silly and does not warrant a response beyond that.

 

[Oni]

Oni, I suspect you're skirting the very heights of double standards. Would you raise an eyebrow to see such snarkiness in an actual review? Answer honestly; in my case, nope. You're holding the publisher to a higher standard of professionalism. Of course. We all do. You're free not to change your views, but at least recognise your bias.

I don't believe I am. Would I be surprised to see such things in a review, no it wouldn't surprise me, it happens. However it would definately give me pause over the validity of the review. This is one of reasons that I usually read several reviews on one product to help filter out this sort of thing. If I read half a dozen reviews and half of those are petty and unprofessional and the other half are well done, but all have the same results, this does does lead me to certain conclusions. I would hope that all parties would strive for higher standards, but that is something that is beyond my control, and so I have to simply deal with things as they are.

 

[Darkness]

I think you can rest assured that my comment wasn't so overtly political that it's going to get the thread closed.

Right, I left my sense of humor at home today...

Heh. But since I still am at home, that didn't impede my understanding of your point all that much.

Anyway, I tend to agree that not much good is likely to come of "He wrote...", "And you wrote...", "But he wrote...", etc.

So please surprise me, everbody - pleasantly, that is!

- Darkness

 

[pennywiz]

I would hope that all parties would strive for higher standards, but that is something that is beyond my control, and so I have to simply deal with things as they are.

I don't think that is the case. When a professional uses their own name in an open forum and exhibits behavior that is unprofessional I think it opens that bahavior up to discussion. That s what I am discussing and it is also, ironically, on topic in a way.

 

[Larry Fitz]

Rounser,

My point is that calling someone "unprofessional" does not mean what penny wants it to mean. It means not behaving in a manner similar to that of people who are paid for their services. If Psion is doing reviews simply for the service he provides to the D20 community, then he shouldn't take personal umbrage to that particular taunt. Even if he is a paid reviewer, one person's opinion that he is being unprofessional (or unethical to use your definition of "unprofessional") does not make it so. I meant it as a show of support. To further refute the jibe, I pointed out that Psion has fairly reviewed products I've created, and even if I did not agree with some things in his reviews, they were certainly not unfair or shoddy in the least. He cannot help but be accountable for his reviews. He posts on a forum that allows for direct repudiation right there at the bottom of his reviews, in the "comments" section. Everyone who sees his reviews has the opportunity to make whatever statements they want about them and have htem read by the other people who read his reviews. Furthermore he is a prolific poster on the general message boards, and as this evening's exchange with penny illustrates, is not shy about debating issues surrounding his position. Furthermore he uses his real name in his reviews, just as I use mine here. If that's not taking responsibilty, what is?

Finally, I accept that Pennywiz will not agree with my position in advance, so there's no need to post a repudiation, unless Wulf's right of course...

 

[pennywiz]

My point is that calling someone "unprofessional" does not mean what penny wants it to mean.

I say that his behavior is unprofessional, not him as a person. I don't know him except by his behavior in places where he wishes to present himself as a professional and where he does make use of his professional status to make his points. To quote him, "Difference."

Finally, I accept that Pennywiz will not agree with my position in advance, so there's no need to post a repudiation, unless Wulf's right of course...

Cute but not true by a long shot. Trying to invalidate someone's points by refusing to accept that I might have more to say based on your additional response is a weak way to attempt eliminating healthy debate on a subject. You should avoid this tactic in the future as it will not serve you well in most situations whether it be because of your opposition or because of the many people merely reading what you write.

You're also representing yourself as a professional, no?