Should we have a forum devoted to reviews?

[Khan the Warlord]

Well, pretty simple topic, but here are a few reasonings why I believe a forum like this should exist:

1. A place to report and discuss reviews that don't quite earn the right to be called "reviews". (Reviews that are obviously too short, are created to either simply boost or hurt a product's rating unfairly, etc.)

2. A place to report titles that are available for purchase, but not available to review quite yet (Bastion Press' Oathbound is such an example).

3. A place to report when titles don't have a description or cover available, when both are actually available.

4. A place to fully expound upon questions concerning a particular review, so the "post a comment" section doesn't look quite so cluttered.

5. Insert good reason here.

Anyway, just vote yes or no and why you agree/disagree if you would.

 

[Furn_Darkside]

Well, pretty simple topic, but here are a few reasonings why I believe a forum like this should exist:

I think the meta forum is fine for these kind of discussion, but specifically:

1. A place to report and discuss reviews that don't quite earn the right to be called "reviews".

I am not sure why a public discussion is necessary, but-

Read #6 of the review FAQ

It says who the moderators to contact about this problem are and their email.

2. A place to report titles that are available for purchase, but not available to review quite yet (Bastion Press' Oathbound is such an example).

The same #6 tells you who is responsible for updating which publishers- you could email them.

BTW- Oathbound should be availble for review now. Hopefully Joe does not mind I fixed it.

3. A place to report when titles don't have a description or cover available, when both are actually available.

Same answer to your #2.

4. A place to fully expound upon questions concerning a particular review, so the "post a comment" section doesn't look quite so cluttered.

I think that is what the comments are good for- if you have the question, then others might.

I just wish more reviewers checked their reviews for comments, but I understand they are working on a way to have email notices when a comment has been made.

You could also start a discussion in the General forum- I have seen it happen when someone wants thorough discussion on a review.

FD

 

[Khan the Warlord]

Re: Re: Should we have a forum devoted to reviews?

I am not sure why a public discussion is necessary, but-

Read #6 of the review FAQ

It says who the moderators to contact about this problem are and their email.

Yes, I already read the FAQ and understand the meaning behind #6, but I believe having a thread in a forum devoted to reviews would be better than simple e-mail. Mainly, not all of the review moderators think along the same page obviously, as they are all different people and what one moderator may deem as perfectly fine for a review, the other three or however many, may not. This way, there is an actual discussion and understanding as to *why* a review was saved or deleted and it also promotes publically the desire for complete, concise, and fair reviews.

The same #6 tells you who is responsible for updating which publishers- you could email them.

Very true, but in case I happen to zip an email to you for the publishers you're accounted for and you're away from your computer for a while or are having email difficulties, it is simply easier and provides the best SoS if posted in a forum where all of the moderators can see it.

BTW- Oathbound should be availble for review now. Hopefully Joe does not mind I fixed it.

Thanks!

I think that is what the comments are good for- if you have the question, then others might.

Yes, I can agree with you here, but I also am thinking a little more out-of-the-box. For example, in my latest review, someone posed a question, I gave the answer, the answer wasn't to their satisfaction so they posted again, which in turn made me post a reply that said "you're not making any sense right now, if someone can support what you're trying to convey, I'll respond", simply because it made the review look quite cluttered and nasty.

This way, if there is a similar occurence, the reviewer or the person wanting to comment further can create a thread about the review and question and post a link to the thread in the comments section of the review, so everyone can see the full discussion and the comments section is a little cleaner.

I just wish more reviewers checked their reviews for comments, but I understand they are working on a way to have email notices when a comment has been made.

I do as well, as I've seen many a legitimate comment get ignored by the reviewer, possibly because he just doesn't check them out. If there were a forum for reviews and someone creates a comment with the review and receives no answer from the reviewer, then that same someone may try and create a thread in the new forum and hopefully the reviewer will see it.