Putting things into perspective,or whysome reviews make me sad
Hi Robin,
Speaking as someone who likes a good rant ,this is a humdinger!
I have to say you do make a good point in that reviews should be informative,meaningful,comparative,etc-but I fear you have used overkill in the delivery which has pushed the thread into contention.( by that I mean the criticism of the "style" of writing)
It is interesting to see how this has divided people as they either side with or against you in this respect.
I agree with your basic premise but find that I side with members who enjoy reading threads from all ranks of members from beginners to SRP developers.There is ,I agree,a marked difference between a product review and a simple comment on a favourite product.
Perhaps only senior members upwards should be able to post product reviews but I have found from one of my previous posts that SRP membership is far too complex to start segregation as there are far too many variables of experience and expression to consider.
I have never visited the reviews sections before ,so I hotfooted it to the reviews and read a few.I can see how an experienced reviewer like yourself could be frustrated by some of the threads but it is this simple enjoyment of a new discovery that makes these threads worth reading imho and as someone else commented the value of each thread is clear to any adult reader.
If you wanted to clear away these amusing, elementary reviews then I fear you may have done your job only too well ,for I for one would hesitate to make any product review under your fierce and critical eye.Which is a shame.I wonder how many others you may have warned off who may have had a valuable review to make.
I enjoyed your rant all the same.
Kind regards
Noggs :)