Review Area?

[John_P]

Joe, Barry, and all others who graciously manage this board,

I have been thinking lately...Why not have a review section?

There we can post Reviews of various parts, kits, and shops.

[xFallen]

Joe, Barry, and all others who graciously manage this board,

I have been thinking lately...Why not have a review section?

There we can post Reviews of various parts, kits, and shops.

Although I don't "run the board" (far far from it -- that's Joe's gig) I do wish to comment. I think your idea is a fine one at least on the surface. I was a bit surprised we already did not have one. It could be a very useful resource.

You could possibly even have automatic polls (not sure if vBulletin supports this directly) with a rating scheme of say 1-5 just for simplicity sake that would allow people to set ratings and comments about the product or service so people could gleen for themselves the validity of the reviews..

Careful and balanced moderation is likely required in order to allow dissenting opinions that are done with respect and to manitain the standards of this forum. The reviews can easily become bash fests otherwise and then lose credibility. Again, a fine line.

I think this is idea worthy of further consideration.


Barry

[John_P]

I would gladly volunteer to keep it civil and respectful. (heck if Don can do it, so can I!)

[xFallen]

I would gladly volunteer to keep it civil and respectful. (heck if Don can do it, so can I!)

I think you'd do a fine job.


Barry

[1tuffxj]

x2 good idea

[aszaunmi]

I would enjoy a review section also.. When I get back from living in Oregon for 6 months I will be looking to get some XJ stuff... Lets get this going so people can start filling my Xmas list....

[1BLKJP]

This question has come up before and has always been put on the back burner. Seems I remember the general thought on it was that it would just turn into a big Sh*t on whatever/whoever you wanted to fest and not be very beneficial to anyone in the long run.

The main suggestion that people seemed to always have would be to use the search function when looking for products/services and find what others have said about them over a period of time and not just during one instance. We do happen to have all of the old Yahoo content loaded on here too so you have years worth of data at your fingertips.

[xFallen]

This question has come up before and has always been put on the back burner. Seems I remember the general thought on it was that it would just turn into a big Sh*t on whatever/whoever you wanted to fest and not be very beneficial to anyone in the long run.

The main suggestion that people seemed to always have would be to use the search function when looking for products/services and find what others have said about them over a period of time and not just during one instance. We do happen to have all of the old Yahoo content loaded on here too so you have years worth of data at your fingertips.

I can certainly understand that concern. That's what I was trying to get at and why even handed moderation would unfortunately be required due to the wide degree of variability in our ranks. :D I think I just said that without directly slamming people. Damn. Getting rusty I guess.


Barry

[John_P]

While I agree with Jack, I think it can be managed similarly to the Trail Area. That is, I would enforce a strict format on submissions and obviously police (yes I said police) for rif raff.

I agree that the distinction between malicious intent and honest opinion CAN be a fine one.

For example, I thought the thread that was started concerning Max 4x4 (i.e. the original post) was well stated.

In my opinion, it is not the opinion but the free-for-all that follows. The purpose of topics often gets blurred and cross talk muddies the ability to follow a line of discussion.

[xFallen]

While I agree with Jack, I think it can be managed similarly to the Trail Area. That is, I would enforce a strict format on submissions and obviously police (yes I said police) for rif raff.

I agree that the distinction between malicious intent and honest opinion CAN be a fine one.

For example, I thought the thread that was started concerning Max 4x4 (i.e. the original post) was well stated.

In my opinion, it is not the opinion but the free-for-all that follows. The purpose of topics often gets blurred and cross talk muddies the ability to follow a line of discussion.

Understood and largely agreed. The blood in the water thing can get the sharks whipped up in a hurry.


Barry

[Joe West]

I don't see any reason why we can't do this... at least on a trial basis.

Question: Tell me specifically what the intent is for this area; be as verbose as possible. Tell me what you'd like the "rules" to be. I do not want this area moderated. Are we reviewing off-road shops, jeep components, dealerships, etc?

Joe

[John_P]

OK...Thanks for the ear Joe. Not moderated? Sounds good as long as everyone plays by the rules...

Purpose: The review area, in a similar spirit as the Trail Area, will feature user reviewed products and services related to the off-road hobby. Each review will feature a brief narrative, including the following:

Item Name/Service
Manfacturer/Distributor/Service provider
Contact Info
Price (optional)
Brief Narrative
Rating of product

The narrative should answer some essential questions, such as, but not limited too:
* What does the product promise?
* How well does it achieve those goals?
* Is it a good value? for whom?

A few more notes:

1. The most important aspect of a review is the reviewer's attitude. At all times, you need to keep in mind that you're writing for the reader. Not for yourself. Not for the vendor.

In order for review sections to be most effective, the writer should maintain an almost professional tone and level of respect. The purpose is to inform readers, not berate vendors or service providers.

*a common error is to think that "the reader" is the same as "me." This process isn't about your needs. It's about your readers' needs.

2. Each reader should take the time to EVAULATE the product before writing. If installing a product, that may mean actually reading the instructions. A little organization goes a long way, and will be much more helpful in the end.

3. Types of reviews. Stand-alone reviews, examine a single product or service, whereas a comparative review tackles the question, "which of these products solves the problem best?" Please take the time to organize your review accordingly.

4. Be brief and to the point.

5. Include pictures if you can.


Pragmatic Concerns:

1. Once a product/service has been reviewed, further reviews are to be included under the same thread. What this means is that reviews are NOT open mic sessions or "thank you" threads.

The following will be permitted responses to reviews:

a. Questions concerning clarification.
b. Your own review of the product. That is, there should only be one thread reviewing BFG Krawlers, not five.

2. Each product should be reviewed on the rating scales provided. That is, each product should be rated on a 1-5 scale on the following dimensions:

Quality
Ease of Install
Customer Service
Etc...(willing to take suggestions here)

3. What can be reviewed, exactly? This is a good question, and I want to elaborate here a little more. Keep in mind this is a JEEP club. That is, the off-road parts and services should be related to Jeeps in some way. This excludes reviews on dirtbikes, F350's, your new hiking boots, sunglasses, etc... You get the picture? With regard to reviews of services, they should be limtied to services that have actually been performed for YOU.

[Joe West]

By not moderated... I mean that posts will not need to be approved before posted.

THanks for the input... I'll see what I can do.

Joe

[Tom Schenk]

I also like the poll-type option if it is possible in addition to posts.