When someone posts what you feel to be a horribly bad review...

Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Viktor Vysheslav Malkin
I've people accuse people on the forum of point farming and what not.

My following statement has nothing to do with Lauren at all so I just want to make that clear, this has something to do with the community as a whole not any member o ... more
No no don't stop! Kristi has asked us to inbox her if we notice things (like getting an email someone followed you and then you go to say thanks and they unfollowed you and 10 other people) and she takes care of it and has done a wonderful job so far. Point farming is more an abuse of the system not taking advantage. taking advantage is what creates the higher activity which is great. If you are active and get a lot of points, that's awesome. That's the point. But spamming, useless posts, doing something then undoing it, mostly in following etc. and cluttering the forums that is obvious is what Eden is frowning upon.
10/19/2010
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
Quote:
Originally posted by ~LaUr3n~
What??!!? I don't see the point of that. So like making up a fictional story about my favorite actor and blogging it?
Okay, that example would be RPF ("real person fiction"), which is a subgenre that many of us avoid like the plague. When I write or read fanfiction, it's about fictional characters, from my favorite television shows, comic books, and sci-fi movies, and generally is a sequel to, or alternate ending of, a particular episode or storyline.
10/19/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyGeek
Okay, that example would be RPF ("real person fiction"), which is a subgenre that many of us avoid like the plague. When I write or read fanfiction, it's about fictional characters, from my favorite television shows, comic books, and ... more
Glad I'm informed now! I'd be so pissed if I read something and believed it not realizing it was fiction.
10/19/2010
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
Quote:
Originally posted by ~LaUr3n~
Glad I'm informed now! I'd be so pissed if I read something and believed it not realizing it was fiction.
Oh, it's generally very well labeled. Well, except for the "professional" variety peddled by the tabloids.
10/19/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyGeek
Oh, it's generally very well labeled. Well, except for the "professional" variety peddled by the tabloids.
Before today i would have never guessed what RPF meant lol.
10/19/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by LicentiouslyYours
There was a review posted recently which people came down on pretty hard, someone even accused the reviewer of "point farming." What concerned me was that nobody really took into consideration that this was someone's first attempt at a ... more
But, when people admit they "only did it for the free toys" it's an issue. If it's the review I'm thinking of, it was horribly written, (I, too, don't care if it's someone's first or 100th review, if I can't understand the review, and it looked rushed, I am going to vote according to how I HONESTLY feel about it) the person applied for Advanced Reviewer the day she posted her first review, there is no Forum participation going on, and the reviewer ADMITTED she only was here "to get what toys you want" or something like that.

IF this is the same reviewer,(and from what I saw the critiques of her review were all Constructive Criticism and she started getting upset, due to wanting free toys) the Mentor program was suggested and the person said she "didn't have time for that."

How could she then have time to write reviews as an Advanced Reviewer?

I don't know if we are talking about the same review. I sent a copy of it to Kristi, because it looked like it might result in trouble.

In the review I am referring to, the reviewer ADMITTED she was "only doing it for the free stuff."
10/19/2010
Contributor: Blinker Blinker
Quote:
Originally posted by ~LaUr3n~
Before today i would have never guessed what RPF meant lol.
Role-playing frisbee was gonna be my guess.
10/19/2010
Contributor: Blinker Blinker
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
But, when people admit they "only did it for the free toys" it's an issue. If it's the review I'm thinking of, it was horribly written, (I, too, don't care if it's someone's first or 100th review, if I can't ... more
P'Gell, I don't think the review you're referring to is the one Laurel is talking about, but it's another good example. I just read and re-read yours and everyone's comments on that review and I was impressed that the contributor admitted to just wanting free toys.

Sometimes we contributors seem harsh or overly critical, but in the review P'Gell is referring to, she and others repeatedly recommended the Mentor Program, suggested tips for bettering the review, as well as repeating over and over that this was not to criticize her. The contributor was acting quite immature.

And yes, I can say someone's immature because the original review you're talking about, Laurel, I posted on and yes, my comment was immature. It was also first thing in the morning for me and I posted what I did. I am sorry if it was offensive, but it's no less offensive than when a contributor writes a terrible review and admits she just wants free toys.

Done.

Who wants a cigarette?
10/19/2010
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
Quote:
Originally posted by Viktor Vysheslav Malkin
I've people accuse people on the forum of point farming and what not.

My following statement has nothing to do with Lauren at all so I just want to make that clear, this has something to do with the community as a whole not any member o ... more
Viktor— I understand why you would be concerned. And I think, in general, we could all relax a little on the "point farming" and other rules infractions watch. The should be concerned about "point farming" when it significantly interferes with the function and ability to enjoy the community services.

For example:

Posting one or two useless forum threads is not a reason to get upset.

Posting 20-30 forum threads in an hour is quite obviously something that needs to be brought to the attention of Eden Staff.

Another example:
Posting one really truly bad, completely useless, or obviously fake effort at making a review is, again, going to happen on occasion, so report if you need to, but otherwise, just let it slide and move on or offer encouragement in some way in the spirit of remaining positive and realizing that people can and do make mistakes.

Posting 3 or 4 really truly bad, completely useless, or obviously fake efforts at reviews is again, obviously an intentional abuse of the system and should be brought to the attention of Eden Staff—but commenting negatively on such obviously bogus reviews improves nothing, solves nothing, only breeds negativity within the community.

(Just to be clear, I am not saying you shouldn't offer critical comments on genuine reviews you feel are lacking, but that even commenting at ALL on an obvious bogus review is a waste of time and effort)

Bottom line: hyper-sensitivity to possible abuse of the system breeds fear of being accused, spreads negativity and discourages participation—is that the mood of the community you wish to encourage?
10/19/2010
Contributor: Blinker Blinker
Quote:
Originally posted by LicentiouslyYours
Viktor— I understand why you would be concerned. And I think, in general, we could all relax a little on the "point farming" and other rules infractions watch. The should be concerned about "point farming" when it significantly ... more
I agree with your bottom line, Laurel. Great phrasing.
10/19/2010
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
But, when people admit they "only did it for the free toys" it's an issue. If it's the review I'm thinking of, it was horribly written, (I, too, don't care if it's someone's first or 100th review, if I can't ... more
I don't know of this specific example, but I think we have to be very careful here. Like it or not, one of the "perks" touted about being a reviewer are the free toys. It's unfair to hold it against someone for admitting that this is one of their legitimate reasons for reviewing. Again, if you think this is a problem I would message Krist or one of the others from EF, but it's not our place as other reviewers to judge someone in this context. And has been mentioned in other threads, these people tend to weed themselves out over time and if EF is fine with accepting that, then so should we.
10/19/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by Blinker
I agree with your bottom line, Laurel. Great phrasing.
Same here!!!
10/19/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Also, to backtrack to the beginning - just so it is clear, y'all DO realize that Not Assigned reviews AUTO-PUBLISH (for the most part - except a few things like Condoms and DVDs etc).

Nobody on staff saw that review and just clicked "publish"...nooo nooo. And we don't push some reviews out while some wait. We never have. They get done in order of submission; except for Description reviews, because those are tied to product pages and all kinds of back-end details.

Please don't make assumptions about review processing. Hell, when I started 2 years ago, reviews took 3 - 4 weeks to be published. Now the staff publishes about 30 a day - which is a good amount, but not so much that it floods through the review page.

Annnyway...just putting that out there nice and clear
10/19/2010
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I don't know of this specific example, but I think we have to be very careful here. Like it or not, one of the "perks" touted about being a reviewer are the free toys. It's unfair to hold it against someone for admitting that this ... more
Oh come on, let's just flat out say it—who among us didn't start doing reviews and join the advanced program to get free toys? It's why we do reviews and to pretend otherwise is disingenuous.

You might have additional reasons for doing reviews, but to suggest it's a problem that someone admits they do reviews to get the free toys is...laughable.

No really, it made me laugh!
10/19/2010
Contributor: Envy Envy
Quote:
Originally posted by LicentiouslyYours
Oh come on, let's just flat out say it—who among us didn't start doing reviews and join the advanced program to get free toys? It's why we do reviews and to pretend otherwise is disingenuous.

You might have additional reasons for ... more
I like free toys.... but i also like helping others find what would help them as well by sharing my experiences. I do the same with video games, promoting the good ones and warning others of the bad ones. (But sadly I don't get free games, oh well, lol.)

I also like to think that my review might be looked at by the people who created said toys and maybe get ideas for future creations that can be better overall. Maybe that's a pipe dream, but you never know.
10/19/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
But, when people admit they "only did it for the free toys" it's an issue. If it's the review I'm thinking of, it was horribly written, (I, too, don't care if it's someone's first or 100th review, if I can't ... more
No, this is different. This reviewer, to my knowledge has not made any comments at all.

That's a shame that the person you are talking about doesn't feel they have time. They why should eden reward? I hope they change their mind, we all know they are missing out.
10/19/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Blinker
Role-playing frisbee was gonna be my guess.
LMAO! good guess.

I'll take a cigar...
10/19/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Blinker
I agree with your bottom line, Laurel. Great phrasing.
Ditto!
10/19/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
Also, to backtrack to the beginning - just so it is clear, y'all DO realize that Not Assigned reviews AUTO-PUBLISH (for the most part - except a few things like Condoms and DVDs etc).

Nobody on staff saw that review and just clicked ... more
I've seen it asked and answered in a lot of places. I try to clarify any time I see it.

Some people need to understand that if we didn't do auto publish we'd be waiting super long for even more reviews to publish! I hope people realize that too. Yea, sometimes bad apples slip through, but at least they can be edited for up to 3 weeks.
10/19/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I don't know of this specific example, but I think we have to be very careful here. Like it or not, one of the "perks" touted about being a reviewer are the free toys. It's unfair to hold it against someone for admitting that this ... more
Agreed. I joined the review program for free toys.

I STILL write reviews because I like free toys. I also write reviews on toys I purchased. Know why? I do them offsite and I make affiliate sales.

I am not ever going to blow smoke up anyone's ass and say I do this to be some sort of elite educator. Is it nice to be able to write good reviews and teach people something they may not have known or help them buy something really cool? Hell yes. But I sure wouldn't be doing any of this, at least not at the level I do, if there were no perks in it for me.

Neither would most of you
10/19/2010
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
Quote:
Originally posted by LicentiouslyYours
Oh come on, let's just flat out say it—who among us didn't start doing reviews and join the advanced program to get free toys? It's why we do reviews and to pretend otherwise is disingenuous.

You might have additional reasons for ... more
Actually, I started reviewing because it took me years to get up the courage to buy some toys, and I wanted to help other people out. So I set up my blog, bought a whole bunch of toys at full retail prices, and reviewed them. I think the whole program at EF is bloody brilliant, but for some of us it's really not about the free toys. Although the buyout discounts are a nice excuse to buy expensive things, I will admit.
10/19/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
Agreed. I joined the review program for free toys.

I STILL write reviews because I like free toys. I also write reviews on toys I purchased. Know why? I do them offsite and I make affiliate sales.

I am not ever going to blow smoke up ... more
Amen. I thank eden for my rockin sex life
10/19/2010
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
*cringe*

I hope nobody thinks I'm just blowing smoke with what I just said. I honestly did start this just to help people, and also because I enjoy writing and it's nice when that writing has some sort of purpose.

It takes hours to write a review, and there are definitely easier ways to make fifty bucks (which I think is the price limit at my level, I'm not even sure), so if all I wanted was more toys, I'd just drive somewhere and buy them. For the record, I've only ever received one free toy, and I've written more than twenty reviews.

And if I'm just being pointlessly defensive, then my apologies, I get paranoid sometimes.
10/19/2010
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyGeek
*cringe*

I hope nobody thinks I'm just blowing smoke with what I just said. I honestly did start this just to help people, and also because I enjoy writing and it's nice when that writing has some sort of purpose.

It takes ... more
I don't think that anyone believes what you said is being disingenuous. Basically my original point is that regardless of the reason, we all do reviews for certain motivations, whether they are financial or personal. We should not judge anyone else for whatever their own motivations may be as long as it does not violate EF rules.
10/19/2010
Contributor: ToyGeek ToyGeek
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I don't think that anyone believes what you said is being disingenuous. Basically my original point is that regardless of the reason, we all do reviews for certain motivations, whether they are financial or personal. We should not judge anyone ... more
I definitely agree. I doubt anyone's here for the sole purpose of helping EF make money.
10/19/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyGeek
*cringe*

I hope nobody thinks I'm just blowing smoke with what I just said. I honestly did start this just to help people, and also because I enjoy writing and it's nice when that writing has some sort of purpose.

It takes ... more
Heh. Yes, pointlessly defensive. You're the exception, not the rule. And a very nice exception, at that!
10/19/2010
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
I joined the EF review program partially for the toys, and I admit I do like toys. Like others I also write reviews of things I buy, and one of the reasons I do this is to let people know about the toys. I also write articles on sex stuff to spread ideas and knowledge.

I didn't see that review, but I have seen some reviews that definitely need work. My policy is to send the author a message with comments and hold off on posting anything publicly. Let's face it - it's hard to find someone to proofread a sex review and (apart from the mentor program) also difficult to get pre-publication suggestions for improvement. My hope is that the person will edit the review, and then I won't have left a now-meaningless public comment. Doesn't always happen, but I can dream, right?
10/19/2010
Contributor: Persephone Nightmare Persephone Nightmare
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyGeek
*cringe*

I hope nobody thinks I'm just blowing smoke with what I just said. I honestly did start this just to help people, and also because I enjoy writing and it's nice when that writing has some sort of purpose.

It takes ... more
I don't think you're blowing smoke at all, ToyGeek. I'm like you in the fact that I liked the thought of helping people choose great products, keep clear of the bad apples, and maybe even throw in a couple educational tips when it came to the toys, like the benefits of removing the batteries from toys after use, or how safewords are essential, and such (not to mention I love to write). The fact that you got to keep the toys after reviewing them was the icing and cherry on the cake*

@Blinker: Speaking of blowing smoke, I'll decline the cigarette. However, if you happen to have a hookah and maybe a blend of Pomegranate, Strawberry, and Rose teasha to go with it, I'll gladly accept that Lol

(*I actually heard that some companies make you either buy the product you reviewed at a discounted price or *send it back* D: I mean, it really makes you wonder what do they do with it when they get it back, it's practically a bio-hazard after you use it! D: *shiver*...)
10/20/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I don't know of this specific example, but I think we have to be very careful here. Like it or not, one of the "perks" touted about being a reviewer are the free toys. It's unfair to hold it against someone for admitting that this ... more
This was very blatant, very poorly written, she was disrespectful to other reviewers who were just trying to HELP her write better review ("too busy" to join the Mentor Program, but wants to be an Advanced Reviewer) and I did message both Kristi and Lauren.

One of the issues is that we have found that people who don't do well, and somehow still get to be Advanced Reviewers tend to sometimes Down Vote people who even give them the most mild constructive criticism. One of the reasons there are comment sections after reviews is to let people know how they can improve. I know I always took any Constructive Criticism well, and it helped me. I never attacked an Advanced Reviewer or tried to put on on a Guilt Trip for simple help with my reviews. This particular person has done so. Everyone was kind and helpful and she attacked the Reviewers who were trying to help.

I started writing reviews here and didn't even KNOW there were free toys in the deal. I did it for the love of toys and wanting to express my opinion and help other people choose the toys that were best for them. I had no idea that the point system or Advanced Reviewer program could be used to get toys. I write reviews for Amazon and Drugstore.com and Babeland and get nothing out of it but expressing my opinion. While there is nothing wrong with wanting the free toys (I was certainly happy when I found out this was a perk! ) I think most of us still do this for more than JUST the desire to get some free toys. And most of us put a LOT of work into our reviews.

I'm going to shut up now.
10/20/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by LicentiouslyYours
Oh come on, let's just flat out say it—who among us didn't start doing reviews and join the advanced program to get free toys? It's why we do reviews and to pretend otherwise is disingenuous.

You might have additional reasons for ... more
I DO! I'm not being disingenuous. I did NOT know there was a "free toy" program when I joined. I wanted a good Forum (and I got it, I LOVE Eden Forum) and I had written for other sites, with absolutely NO reimbursement.

I love to write and I love to express my opinion. I didn't even apply for the Advanced Review program until I was here 2 months and had done 8 reviews. I didn't want to apply until I knew what I was doing.

I think if someone admits the ONLY reason they did a review to get free toys, and they write poor reviews and then attack people who try it help, they ARE a problem. It's abusing the generosity of Eden's program.

I'm getting a little freaked out here. I really thought most of us did this for the love of writing and expressing our opinions. Yeah, the free toys are GREAT (although I haven't cashed in a single of my 8,000 points yet) but it's an addition to being able to reach a number of people with information.

I've done tons of Volunteer work in my life and I see writing reviews, for anybody, as a similar thing. I don't think it's something to laugh about, when someone wants to really help others.

Maybe I'm in the minority, I have no idea. Not that I don't like the toys, but it was never the reason I came to Eden. I didn't even know about it until after I started writing reviews.
10/20/2010