Suggested format for reviews

[Kiwi]

In order for everyone to get the best out of this section, its important that easy comparisons can be made between different reviews. For the sake of some consistency, we recommend using a format similar to that used in the [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/user_reviews/form/Electric+Bass"]Harmony Central reviews[/url].

We like the system they've used and we reproduce part of it here for your reference:

[i] * Select a numerical rating in each category (10 is the best, 1 is bad)
* Add comments in at least one text field (You must enter some comments that go deeper than saying it's good or bad. Surveys without valuable comments will not be used). There are a number of questions below that you can use as a guide.
* BE CRITICAL! Nothing is perfect. Superficial, glowing reviews may not get published.
* Resist the new product rush! Take some time and really work with the product. If you need to comment right away, make it clear you haven't used it extensively.
* Please include some of the specs too, since not everyone will know the model numbers and names alone.
* For manufacturers - We value your input, but DO NOT pose as a customer. If you want to address any comments on your product or refute the facts, you can use this form, but make it very clear you are responding to those comments as a manufacturer (and leave the sales pitch out please!) Companies that abuse this review system will be warned, and related reviews or comments may be removed. Additional instances of abuse will result in ineligibility to participate in user reviews for a period of one year.[/i]

[Veils]

Would it be worth maybe having someone who moderates reviews? Choses a review of the week/month, maybe contributes one of their own once in a while?

You could have people who wish to review something send the review to any given person (if you choose to have someone moderating) and then they can decide if the review is sensible, accurate and worth putting up on the site. That way there is a bit more control rather than the board being flooded with useless reviews? Eg, there aint much point in 100 stingray reviews, because most of us know what to expect anyway!

Just an idea......

[Kiwi]

and a good one matey. We've only just got the forum up and running and haven't transferred the mods over yet. We'll do that this evening and sort out someone for this forum. Thanks for the tip

[Veils]

Wow I had a good idea as early as quarter to 10!

The reviews are a very good idea. I personally have bought and not bought gear purely on the strength of harmony central reviews and as a lot of people on here would have lil bits of boutique gear or luthier made stuff that you are much less likely to see on Harmony Central, it seems to make a lot of sense to have something more bass specific!

I would like acknowledgement of my great idea in the form of a box of pro plus

[wateroftyne]

Sorry my postings aren't in the correct format... I'm just transferring over my idiotic ramblings from BT/BW before they're lost forever. You never know.. someone might find 'em useful.

Edited May 17, 2007 by wateroftyne

[Telebass]

I've done similar, although I've edited it to be a bit like the HC reviews!

[Kiwi]

The important thing is that the reviews are there. Its great the number of contributions we've got already!

It could be great if we had sound clips too!

[krazy_olie]

On the old bassworld wasn't there an actual review section?

[Kiwi]

Members seemed to be used to making posts and using a reviews section seemed to be less popular. So on this forum we just made a forum into a reviews section. Its easier to search as well.

[daflewis]

i like the idea of adding some sund clips to the review i just posted of the acg pre-amp; i've sussed out how to put photos on a post, but not audio. any advice/hosting sites - (i asume it works in a similar way to photos)?
cheers,
daf

[ped]

Hi Daf,

Thanks for the review, I look forward to reading it. Looks very interesting, and I have tried the pre and loved it.

As per sound clips, feel free to email them to me and I will host them for you, however I would like to sort out some space where users can upload clips themselves - you can try 'attaching' them to your post via the upload manager but they might be too big.

[daflewis]

oh yes! sorry.... RTFM!! (Read The F****** Manual)..... or at least check out all the options on the reply form.

do you know roughly how big a file one can upload?

thanks for the offer to host them, if i have problems i may take you up on that.

cheers.
daf

Edited August 5, 2007 by daflewis

[Kiwi]

maybe we could run a competition to encourage people to try it out?

[douggy]

what about an online form , sort of like an open questionare where you fill in the boxes ( with text obviously not ticks and crosses ) for your review , this should give it some sort of consistancy and allow the readers to compare reviews eaisily and quickly .

and have them different for amps / basses / pickups / cables ect

just a thought

[douggy]

oh and maybe different sections

like

amps basses accessories just to keep it all organized

again just a thought

[daflewis]

well i managed it!!

sound clips now added.

thanks for the help.

daf

[maldy]

Is it ok to post some thoughts to a review that has already started?