As a board moderator I usually do not chime in on a discussion, but this one was too tempting and timely to pass up.

On your first point:

TER does make an effort to cull out those posts and reviews that are suspect as having come from shills. Or reviews that are falsely posted. Posters of false reviews have in the past been banned from the site.   Those people that perform the task of moderating reviews (Discussion Board Moderators are not involved in this) have a daunting job, and by and large they do well, but they’re not perfect and some of these things do from time to time slip through.  That’s why people do a lot of homework before electing to meet a provider.  And the more information available, the more informed that decision is.  Those of us that utilize this data are capable of separating the wheat from the chaff.

On your second point:

TER exists as a  forum for the exchange of ideas and information about this hobby.  Some of the members of this community pay for their membership by posting information about providers they have met.  This information is called a review.  Other members of this community pay very good money in lieu of, or as well as,  posting reviews.  Money paid and posted reviews are equally important to TER.  One makes the site’s database bigger and better, and the other supports the upkeep of this site.

Those “Lurkers”, who are NOT members of the community have limited access to information.  If they had equal access, there would be no point in anyone paying to become a member.  And TER would in all likelihood fold as a result.

The Provider Profile, in my opinion, is set up the way it is so that these lurkers can look at some data, but not enough to put them an any equal footing to a member.  If a member chooses to limit information that a lurker can see, and the lurker requires that information, then the lurker ought to join TER, instead of sponging off of the members that have diligently and loyally supported TER on an ongoing basis.  To me, that is "skin off my back".

You have 17 posted reviews on TER, and that tells me that you are now a TER VIP member, or have been in the past, but your membership has lapsed.  So now you would like more information, but without paying the price of membership in cash or reviews.  If you are still a member, I have no idea why you posted this at all.

As a Moderator, what drives me crazy on TER are posts and questions that impugn the veracity and intelligence of the members of the TER community, hobbyist and/or provider.  Sort of like this one.

On point one, it doesn't happen that often, and I think the experienced people here can seperate the wheat from the chaffe.

On point two, I don't pay, I earn my keep by posting reviews. It keeps the community going. When my points go down, I can only see the free posts...what every John Q can see. To 'earn' my way back to the juicy detail, I have to contribute. Otherwise, I'm on the receiving end of the street. It wouldn't be fair to those who contribute to allow everyone to share and view the good work. The research is for those who participate. I think this is fair.

I'll tell you one thing that I wished would change. How points are accrued and burned. Right now I have so many days left in my VIP status. I have a review I need to write about someone I met last night. I will now have to wait to get my number of days left down to the lowest level before posting the review. Like burning up the play clock in football, when you have the ball. Not fun for the fans. If this lady was still touring our city, I would possibly not write her review until after she left, and many would miss the chance, or not read the juicy details until after the fact.

It just so happens that she had left today, and she is well-reviewd here, so this isn't a supreme tragedy. But if she was knew, and we are all awaiting feedback, shouldn't a guy who takes one for the team be given incremental and accrued points, not periods of time?

Well, I have about one week to wait to write the review on this famous person.

If I am out of line, or have missed a rule point, my good friend fortitude will put my pedantic and verbose butt in place

Peace, Panther

-- Modified on 1/24/2004 7:32:17 AM

No way. The "luckers" should buy a full membership and support the system that allows you to avoid the bad providers. It's a small price to pay when you consider the options.

-- Modified on 1/24/2004 11:41:33 AM