Rating by pressing a button???. Review on Rating Reviews on MouthShut

I had written a review earlier on commenting on reviews because I consider comments a very aspect of a review.   I never took rating of reviews too seriously.  I never bothered whether it fetches me MS points or not.  I am not here for collecting points. I am here on MouthShut for three important things(my personal views), firstly to fulfill my love of reading, secondly, my desire for writing and conveying my ideas to others and thirdly, but not the least, making friends.   Rating does not satisfy any of these urges.  Writing reviews and commenting on reviews gives me immense satisfaction.

Notwithstanding, my lack of concern for rating, I am writing a review on rating.  Could I be serious?   Well I am writing the review seriously even if I am not serious about rating, so read on  and I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Much as I may find rating a lackluster part of MouthShut, I notice that it has a certain standing in the scheme of things as envisaged by the  promoters.

As we all know there are four levels of rating which are( at the cost of repetition) Highly Recommended(HR), Recommended(R), Somewhat Recommended(SwR), Not Recommended(NR).   They convey a lot, yet convey nothing, depending on the seriousness with which it is used.   It is common to find excellent reviews rated NR or an apology of a review rated HR.   I know these are at best aberrations(more often than not), for, the person who is rating is either not serious about it or is probably just fooling.   See how easy it is to deceive the system.   All these ratings can be given just by a press of a button.  Imagine the injustice! How preposterous!

Here I pour my heart into writing a review, giving it all my feelings and thoughts, endeavouring to make it as helpful to the reader as possible, helping the reader to make up his mind about a product or help the reader learn some aspects of a service he uses or intends to use or help them decide if they would like to tour a particular city etc.etc. and here a reckless reader just presses a button and says Presto! Your review is NR!   Isn’t it a little too easy to befool the system and to dishearten a serious reviewer?

I know the system is not so weak as to be thwarted by such freaks.   Besides the management, the other members also keep a watchful eye and help bring such stalwarts to book(Noticed the ever increasing flagged members list and the MouthSealed list?).  However, even if you are serious and do rate a review in all earnest, isn’t it too hollow and a little too simple a method to show your appreciation(or disgust?) of the effort put in by the reviewer?   One can always amplify ones feelings by writing comments, but, if you see the statistics, over 70% ratings are not supported by comments.  These ratings are invariably given by following the five methods as enunciated by Reeper(disskonnekt) in his review on rating.  He may have said things in a lighter vein, but how true the methods he has enunciated are.   I do not say these methods are right, but they are true.

I often do not rate a review, in fact I often forget to rate a review.  After reading a review, if I like it or have some differing ideas or want to convey some additional information, I leave a comment.   I later realise that I have not rated the review. I try and go back and rate it, but quite often I let my comments to the talking for me.   I know I am losing out on MS points, but, it does not bother me.

When I rate a review, I look at various aspects of the review.  I did make mistakes initially but I learnt by my mistakes.   When I read a review, I look out for

• The language and grammar.

• Punctuation.

• The contents.  Is the writer beating about the bush or has he really got something to say.

• The writing style.

• Humour.   Often humour overcomes other limitations.

• The reviewers command over the subject or knowledge of the product

• My own knowledge about the product or service

I do not race to rate.  If I am not happy with the first reading, I give it a second reading and then make up my mind.

I would suggest(for what ever it is worth) a change in the layout of rating methodology. Instead of having single button type choice, if the rating could be broken up into a multiple choice method, it would convey a lot more.  For example, the four ratings could be broken up into seven or eight parts based on various aspects of the review as given above.   Making rating a little more deliberate will make it more meaningful and not a mere MS points collecting methodology.  When we can spend time in writing a review, spend time in writing comments, can’t we spare a few moments in rating?

Many of my friends may not agree with me, but then again these are my views.  Rate at your own risk.  I would prefer the comments though.