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Rovark 
"Luck-pushing, rule-bending, chance-taking reviewer"
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 Posted - 12/16/2006 : 21:04:07
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I'm not sure how many MERPS there are, and how many are currently active, but I think we're all experiencing a big slow down in review approvals. I'm a fairly slow reviewer and even I've got 90 odd reviews pending. So....
Is it time to induct some new MERPS?
In which case I'm not sure what the criteria should be, if it should be volunteers with at least 500 reveiws to their name, or a certain number of votes, or by personal invite from Benj. Whatever happens, I think the anonimity of MERPS should be preserved, (even though 1 or 2 have become known over time).
Thoughts?
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benj clews 
"...."
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 01:18:14
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I'll be honest.
Whilst I'm not sure how the other MERPs feel about it, every time there's another outcry kicked up in the fourum over inconsistency or the exact definition of generic or whatever, it knocks me back and slows my review processing. This is because I'm having to consider more hurt feelings and still keep everything straight in my head as I form a judgement over every review. This last time, for the first time ever, I had to take a few days away to try and get some perspective on everything because the whole situation was just depressing me too much.
Right now, despite there being a massive backlog, I'm not sure it's such a good time to go tossing new MERPs into the mix. I really want to beat the backlog (which is currently pretty sizeable), but I believe adding more differing opinions will only destabilize the site further  |
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Sean 
"Necrosphenisciform anthropophagist."
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 10:06:34
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The way I see it if I owned the site, the point of it would be:-
a) Make piles of $$$ from the site 
and if a) doesn't happen, then,
b) Make sure I'm always having FUN FUN FUN!
So if it isn't fun then something's wrong. 
I suppose it's easier for users to disappear (for a while or permanently) if they aren't having fun here anymore than for the site owner/manager.  I suffered from a sudden attack of disinterest about a month ago and have an increasing Flagged Film list of movies I've watched and haven't reviewed yet, as I can't be bothered reviewing them. The last time I suffered from disinterest was August 2003, and I disappeared for 8 months.
Having said that, I'm still here, so perhaps the enthusiasm level will pick up again.... 
What I'm saying is that I'm only here because it's fun, and if it isn't fun then I'll change something until it becomes fun again. Being depressed about things here isn't supposed to be part of the plan. |
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ChocolateLady
"500 Chocolate Delights"
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 10:51:24
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While we all get frustrated when the backlog causes delays in approvals of reviews, I think we should all remember - as Sean says - that this site is meant to be fun. In the beginning of my time here I was more frustrated by this than I am now. These days, I'm just enjoying futzing around here and IMDb, looking for new films to review or add to this site. I've decided to go through all new movies and try to submit a review for as many of them as I can. Trying to think up reviews is the fun part. Trying to make sure I'm being original is part of that. Then there's trying to think up interesting and unusual accolades, of which I have a few ideas and movies pending to be added.
I'm having fun, and that's what's important. If you add more MERPs, that's fine. If not, that's fine too.
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BaftaBaby 
"Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 11:08:38
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quote:
Originally posted by benj clews
I'll be honest.
Whilst I'm not sure how the other MERPs feel about it, every time there's another outcry kicked up in the fourum over inconsistency or the exact definition of generic or whatever, it knocks me back and slows my review processing. This is because I'm having to consider more hurt feelings and still keep everything straight in my head as I form a judgement over every review. This last time, for the first time ever, I had to take a few days away to try and get some perspective on everything because the whole situation was just depressing me too much.
Right now, despite there being a massive backlog, I'm not sure it's such a good time to go tossing new MERPs into the mix. I really want to beat the backlog (which is currently pretty sizeable), but I believe adding more differing opinions will only destabilize the site further
Benj ... what can we all do to help! I can't bear the thought of you becoming depressed by this wonderful site. I'm sure if you wanted us to, we can all put a moratorium on submitting new reviews for a while -- would a couple of weeks help you and the MERPs to catch up? Besides maybe we'd all welcome a small break at holiday time in any case. Just say the word, boss!
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Airbolt
"teil mann, teil maschine"
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 11:28:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Se�n
The way I see it if I owned the site, the point of it would be:-
a) Make piles of $$$ from the site
and if a) doesn't happen, then,
b) Make sure I'm always having FUN FUN FUN!
So if it isn't fun then something's wrong.
I suppose it's easier for users to disappear (for a while or permanently) if they aren't having fun here anymore than for the site owner/manager. I suffered from a sudden attack of disinterest about a month ago and have an increasing Flagged Film list of movies I've watched and haven't reviewed yet, as I can't be bothered reviewing them. The last time I suffered from disinterest was August 2003, and I disappeared for 8 months.
Having said that, I'm still here, so perhaps the enthusiasm level will pick up again....
What I'm saying is that I'm only here because it's fun, and if it isn't fun then I'll change something until it becomes fun again. Being depressed about things here isn't supposed to be part of the plan.
I agree that the site has to be fun . At the moment the fun for me comes from participating in the forums and fellow FWFR's.
The additions of two new types of Top 100 reviewers helped reignite my interest , so there are also new ways of having fun.
I also think Baftababes idea of a moratorium holds some merit too. |
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Whippersnapper. 
"A fourword thinking guy."
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lemmycaution
"Long mired in film"
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 15:13:08
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| I would have no objection to a moratorium until the new year. |
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Beanmimo 
"August review site"
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 15:38:13
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quote:
Originally posted by lemmycaution
I would have no objection to a moratorium until the new year.
I've stopped as of now. |
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ChocolateLady
"500 Chocolate Delights"
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 15:44:06
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I'll not submit any more reviews, either.
We can't have Benj getting depressed. |
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 18:03:28
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benj, I've said this before -- as you know -- but if it isn't fun, it isn't worth having. Just take a breath, and maybe I will too.
And I hope I didn't add to your misery by pointing out an after-the-fact decline which I thought you got right. I was just being petulant and wanted all the other kids to be punished too... |
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Josh the cat
"ice wouldn't melt, you'd think ....."
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 19:47:52
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Benj you know that you have the support of the fwfr'ers out there, and we will (on the whole) not do anything to annoy or upset each other.
I have pm'ed you hope my comments are appropriatehelp?.
Josh the cat |
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Chris C
"Four words, never backwards."
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 20:27:15
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It all boils down to the fact that it's Benj's site, and he will do what he wants with it. Like most others here, I do this for a bit of fun, and I feel incredibly pleased when I come up with what I think is a good review. It it gets declined, well that's my tough luck. Yes, I do appeal, usually for a "Not Understood". Any other reason, I will try and re-work it.
Please, if you get a review declined, appeal if you want, but don't start complaining elsewhere. Go and re-work and improve. Self-editing is a wonderful thing. This is Benj's toy, and we are all very fortunate that he lets us play. If he wants to take time out for a breather, then let him.
If we do all declare a moratorium on adding new reviews, perhaps we should also hold back on promoting the site to others. We all need a break over the Christmas/Hannukah/New Year holiday season. Personally, I will still be writing reviews, the very best few may well be added, but I will hold the majority until the New Year.
Benj, we are all grateful for what you (and the MERPS) do. Please keep up the good work, and have a well deserved Christmas break. |
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Rovark
"Luck-pushing, rule-bending, chance-taking reviewer"
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Posted - 12/17/2006 : 22:50:47
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quote:
Originally posted by benj clews
I'll be honest.
Whilst I'm not sure how the other MERPs feel about it, every time there's another outcry kicked up in the fourum over inconsistency or the exact definition of generic or whatever, it knocks me back and slows my review processing. This is because I'm having to consider more hurt feelings and still keep everything straight in my head as I form a judgement over every review. This last time, for the first time ever, I had to take a few days away to try and get some perspective on everything because the whole situation was just depressing me too much.
Right now, despite there being a massive backlog, I'm not sure it's such a good time to go tossing new MERPs into the mix. I really want to beat the backlog (which is currently pretty sizeable), but I believe adding more differing opinions will only destabilize the site further
Fair enough. If you think it would be counter-productive, then let it be.
As the others have said, if it's not fun, then what's the point. So relax, have a great holiday break, oh and if this thread looks like it's likely to set people off, please just lock it or delete it.
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Beanmimo
"August review site"
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Posted - 12/18/2006 : 09:42:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Chris C
If we do all declare a moratorium on adding new reviews, perhaps we should also hold back on promoting the site to others.
This would be the last thing I would suggest doing only because that's part of what keeps the site alive.
The seasoned Fwffirs should be able to hold back but I think anyone starting out should be left as is.
All suggestions: no slight intended on you Chris, or dictation to you Benj and the MERPS |
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ChocolateLady
"500 Chocolate Delights"
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Posted - 12/18/2006 : 10:35:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Beanmimo
The seasoned Fwffirs should be able to hold back but I think anyone starting out should be left as is.
Um... I've been here just under a year - is that still "starting out"? [insert attempting to look wide-eyed and very innocent smilie here]
(I'm having a hard time holding back putting up new reviews, you see.)
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MERPS
