How should Reviews be posted?

[daniel craig]

The exact same points i have been making all day but i have a sore head from the wall i have been banging.

Apparently if people want to read reviews about a certain device going to regulated mods for example and seeing a number of reviews for that device listed means people might miss a review they want to read and it's unorganised. My own view is it's been done this way on every single forum i have ever visited because it is an organised system and so easy to find what you want.

Apparently putting all the reviews for the same device in the same thread whether a review ends up being post 1, 9, 57 or 700 is much more organised for the reader.

My opinion is i have never heard so much rubbish lol

My biggest issue with combing threads is this:
If you reviewed a device 2 weeks before me and had 50 comments on your review, and today a new user comes around looking for a review on that mod and then clicks on the review, the user will now need to read your review plus 50 comments just to see mine. Then, if the user comments without tagging either one of us, then who's review is he referring to? My latest review or your earliest review? What if reviewer 1 had a bad experience/faulty device and 50 comments later is your review voicing the opposite opinion? A new user is not likely to scroll through all of that to see that it's possible not all devices are like reviewer 1's.

This is a topic that should be discussed to find a solution that works for the members and admin team. I believe that there are pros and cons to the way ECIGSSA handles threads and the way other forums do.

 

[Timwis]

My biggest issue with combing threads is this:
If you reviewed a device 2 weeks before me and had 50 comments on your review, and today a new user comes around looking for a review on that mod and then clicks on the review, the user will now need to read your review plus 50 comments just to see mine. Then, if the user comments without tagging either one of us, then who's review is he referring to? My latest review or your earliest review? What if reviewer 1 had a bad experience/faulty device and 50 comments later is your review voicing the opposite opinion? A new user is not likely to scroll through all of that to see that it's possible not all devices are like reviewer 1's.

Exactly and from what i have read in the reviewers section apart from they are all reviews by the same person in a thread the same problems are there and to me they look like chaos.

 

[Timwis]

Exactly and from what i have read in the reviewers section apart from they are all reviews by the same person in a thread the same problems are their and to me they look like chaos.

Let's face it there was only 7 or 8 comments in @Room Fogger great review thread before mine got put their and even then you missed it and wouldn't even of known i had done the review if i hadn't tagged you.
Now if my review was separate as i posted it you would of seen both reviews in the list, and might of chose not to read mine but at least you would of known it existed.

 

[Timwis]

Let's face it there was only 7 or 8 comments in @Room Fogger great review thread before mine got put their and even then you missed it and wouldn't even of known i had done the review if i hadn't tagged you.
Now if my review was separate as i posted it you would of seen both reviews in the list, and might of chose not to read mine but at least you would of known it existed.

If something isn't broke and you try to fix it you end up breaking it!

 

[daniel craig]

Let's face it there was only 7 or 8 comments in @Room Fogger great review thread before mine got put their and even then you missed it and wouldn't even of known i had done the review if i hadn't tagged you.
Now if my review was separate as i posted it you would of seen both reviews in the list, and might of chose not to read mine but at least you would of known it existed.

Yeah I would've never seen your post. I use Tapatalk so clicking any title that pops up on my 'New post' feed sends me to the 1st post in the thread and so I wouldn't have seen your review unless I was browsing through comments.

 

[Jean claude Vaaldamme]

Ok maybe answer this. Lets say Voopoo, Smok, Vandy vape, Wotofo and Asmodus all decide to give 10 forum members devices every week or two for reviews. Every review will be on its own like its always been. Then the main feed on the homepage, general vape discussions will be full of reviews and no vape discussions that draws the members.

So lets say admin then decides, ok lets leave it like this, the only thing that change is that reviews will not come up at general vape discussions and then a forum member will have to specificly go to the reviews sub forum to look for reviews. They will not know there are new reviews posted if they dont go look for it.
Will this be a better option for you?
All I see is that @Silver and admin is trying to be pro active and find common ground for a problem that is arrising, but others just want my way or the highway.

 

[Silver]

Am creating this thread to contain discussions that were had in one of the review threads after two reviewer's reviews on the same device were moved into the same thread.

Once moved they will appear above this one.

Let's use this thread to discuss further how best reviews should be posted on the forum.

This is an open discussion and we encourage your comments - from both members and reviewers alike.

Our intention is to have our own internal discussions as the Admin & Mod Team and consider all the commentary to suggest refinements and the way forward.

For now, continue posting your reviews as you have been in the past. If you want to create your own thread on a review of a particular device, that is cool. If you would rather post your review on another existing review thread for that device - that is good too.

 

[Resistance]

I read @Room Fogger 's review and suddenly @Timwis 's review popped up on the screen when it refreshed.
And im thinking what just happened?

Suggestion...one thread title and sub-threads for different reviewers.
Like the classifieds thread where one can have different entries under the same thread title and each reviewer can add there review.

 

[daniel craig]

Then the main feed on the homepage, general vape discussions will be full of reviews and no vape discussions that draws the members.

Good point This does make sense. As we've seen before, when classifieds posts filled up the 'New posts' feed, many users didn't like that and with reviews, the same might happen.

Granted, users can choose to ignore the sub-forum but then they won't see anything.

 

[ARYANTO]

New Tag on top labled REVIEWS and pop it all in there by device name / juice etc- everything in one compact bundle where you can search for a mod , atty etc.

 

[ARYANTO]

I read @Room Fogger 's review and suddenly @Timwis 's review popped up on the screen when it refreshed.
And im thinking what just happened?

Suggestion...one thread title and sub-threads for different reviewers.
Like the classifieds thread where one can have different entries under the same thread title and each reviewer can add there review.

we think the same.

 

[Hooked]

@Silver You asked for our comments and this is what I would like to say.

All reviews for a specific product should be in one thread. We need to know what multiple people think of a product in order to get a general overview. I would not ever rush off and buy a mod based on what only one person has said. If reviews of the same product are done in different threads, I might not see them. One thread and I'll see them all.

There is only one thing that is important and that is the product - not the reviewer.

However, if a reader likes a particular reviewer's style or way of thinking, then it's a simple matter to "follow" that reviewer. One would then receive alerts whenever that reviewer posts anything, anywhere. But how many people know this? Do new members know?

No matter how organised the forum is, if people don't know how to do things it is not going to help anyone. What is needed is a How To section. Quick and easy. e.g. How do I find all posts by X? A long time ago you asked members for suggestions in revamping the forum and I mentioned then that this forum is not user-friendly.

I digress slightly. Returning to reviewer's posts. Before I started my coffee reviews, I asked you where to post them. You said that if I post all my reviews in my own thread, should I leave the forum one day, that thread will "leave" too - it will no longer exist. To me that loss of information for the vaping community would be awful.

However, if I post reviews under the brand name, they will be there forever. That applies to whether I started the thread or added to an existing one.

Thus, I have chosen to do the latter. This means that each coffee review is under the brand name. Fine. But what happens if someone is looking for coffee reviews but doesn't know where to start - doesn't even know which juice manufacturer makes or has made coffee.

Solution: I index all coffee reviews in one thread, with a link to the actual review which is posted under the brand name.for those who are reading this and don't follow my coffee reviews, this index thread is what I'm referring to:

https://www.ecigssa.co.za/coffee-juice-reviews.t48002/

This system is working for me, so perhaps it could be used for mod reviews too?

The bottom line about reviews is that it is always about the product. The reviewer is simply the messenger.

 

[Silver]

Thanks @Hooked

That is great feedback and exactly how we as a team thought of doing it.
In the Reviews Category by different product, the focus is more on the product and not the reviewer.
However, some reviewers think otherwise and believe that each review should have its own thread.

There are different viewpoints here and we are taking all the comments on board

As for posting reviews in your own thread and when you leave, they disappear, I did not say that. If I said something to you that you interpreted as that then it was my mistake. If you leave the forum your posts are still here for all to see - unless you delete them yourself.

Points taken on the user-friendlyness and the need for a How To section. Thanks. We have a thread with tips - but it doesnt contain all the tips that are necessary.

 

[Silver]

I read @Room Fogger 's review and suddenly @Timwis 's review popped up on the screen when it refreshed.
And im thinking what just happened?

Suggestion...one thread title and sub-threads for different reviewers.
Like the classifieds thread where one can have different entries under the same thread title and each reviewer can add there review.

Thanks for the feedback @Resistance
Not sure what you mean by "sub-threads" ?
You say like the Classifieds thread?
I dont understand what you mean. Perhaps you can elaborate with an example.

 

[Hooked]

Thanks @Hooked

That is great feedback and exactly how we as a team thought of doing it.
In the Reviews Category by different product, the focus is more on the product and not the reviewer.
However, some reviewers think otherwise and believe that each review should have its own thread.

There are different viewpoints here and we are taking all the comments on board

As for posting reviews in your own thread and when you leave, they disappear, I did not say that. If I said something to you that you interpreted as that then it was my mistake. If you leave the forum your posts are still here for all to see - unless you delete them yourself.

Points taken on the user-friendlyness and the need for a How To section. Thanks. We have a thread with tips - but it doesnt contain all the tips that are necessary.

"As for posting reviews in your own thread and when you leave, they disappear, I did not say that. If I said something to you that you interpreted as that then it was my mistake. If you leave the forum your posts are still here for all to see - unless you delete them yourself.

@Silver OK, apologies - it was clearly my misunderstanding.

 

[Room Fogger]

Thanks for the info on how you do your reviews and you index system used @Hooked , looks like something like that can work for these reviews as well, only problem I see is that there is subdivisions like rda, rta etc and that is where the reviews differ from e-liquids a bit in my opinion. Thinking about a way to make it work at this stage.

As I suggested to @Silver in my one post, more than happy to post in a own reviewers thread and a general thread relating to the item being tested. I think if we all publish in two places comments should be blocked in the general or combined one, if you want to comment or reply you will have to follow the link to that review under the reviewers own thread. That way you won’t have comments for one appearing under another’s review. Tiresome for the person who wants to thank or comment based on a certain review or reviewer, then only the reviews will all be in one place. Also not sure if people will be happy being the last post or reviewer to upload.

This is going to be an interesting one and not an easy decision that the admins and crew have to come to, and like I also said I will live with the majority decision. I think we all want our little place in the sun, and I’m sure that will be accommodated. I also agree that it’s about the review and not the reviewer, we do this because we love vaping. I am just starting out, but enjoying myself immensely, and hope that I will be asked again to do more reviews, and not only from manufacturers. I just want to share my experiences with a certain item with those around me and on this site. If it can help someone out with making a decision either way them mission accomplished.

 

[Hooked]

@Hooked ,
only problem I see is that there is subdivisions like rda, rta etc and that is where the reviews differ from e-liquids a bit in my opinion. Thinking about a way to make it work at this stage.

Yes, I can see that mod reviews would be be rather more complicated than ones for juice.

I think if we all publish in two places comments should be blocked in the general or combined one, if you want to comment or reply you will have to follow the link to that review under the reviewers own thread. That way you won’t have comments for one appearing under another’s review. Tiresome for the person who wants to thank or comment based on a certain review or reviewer, then only the reviews will all be in one place. Also not sure if people will be happy being the last post or reviewer to upload.

Good suggestion to block comments in one of the threads.

I am just starting out, but enjoying myself immensely, and hope that I will be asked again to do more reviews, and not only from manufacturers. I just want to share my experiences with a certain item with those around me and on this site. If it can help someone out with making a decision either way them mission accomplished.

That's great@Room Fogger! And you don't need to be asked to do a review. You can review anything, at any time. Perhaps one of your own mods which you've been using for a while? That would also be most helpful - more so, in fact, than reviewing something which has been used for a few days only. It would help people decide what to buy and if that mod would be right for them.

You could also do juice reviews if you wanted to. You don't have to be asked - just post a review about any juice that you're vaping. I've never been asked to do a coffee review or been given a coffee juice to review. I buy my own coffees and I'm more than happy to do that!

Or do a one-liner as I do in the What did you vape today. I really wish everyone would do that. It means zilch to see a pic of a juice, or just the juice name. Hey folks, today I vaped ABC in my XYZ. That tells me a lot about what the juice is like.

 

[Room Fogger]

That's great@Room Fogger! And you don't need to be asked to do a review. You can review anything, at any time. Perhaps one of your own mods which you've been using for a while? That would also be most helpful - more so, in fact, than reviewing something which has been used for a few days only. It would help people decide what to buy and if that mod would be right for them.

You could also do juice reviews if you wanted to. You don't have to be asked - just post a review about any juice that you're vaping. I've never been asked to do a coffee review or been given a coffee juice to review. I buy my own coffees and I'm more than happy to do that!

Or do a one-liner as I do in the What did you vape today. I really wish everyone would do that. It means zilch to see a pic of a juice, or just the juice name. Hey folks, today I vaped ABC in my XYZ. That tells me a lot about what the juice is like.

Got a couple of reviews that I’m hoping will come off, negotiations going good. And will also start to do my own personal stuff, I agree, I don’t have to wait to be asked.

I’ll leave the juice reviews to people that have a sense of taste, I just know I like it or not. That’s why I’m so glad our guys beat the Audie’s in the big juice battle! Some more to try, but let them rather review!

 

[Dewald]

Interesting issue. I wholeheartedly agree with @Silver that the focus should remain on ease of use for the users of this forum. I think the main purpose of this forum is for information sharing (and banter). If any reviewer wants tobuse it as a plateform they need to abide by its rules. Otherwise, it is easy to create your own youtube channel or website where you run the show.

However, the reviewers provide the information to be shared so they should be respected as well. I think it may be a bit disheartening to crrate a review, start a discussion and then in the middle of it comes another review, subsequently starting its own discussion and yours disappearing in the midst of it.
This is also a little difficult to read as a user. Imagine: Reviewer one does a review with some focus on how the tank leaks. A discussion on that follows amd I am interested in that as it influences whether I will buy or not. Suddenly, reviewer 2's reviee pops up in the middle of this discussion. They do not tslk about the leak, but rather that it has great airflow. Now airflow is the main topic being discussed and it soon becomes a whole mix of points, although related to the tank, being unrelated.

How do you overcome this? I don't think each reviewer having their own threads is the solution. I may not know all reviewers so seeing all of their threads won't help me. I am looking for reviews on the products, not by the reviewers. How will I also know "Reviewer the great" just did a review of the Hellfire Titan if I am looking for a review on it? Will I have to go into all reviewers threads to see who did a review on it? Doesn't sound so efficient.
Subthreads may be a solution, but I do jot want the vape discussions or wherever to be spammed with only new reviews.

An index page on the current review threads may be an idea. Like the index we see in some of the DIY threads, linking straight to the page / comment of the respective review...

Anyway, as a user I can't even figure out how it would best suit me so I can only imagine the forum's predicament. I trust them though, have been vaping exclusively for 6 years thanks to their indexing amd managing of this forum.

 

[Pho3niX90]

So here is my 2c, and I might be mentioning something that is already so.

I think reviews by product should have one thread, that indexes to multiple reviews, which are contained in their own threads, possibly their own sub forums?

The reason for this is the following:
Each review would then have a single thread for discussions pertaining to said reviewer/review combo. Making the threads both tidy, give context to all comments, and also giving the reader the ability to hit back and choose the next review. Scrolling through comments to find the next review is not fun task.

When more than one review is contained in a thread, it will most probably get overlooked.

Having an index by product to each review will make it easier to find reviews for the specific product, and also act as a bookmark of sorts when you see purple marked links already visited.

My way of searching for reviews usually is opening multiple tabs from google, for me to read reviews. Never do I hardly ever go past post 1, as I automatically assume each thread would be a single review, this is what I have grown accustomed to.

I hope the above makes sense

 

[Timwis]

That's great@Room Fogger! And you don't need to be asked to do a review. You can review anything, at any time. Perhaps one of your own mods which you've been using for a while? That would also be most helpful - more so, in fact, than reviewing something which has been used for a few days only. It would help people decide what to buy and if that mod would be right for them

Yes these are the best reviews. As a reviewer that gets sent product for review unfortunately the manufacturer or vendor needs the review done in a reasonable time as it's part of their marketing on releasing a product. All i can do is try and give an honest opinion of a device after realistically a short period of time which is far from ideal but i do my best. As a lot of people are interested in purchasing product as soon as it's been released or soon after i do feel although not ideal reviews by most reviewers including me do serve a useful purpose but reviews of products that have been used for months are much better and ones i prefer myself when they can be found.

 

[Silver]

So here is my 2c, and I might be mentioning something that is already so.

I think reviews by product should have one thread, that indexes to multiple reviews, which are contained in their own threads, possibly their own sub forums?

The reason for this is the following:
Each review would then have a single thread for discussions pertaining to said reviewer/review combo. Making the threads both tidy, give context to all comments, and also giving the reader the ability to hit back and choose the next review. Scrolling through comments to find the next review is not fun task.

When more than one review is contained in a thread, it will most probably get overlooked.

Having an index by product to each review will make it easier to find reviews for the specific product, and also act as a bookmark of sorts when you see purple marked links already visited.

My way of searching for reviews usually is opening multiple tabs from google, for me to read reviews. Never do I hardly ever go past post 1, as I automatically assume each thread would be a single review, this is what I have grown accustomed to.

I hope the above makes sense

Thanks very much for the comments @Pho3niX90
I think an indx of the various reviews for a particular product is a good idea

There are however a few questions to this

• Firstly, who creates and maintains the index?
• Second, is there an index page for each product, one index page for each manufacturer or one giant index page for all products across all manufacturers?

I hear you though that if multiple reviews are in a single thread some may get overlooked. But at least the upside is that they are in one place.

 

[Pho3niX90]

Thanks very much for the comments @Pho3niX90
I think an indx of the various reviews for a particular product is a good idea

There are however a few questions to this

• Firstly, who creates and maintains the index?
• Second, is there an index page for each product, one index page for each manufacturer or one giant index page for all products across all manufacturers?

I hear you though that if multiple reviews are in a single thread some may get overlooked. But at least the upside is that they are in one place.

I suppose one index page per product would be ideal, as people tend to search for a specific product.

As who maintains it is another question, ideally all links should be in a single post, to reduce real estate of a screen since individual posts are spaced to far apart due to profile pics, usernames, signatures etc. But then again it would be easier if each reviewer adds their own link after a revier is posted.

At the end, forum software isn't really designed for this. As it's meant for discussions, however in this regard I would suggest custom development to incorporate the needed functionality, or a plugin that is well maintained. At the end reviews do drive traffic, and caters for both the new vaper and old.

I hear what you are saying on keeping everything in one place, but it's outside of the norm, and people do not tend to expect this on a forum, which causes confusion.

 

[Hooked]

This is also a little difficult to read as a user. Imagine: Reviewer one does a review with some focus on how the tank leaks. A discussion on that follows amd I am interested in that as it influences whether I will buy or not. Suddenly, reviewer 2's reviee pops up in the middle of this discussion. They do not tslk about the leak, but rather that it has great airflow. Now airflow is the main topic being discussed and it soon becomes a whole mix of points, although related to the tank, being unrelated.

I agree with you @Dewald and discussions on any thread (not only reviews) do tend to go off on a tangent. It's quite annoying if you're focused on one particular aspect. But then, the forum is a reflection of reality and going off the subject happens all the time in real conversations too! Which I also hate lol.

 

[Pho3niX90]

@Silver

Here is a quick plugin I found, I suppose there are many more that can be found. This would eliminate the issue of reviews solely taking up the feed, as it's contained in it's own menu.

• https://demos.xenaddons.com/showcase/
  • The would create a separate menu link at the top to the reviews, inside you can create multiple categories that would be fitting, from categorizing under brands, type (mods, starter devices, mtl, juices etc ) etc.