Alternate ways to protest?

[hadassahchana[$]]

Nicholmere's remarks in another thread made me wonder what those who are not writing about that poor, tired dog are doing about the changes in Epinions TOS. Katherine mentioned a few- and I'm hoping that she'll repost her suggestions in this thread.

Although I have not completely ruled out the notion of posting an EBD review, at the moment I am not ready to do that.

Instead, I have listed three reviews I've finished writing but have not yet posted on EPs, and I'll keep doing that until they change this ridiculous attack on the writers of the site. These are listed on my EPs profile page.

Gracef designed an on-strike logo for anyone to use, too. PM me if you are interested and want the code for this logo (thanks, Grace!). You can see it on my profile page.

What are you non dog-blowers doing to protest?

Any canine fetishists out there who also want to join the general strike? I'm hoping that there are...

Cindy

[wivabef]

I'm planning on striking Nov 1 through the 3rd.

I have to say, this protest really pains me! I haven't been hit by so many NH's since I made fun of Dora the Explorer!

I have also added Nirav to my WOD and will seek the other corporate entities out to do the same.

Also, I am considering maggsmom's idea of rubberstamping everything out there with a VH. But, I haven't decided. If I did, it would come with a comment.

Whaddya think

[hadassahchana[$]]

I have also added Nirav to my WOD and will seek the other corporate entities out to do the same.

ROFLOL!!!

Oh wivabef, you are the best!

Sort of off-topic, but earlier in the year, during one of the chats, Nirav mentioned one of the financiers by name- and it turns out that he is on the EPs board and has an account as well. He had posted a few reviews, all rotten, and all were rated SH. It was pretty obvious that nobody knew who he was, but still, I nearly coughed out a major organ when I saw his track record!


By the way, what I meant to call this thread was'Alternate or Additional ways to protest. I got what I desereved for staying up until 4:30 reading stuff online.


Cindy

[Joubert[$]]

Well done post, Gracie. Send me the graphic, pretty please? I've already cleaned out my profile, but this belongs there!

[jkkelley]

Originally posted by hadassahchana
What are you non dog-blowers doing to protest?

I'm firmly EBD, as everyone knew I would be, but I've also thought of another way: delete your block list. If Epinions wants to own garbage, who am I to help them filter it from being what outsiders see? Sod that. Let 'em do their own yakka, as they might say down in Oztrailia.

jk

[whatever22]

but I've also thought of another way: delete your block list.

Oooh... I like that idea! she says as she skips off to release the prisoners from her block list...

Here's the code that I added to my profile:

<a href=http://www.epinions.com/content_2290589828><img src="http://www.fredtek.com/images/brokenpencil.jpg" border=0></a><br>
<a href=http://www.epinions.com/content_2290589828>Be back when the Edit/Delete function returns.</a>

I linked to my community center editorial explaining how I feel about this whole mess and why I won't be writing for Epinions until the Edit/Delete function is back.

I don't mind if people want to link to the graphic on my server, and people are welcome to snag a copy from my profile page and store it on their own server if they like. All I ask is that people who do use this graphic be willing to live up to their word of not writing fresh reviews for Epinions until the Edit/Delete function is back. I don't care as much about reading and rating. But the writing, not giving them any more of what we can't edit, THAT is important.

In the future, I will be editing my profile to include

<a href="xxxx">My latest review</a>. In that way, Epinions will see that they're also losing what could have been fresh content.

Whatever happens, I don't want to see people not writing at all. I think we have all grown as people and as writers through our Epinions experience. And just like people can pick up and move to a new city yet remain friends, I think we can still write and read work from our friends without the help of a site like Epinions. If we have to, we can do anything.

[hadassahchana[$]]

The reason I decided to make a list of what I've reviewed is that in my case, every one of the books I've reviewed are currently not reviewed on the site. That's three and counting first reviews that they won't get. Now, while I realize that this alone is not going to make Nirav tear out his hair, if enough people do this, it just might contribute to some slight hair loss down there in CA...

Cindy

[theeye]

I'm definitely not going to write for the site under the current policy -- but given my recent reticent streak, that's probably not saying much and will hardly register with the powers-that-be.

I think I've settled into a strategy of protest by apathy. Without intending to criticize those who find a different approach more satisfying, I'm not sure that a site that abruptly takes away editing capability deserves my righteous indignation (not to mention the many more urgent reasons for angst in the world today). I suspect if we all just shrugged and left the site without a backward glance, it would have a more significant impact than nearly any of the currently discussed (and implemented) protests.

I never expected to make any money out of Epinions (when I posted my first review, I thought the chances of my ever making enough to cash out were just about zip) and, while I thoroughly enjoyed it while it lasted, I'm under no illusions that the "content" I gave the site was really of any significant worth. They can have it -- I never intended to delete it and I still don't. I recognize that there are those for whom this isn't true and I respect their right to see things differently.

Will I continue reading and rating? Will I come back if they restore Edit/Delete? You know -- I don't really know or care at this point. I've got a bunch of decisions to make in my life -- and deciding on my Epinions position doesn't rank high on the list.

It was fun while it lasted. If they make it fun again, maybe I'll come back. Whatever.

In the meantime, I've got access to great writing right here on EA. My buddies are all here. I get to play games, debate, be silly.

Things aren't so bad.

[Sordid-1]

I do have one possible protest suggestion for those of you who decide not to go on-strike or take part in the juvenile EBD activities.

Have someone (or a group of someones) draft a statement spelling out our grievances, for example:

"The following review is written under protest. Epinions.com has seized my intellectual property and is profiting from stolen content they are using without my consent. Epinions.com has proven that they have no respect for either intellectual property laws or the writers who provide them content. I apologize if the following review is out-of-date or contains erroneous information. Epinions.com has also eliminated my ability to update my reviews to correct errors or revise it to reflect changes to the product."

Then whatever the statement reads, place it at the beginning of every review you post to this site with the understanding that it will be edited out of the reviews once Epinions returns control over our work to us.

Obviously, this protest statement could be stated much better than what I have written. But this method would provide an option for people to assert their rights and promote public awareness of Epinions.com's ethically-challenged actions while still providing solid reviews that meet all the standards set by Epinions or the community-at-large. Additionally, as the use of this statement spread, it would demonstrate to Epinions management that this community has a sense of solidarity and is not going to accept their rights being trampled.

Is this idea workable? Does anyone want to do this? Does anyone want to take ownership of organizing this or writing the mission? Grace? Amy? Cindy? Andrea? Erik? Anyone?

[jankp]

Thanks, Grace, for the logo. I'll put it on my profile page gladly. My movie review of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde expressed my displeasure with Epinions, but I'll go put the control freaks on my block list, too, and not review anything until edit/delete is brought back. I doubt I'll ever be as prolific as before. The desire's gone.

Jan

[eplovejoy]

Dear Grace,

Your logo is terrific. Well done.



Dear Sordid,

Your idea is an excellent one.

I plan to satisfy commitments to two write-offs and then not write for Epinions again. If it's okay with you, I'd like to use your statement in my two remaining reviews, exactly as you've written it.

What the hell. I'll do it even if it isn't okay with you. You should be used to such treatment by now.

Best wishes to both of you,
Peter

Originally posted by jankp
but I'll go put the control freaks on my block list, too

Why do you want to do that, Jan?

Some people view their status at Epinions as an implicit agreement. Epinions gave them the title. In return, they agreed to do something for Epinions. And pleasant or not, they're doing it.

These people are honorable, despite the situation. If anything, that is the quality of someone who is worthy of trust. So why distrust them?

[pluckyduck]

These people are honorable, despite the situation. If anything, that is the quality of someone who is worthy of trust. So why distrust them?

Woah.

Everybody is entitled to their own approaches or feelings, but it would really bum me out seriously if anyone blocked someone for rating an off topic review fairly.

I'll admit that I'm avoiding looking at the ratings of my own EBD review too closely (I'm a big fan of seeing straight VHs on my stuff )...but I never for one second expected that there weren't going to be people who felt that rating according their normal guidelines was the right thing to do.

If I expect people to respect me for doing what I think is right, I have to return the respect.

Andrea

[hadassahchana[$]]

Time Out!


<whistles shrilly>

Ok...<long heavy sigh>

If you red through the entire thread again, what Jankp meant was that she is going to block The Control Freaks e.g. Nirav & co., same as wivabef recommended doing.

Nobody is threatening to block editors, noone is starting a witch hunt for members still abiding by the somewhat worn and raggedy TOS. Everyone just for heaven's sakes BREATHE!



Ok. Now, let's get right back to discussing this calmly.

Ken, that is a wonderful idea. Although I don't want to post anything at the moment because I am dead set against The Monkees making any more money off my writing, I think that I will add your blurb to my profile page, in case anyone wants to do that. If I do write an EBD review (and I most certainly haven't ruled it out yet) I will use your paragraph in the review. I am willing to give EPs until tomorrow at 5 EST to return the edit AND delete function in the same form it existed before. After that, you can all start listening for the yips and barks...

And Peter, I really hope that you aren't leaving for good. Asuming that the guys in Brisbane actually try to stop the mass destruction of their site, I intend to keep on writing, and I would miss my friends here terribly.

Ok, get back to nekkid jello wrasslin, troops!


Cindy

[wivabef]

I have decided not to blanket rate every review with a VH -- because there are still perverts out there that I'd prefer to avoid!

But I have done the other forms of protest.

I am on strike from writing until the button comes back.
I will not visit the site at all nov 1-3 unless the button comes back.

[kurt_messick]

I must confess I am rating some EBD reviews highly because I enjoy them, in the hopes that, if/when edit/delete is restored, the ratings will go, too.

I'm reading all of them, but only rating a few here and there. Most I let pass. I also don't rate most of the 'let's stay calm' reviews. After all, if we can't delete, these are stuck on the site too, and weeks/months from now, serve no purpose either. Alas, such confusion...

[jankp]

Oh my, thanks, Cindy, for straightening those two out! I didn't imagine my words could be so misunderstood. I've VHed some EBD reviews and certainly am all for protest if it helps the cause. Anyway, emotions are really running high over this and I hope Peter doesn't leave EA at least. I hope we can all stick together in spite of EP folding, which looks likely.

I'll be having fun writing for myself and maybe someday you'll see it. :-)

Jan

[realtraveller]

I've changed my personal profile that comes up on every review to read:

Epinions scams writers. Epinions breaches contracts and promises made to writers. Do not trust Epinions.

With that I get my message across to any non-members who may be reading my reviews.

And I do not plan on writing any more reviews for Epinions. Sorry, but I've found that I can make real money freelancing. It simply isn't worth my time to work on a review that may or may not make a few pennies. The only exception is if I want just to rant on a hotel or restaurant or something of that nature. And then don't expect quality, just ranting.

I've requested a check for every last penny in my account.

I expect Epinions to be dead by Christmas.

[nicholmere]

Originally posted by gracef
Here's the code that I added to my profile:
,,,

Thank you Grace!

I've used the image as both my profile picture and within my long bio.

[theeye]

Originally posted by hadassahchana

Gracef designed an on-strike logo for anyone to use, too.

And a striking image it is.

Thanks, Grace. I've added it to my profile page as well.

[jgibson2[$]]

Dr Lollipop has an interesting one-man protest going on right now. He posted a very thought-provoking EBD entry which wasn't linked to Sordid-1's page yet when I read it. It explains the content partner thing in a way I'd never have thought of -- mostly because my content partner site is so minimal.

Then he started a series of 100 words on .... and 200 words on...

They're real reviews, just very abbreviated. I saw one of those first and had to track down the EBD review to figure out what he was doing.

[kchowell]

While I'm not planning to pen a EBD review, I am supporting it. I'm flying the flag on my profile page, and I have updated my profile page to clarify my disgust with the site.

I won't be reading, rating, or otherwise adding to Epinions traffic, except to support those who are protesting the edit/delete portion of the changes.

I personally have no issue with the recent compensation changes (I could see those lurking on the horizon), but the edit/delete feature change was reprehensible, insulting, and sneaky. If I can't edit or delete at will, I can't control my work, and it becomes something other than my writing. I don't care if they DO return the edit feature; by taking it away, they've shown that they have precious little respect for those who contribute content to their site.

I haven't absolutely decided what I'm going to do long-term, but I can't see myself being active on the site anytime soon. They have lost my trust.

Other than expressing my displeasure on my profile page and stopping my active participation, my only other form of protest is to share this with anyone who will listen.

Once upon a time, a not-so-bright Epinions employee published personal information about me (without my consent) in a Featured Reviewer blurb that he/she had written. Fortunately, the person responsible was so careless that much of the personal information was actually incorrect. But still, Epinions violated their own privacy statement at my expense, and the fact that they failed to accurately expose my personal information against my will was beside the point.

The offending material was brought to my attention, and eventually removed. But it created countless problems for me. And Epinions did nothing but give me a weak apology.

I let the matter drop, in part because it was an accident, and in part because it was in my best interest to not raise the roof and attract attention to myself. Besides, I still enjoyed the site at that time, and felt that I was generally treated with respect as a member.

But guess what Epinions? All bets are off, and if you're fine with stealing my work, I'm fine with letting your members know that you are careless beyond belief with their personal information. Oh, and also that your privacy statement is practically meaningless, and treated with about as much care as one-ply toilet paper by your half-witted employees.

That's all the protest I can muster.