| Write-Offs The Boy Toy's Playground. |
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11-26-2002, 01:43 AM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,684
| | !! 'Lean-n-mean'...find time for this one !! | |
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Please see the 'Lean-n-mean' essay in the General Comments section of Epinions.
Don't talk about it. Demonstrate how to do it...:-!
...tom...
__________________ " Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching. "
--Unknown.
. Sleeping In the Heartland |
11-26-2002, 08:26 AM
|  | In Spanish, I'm Marijuana | | Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lawn-Guy-Land, NY
Posts: 29,212
| |
Some famous guy said once in a letter to a friend something like "I'm sorry this letter is so long, I didn't have time to write less." It really is a challenge to try to write succinctly. Great idea!
__________________
MJ
It's extraordinary to me that the United States can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can't find $25 billion dollars to save 25,000 children who die every day from preventable diseases.~ Bono |
11-27-2002, 10:48 PM
|  | A Has Been | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Farmersville, TX
Posts: 6,513
| |
Have you gotta date for it yet? |
11-27-2002, 10:51 PM
|  | Mr. Nice Man | | Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 2,479
| |
Can't do it, Tom.
First off, I don't use any products. Could do a twelve or fifteen word essay though. But that's not allowed. That's discrimination against the product deprived, if you ask me. Don't expect many homeless folks to participate in this one.
Second, some of my titles are longer than 777 words. Could I just write a slightly shorter title of a product review?
Work with me here, pal.
Rich |
11-27-2002, 11:53 PM
|  | Premium Member | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,167
| |
Quote: Originally posted by rich2003dm
Can't do it, Tom.
First off, I don't use any products. ?
Work with me here, pal.
Rich | Just for you Rich! http://www.epinions.com/Patio_Furnit...terned_40058CT
Sandy 
Who might look forward to this one! |
11-28-2002, 12:04 AM
| | Mr. Nice Man | | Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 2,479
| |
Sandy,
I know where you're going with this.
You just want me to buy that fine and lovely piece so I can use her and write a hot, steamy sexy review of my experiences. You want to be titillated at the expense of that poor young chair's reputation.
But I don't kiss and tell.
I do have some honor.
Rich |
11-28-2002, 12:09 AM
| | Premium Member | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,167
| |
Quote: Originally posted by rich2003dm
Sandy,
I know where you're going with this.
You just want me to buy that fine and lovely piece so I can use her and write a hot, steamy sexy review of my experiences. You want to be titillated at the expense of that poor young chair's reputation.
But I don't kiss and tell.
I do have some honor.
Rich |
And....that can be found, where? |
11-28-2002, 01:50 AM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,684
| |
Quote: Originally posted by slick4591
Have you gotta date for it yet? | Through December 15 was the date I originally published.
Multiple reviews are certainly acceptable...:-)
It is really just an attempt to get people to think about how 'long' they are writing and whether it is always necessary...:-)
Of course, I haven't written one yet...:-)
...tom...
__________________ " Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching. "
--Unknown.
. Sleeping In the Heartland |
11-30-2002, 02:03 AM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,684
| |
Entries received through 11/29 P.M.: - Sporting goods...1
- Restaurants / Gourmet...1
- Kids / Family...1
- Books...4
- Wellness / beauty...5
..and our current participation leader
- Movies...10!
Pick your favorite category and 'weigh in'...:-)
Multiple entries perfectly OK !!
Remember. It's nothing you have not done before. . .just less of it...:-)
...tom...
__________________ " Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching. "
--Unknown.
. Sleeping In the Heartland |
11-30-2002, 03:48 AM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 193
| |
Hey Tom,
I just looked at your profile page, and noticed that the movie participants, while well represented, also tend to come mighty close to the magic 666. We're tryin' hard to reign it in, but it seems that we are quite the ramblers! This was a fun challenge, I definitely caught myself using 12 words where 1 would do just fine!!
Sue |
11-30-2002, 10:57 AM
|  | Forum Code Administrator | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: PA
Posts: 20,310
| |
I would like to humbly suggest that it is "cheating" to label the review as a lean and mean writeoff entry. For this to truly work and truly be effective, the reviews should go through the Just In with no clue to the rubberstampers.
Amy
__________________
Salt makes mistakes taste great. |
11-30-2002, 11:17 AM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: The Nutmeg State
Posts: 13,780
| |
I erased the blurb in my review.
I didn't know it was cheating. |
11-30-2002, 11:18 AM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: The Nutmeg State
Posts: 13,780
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PS, I think I'm winning the "shortest" contest. |
11-30-2002, 11:22 AM
| | Forum Code Administrator | | Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: PA
Posts: 20,310
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I just proposed that it was cheating Nobody agreed yet. Not my game, not my rules. 
__________________
Salt makes mistakes taste great. |
11-30-2002, 12:38 PM
| | In Spanish, I'm Marijuana | | Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lawn-Guy-Land, NY
Posts: 29,212
| |
Whoops. I put the blurb in. let me know if I should erase it. (Travel/hotel review, BTW, Tom - didn't think to let you know ahead of time)
__________________
MJ
It's extraordinary to me that the United States can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can't find $25 billion dollars to save 25,000 children who die every day from preventable diseases.~ Bono |
11-30-2002, 04:26 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,684
| |
Quote: Originally posted by amykhar
I would like to humbly suggest that it is "cheating" to label the review as a lean and mean writeoff entry. For this to truly work and truly be effective, the reviews should go through the Just In with no clue to the rubberstampers.
Amy | Good thoughts Amy.
I believe I asked in my original essay that the reviews not be identified in the body of the review. I don't believe I mentioned (or thought of) the title.
But then one is stuck in the predicament of 'spreading the word' or 'blind ratings'...
I know what you mean though, Amy. But I hope it is somewhat 'effective' to simply get a number of users to actively think about word count and how long any given review truly needs to be...If that 'works' it will have 'worked' for me...
( And to be honest, I don't think it is 'the rubberstampers' that are writing 1500, 2000 words and beyond. I think we are our own worst enemy in that battle...:-)
My original intent was simply to encourage writers to 'write short'. To do nothing different than they normally do, just use less words. And my original essay encouraged everyone to read and rate as they always do. But not to 'down-rate' based simply on length only.
Someone asked what the 'prize' was for the shortest review. Well, that is someplace I do/did not want to go. I want it to stay as 'normal' as possible. I have posted the number of each section reviews written. That kind of 'contest' I can live with...:-)
But again: write, read, rate, comment as you always have. Bottom line, that is/was my only expectations. The response already has exceeded any other meager expectations I might have had...:-)
Thanks to all for participating...:-)
...tom...
P.S. 'Blurbs' are fine. I have not been counting them for the word limit. You can simply refer people to my user-page to read the rules, find links to new reviews, and to comment there that they would like to participate. Or it can be handled by e-mail, user's choice. Any questions, just ask...thanks !!
__________________ " Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching. "
--Unknown.
. Sleeping In the Heartland |
11-30-2002, 05:26 PM
| | In Spanish, I'm Marijuana | | Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lawn-Guy-Land, NY
Posts: 29,212
| |
Well, despite the lean 'n' mean disclaimer, I've already gotten comments like "but you didn't include information about 'X' in your review" along with a smattering of H's. It would appear that word inflation is here to stay.
As far as the shortest, the body of my review clocks in at 149 words. I tried to check Margaret's, but it's in draft mode.
__________________
MJ
It's extraordinary to me that the United States can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can't find $25 billion dollars to save 25,000 children who die every day from preventable diseases.~ Bono |
11-30-2002, 05:50 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,684
| |
Quote: Originally posted by mjfrombuffalo
Well, despite the lean 'n' mean disclaimer, I've already gotten comments like "but you didn't include information about 'X' in your review" along with a smattering of H's. It would appear that word inflation is here to stay.
As far as the shortest, the body of my review clocks in at 149 words. I tried to check Margaret's, but it's in draft mode. | mj.... 149 words ?!?
I would be surprised if most felt you hadn't 'left out' X, Y and Z...:-)
The idea is not to write as short as you can. Just of sufficient length to cover the product, hopefully less than 666. You have quite a few words 'left' to address those comments...:-)
This will be most interesting to read...:-)
And 'word inflation' is here to stay only if the site (read: advisors and to a lesser degree, every rater) demands it.
...tom...
__________________ " Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching. "
--Unknown.
. Sleeping In the Heartland |
11-30-2002, 05:51 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: The Nutmeg State
Posts: 13,780
| |
It's not really in draft mode. It's a bug  |
12-01-2002, 02:39 AM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 9,648
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Whoops! Didn't know I wasn't supposed to identify it in the text or title.
The only way I could write something under the limit was by finding a book only 24 pages long.  |
12-01-2002, 03:10 AM
| | resident diplomat | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location:
Posts: 694
| |
Tom. I love this. I am reading all the posts I can find. Part of the reason I don't read as much as I used to is the verbose epinions I keep running into.
I found many of these thru the links on you page. I'll have to check the Justin's at the various boards also.
I even read make up reviews But, me thinks some didn't "get" the 'skip the fluff' attitude. Ingredients, grumble, grumble.. |
12-01-2002, 06:07 AM
|  | Junior Member | | Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,328
| |
Fun idea! I'd like to do one.
Uh-oh. You got me to want to write on Epinions again.
Well, there. I said it. In the light of day (well, actually in the dark of the wee early hours). Said I'm going to write something. Now I'm like -- what's the word -- uh, oh -- committed. |
12-04-2002, 11:52 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Iowa
Posts: 3,684
| |
.
Entry numbers update:
Total count through December 4th, early P.M. --- 49 reviews total !! --- - electronics - 1
- mags/newspapers - 1
- rest/gourmet - 1
- kids & family - 2
- on-line - 2
- travel - 2
- home and garden - 3
- sporting goods - 3
- beauty - 8
- books - 11
and our current and still the leader.....
- movies - 15
Where the hell is 'music' ?!? And I am a little disappointed with kids&family and home&garden...:-|
Still plenty of time for any who care to join in to do so...
Many have found it quite challenging, yet liberating, to write 'lean'
...tom...
__________________ " Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching. "
--Unknown.
. Sleeping In the Heartland |
12-07-2002, 01:22 PM
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