The EPINIONS BLOWS DOG Writeoff

Sordid-1 · #1 10-26-2001, 04:11 PM

DRASTIC TIMES CALL FOR JUVENILE MEASURES!

As such, I am pleased to announce the “EPINIONS BLOWS DOG” writeoff. Since the bright, shining stars at Epinions’ headquarters have determined that OUR reviews are no longer OUR reviews and are, in fact, THEIR reviews (an action punctuated by their disablement of all edit and delete functions on your own intellectual property), why don’t we go ahead and fill their pillaged booty hoarde with some writing they can REALLY be proud to “own”!

The near-unanimous consensus among the Epinions community regarding the recent change in control of intellectual property (coupled with the “oh, by the way, you write for free now” announcement) could best be categorized as “a severe state of displeasure.” Let us express that displeasure, and punctuate it with a thrust-out middle finger pointed directly at Brisbane. It is so seldom one is afforded the chance to engage in low-risk civil disobedience, it would be a shame to let this opportunity pass by.

Here are the writeoff rules:

1) Entitle your (oh, excuse me, it’s not yours, it belongs to EPINIONS) writeoff entry “EPINIONS BLOWS DOG”.

2) Vent. Cut loose. Express yourself in whatever manner YOU see fit regarding the issue of intellectual property, writer’s rights, and the management decisions enacted by Epinions.com.

3) Post it WHEREVER YOU WANT. Keep in mind that if a review is placed in an inappropriate, high-profile category and rises to the top of the sludge pile, people surfing for consumer information may, in fact, be informed about the possibility that Epinions may blow dog rather than receiving data regarding the product they are researching. That may reflect poorly on Epinions, I can not be sure. Regardless, I’m sure the potential Epinions member would be interested to know about any potential dog blow information and this particular website’s cavalier approach towards a writer’s control of his own work and its willingness to usurp ownership of aforementioned work.

4) Notify Sordid-1 about the review at his new e-mail address, epinionsblowsdog@lycos.com

5) Write this with the understanding that once Epinions restores the FULL edit/delete functionality to its users, the writeoff entries will be deleted.

6) Luxuriate in the cathartic effects of releasing your anger in a potentially constructive manner.

It’s just that simple. I realize that many will think this as a childish, crass, classless manuever. That’s fine, it has elements of all those qualities. But the fact of the matter is that Epinions has left us scant little alternative to promote change without taking up arms. I am not satisfied with Nirav’s weak claim that Epinions will “investigate” the possibility of returning a feature that had been willfully disabled ONE DAY BEFORE. I approach everything said in his “Epinions Chat” (AKA Creampuff-a-Thon) with a skeptical and jaded eye. I say that it is time to take the initiative.

Epinions, you can not hold our writing hostage.

This is an open write-off. EVERYONE is welcome and encouraged to participate. A show of solidarity from members holding all different sorts of viewpoints may effectively communicate to Epinions.com the level of displeasure this community is experiencing at their outrageous action.

Thank you for your input, hate mail, participation and/or condemnation. They are all valid methods of expression as far as I am concerned.

**jgibson2**[$] · #2 10-26-2001, 04:39 PM

I guess we find out if there's anyone working weekends at the mother site. I can't post before Monday, but if this is still on, I'm with you. I've been interviewing dogs. It's true. Epinions Blows Dogs -- news at 11 (am Monday).

magenta321 · #3 10-26-2001, 08:40 PM

Sordster, I joined you, and I am shocked at how many others have as well. May the force be with you.

mtbat · #4 10-26-2001, 09:19 PM

I've joined as well-perhaps this is the start of some new cult?

since I can't edit to add a list of participents(and sorry sordid I mispelled your name once) if you gather a list together here or elsewhere I'll put it on my profile page instead

Fridai

#5 10-26-2001, 09:30 PM

Well gee y'all,

While I won't be joining this Write Off, perhaps I could direct your efforts to the Princeton Review...

Joel said:

Quote:

For example, in the Education category we recently signed up the Princeton Review.

Ummmmmmm............

Ander

**pluckyduck** · #6 10-26-2001, 09:57 PM

Well, I'm embarrassed for several reasons.

First off, I didn't know it was a write off, I just wrote off. If I had known it was a real write off I would have:

1) Avoiding committing myself in anyway

2) If dragged into the write off, avoided thinking about it, then dwelt on it, then submitted my entry 1 to 2 weeks late, if at all.

The second reason I am embarrassed is:

I ranted, I didn't write. (See, I thought it was a rengade sort of thing, I didn't think....oh, sigh. I'm hopeless)

The third reason I'm embarrassed is:

I got the name wrong.

I accidently said that EPINIONS BLOWS DOGS instead of EPINIONS BLOWS DOG.

And we all know:

I can't edit.

Andrea

magenta321 · #7 10-26-2001, 10:40 PM

Andrea, don't fret, I got the title wrong too. Besides, I believe Epinions sucks more than one dog. Don't you?

kurt_messick · #8 10-26-2001, 11:03 PM

After Curtis Edmond's marvelous treatment, I'm not sure I'd be worthy to join this merry band. As I am contemplating my actions, I shall endeavour to be so inspired as to be half as funny and apropos as that, and may well join you.

Sordid-1 · #9 10-26-2001, 11:30 PM

JUDY - I'm looking forward to what you have to say.

MAGENTA - I'm a bit surprised, but very pleased, by some of the folks who are showing up in this uncharacteristic role (including you!). I think it speaks volumes that people who have traditionally applied a strong ethic to their ratings system, strived to follow Epinions guidelines, and been, in every sense of the word, straight-laced and valuable Epinions members feel so betrayed that they would step out in this show of civil disobedience. It's not just clowns like me who feel this strongly, it's pretty much a straight across-the-board reaction. I think Brisbane should take notice of that.

MTBAT - Welcome aboard. I see scant little potential for an actual cult, but hey, isn't that how the Rosicrucians originally formed?

ANDER - Thank you very much for reminding us about the Princeton Review. I'm actually a little ashamed now. That truly fantastic news about the Princeton Review affiliation actually counteracts all the bad news and deception in a "Hi, we're the Huns and we just burned your village and killed all your cattle. But here's a cookie!" sort of way. WHAT WAS I THINKING???

ANDREA - I am so very, very pleased to see a level-headed, sensible woman such as yourself (whoops, I haven't read the review yet... that might change my estimation) standing in agreement (I assume) with my assessment of the situation. Gauging the ideas of a sane person such as yourself next to my own ideas kind of serves as a sanity litmus test. And, as Magenta pointed out, I wouldn't worry too much about the pluralization of "dog." It may, possibly, actually be more appropriate.

KURT - Speaking of sanity, a voice as erudite and well-learned as yours could only lend reason and good sense to any open forum of expression. You are, of course, more than welcome to join in.

AS IS EVERYONE. ALL THAT'S REQUIRED ON THIS ONE IS AN OPINION.

**conradd** · #10 10-27-2001, 12:26 AM

Sordid, you've effectively thrown the tea into the harbor. I'm in.

Deb

sherrylee · #11 10-27-2001, 01:30 AM

Damn the torpedoes, I'm in. If they take control of my content, they won't get any new contnet from me. I've been insulted for the last time.

Sherry

Yarborough · #12 10-27-2001, 02:10 AM

I see a problem here.

If everyone uses the same Title: "Epinions Blows Dog",
(and they do)
then it makes it very easy to clean up the mess.

All they need to do is search title record fields for those key words and then delete the review record.

Wouldn't it be better if they had to discover one by one that their most popular reveiw on a Passat or a Dell is bogus?

#13 10-27-2001, 02:43 AM

If they hand edit reviews then they are able to be held liable. They can't edit their content! Singling out people that say that Epinions blows dogs (for example... just picking an example out of thin air) would mean that the site isn't unbiased after all (and in the format that they are trying for either... Which means that they would be unable to claim exemption from suits by people that have been maligned from suits in the past.

Ummm... I wasn't trying to argue that The Princeton Review comment was in any way a counteraction of their actions. I was just idly commenting that some posts there might get a bit more attention with the management... Not that I am throwing more tea in the water or anything mind you

Ander

**conradd** · #14 10-27-2001, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by anderclayton
Ummm... I wasn't trying to argue that The Princeton Review comment was in any way a counteraction of their actions. I was just idly commenting that some posts there might get a bit more attention with the management... Not that I am throwing more tea in the water or anything mind you

Come on in, guys, the water is fine.

Deb

**pluckyduck** · #15 10-27-2001, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Gauging the ideas of a sane person such as yourself next to my own ideas kind of serves as a sanity litmus test.

Oh, I'm not sane at all. I often need my blue pills.

When it comes to life though, I've always taken a lesson from my mother very seriously - Never, ever put anything in writing that you wouldn't want to see on the front page of your hometown newspaper.

I didn't abandon that lesson when I posted my rant.

The litmus test isn't sanity, the litmus test is the gravity of the violation by Epinions. I've never bitched about any money issues on the site, not even once, because it's their money. They can pay it to me or not, their choice.

The Epinions though, are ours. I can give them my Epinions or not, but it is my choice. Take that choice away from me?

The tea goes in the harbor.

Andrea

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #16 10-27-2001, 11:29 AM

*Link removed

Here's my contribution to the worthy cause

mj
watching the tea swirl around the pier

*Sorry mj, but I gotta take the link out. Hope you posted in the Just In.

**pluckyduck** · #17 10-27-2001, 11:50 AM

Utterly fascinating cross section of people participating in this write off. The sociology of Epinions has always been one of its most compelling points (for me)..... this seems to be an example of diverse groups always being able to find common ground.

And to think, Sordid is our Samuel Adams.

Boston Tea Party info here

Andrea
who yes, has better things to do and is about to go do them

eplovejoy · #18 10-27-2001, 12:01 PM

Dear Sordid-1,

Your idea for providing a forum for our venting is inspired. And your using Epinions' platform is a master stroke.

Thanks.

Best wishes,
Peter

thom413 · #19 10-27-2001, 01:07 PM

"I know, but what's going on outside?"

Sorry, didn't mean to post the meeting minutes from Brisbane. Just letting you all know that I am researching the legal implications of the removal of the edit/delete functions and will let you know here what I find.

It seems like simple theft to me. Perhaps a judge will agree, and they'll have to spend their ill-gotten pennies to retain counsel.
I'll keep you posted.

Best regards,

Tom

#20 10-27-2001, 10:37 PM

I do believe it is time for file13 to come out of retirement and step up to the plate for one last at-bat.

**pluckyduck** · #21 10-27-2001, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by file13
I do believe it is time for file13 to come out of retirement and step up to the plate for one last at-bat.

EOM

Andrea

**pluckyduck** · #22 10-28-2001, 08:38 AM

Ooooooh, gross.

I'm trying not to think about it in the literal terms.

Andrea

gerper · #23 10-28-2001, 11:24 AM

Hello:

I guess I'm just adding more fuel to the EBD write off. Here is my contribution:

*Link removed

Of course, if there are gramatical errors, there is not much I can do about it... until I have my edit option restored!

Tammie (Epinions id: gerper)

To read more of reviews that I cannot edit, click here:

http://gerper.epinions.com/user-gerper

*Tammie, Links are not allowed in this forum. Please post in the Just In.

wivabef · #24 10-28-2001, 12:38 PM

I'm giddy with activist joy!

I can't wait to see the response!

hee hee heee!