How can we improve our reviews?

Pyro Pete · 12th October 2002, 5:48 PM

Following on from Julian's useful suggestion of a date with each review, anyone else have any ideas for ways to improve the reviews?

Some ideas:

- A mark out of ten (for example). I'm not keen on this idea as it takes an already subjective review further towards giving an arbitary mark. I prefer the current method but am open to suggestions.

- More reviewers per firework. This will be the basis of the 2003 review night - a panel of judges.

- More reviewers. Maybe someone else's opinion other than mine, Tony's and Pete B's might be useful? Finding someone not connected to the trade, with a DV camera, a digital camera, a non-season friendly venue AND the time/willingness to review stuff is not easy though.

- Video format. Are you happy with Windows Media? For the size the files are better quality than Real Media and smaller than MPEGs. Are you happy with partial clips for repetetive effects (saves our upload time and site bandwidth)?

- Still images. Do you want more/less (generally we might only use say one in five still images we have available).

- Stats, Eg, measurements. Are these actually any use? (We like to keep a record of bore size though).

- Noise rating. We had thought of measuring sound for each firework from a set distance. The idea was for an airbomb head to head but that isn't something that we want to do now BUT as noise is an issue, we would always measure this. The ratings would be relative not absolute, as we cannot afford several grands worth of dB equipment http://www.fireworkforum.info/iB_htm...cons/smile.gif

- Better review indexing/searching. Would need scripting, a project for 2003

- More brands. We're working on this. Membership revenue will allow us in 2003, for the first time, to go shopping for member's requests.

- Different review keys, eg specific colours.

- Firework weight.

- Reader second opinions. Would a form at the bottom of each review be better? At present, I know loads of people have tried, for example, Lake Of Sapphires but no-one has e-mailed us a second opinion, we have to take them from the forum posts (time consuming).

Any idea, no matter how small is useful to us for consideration next year.

Howitzer · 12th October 2002, 8:22 PM

More member input to reviews will give more opinions on a particular firework-so if a form for member use was included as part of the review then any member wishing to have their say can do so and if at the end of the review they give a rating, say, out of ten, then an average mark can be taken of all members reviews and used, say, on the main banner next to Best Buy etc.

BEST BUY (Members rating 9)
RECOMMENDED (Members Rating 8)

Or if not quite in the top two categories then at least the firework will have a member rating that others can see how it has been "scored".

This will also add value to the Membership subscription knowing that you can contribute to the main content of what the site is all about.

djliam · 12th October 2002, 9:16 PM

Not sure about marks out of 10, but more reviewers/second opinions could be good.

If you pay for my train fair/accommodation then I will gladly help you review!

Personally, I never pay attention to the measurements (other than bore size). http://www.fireworkforum.info/iB_htm...cons/smile.gif

The videos and pictures are fine too, except the HUGE ones which always stop downloading halfway through on my computer!

Adding a space at the bottom of each review for members to put their own views in would be okay, but they probably use the forum already, and know what others think.

DJ

Howitzer · 12th October 2002, 9:36 PM

I think a secondary rating from members would be useful especially on those particular fireworks where the main site review is undecided,for example MLEs UFO cake.

12th October 2002, 10:00 PM

ill second the last post whilst the reviews are very good and informative and most people tend to agree with the best buys and recommended,they are only the opinions of a couple of people,hence the more second opinions the better.So for those sleepy members out there its time to start giving some valuable feedback.

My point being that when i buy a new game(ok its not fireworks but its a valid example)i look at as many reviews/opinions as possible especially the bad ones to form a better overall picture in my mind of what im buying the more info you/we/i can get the better.

pyrobrit · 12th October 2002, 10:57 PM

Bore size is a must have.

Weight and noise are not too much of a worry as powder weights change year upon year so the noise level will decrease or increase depending on the powder weight and possibly the particular batch of fireworks you purchased from. *As fireworks are hand made, the same firework on two different days can have very different results.

Date the reviews. *I like to know how long ago the firework was first reviewed. *This will help if member comments are allowed in the review.

Allowing members to add their own comments is certainly an excellent idea.

Regards

Nick.W

12th October 2002, 11:06 PM

yes id agree bore size is another must have,and also the eyecandy factor this is something that really sucks joe ordinary in,just the other day out of curiosity (un named persons ahem) took the top off men shuns slammer candle barrage and found inside 7 1" bore candles with a spacer in the middle that you could fit a beer can in,what a rip.This is one the average punter would buy because of the size and packaging when half of it was fresh air!!!

Bone · 13th October 2002, 10:00 AM

I guess the feedback area is the key, I imagine something like the Amazon.com format, with user feedback and a star rating maybe.

Date of review would also help to indicate how accurate the prices on the review are.

If the reviews were database based, I beleive you have thought about this Pete, then selection by criteria, such as effect, colour, duration would be extra useful, and of course only available to paying members http://www.fireworkforum.info/iB_htm...cons/smile.gif

Salute · 15th October 2002, 3:31 PM

I find the videos essential. I am on an optical line (2 MB per second) so I can download willy-nilly. An overall long exposure of the firework's performance would be nice, as to offer height, color combinations, area covered in your yard etc. Stills are redundant if you have a video.

Member feedback under each official review would be great, as would awarding a Member's Choice award along with the usual recommended or best buy.

Perhaps include a special consideration section, like suggesting extra space, or good for a quiet display.

Pyro Pete · 18th October 2002, 12:35 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments in this thread.

Reader feedback on reviews is something we have always encouraged but I am a little bit confused. When we split all the reviews in April, on to separate pages, we included "Do you have a second opinion on this firework?" at the bottom of each one and an e-mail link - but hardly anyone has used it!!!

Why is the current system of feedback not working? Is it because once you've bought a firework, you would not bother reading the review again? Is it because the e-mail link is not clear enough or does not inspire you to click it?

I'm happy to improve this part of the site, eg use a feedback form, or some scripting for readers to rate fireworks, if you think it would be used.