Rating scale/system

[3dGameMan]

New rating scale was officially implemented on March 11, 2002.



NOTE:
Most of the products reviewed are requested by Rodney Reynolds. This normally results in new and interesting product reviews.

[LBJGH]

So does this mean we won't get a rating out of 10 any more?

[3dGameMan]

Originally posted by LBJGH
So does this mean we won't get a rating out of 10 any more?

Yep, no more /10 scale.

[PFG]

Not a bad idea...
Personally, I'm sick of those ratings with numbers...
They're dull and boring... :D

[LBJGH]

Are we ever going to see one of these ratings?

[3dGameMan]

Originally posted by LBJGH
Are we ever going to see one of these ratings?

Who wants to see a VR on a "NEEDS WORKS" product? There seems to be a need for me to review crap.. heeehe

[LBJGH]

How do you know if a product is going to be crap or good before you review it? I know you put a lot of work into the reviews but just once I'd like to see a review of a product and see it get slammed for a poor design, or faulty part or just plain useless. I have the same concern about newspaper reviews of cars... the papers are afraid to give a bad review 'cause they'll loose advertising revenue.

Originally posted by 3dGameMan


Who wants to see a VR on a "NEEDS WORKS" product? There seems to be a need for me to review crap.. heeehe

[3dGameMan]

Originally posted by LBJGH
How do you know if a product is going to be crap or good before you review it? I know you put a lot of work into the reviews but just once I'd like to see a review of a product and see it get slammed for a poor design, or faulty part or just plain useless. I have the same concern about newspaper reviews of cars... the papers are afraid to give a bad review 'cause they'll loose advertising revenue.

My opinions are just that, mine and I do hope people value them because they are honest and unbiased. Believe me, I've had companies ask for a higher rating, however, that's NOT gonna happen. LET'S BE VERY CLEAR ON THAT Anyone who knows me personally, knows I would NEVER stoop that low.

The main reason the ratings are generally high is due to the fact that 99% of the products I personally request. (I first contact the company.. then request for a product that I think "the viewer" would be interested in and then hope they are attracted enough in my site to send it). I do not see how anyone would be interested in watching me video review crap. Does anyone else, because I can just request crap for those few out there that think for some reason I'm biased? (I think NOT). I refuse to review crap because like most I love those cool kickass toys!

[LBJGH]

I agree no one wants to see reviews of garbage. I've been visiting your site for some time and always look forward to new product reviews. I'm just supprised you haven't reviewed anything that you were dissapointed in to the point where you wouldn't recommend the product.

[SuperStyro]

niffty scale :D

[Nueffl]

...is somewhat "too overall postive" imo. At the end of every review you say "certainly a GREAT product" or "xxx has done a fantastic job"... I haven't ever heard you say "certainly not a good buy" or "... has failed doing a satisfying job". Imo the job of a professional reviewer like you should also be to look at stuff that it expensive like hell, but crap concerning the functionality. I know that reviews of the latter are going to have the effect of decreasing PIs and downloads, but I think it is important, that there are A LOT of wannabes out there, selling crap and tricking newbies.

Your reviews are very creative, showing stuff that is really handy and that one wouldn't have found in a shop just so.

On the other hand there is this superficiality sometimes, when looking at certain products: Reviewing speakers doesn't just mean listening to them, but also measuring objective noise levels, disortion, looking at the drivers and so on...

This is supposed to be a constructive critisism. Hope it wasn't too hard *lol*

- Sorry for my poor English -

Fabian

[Colin]

>On the other hand there is this superficiality sometimes, when
>looking at certain products: Reviewing speakers doesn't just
>mean listening to them, but also measuring objective noise
>levels, disortion, looking at the drivers and so on...


I've said this before, when people have commented on the superficiality of some of the reviews:

Look at Rodney's reviews, but look at other reviews as well. The video reviews aren't the be all and end all, but they do let you see the product in action.

Best recent example of this was the video review of the hard drive silencing kits. The pictures posted in advance of the review were as clear as mud, but the video review itself showed exactly how the product worked.

On the other hand, for a review of a set of speakers, the microphone on Rodney's video camera just ain't gonna cut it for determining sound quality. On the other hand, you would get to see the relative size of the speakers (in comparison to the monitor, for example), the cables, power supply etc.

You might look at Rodney's reviews as a virtual trip down to the store to actually see the product, but you would still want to check some other sources for more detailed information.

I'm quite sure that Rodney would love to have a basement full of test equipment, and make each video review an hour long, but you have to be realistic about the limitations of a video review, bandwidth, and time.

Colin.

(I don't know Rodney, I don't work for Rodney, and I don't play someone who knows Rodney on TV. The above is just my opinion.)

[Nueffl]

I understand what you mean, but I mean if he doesn't state enough facts you can forget the whole review. Just giving some information is not enough, I can do the same on a webpage. What I sometimes miss, are objective measurements. That's about it *g*

[maesus]

what can we expect from a 10 minutes video review? Most of the products reviewed here can be found from another sites' written reviews too, those gave you some good benchmark results, and some were too benchmark biased. However, Rodney's video reviews take another perspective and different approach to review a product. Since all reviews are very subjective to the reviewer, and Rodney has stated that most of the products are requested by him, thus it wouldn't be surprised to hear most of the products have very good scores. However, for some particular products, eventhough these products become one's favourite, it might turned to be nightmare products from others. This is something Rodney couldn't tell us from his VRs. For example, Epox 8KHA+, a super overclocking board, but can break down easily after some time of use under certain condition. So I hope that Rodney is able to take all these products and push them into extreme to test their quality.

Rodney, had you ever reviewed a product that somehow get defected during the review?

[3dGameMan]

Originally posted by maesus

Rodney, had you ever reviewed a product that somehow get defected during the review?

No, except some products were DOA and we can thx the shipping companies for that

[Scottman]

Originally posted by 3dGameMan


No, except some products were DOA and we can thx the shipping companies for that

LOL, yeah, you sent me pic recently that was a pretty good example of that. I'm sure some of the shipping companies must spend Friday afternoons playing football with the smaller packages!

[imphenzia]

If i remember i think Rod did give a poor rating one time. I think he gave a product a 6 or lower before.

i think rodney's reviews are great. it doesn't appear to be biased at all. When there are things that he doesn't like, he states them and it always effects the resulting score...

however, about the new rating system, I like the creativeness, but I would like to see more 'gray area' measurements. Im not sure 4 ratings can give an accurate overall presense, but we will see how it works out huh? heheh

Good job rodney keep up the work. Oh, and by the way, i was wondering if you could put up some statistics as to who comes to your page the most? I think it would be cool to see where each of us stand in that regard, and maybe give away prizes or something..... Im sure this wouldn't work out with all the ways people can simply ping the server or what not... oh well i guess it's a bad idea lol. don't mind me.

[Timinator]

Might as well comment on this topic as well.

I have always felt that Rods overall rateings have been fair, if he hasnt liked a certain part of a product, or has a concern about a part, he has always expressed it in the review. (IE heatsink clips)

As for the new review scale, i think its great, just adds more of a personal touch to his reviews.

Keep up the good work

[D'dario]

ahhhhhhh,so that's why no out of 10 marks on the p4 1.6 cpu!,
well i like the new rating system,and as said before, a more personal touch on Rodney's side. And many of his reviews have led me to purchase a few of the products,strictly on the outcome of the review and Rodney's personal opinion. Which i have alot of respect for. And from all of the products i have bought,they have all been top notch and have never given me any trouble at all.Personally i don't want to see him reviewing crap.i'm not interested in crap!!! keep up the good work Rodney!!oh by the way Rodney, I have watched all the video reviews,and will continue to do so!!
Gary Broad.

[3dGameMan]

Thx folks, I also agree and believe the new rating system certainly fits much better with my Video Reviews

[Doctor Maustus]

Just thinking about the wording of the top two levels. Both seem quite similar to me. Doesn't "pick" and "choice" imply the same thing? Sure, one is just "great" while the other is "kickass." I think maybe you could drop the "Gameman's pick" from the 2nd highest rating, thereby reserving the vaunted "Gameman's pick" for only the truly deserving, cream-of-the-crop, products.

Any thoughts? Maybe I'm just an nitpicky writer.

Promise not to use anymore quotation marks in any future posts either.

[3dGameMan]

Doctor Maustus,

you nitpicky writer, you! heehe

[Ymaster]

I think he has a good point that the system is a good idea, but the wording need to be refined a tad more.

What you should have is 4 options...

4.Sucks..Don't buy it
3.So/So
2.Noteworthy!
1.Extremely Kickass!

4.Would not buy it if you held a gun to my head!
3.Depends if they ever fix the drivers..
2.Good, but the price is much to high for what it's really worth.
1.OH MY GAWD! I creamed my pants!

HAha..:p

[bigb_37]

I like the new banners, and I have always found Gameman's reviews informative and unbiased, I don't know what the rest of you are crying about. Hey Rod give the people their 1 out of 10 and review using a fork to replace your heatsink:rolleyes: