tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post3917606898994193846..comments2023-11-03T03:16:56.046-07:00Comments on news & views from RateItAll: Debrieflawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15614875093460854610noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-52688698784597618272008-02-21T01:04:00.000-08:002008-02-21T01:04:00.000-08:00I'll add the comment from the Ridgewalker/Wiseguy ...I'll add the comment from the Ridgewalker/Wiseguy thread here to be sure it is current and also wanted to add a little note for Donovan in the hopes he reads this blog...<BR/><BR/>Donovan, I didn't dislike you because of your Christian beliefs. I don't like you because you have no ethics and are a hypocrite. You cheated on the site and you gained unfair positive helpfuls and support from "buddies" just like Numbah.<BR/><BR/>You had, and probably still have, all your buddies from the Kentucky EMA clicking helpful and coming to your defense.<BR/><BR/>Such behaviour should not be allowed by the site admin since it provides clear disadvantages to many users and most definitely provides you with advantages. You are the precise reason why RIA was exposed as a Don't Give A Crap site so long as the hits keep coming and there is money to be made.<BR/><BR/>Your beliefs are to the extreme in the same way ANY fundamentalist religious zealot is. You espouse hatred, damnation, and intolerance in worse ways than many over the edge fanatical muslim groups do. <BR/><BR/>You hide behind your religion to deflect criticisms that you can do wrong or be wrong. Coming across as the right hand of god fulfilled.<BR/><BR/>It is all a load of crap. You are narrow minded, mean spirited and wholly without moral. You are bad for your community and the world in general. Given power to determine the course of society you and your fellow members of that fringe group would bring it to ruin within weeks.<BR/><BR/>In all my time on RIA I never encountered anyone as disingenuous or idiotic. RalphtheWonderLlama made more sense in a single tirade than you have in 10,000 posts.<BR/><BR/>I was a more eloquent reviewer. I was more broad in scope. I was more detailed and certainly more tolerant. I was even friendlier. <BR/><BR/>Whereas you tore down most things by spending most time on religious issues (which I am sure continues to this day) I worked to improve the site. Not just with comments and later my lists (which were non-judgmental unlike your utter crap) but also on RIA main. <BR/><BR/>Long before most made an effort to assist with site improvements I was right there chugging away. I'd still be there today but greed won out and nimrods such as yourself were allowed to spoil the site with nonsense and banal comments.<BR/><BR/>Am I arrogant? Not at all. I know what I accomplished as do many others. My focus was always quality and fairness. Two items that aren't even in your vocabulary and a review of your comments would easily prove that.<BR/><BR/>So enjoy the buddies at EMA and offer them that occasional reach around for the support. But it won't alter what an intolerant, idiotic, and immoral hypocrite you are.<BR/><BR/>Given what I know about myself and the site admin, if forced to choose I doubt it would be you or your comments that would be desired for the site. Admitting as much would require too much courage for the admin but I am content to know your comments also turn his stomach.<BR/><BR/>Your private messages whining and moaning, only to publicly state I harrassed you was so pathetic. That was ultimately documented to the point you had to stop. Finally. You simply lacked the skin necessary and your intolerance refused to allow me the space to criticize your stupid comments. You had to carry on about it until warned to stop.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I think hell holds a special place for beings such as yourself.<BR/><BR/>And make no mistake. I AM Christian. My core beliefs are Catholic. You of course tried to tear down Catholicism too but that was par for the course.<BR/><BR/>So if you comment about me at all leave religion out of it. Your religious views are meaningless to me except to showcase how narrowminded you are.<BR/><BR/>Now my comments on the end of the year migration...<BR/><BR/>Although I doubt the blog owner/site admin will leave any of this up for long...<BR/><BR/>********************************<BR/>LMAO<BR/><BR/>I am glad to see more shit hit the fan. Irishgit has taken leave as well. <BR/><BR/>Numbah is an idiot and ruins credibility for the site. I am glad to see all those others leave. I don't care about the circumstances.<BR/><BR/>I do think it is interesting that the Admin's was once again accused of not being fair. But the sheep that remain meekly kneel and ignore the obvious.<BR/><BR/>Exactly how many well spoken and longtime reviewers have to leave, with most saying the same thing, before it sinks in?<BR/><BR/>A few notes of clarification on comments I have seen here or there...<BR/><BR/>The admin did not make the choice on my leaving. I was in fact encouraged to stay. I also never wanted the site run my way. I simply wanted the ability to voice my opinion about the flaws. When it became evident that an effort was being made to curb my opinion on certain issues I decided to leave.<BR/><BR/>I don't give one crap about other peoples "comments" with regard to their "owning" it. I taught the admin a very important lesson... I had the ability to remove all comments on my lists and then the lists themselves. I did not like being screwed with. And the admin can deny he was screwing with me all he wants. I wanted no reference to me to remain on the site. No comments, no lists. Nothing.<BR/><BR/>Would that be honored by the users or the admin? Hell no. I fully expected idiots like Numbah to make bold statements to the effect that I asked them to leave too. Or to make references to me as a child who cried and ran away.<BR/><BR/>LOL<BR/><BR/>I stated that EVERYONE should leave. The site was crap. It was crap because it didn't care about quality. And Numbah was the #1 tool in the cabinet that exemplified that. I didn't expect Numbah to leave and I stated to many including Irishgit, Castlebee, Becky, IJR and many others that it would be a travesty when that moron became the #1 most helpful reviewer because he had a few buddies helping out.<BR/><BR/>Numbah plays the fool and rants about his marine corp stuff. Freely accepting his moniker as a know nothing smartass. I know a few marines and those I know are ashamed that he doesn't even attempt to represent such a fine group properly. No, instead he prances around an opinion site for the mock glory of getting the most helpfuls and being found the most amusing.<BR/><BR/>And the admin doesn't blame the recipient of those helpfuls? Huh? It had been blatant and obvious that he was getting helpfuls for utter crap. He knew his buddies were giving him helpfuls and he loved it.<BR/><BR/>Now go post something rude about me Numbah. I am sure it will get lots of helpfuls. Considering the admin lets comments by you such as "duh" stand with 10 helpfuls is a true testimony to the fact he and the site lack any integrity whatsoever and that you couldn't think your way out of a yes or no question.<BR/><BR/>People should check sites such as myspace and even blogspot. ALL user created items belong to the user. Should that user leave EVERYTHING goes with them if that is their choice. That includes any comments made by others.<BR/><BR/>So why does RIA differ in that respect? Surely Myspace, and blogs care just about about the "sanctity" of their sites. About the continuity. So arguments to that affect (which are about the only ones made) are bullshit.<BR/><BR/>The real reason is that it is a clique and the admin wants to make a name for himself. Wants the hits and wants to brag.<BR/><BR/>In the same way he posted on the blog that RIA trounced Facebook. If you read the article RIA is described thusly:<BR/><BR/>"Many of the other poorly-performing social media sites aren't exactly household names, like Searchles (SPI 5,856) and RateItAll (SPI 3,370)."<BR/><BR/>LMAO.<BR/><BR/>Come on admin. Can't you at least try not to exaggerate SOME of the time. To me your assessment that RIA trounced Facebook, given what the article actually said, was a complete fabrication.<BR/><BR/>But then again honesty isn't a commodity that sells or generates activity for a website. So I guess the fabrication is a necessity. You can always count on the sheep being too naive to know better.<BR/><BR/>I said when I left that I would come back if things changed. If idiots like Numbah were eliminated or at least put in their place as a novelty reviewer and not allowed to receive helpfuls for crap.<BR/><BR/>I also advocated the ELIMINATION of helpfuls period. To this day tht has not been done. Odd that every time the helpful controversy rears its head the same thing is said... I am consdering changes or eliminating it. Same old song and dance.<BR/><BR/>And it hasn't been done and won't be done because that will cost the site a lot of users. Most of the crap reviewers would be gone immediately. But so would all that website generatin business. And RIA is a business.<BR/><BR/>The users are nothing more than a tool. Stop being tools.<BR/><BR/>If the admin had any integrity and actually cared about quality and fairness he would have made REAL changes.<BR/><BR/>Is this a case of the site not running the way I think it should? No. It is a question of common sense.<BR/><BR/>The site touts itself as a review and opinion site. Yet it makes no effort whatsoever to provide quality commentary that might actual be useful to browsers.<BR/><BR/>And I quote from Ridgewalker:<BR/><BR/>"but when writers log on to RIA and see the kind of drivel, bantering and adolescence that goes on, they don’t see a place to write."<BR/><BR/>Obviously nothing has changed. When I was on RIA it was a challenge ignoring the regular morons who posted hate, stupidity, sarcasm or other such irrelevant material EXCLUSIVELY. And to this day no effort is made to control it. <BR/><BR/>The exact opposite is true. The site advertises itself as a place to say anything about anything.<BR/><BR/>My assertion when I left that eventually all good writers and regulars would leave in frustration is coming to pass. And I am glad of it. It's what th admin deserves. Oh sure, he'll probably go to his SF 2.0 events and speak on opinion and community sites as an "expert". He will probably still earn a living from his useless tools making jokes on even the most serious subjects.<BR/><BR/>But there will be no one left who actually puts in an effort to apply their brain and provide useful critiques to anything meaningful.<BR/><BR/>And maybe the site will eventually be sued. A Court order seeking email addresses based on commentary for a TV evangelist is only the beginning I would think.<BR/><BR/>But then again, when you allow any nimrod to post what do you expect?<BR/><BR/>I suggest revisiting some business ethics classes. <BR/><BR/>Congratulations to all who were banned, left, or grew tired of the site. Your opinions are priceless and thank god you are no longer participating in a site that tries to sell them.<BR/>*******************************Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-89061425673326968142008-02-17T03:38:00.000-08:002008-02-17T03:38:00.000-08:00LMAOI am glad to see more shit hit the fan. Irishg...LMAO<BR/><BR/>I am glad to see more shit hit the fan. Irishgit has taken leave as well. <BR/><BR/>Numbah is an idiot and ruins credibility for the site. I am glad to see all those others leave. I don't care about the circumstances.<BR/><BR/>I do think it is interesting that the Admin's was once again accused of not being fair. But the sheep that remain meekly kneel and ignore the obvious.<BR/><BR/>Exactly how many well spoken and longtime reviewers have to leave, with most saying the same thing, before it sinks in?<BR/><BR/>A few notes of clarification on comments I have seen here or there...<BR/><BR/>The admin did not make the choice on my leaving. I was in fact encouraged to stay. I also never wanted the site run my way. I simply wanted the ability to voice my opinion about the flaws. When it became evident that an effort was being made to curb my opinion on certain issues I decided to leave.<BR/><BR/>I don't give one crap about other peoples "comments" with regard to their "owning" it. I taught the admin a very important lesson... I had the ability to remove all comments on my lists and then the lists themselves. I did not like being screwed with. And the admin can deny he was screwing with me all he wants. I wanted no reference to me to remain on the site. No comments, no lists. Nothing.<BR/><BR/>Would that be honored by the users or the admin? Hell no. I fully expected idiots like Numbah to make bold statements to the effect that I asked them to leave too. Or to make references to me as a child who cried and ran away.<BR/><BR/>LOL<BR/><BR/>I stated that EVERYONE should leave. The site was crap. It was crap because it didn't care about quality. And Numbah was the #1 tool in the cabinet that exemplified that. I didn't expect Numbah to leave and I stated to many including Irishgit, Castlebee, Becky, IJR and many others that it would be a travesty when that moron became the #1 most helpful reviewer because he had a few buddies helping out.<BR/><BR/>Numbah plays the fool and rants about his marine corp stuff. Freely accepting his moniker as a know nothing smartass. I know a few marines and those I know are ashamed that he doesn't even attempt to represent such a fine group properly. No, instead he prances around an opinion site for the mock glory of getting the most helpfuls and being found the most amusing.<BR/><BR/>And the admin doesn't blame the recipient of those helpfuls? Huh? It had been blatant and obvious that he was getting helpfuls for utter crap. He knew his buddies were giving him helpfuls and he loved it.<BR/><BR/>Now go post something rude about me Numbah. I am sure it will get lots of helpfuls. Considering the admin lets comments by you such as "duh" stand with 10 helpfuls is a true testimony to the fact he and the site lack any integrity whatsoever and that you couldn't think your way out of a yes or no question.<BR/><BR/>People should check sites such as myspace and even blogspot. ALL user created items belong to the user. Should that user leave EVERYTHING goes with them if that is their choice. That includes any comments made by others.<BR/><BR/>So why does RIA differ in that respect? Surely Myspace, and blogs care just about about the "sanctity" of their sites. About the continuity. So arguments to that affect (which are about the only ones made) are bullshit.<BR/><BR/>The real reason is that it is a clique and the admin wants to make a name for himself. Wants the hits and wants to brag.<BR/><BR/>In the same way he posted on the blog that RIA trounced Facebook. If you read the article RIA is described thusly:<BR/><BR/>"Many of the other poorly-performing social media sites aren't exactly household names, like Searchles (SPI 5,856) and RateItAll (SPI 3,370)."<BR/><BR/>LMAO.<BR/><BR/>Come on admin. Can't you at least try not to exaggerate SOME of the time. To me your assessment that RIA trounced Facebook, given what the article actually said, was a complete fabrication.<BR/><BR/>But then again honesty isn't a commodity that sells or generates activity for a website. So I guess the fabrication is a necessity. You can always count on the sheep being too naive to know better.<BR/><BR/>I said when I left that I would come back if things changed. If idiots like Numbah were eliminated or at least put in their place as a novelty reviewer and not allowed to receive helpfuls for crap.<BR/><BR/>I also advocated the ELIMINATION of helpfuls period. To this day tht has not been done. Odd that every time the helpful controversy rears its head the same thing is said... I am consdering changes or eliminating it. Same old song and dance.<BR/><BR/>And it hasn't been done and won't be done because that will cost the site a lot of users. Most of the crap reviewers would be gone immediately. But so would all that website generatin business. And RIA is a business.<BR/><BR/>The users are nothing more than a tool. Stop being tools.<BR/><BR/>If the admin had any integrity and actually cared about quality and fairness he would have made REAL changes.<BR/><BR/>Is this a case of the site not running the way I think it should? No. It is a question of common sense.<BR/><BR/>The site touts itself as a review and opinion site. Yet it makes no effort whatsoever to provide quality commentary that might actual be useful to browsers.<BR/><BR/>And I quote from Ridgewalker:<BR/><BR/>"but when writers log on to RIA and see the kind of drivel, bantering and adolescence that goes on, they don’t see a place to write."<BR/><BR/>Obviously nothing has changed. When I was on RIA it was a challenge ignoring the regular morons who posted hate, stupidity, sarcasm or other such irrelevant material EXCLUSIVELY. And to this day no effort is made to control it. <BR/><BR/>The exact opposite is true. The site advertises itself as a place to say anything about anything.<BR/><BR/>My assertion when I left that eventually all good writers and regulars would leave in frustration is coming to pass. And I am glad of it. It's what th admin deserves. Oh sure, he'll probably go to his SF 2.0 events and speak on opinion and community sites as an "expert". He will probably still earn a living from his useless tools making jokes on even the most serious subjects.<BR/><BR/>But there will be no one left who actually puts in an effort to apply their brain and provide useful critiques to anything meaningful.<BR/><BR/>And maybe the site will eventually be sued. A Court order seeking email addresses based on commentary for a TV evangelist is only the beginning I would think.<BR/><BR/>But then again, when you allow any nimrod to post what do you expect?<BR/><BR/>I suggest revisiting some business ethics classes. <BR/><BR/>Congratulations to all who were banned, left, or grew tired of the site. Your opinions are priceless and thank god you are no longer participating in a site that tries to sell them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-24697756221056902952007-10-31T11:39:00.000-07:002007-10-31T11:39:00.000-07:00NeJOEk actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm ...NeJOEk actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-55521494284341503562007-10-30T06:26:00.000-07:002007-10-30T06:26:00.000-07:00Please write anything else!Please write anything else!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-25168449444438238332007-10-30T02:34:00.000-07:002007-10-30T02:34:00.000-07:00Wonderful blog.Wonderful blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-90822768463740754932007-10-29T23:21:00.000-07:002007-10-29T23:21:00.000-07:00Nice Article.Nice Article.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-73526814552547688872007-10-28T07:51:00.000-07:002007-10-28T07:51:00.000-07:00Nice Article.Nice Article.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-49069662575536431512007-10-27T12:20:00.000-07:002007-10-27T12:20:00.000-07:00actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going t...actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-90754884120604300222007-10-26T12:45:00.000-07:002007-10-26T12:45:00.000-07:00Hello all!Hello all!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-69473790800770461612007-10-26T12:19:00.000-07:002007-10-26T12:19:00.000-07:00Good job!Good job!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-38162809171738159802007-10-26T11:33:00.000-07:002007-10-26T11:33:00.000-07:00kSxUi4 Magnific!kSxUi4 Magnific!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-77974852623308080432007-10-26T11:07:00.000-07:002007-10-26T11:07:00.000-07:00XyemDQ Thanks to author.XyemDQ Thanks to author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-87790149955217347262007-10-26T02:29:00.000-07:002007-10-26T02:29:00.000-07:00DgMfFn Your blog is great. Articles is interesting...DgMfFn Your blog is great. Articles is interesting!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-3681233429529222232007-10-22T19:33:00.000-07:002007-10-22T19:33:00.000-07:00Wow...I guess I don't put my heart into RIA like s...Wow...I guess I don't put my heart into RIA like some others do. Wishing peace and love to everybody!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-26606537913267092962007-09-27T08:16:00.000-07:002007-09-27T08:16:00.000-07:00IJR, no sarcasm at all. You, and everyone else on...IJR, no sarcasm at all. You, and everyone else on this thread, are welcome back any time.lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15614875093460854610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-89153619599571956862007-09-26T22:46:00.000-07:002007-09-26T22:46:00.000-07:00Genghis...Genghis...Genghis...once again you provi...Genghis...Genghis...Genghis...once again you provide proof positive that age does not provide wisdom. Some, but not all. There are billions of possibilities as to why I left and I guess you sped-read over my remarks. <BR/><BR/>Ego? We all have 'em, but I wasn't protecting mine. Besides...why would my absence raise a hair in yours? The only difference that my absence makes is less helpfuls in your account. As King of the Cut-and-Paste Reposters, few were ever more driven by helpfuls. Wanna talk to me about egos? Yes, you shared with the world about how you enjoyed all of the private comments and remarks that I sent TO you. What you failed to mention was that 99% of your responses were simply a dull, "Thanks, GTH." Ego? It has been brought to my attention that you reposted your blog comments on RIA. Why? Might it be that you can't get any...ummm...helpfuls here?<BR/><BR/>Did you ever walk out of an establishment, telling the proprietor that you will be taking your business elsewhere...that you don't want to support his business anymore? Was it about "rules"? When you have 'em, you use 'em. One night, I broke the rules severely. I crushed someone. I used the harshest and most profane language that I could conjure. I lambasted the guy. I got a message from lawrence about it, too. But, he gave me the "wink-wink-nod-nod" that he was going to leave it up over night anyways. What I did was wrong, for the right reasons, while others have been censored for far less. Fairness? Does it only matter when you feel that you are being treated unfairly and to hell with everyone else?<BR/><BR/>Yes, it's supposed to be fun and leisurely, but an incursion was made into our private life...one that affected our relationship. And rules were broken. Lawrence made it quite clear that if it was between him addressing the abuses, or my leaving, he would rather that I left. Which I did.<BR/><BR/>...A devastating blow to the site? Riiiiiiight.<BR/>More like a speed bump in in RIA's revenue.<BR/><BR/>I consider your entire comment here to be a cheap and cowardly shot, seeing as how in my entire time on RIA, you never challenged me, confronted me, or reciprocated in even the most polite of of conversations. If you miss my contributions so much, I'm easy to find and would be happy to send you my "Things You Can Do with One Finger" list. My marbles are safe and sound...<BR/><BR/>To establish some balance here, I must say that while you have not been the most impactful reviewer, you have been the most prolific and I have enjoyed and learned a great deal from your contributions, which have sparked an interest, particularly, in history. If your work is good enough, there is no need to keep reposting it, unless, of course, you have that insatiable hunger for helpfuls. <BR/><BR/>Man, it's hard enough to communicate in person, let alone on the internet. This has been a bumper crop for assumption farmers. You assume that we want to come back...<BR/><BR/>ps: To IJR. Stark and I were always big fans and send our love. In regards to the "helpful shake-up", even if the technical explanation were eliminated, it was...ahemmmm..less than thorough...wink-wink-nod-nod...ridgewalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476694463343975786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-2912428527864299922007-09-26T21:52:00.000-07:002007-09-26T21:52:00.000-07:00I left out a word in my last and final post: (and ...I left out a word in my last and final post: (and again I quote from a previous post, not plagarising anything!)<BR/><BR/><BR/>Like I pointed out to one of my friends, certain helpful ratings have mysteriously and apparently LEGALLY (!) almost doubled over the past few months.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-14710345160289960082007-09-26T21:48:00.000-07:002007-09-26T21:48:00.000-07:00IJR IS NOW QUOTING FROM A PREVIOUS POST AND IS NOT...IJR IS NOW QUOTING FROM A PREVIOUS POST AND IS NOT PLAGERISING ANYTHING:<BR/><BR/>"thanks for the clarification and taking the time to present your point of view. Of course, I wish you had done it before you left."<BR/><BR/>Reguarding the night in question: I WASN'T GIVEN THE CHANCE. POOF, I WAS GONE!<BR/><BR/>Again, quoting from a previous post, as I don't want to get banned from posting a response on your blog:<BR/><BR/>"You're welcome back any time "<BR/><BR/>My Spidey sense detects sarcasm here. I think I have most defintly burned that bridge when I crossed over it.<BR/><BR/>One more thing before I leave this blog and RIA forever (and forever is a very long time!) I was just looking over the MOST HELPFUL REVIEWER stats on RIA and I haven't detected a major shake-up as promised, and there is still evidence pointing in the direction of cheating. Like I pointed out to one of my friends, certain helpful ratings have mysteriously and apparently almost doubled over the past few months. Something fishy is going on. And so it goes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-83239315069291374122007-09-26T21:21:00.000-07:002007-09-26T21:21:00.000-07:00IJR, thanks for the clarification and taking the t...IJR, thanks for the clarification and taking the time to present your point of view. Of course, I wish you had done it before you left.<BR/><BR/>You're welcome back any time - with Rate-O-Matic, I bet you could make the ground up in a hurry.lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15614875093460854610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-83391469485563849772007-09-26T20:54:00.000-07:002007-09-26T20:54:00.000-07:00Hi, this is the former reviewer formerly know as I...Hi, this is the former reviewer formerly know as IJR!! Just a few quick words to explain my side of the story. I, as IJR, did enjoy getting helpful reviews, but I was not obsessed with it. In fact, in my last weeks and months on the site, if I was "obsessed" with anything, it was posting posting as many reviews as quickly as I could. I loved the new "rate-o-matic" feature. I think it is a great addition to the site. It is one of the few regrets I have leaving the site, that I left just when this great new tool was added. It would have helped my quest. My one concern about helpful ratings is how one particular reviewer (and I am sure most of you know who I mean!) could get 8 or 9 "helpfulls" for a one line review stating basically NOTHING, while others, like myself, get only one or two "helpfuls" for reviews that actually have some substance and thought behind it. I had realized long ago that under these circumstances I could not compete in the Most Helpful reviewer "sweepstakes". And I admit, I even had a second bogus account where I posted a few reviews, but used it basically to give IJR helpfuls. At first, I treid to keep it "on the sly" by only logging on from public access computers, but eventually, I started using my computer at home and work more and more, as it did not seem to make a difference. Even with this, I was out of the running, as it where" in the ost helpful sweepstakes. At the same time, I created a third account on the same work computer, but this time I choose to be a beligerent Christian, putting down anything and everything. I am glad to report this account didn't last long.<BR/><BR/>Now, about my so-called plagerism. I admit in the past I was rightfully accused of this, and I accepted (if not acknowledged!) the due and proper chastising from the admins. Not THREE times, as claimed, but twice. In the mean time, I had other posts removed because I had not actually tried the product. I had made some derogatory comments about chewing tobacco (and the chewers) like other reviewers had done, apparently without comment from the admins. <BR/><BR/>On the night my account was "suspended" (not a day or two later, but a few WEEKS!(not that that makes a big difference)) I was reviewing John Wayne movies. Now, having grown up with a mother who loved John Wayne, it is save to say I had seen a lot of his movies, so I felt safe reviewing them. I do admit that I was checking on another web site to refresh my memory on plotlines and stars and charactor names (and spelling)in the movies, but EACH REVIEW was in my OWN WORDS. The one time I did "cut and paste" was on a review of a mediorce movie (I believe it was RIO GRANDE) to make a point about how Hollywood can make the simpleist movie and plot seem like the greatest movie ever made. And I made sure it was clear I was quoting from another website. Of course, on the other reviews on this particular night, the wording was simulair to want was found on that other site. There are only a few ways to discribe the plot of a movie, and it is going to sound simulair to another summerization. What pissed me off the most that night is that the admins chose to suspend me without warning. I was about to post, and found I had been logged off. I tried to log back on, but to no avail. I would have at least expected a message saying something like, "hey, you are doing it again and you are about to be suspended" to which I could and would have replied with THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER. Although, I am now sure, it wqouldn't have made any difference. I decided then that if and when I was re-instated, I would rather leave the sight than feel like I was "under the microscope" or on probation or smething like that, while it seems that others faunt the rules without saction of any kind. I am not trying to justify or excuse my earlier "cutting and pasting" which I acknowledge and justly take the punishment and warning, but on the night I was suspended, I WAS WRONGLY ACCUSED AND CONVICTED without a chance to defend myself. That, more than anything else, influenced my descision (and it was my descision alone(I don't feel as if I was forced out by the admins or anyone else)) to leave. <BR/><BR/>As to the messages I sent out, I simply sent good-bye messages to a few people I consider friends. And I sent a message to NUMBAH informing him that I admit defeat and he won (in our playful (struggle"). I bare no ill will towards anyone at RIA, and I wish everyone the best. <BR/><BR/>PEACE.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-80397044125239957742007-09-26T19:46:00.000-07:002007-09-26T19:46:00.000-07:00Lawrence is the founder of this site and he can ru...Lawrence is the founder of this site and he can run it as he pleases. I read through the blogs about the recent upheaval, and even though I shouldn't have this reaction, based on life experiences, I am surprised at all the bruised egos.<BR/><BR/>This business of picking up and leaving is the height of egotism. I know about human nature, and I get angry about it, but the iron verdict of history shows that people haven't changed and don't change very much. You rub them the wrong way and and they get incensed and react. Most often, to steal the old saw, they act quickly in anger and regret at leisure.<BR/><BR/>I wish that there would be a way for those who dropped their accounts to be restored after they got over their snits; however, I suppose that would not be in the cards.<BR/><BR/>Come on, people, this is supposed to be fun and a leisure activity. I realize that pride takes over and causes us to strike out. I know I don't take attacks from morons lightly on this site or any other place, for that matter. That being said, we must realize where we are.<BR/><BR/>I have had my differences with Lawrence, but, either I follow his rules, or I go elsewhere. It's that simple.<BR/><BR/>I was glad to see GoneAway is still on the margin of the site, and I am sorry that she left in the first place. She changed her political and religious views. Wow! I would be interested to see her new posts!<BR/><BR/>Yes, Stark, I knew that primadonna and diva are both feminine gender references. I did that deliberately since I could not think of a masculine item that would fit the bill. If you think it was an insult, well I accept that. Truth is always a defense.GenghisTheHunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14507735163751576936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-9366293244323184602007-09-25T19:27:00.000-07:002007-09-25T19:27:00.000-07:00Disentangling oneself seems to take a great deal m...Disentangling oneself seems to take a great deal more energy than simply walking away. There are a few things that you, Lawrence, said about me that just don’t sit right. You made a great many assumptions and jumped to the wrong conclusions on several occasions. So let’s clarify and put them to final rest. <BR/><BR/>1) I neither said nor did anything to “start a panic” over you selling the site. False assumption #1. Since this issue had nothing whatever to do with recent events, I find it curious that you would even mention it. I can only conclude that first impressions were lasting impressions. Have you really harbored ill will over that all this time?<BR/><BR/>2) You ‘assumed’ that by confiding in Ridge, that I was privy to said information. Point in fact, I was aware of the bogus helpfuls before he contacted you. There were many things that you discussed with him that I was not privy to. Yet you state that it was a ‘mistake’ to discuss things with him because of our relationship. “you don’t tell something to one half of a couple, and expect it not to get to the other half.” Are we to assume from this generalization that anything discussed with you in confidence is shared with your wife, who is an RIA member, and therefore at risk of her divulging the information to others on the site? <BR/><BR/>3) You ‘assumed’ that my initial comment was a breach of said confidence. I neither mentioned the name of the other reviewer, nor the details of the incident, yet you immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion and reacted by pulling my comment without first discussing it with me. "What we have here is a failure to communicate."<BR/><BR/>4) You ‘assumed’ that further comments would lead to a “public, nasty, personal shootout” so you censored them and suspended my account. Had you left well enough alone, that would have been the end of it. As it turns out, I’ve since expressed what I wanted to say in the first place, the world hasn't stopped functioning, so what was gained? <BR/><BR/>5) You ‘assumed’ that my intent was to leave the site. I have no idea why you would assume that. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking on your part. <BR/><BR/>6) You ‘assumed’ that I had somehow influenced Ridge to leave, or as you put it, his “continued participation on RIA might be seen as disrespectful to Stark (my speculation)”. An incorrect speculation. <BR/><BR/>You seem to project a great many of your own assumptions about women and relationships. Why you would make so many false conclusions, I have no idea, but you might want to take a look at it. The thing is… I dealt with the issues. You made it personal. <BR/><BR/>It’s not personal… it’s business. <BR/><BR/>On a side note… GH made a rather lame attempt at tossing an insult to the recently departed with his primadonna and diva comment. Although I never aspired to such a lofty position, I take it as a great compliment that he thought so highly of me. He might want to know that both terms refer to the female gender. I'm sure that he didn't mean to leave the guys out.<BR/><BR/>Gone-Away, I’m sorry that you had difficulties. Life is too short to dwell. I certainly don’t intend to. Thank you for your kind words, but I’ll pass on another site. I think I’ve had enough of other peoples’ opinions to last me for a lifetime. The only ones that matter to me are my own… and Ridge’s of course. (he made me say that).<BR/><BR/>Castlebee… You are a delightful woman, always enjoyable to read. Thank you for the kind words. I had to chuckle… you didn’t know Ridge and I were a team? LOL Girl… where have you been?<BR/><BR/>I don’t expect a response Lawrence, I just wanted to clear the air before I fill my sails with sunshine and head off into the great unknown.<BR/><BR/>Take care everyone… and write as if your mother is reading every word, because she is! <BR/><BR/>Catch you on the flip side of this reality… StarkTruthStark Truthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08502907216090538195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-32190209142185317912007-09-25T17:03:00.000-07:002007-09-25T17:03:00.000-07:00Don't be silly, CB...That thing we talked about wa...Don't be silly, CB...That thing we talked about was small potatoes. I was surprised, as I told you, and your explanation was good enough for me...take care of yourself...ridgewalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476694463343975786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-6630348563949525352007-09-25T15:41:00.000-07:002007-09-25T15:41:00.000-07:00Pardon my confusion but, I hadn't heard anything a...Pardon my confusion but, I hadn't heard anything about this until a couple of days ago so I’m coming in kind of late.<BR/><BR/>Once again Ridgewalker; I hope that I did nothing to offend you in any way – at least not unforgivably so. As I explained in that PM a few weeks ago; there were times in the past, for one reason or another, when I let my emotions get away with me and I didn't always think before I rated something. Usually when I would do something I considered too rash, I would try to go back and fix it with a cooler head. I didn't always get there though. Until the ability to check out who rated you and how they did it came about, I never thought any rash ratings would actually make any difference to anyone or (in your case in particular) ultimately end up looking like something it was not meant to be. I’m well aware that I can sometimes be a real bag but, if you were a casualty of that, you were an innocent bystander. You are a very good writer and seem like a very nice person. I appreciated your skill as well as the contributions you made to my own web lists.<BR/><BR/>I didn't know that you and Stark were a couple - she's not only another good writer but an excellent artist from what I noticed of her wonderful avatars. I would enjoy seeing more of her work. <BR/><BR/>To all the others; sorry to see all of you leave. I've been here a long time and know I can be a bit spiky at times, but I have enjoyed the experience of getting to know the regulars if only vicariously through your reviews.<BR/><BR/>And GoneAway…I couldn’t believe it when I saw your name on this blog…and you didn’t even say hello! Shame on you! Hope you and yours have been well. <BR/><BR/>CastleBeeThe Bee Linehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409920518109274345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13570898.post-272541724307732662007-09-25T14:56:00.000-07:002007-09-25T14:56:00.000-07:00I'm not going to comment on the content, but damn,...I'm not going to comment on the content, but damn, that's some nice writing Ridge.lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15614875093460854610noreply@blogger.com