Possible new forum? Product reviews

[jdubbya]

After posting a thread on a fogger, and having read so many others, I'm wondering it if might be a consideration at some point to have a "Product Review" forum. This could be a place for discussion of various equipment components and follow up comment from those who own them or have experience with them. On a couple of the large Reef Aquarium BB's I belong to, these forums are a great resource to learn about equipment and to post favorable and negative comments/experiences about them. Just thinking out loud here. Given the lighting, foggers, servos, pneumatics, even adhesives that are used, it might see considerable traffic.

[Otaku]

I like this idea. Occasionally product comments or reviews come up in the course of discussing how that product performed in conjunction with a prop. The fog chiller thread is a good example of this - people evaluate the performance of the chiller designs when used with various wattage foggers, and sometimes include comments as to the quality/performance of the fogger.
I think a "Product Review" forum would also help prevent us from buying poorly made stuff. Gotta be careful about the things one posts, though. Dissing a manufacturer can sometimes lead to a flame war, if not a lawsuit.

[jdubbya]

Gotta be careful about the things one posts, though. Dissing a manufacturer can sometimes lead to a flame war, if not a lawsuit.

Agreed. I think as long as the poster remains subjective and is not out and out trashing a product or slamming a company, it allows a discussion to be pretty open; e.g. "That fogger is a piece of crap and the company should be burned down" is a tad harsh:) otoh, stating "I have the same fogger and it stopped working after three hours. I can't recommend it to anyone" is reasonable and gives someone a valid POV to consider.
Not sure if it should include our homemade props, but more so the components used to make them. You can give your opinions of what works well, what doesn't, etc..
:jol:

[Zombie-F]

I like the idea. The only caveat that I'd have with this is people staying subjective and only focusing on the review of the product without degenerating into posting slanderous things about the product manufacturer. If I do run with this idea, the forum would be a 100% moderated forum, meaning NOBODY'S post would appear until proofread by the forum's moderator and approved. This would simply be to prevent slanderous articles from appearing here.

Anyone else interested in this idea? Would there be enough participation to warrant the creation of this forum?

[ScareFX]

I like the idea too but I agree it should be completely moderated.

[Beepem]

I like the idea. The only caveat that I'd have with this is people staying subjective and only focusing on the review of the product without degenerating into posting slanderous things about the product manufacturer. If I do run with this idea, the forum would be a 100% moderated forum, meaning NOBODY'S post would appear until proofread by the forum's moderator and approved. This would simply be to prevent slanderous articles from appearing here.

Anyone else interested in this idea? Would there be enough participation to warrant the creation of this forum?

thats exactly what i was thinking. but i see the idea usfull....if we have the moderator check the stuff before hand it would work out fine

i say go for it

[Hauntiholik]

It sounds good to me and having it moderated would keep it informational.
Thumbs up!

[skullboy]

I think it would be a great resource,I also think it will be alot of work for the mod..02

[Hauntiholik]

I think it would be a great resource,I also think it will be alot of work for the mod..02

The amount of work for the mod would depend on the participation of the forum members. If we only have 10 product reviews then the mod won't be too busy :D

[Wildomar]

I like the idea and would be interested to read and/or post opinions.

[Frighteners Entertainment]

I'm game, though I feel it would be a very busy forum at the busiest time, but I could be wrong?

[edwood saucer]

I tell you what - it may be really informative. One suggestion that may be tried - is to come up with a guideline to follow regarding the review. It could be as simple as Product Name, Cost, Where Purchased, Specs, and Authors Opinion.

It would probably be smart to constrain the review to keep it from rambling and would help in moderation.

I like the idea.

[slightlymad]

This is a great idea especially if it included to some extent DIY projects much like the fog chiller. it would also need to be structured to be subjective ie. Doees product/ project perform as described?
is the product / project cost effective?
Standard operation long term operation and performance
so on as such etc

[Moon Dog]

I like the idea... I say let's do it!

I also agree that we should be able to post DIY items like the fog chiller as well.

[Zombie-F]

I like the idea... I say let's do it!

I also agree that we should be able to post DIY items like the fog chiller as well.

I think not, because the propbuilding forums are for just such discussions.

I also want to make sure that people post positive reviews just as much as they do negative ones. If it turns into a forum full of nothing but product complaints, I don't think it'll last here.

[Beepem]

i agree with zombie in diy idea....its the same thing with the classified sections...
i think we would need some sort of guide line, like a thing that you can only post so many negative reviews for every positive one you post

[PrettyGhoul]

I think it's a good idea and I would participate if I was in a position to do so. It could be very helpful to members of HauntForum.

[Lilly]

Very good idea and although i cannot do videos it would be nice to see an action aspect also.

[JohnnyL]

I like the idea as well. I have searched the forum with product names hoping to see some reviews on them myself.

[Sinister]

I hate to be the one to piss in the punch bowl here, but I can't see anything but disastrous results here. Not only would you be adding to what in my opinion is turning convoluted with all the categories/sub-categories in the Halloween section, but someone is sure to get a bad product they don't think is worth a crap that someone recommended. Then where do you go from there? I say leave well enough alone and if you wanted to do something like that, give it a trial run as a sub-category and decide from there if a forum all it's own is worth the trouble. It may sound like a good idea in theory, but in the long run Z will wonder why he bothered. I guess we'll see.

[jdubbya]

I hate to be the one to piss in the punch bowl here, but I can't see anything but disastrous results here. Not only would you be adding to what in my opinion is turning convoluted with all the categories/sub-categories in the Halloween section, but someone is sure to get a bad product they don't think is worth a crap that someone recommended. Then where do you go from there? I say leave well enough alone and if you wanted to do something like that, give it a trial run as a sub-category and decide from there if a forum all it's own is worth the trouble. It may sound like a good idea in theory, but in the long run Z will wonder why he bothered. I guess we'll see.

I'm not seeing your point. What is potentially "disastrous"? IMO, such a forum would remove some of the clutter from the other forums with regards to the many questions/comments about equipment. I see a central location for such questions to make the board a bit easier to navigate, rather than having to peruse three other forums to find the info. I'd hope that someone wouldn't rush out and buy something based on a single recommendation, but maybe a consensus that a product is really good or otherwise might help someone make an informed decision. I think more people buy crap because they haven't heard reviews. Why not try to help someone out before they get hosed:D
I think the "sub category" trial has merit so whatever the format, it may be worth a try. I know from my experience on the Reef Boards, when considering the purchase of a $600.00 protien skimmer or $1000.00+ metal halide lighting systems, it's great to have some folks give you feedback before making the investment. I don't see it working any differently here.

[Sinister]

I have just seen people get bent out of shape about recommendations before if they didn't pan out. These type of situations can be the start of flame wars. I would hope folks here would be mature enough to avoid that trap, but you never know. I have seen ridiculous things started here and at other places because someone wasn't satisfied or their widdle feelin's got hurt. It's all a matter of opinion anyway as far as these things go. It's sort of like buying a car. Some people swear on a Ford and others a Chevy, and you have others just as adamant against such choices because of a bad experience. Just want this here joint running 5X5 with few hitches is all. :D

[Hauntiholik]

It's sort of like buying a car. Some people swear on a Ford and others a Chevy, and you have others just as adamant against such choices because of a bad experience.
Ford? That's an "F" word! hehehe

[Sinister]

Ford? That's an "F" word! hehehe

See? Whadda I tell ya? :D

[Hauntiholik]

We can try out a limited time sub forum on one topic - say fog machines for now with the understanding that at the first sign of a flame war the thread will be closed. I think it's worth a try.