REMOVE RATING-ONLY-REVIEWS?

IMO ratings without text are better than reviews telling nothing new.

It was discussed before in "Too many reviews" poll. I often visit the site and see almost every day new reviews on "Selling England by the Pound", DTSOM, "Close To The Edge" and other top albums. I think, everything about such albums has been said long before and it is enough simply rate them (if ratings mean something for you).  

I never look at ratings without reviews. I don't pay attention to the top 100 rankings. All I care about is reading well thought out and comprehensive reviews of albums that I might take an interest in. Then, if there are soundclips, I listen to the soundclips. If I like them, I just might go out and buy the album. That's it. That's all that matters. Everything else is mere puffery.

Therefore, I voted that I don't care.

I have repeated below, my post from one of the many other threads on this topic. I would say here though that it would have been better if the poll had had a few more options. The site owners have made it clear they will not delete the 15,000+ ratings without reviews which have already been posted. It would therefore be more appropriate to offer options which work within that such as:

• Banning ratings without reviews in the future
• Reducing or eliminating the impact on RwR on the chart, recommended albums etc.

Previous post:

Just to explain once again why ratings without reviews are allowed.

The view is that some people either do not speak English sufficiently well to write a coherent review in English (per the site rules). Others find it very difficult to put into words what they feel about an album, and do not wish to look foolish or as they see it tarnish the site with a poor review. The owners of the site(*) are committed to allowing as many people as possible to actively participate in the site, even if it is just by recording their rating for the albums which are listed here.

There are over 15,000 ratings without reviews. The site owners feel that to remove these, or simply ignore them would be unfair to those who have taken the trouble to record their views. The vast majority of these ratings reflect the submitter's sincere views of the album being rated.

The site owners are however aware of the controversy surrounding ratings without reviews, and are looking at how best to address this. This will take a little time, there are more important things to be dealt with, and everything must take its turn. Rest assured, a solution will be found, but please be patient.

Speaking personally, I have said many times that I do not like ratings without reviews. I feel that if they are to be included, their impact on features such as the chart and the average ratings should be reduced (say 50% of a rating supported by a review), or removed with the rating appearing for information only on the album page.  

(* For those who do not know, the owners of the site are M@X and Proglucky. I am not speaking on their behalf here, simply conveying their thoughts as I understand them)

Atkingani wrote: My proposition is based on STEPS. Step 1: from a date informed by PA, e.g., January 15th, all albums rated 5* or 1* shall be obligatorily accompanied by a review. Step 2: a limit date shall be defined to eliminate all 5* and 1* ratings without reviews. All people that rated with no reviews shall be able to make their reviews explaining their ratings. This limit date shall be scheduled for 3-4 months ahead. Step 3: after Step 2 has finished to repeat Step 1 for all albums rated 2*, 3* and 4*. Step 4: to do Step 2 for albums rated 2*, 3* and 4*. I believe it can work smoothly!

Not a bad idea at all, but the way I see it two problems are still left

• The language problem - some people may not be able to write out a full review, though I guess it could be short like a note, with a couple of good points. I mean a lot of people who would be this possition still post in forums etc.
• People could be so bold to just give crummy, useless reviews with no valid points at all for example - "I think Foxtrots bad because its not good".

My proposition is based on STEPS.

• Step 1: from a date informed by PA, e.g., January 15th, all albums rated 5* or 1* shall be obligatorily accompanied by a review.
• Step 2: a limit date shall be defined to eliminate all 5* and 1* ratings without reviews. All people that rated with no reviews shall be able to make their reviews explaining their ratings. This limit date shall be scheduled for 3-4 months ahead.
• Step 3: after Step 2 has finished to repeat Step 1 for all albums rated 2*, 3* and 4*.
• Step 4: to do Step 2 for albums rated 2*, 3* and 4*.

I believe it can work smoothly!

W.Chuck wrote: at least they could write in their language! I've found so many reviews with another language and furthermore I think it is very brazen to chose an english nickname and write nothing

 Thats a good point, its a little hard for us non-english speakers to make a review.... it can be easier if we can make a review with our main language...

anyway i voted no, but if we can review with our own lenguage i vote yes

I vote yes.