We've been through this discussion earlier.

Though I sincerely doubt Train of Thought belongs in the list, there is something to be said about it's inclusion.

The list is made using a specific algorithm that favours high numbers of ratings (The more ratings the more popular or well known the album is). Train Of Thought has an absudly high number of ratings, probably due to the fact that DT it is one of the best known current progressive rock groups.

In time the other aspect of the currently used algorithm (average starrating) will lower it's status. When enough ratings are given for each album the top 50 will probably stabalise with the best albums in the place they belong.

No matter how the list is fabricated there will always be some strange entries, due to temporal popularity of a band or whatever. Overall it's a decent list I think.

dkearns wrote: I'm not sure exactly how this list is determined, but am I correct in assuming that all reviewers have the same 'status'? I'm a very big Dream Theater fan, however, is Train of Thought really in anyones top 5 prog albums list??? Regards, Doug

Hi Doug and welcome to the archives!

this top 50 is compiled through the ratings collected for each albums. So it is clear that albums most reviewed get an advantage over some unknown 70's lost gem. My advice is to not pay too much attention to the top 50 (or eventually look up the address of that page and change the last characters into 100 or 500 and you will get further lists) and enjoy the massive and ever-increasing amount of reviews and data.

As for reviewers having the same status, all ratings have the same value (methinks) so they are added normally. As for the appearing order of the reviews , the Collaborators get first glances , then come the Reviewers and then the non-registered reviewers are last. All of the reviews within one of the categories then appear in a chronological order.

Although, not a Dream Theater fan, DT is one of those very controversial acts (that bring a lot of youngster to prog , thank you DT), it is also very important for all of those young fans to realize that Dt is only the visible tip of the progressive iceberg and DT owe everything to Zeppelin , Purple , Yes etc....

As for Train of Thoughts, I think it is the album most reviewed on this site but a lot of so-called reviews have been edited because too many insults were hurled at other reviewers and some of the reviews had nothing to do with the album , let alone the group. Many DT fans apparently never heard of civility or even other bands. Such are the effects of youth.

drbr wrote: Here's an idea. Why not have a dedicated statistics page? I know there are more lists out there on the site, but they are hard to find. It'd be great to have all lists, charts and whathaveyou, on one single page. And for those who are dissatisfied with the current top 50 algorithm, you can have other top lists with different algorithms.

Welcome to you too, drbr!

There is an overhaul foreseen in the coming months (this takes time) and more stats will be available. But please always remind yourself that stats are just a facet of presenting information. they can be also mis-handled to mislead users. Just because a stat does not fit one's likings/tastes, this does not means the stats are wrong. The stats on this site are democratic and therefore setting your own list with your specific wants just so you can be satisfied is highly and very unlikely feasable.

Please enjoy the database and read reviews of artist you do not know yet . Some reviews might just intrigue you enough to want to investigate some artist similar or even not similar to the ones you cherish.

drbr wrote: Thank you for your reply. But reading it, I suspect you misunderstood me. Please note that I'm not criticising the list or proposing that you change the algorithm. My concern is the design of the site.

Please note that I cannot change anything. I am a reviewer here and only mailto:M@X - M@X can do something to this. If you read my answer to the post opening this thread, there are ways to change on the quantity of albums wanted in the list. There is probably a way to see by subcategory but I would not know how to do this. You can PM mailto:M@X - M@X (click on the name) to ask him this or suggest it to him. He is very open to ideas but is also very busy man, so even if he answers quickly, he may not be able to act up on the suggestion.

Patience, because the running of a site like this one id definitely more than a full-time job 24/24 , 7/7 & 365/365.

dkearns and drbr,

See page 5 in the following thread for an explanation of how the current Top 50 is derived:

http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4038&KW=Jethro+Tull&TPN=5 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4038&a mp;KW=Jethro+Tull&TPN=5

The previous pages 1 to 4 of that thread are also worth reading.

drbr's suggestion and rationale for what drbr calls a "dedicated statistics page" are uncannily similar to mine in that thread.

Wow Fitz,

Thanks !!! I completely missed out on that thread. I just printed the 71 pages (I'm at work) and I will have something to read for the long WE coming up starting in 10 minutes. see you next wednesday.