"x of y people found this review helpful." An idea

Sounds like a plan. I read reviews before i buy an album so that would be pretty helpful to me.

I personaly love to read reviews, and I love to give people feedback. This could also give non-prog reviewers some credit and attention.

Unfortunately I think this "voting" simply becomes a way for people to cheer or jeer the rating the reviewer gave, when he doesn't agree with it.  When in fact the reviewer may have made a good case for liking or disliking the album.  It can also become a popularity contest. 

I'm with Finnforest.  There are places where it can be useful, but it just doesn't fit with the image PA wants to give and the type of community it wants to foster.

I've seen it on sites selling albums that allow reviews, but it's just really a rating of a review and a reflection of peoples take on the reviewer more than the album.  People ought to be able to tell the helpfulness of a review just by reading it.

Edited by Slartibartfast - February 20 2009 at 18:13

^ By the way, I rarely see good reviews discussions. "Great review, X" - is a usual discussion's start and, at the same time, its end.  

We already have a review discussion thread, various appreciation threads, and PMs where reader and reviewer can and already do connect when need be.  Seems to be adequate without creating a ton more work for Admin.

I suppose voting could be tied to registration but it still seems strange why you'd rather vote on another's opinion rather than put forth your own opinion via review, or if you don't want to spend that much time, via simply rating the album. 

That is how the site gives everyone their voice.  It's far more open that other review sites from what I've seen.  Kudos to M@X!

I believe the beauty and attraction of this site above all others is that it allows everyone to voice their thoughts regardless of accademic talents. Intimidation is someting we try to ensure is avoided at all costs. Anything which discourages participation is to be avoided.

Edited by Easy Livin - March 05 2009 at 14:57

Knowing something about Internet discussion boards, I share Bob's and Jim's misgivings. Even if our forum is very pleasant and civilized in comparison with most other boards, I think we should avoid any open invitation for people to misbehave, even attack other members. Let's face it, no one likes to be criticized, but I think mature people appreciate constructive criticism - which is incredibly hard to achieve, as I have experienced.

Exactly.  If you want an opinion, write your own review.  You're given total freedom by the site to do so.  I don't want to debate my review with others, nor am I interested in debating theirs with them.  We already have forums for discussion, Reviewers should not have to watch their own efforts become in effect another "discussion thread." 

Given what I've seen transpire at Amazon, I think it is really unwise.  But again, if it could be set up so that the Reviewer has the option to turn the feature on/off in their profile settings, ie, the Reviewer decides whether people can comment on their reviews, it might be less objectionable.