I have rated some albums with no comments in case of compilations or albums that are similar but with another title (which at times occur, unfortunately).

 

I understand that sometimes people want to express their opinion but do not master English enough to do so. I know that other sites exist in other languages (French and Italian for sure, but probably in German and Spanish as well). So, there will be always a place to give one's opinion.

 

I would prefer to read a comment even if at times the English is not really mastered. I can tell you that even if I studied English extensively, I have always my dictionary aside to verify if I don't make too many mistakes.

 

My point is : we should not allow any longer ratings without reviewing below the required amount of words. And if this decision is finally taken, to retrieve all these rating to get a more objective and acurate idea of the work described.

 

What is your opinion about this ?

 

 

Take care.

 

Quote ZZ: My point is : we should not allow any longer ratings without reviewing below the required amount of words. And if this decision is finally taken, to retrieve all these rating to get a more objective and acurate idea of the work described. End quote.

 

I do agree with this one.

 

 

 

I'd suggest you might have more chance of success in crusading for a further reduction in their weighting.

 

By the way, you have mentioned that "The site owners have made it clear that they form an integral part of the site, so there's no chance of them being removed or stopped".

 

Is there a particular reason for that ? According to them, does it make the site more attractive ? Does it generate more traffic ?

 

I guess that intelligent people can change their minds so I won't start a crusade here but I 'm just asking if someone could tell me a bit more about this rather rigid policy.

 

Take care.

 

The owners are keen to encourage participation by as wide a range of memebrs as possible. Some people feel they are unable to write coherent reviews, while others can do so in their own language but not in English. Rather than exclude such people from taking part in the site and recording their views, we allow ratings without reviews.

 

Weighting of star ratings
All reviewers should note that the following values are given to star ratings when calculating averages, top 100 charts etc.:

• Ratings without reviews (any review with less than 200 characters, i.e. letters, is considered to be a rating without a review) are given a value of 1.
• Reviews (of more than 200 characters) are given a value of 2, or double that of a rating without review.
• Reviews by Prog Reviewers and Special Collaborators are given a value of 3, or three times that of a rating without a review.

 

Take care.

 

Still, this is not fully clear. If I understand, a review with less than 200 characters is equal with a mere rating without any review?! So if someone writes a decent review with 190 characters, is it considered the same like just a clicking on a star rating? Then, what's all the trouble?

 

Also, what if PR or SC gives a rating without a review? How many points does it make?

 

I wonder...

 

Collaborotor reviews and ratings all carry the same weighting. It shoudl be remembered though that they have been appointed as collabs because of their contributions. It is very rare for a collab to submit a rating without review.