His Dark Materials > Harry Potter

His Dark Materials is fabulous. Quite possibly the best series of its type I have ever read.

Complex, intellegent, and seriously questioning about organised religion. Who could ask for more?

It's Lebkuchen this week. i can't wit for a full explanation of Christmas traditions in Germany!Extra marks for all the ingredients list translated into German!

After being accused of deliberately downrating a PoW review to make sure the Author didn't win, l have been avoiding rating PoW reviews before the rating deadline ~

. . . unless the member is on my alerts and l don't realise it is PoW . . .

l've only ever reviewed one PoW . . . and regret that

I wrote one of these today as this week's category was one I could write about not realising it was judged on member votes... I wish I hadn't bothered cos not being in with the in crowd (and never having been) I get the impression that, no matter how good the review, I won't stand a chance!

saw an about me that basically said don't read myrate my review if you are entering same competition. That's a sad state of affairs

PoW is chosen by the members? I always thought it was Ciao and they just used the ratings as some sort of guide. Nevertheless I have already had someone approach me today saying I downgraded them on the new PoW for my own benefit, even though I have only entered two PoW's ever and have no experience with the new product this week. Is my reputation on Ciao really that glorious?

I saw the same "about me" although it's now changed. In some respects I agree with the idea of not rating others in the comp if you've taken or are going to take part in the comp until after the comp is over to prevent accusations like nathan got.

In part I need to eat my words from my previous post though because I won this week which really does surprise me, but, like Nathan, at the point I posted I didn't realise it was a member pick rather than a Ciao pick.

Not sure I like the whole thing though...

It's a particularly nasty thing the POW and I hope they get shot of it sooner rather than later. It seems to encourage stupid behaviour and I really can't see what possible value it adds to the site.

well, l usually ignore POW for the reason of having been so accused until after the decision ~~ however, certain members' rates have always been given more weight in overall ratings by Ciao, so it's not a pure 'beauty contest' ~~~~

l feel most sorry for people who post their review just BEFORE it is POW. . .

l'm not silver yet, but then, l've only written 88 reviews and 2 QR; l don't leave sheep ratings, and few 'E's. l also leave few negative ratings, preferring to make suggestions first, and rate when the review has been revised.

l also try to avoid controversy and confrontation wherever l can.

l don't think being a good rater is consistent with trying to bully others to accept your point of view; however, l also think people need to understand differing needs of different websites when they are writing reviews for those websites.

l think, on the whole, Product of the Week has been counter-productive, as far as encouraging and rewarding excellence is concerned. But it HAS encouraged some writers to improve their research and writing skills, and, where people are not afraid to explain ratings and accept other opinions, it can build community.

lncidentally, l wouldn't call Ciao! "the Orange site" as it has not been predominatingly orange for over 4 years . . .


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