As promised, I'm responding publicly to the comments in this thread.
First, to answer some of the questions about what the site's policy is regarding staff reviews and donated equipment, please read this thread:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/announcements-open-forum/60703-site-staff-product-review-guidelines.html
Second, I ask everyone to please review the overall site rules here:
Worldwide DX Amateur Radio Forums - Ham - CB - HF - VHF - UHF - Announcements in Forum : Announcements & Open Forum
EVERYONE on this site is entitled to their own opinion and entitled to write reviews about products that is their OWN opinion. A staff member's opinion about a piece of equipment is no more important than another member's opinion. However, there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to dispute facts and disagree with opinions.
Over the last several days, the staff has had very lengthy conversation about the nature of the posts in several of the Review threads. We have discussed that there has been some perception of impropriety or favoritism toward products that have been delivered for free in exchange for reviews. We have also had some discussion about the technical standards expected of staff reviews. The staff review guidelines that we have adopted is an attempt to help with these matters.
However, since a few individuals have called out the staff on this issue, I feel it is only fair that I also address some of the specifics where site rules have been violated.
1. Everyone is entitled to voice their opinion. Whether or not you agree with an opinion does not give you the right to berate another member.
2. Sometimes people get technical facts wrong. This hobby is a learning process so try to help others learn. People don't learn by flaming them.
davegrantsr:
I respect the balls it takes for you to voice your displeasure publicly, and I certainly value the input of members when there is a matter that needs to be addressed. However, that does not absolve you from your role in turning these review articles into a stinky, festering mess. You were called out by hookedon6 about your personal attacks and you responded like you didn't know what he was talking about. As a result of your public comments on this matter, it's only fair that I point out your attacks and site rules violations publicly.
From the 257 thread: http://www.worldwidedx.com/export-radios/56228-magnum-257-hp-review-3.html#post199999
From http://www.worldwidedx.com/export-radios/56228-magnum-257-hp-review-4.html#post200597:
In the beginning of this thread, you said:
My point is not to beat up on davegrantsr, but to show that everyone here has a role in helping to promote both the hobby and this site. I don't expect members to sit by their keyboards and feel afraid to point out when staff members get something wrong. I don't want moderators and admins to be overly heavy-handed with their moderation responsibilities, either. We all have things to learn in this hobby but we all have opinions that are valuable and should be shared.
Always remember, every post you make on this site either promotes or degrades the radio hobbies. Hopefully we have more promoters.
First, to answer some of the questions about what the site's policy is regarding staff reviews and donated equipment, please read this thread:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/announcements-open-forum/60703-site-staff-product-review-guidelines.html
Second, I ask everyone to please review the overall site rules here:
Worldwide DX Amateur Radio Forums - Ham - CB - HF - VHF - UHF - Announcements in Forum : Announcements & Open Forum
EVERYONE on this site is entitled to their own opinion and entitled to write reviews about products that is their OWN opinion. A staff member's opinion about a piece of equipment is no more important than another member's opinion. However, there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to dispute facts and disagree with opinions.
Over the last several days, the staff has had very lengthy conversation about the nature of the posts in several of the Review threads. We have discussed that there has been some perception of impropriety or favoritism toward products that have been delivered for free in exchange for reviews. We have also had some discussion about the technical standards expected of staff reviews. The staff review guidelines that we have adopted is an attempt to help with these matters.
However, since a few individuals have called out the staff on this issue, I feel it is only fair that I also address some of the specifics where site rules have been violated.
1. Everyone is entitled to voice their opinion. Whether or not you agree with an opinion does not give you the right to berate another member.
2. Sometimes people get technical facts wrong. This hobby is a learning process so try to help others learn. People don't learn by flaming them.
davegrantsr:
I respect the balls it takes for you to voice your displeasure publicly, and I certainly value the input of members when there is a matter that needs to be addressed. However, that does not absolve you from your role in turning these review articles into a stinky, festering mess. You were called out by hookedon6 about your personal attacks and you responded like you didn't know what he was talking about. As a result of your public comments on this matter, it's only fair that I point out your attacks and site rules violations publicly.
From the 257 thread: http://www.worldwidedx.com/export-radios/56228-magnum-257-hp-review-3.html#post199999
Is that really a constructive way to disagree? Is that respecting others' opinions and being friendly and positive? There is a constructive way to disagree and then there is just being an ass about it. You were the latter.when the big cheese's of TWO DIFFERENT forums make me wanna jab an icepick into my eye....it's about time to find another hobby.
From http://www.worldwidedx.com/export-radios/56228-magnum-257-hp-review-4.html#post200597:
Everyone is entitled to share their own opinion. A statement like this actually discourages people to share their opinion, and thus does not help promote this hobby. Even if you have diplomas to back that statement up, there are better ways of communicating your qualifications.i think i am far better a judge to do a review then a one time user.
Actually, Robb followed the exact guidelines mandated by the FTC by disclosing that the radio was given in an exchange for the review. By definition, that absolves him from any conflict of interest charges by law. You may not agree with his style or point of view, but you can't claim "conflict of interest" when the information was disclosed, as required by the FTC. The fact that you have been allowed to continue to post threads questioning the content of the reviews is further evidence that there is no foul play at work.for the praise heaped upon magnum products by a moderator given the product, THAT is ABSOLUTELY a CONFLICT OF INTEREST
In the beginning of this thread, you said:
I've gone back and read that thread about 5 times and I don't anything close to what you are describing. I did find some back and forth about technical specs and opinions (which was mostly fine) but also a bit of name calling which was not appropriate by several parties. However, you make it sound like WWIII just started. Are you trying to help anything here, or just trying to make this into a bigger issue than it really is?a person in his position SHOULD NEVER EVER berate, belittle or flat out tell those who QUITE OBVIOUSLY ARE FAR MORE KNOWLEDGABLE then he, that they are merely ignorant, closed minded fools
My point is not to beat up on davegrantsr, but to show that everyone here has a role in helping to promote both the hobby and this site. I don't expect members to sit by their keyboards and feel afraid to point out when staff members get something wrong. I don't want moderators and admins to be overly heavy-handed with their moderation responsibilities, either. We all have things to learn in this hobby but we all have opinions that are valuable and should be shared.
Always remember, every post you make on this site either promotes or degrades the radio hobbies. Hopefully we have more promoters.