New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?

Subject: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: lamarca
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 06:17 PM

While writing a review of a new CD, I was struck by a flash of inspiration (or maybe it was just a hot flash...) We have a lot of discussions of new recordings, movies, books, etc - why not have a new prefix like "REV:" for Mudcatters to review and discuss these things. It would make it possible to search for recent reviews.

This would be helpful for someone who's not looking for discussions about a specific movie or performer, but just wants to get an idea of what's new and good (or bad).

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 06:24 PM

I think prefixes are so much less important than clarity of thread titles...

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 07:51 PM

I'll bite...

If you are just looking at thread titles in a list with a view to working out whether to open them or otherwise trying to establish what they are about, I would be inclined to agree with Clinton in that overall, a well considered thread title is far more helpful.

On the other hand, if as lamarca was, you give consideration to people searching for information or ideas that they may like to seek out (or ignore) certain types of threads, prefixes can become important because it gives the computer a means of helping you (the poor old computer does not understand English however well written but can understand rules like ignore threads with "BS:" in or look only in threads containing "REV:").

I'll leave it with the thought that when used in combination with filtering, provided prefixes are well thought out and applied consistently, they could become a powerful tool.

Jon

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 08:33 PM

Howsabout we try using that REV and see if it catches on? I recall Joe Offer recommending that last time a prefix idea came up-- to try it out and if it catches on, ask Pene to add it to the list. ANd for some, thread titles can be batch-changed retroactively, like Joe did with old threads that becaome OBIT-prefixed. I do actually have a thread list Traced, of Mudcatter CD's... that would be a good place to start if they DID get changed. But I am wondering if "CD" would be a better prefix?

Reviewer Mike Miller (Philly Folk Song Society) and I have been taking about posting his reviews here. I can use REV or CD with him for these-- let's see what happens? Maybe Joe will post when he's back from honeymooning and we can get bizzy.

~Susan

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 08:42 PM

I think "REV" would make sense. We talk about recordings here all the time, and I think "CD" is too general. The thread could be discussion about a CD, someone trying to find information, announcements of new recordings - all sorts of things. (You can always try a filter search for "CD" just to see how many threads will turn up. I don't think I want to try it, though.)

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 11:00 PM

I did do a search on CD-- don't really care which prefix we use-- but a lot of people did use CD to talk about a new one, which seems to me to be the place where a review would turn up.

I think we need to have more folks' opinions... if the thread reaches 10+ posts it may attract some interest.

~S~

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 01:57 AM

Yeah.......Maybe a good idea. CD would be limited to albums but that's mainly what we review.........except for "Songcatcher" and "O Brother Where Art Thou.".........And that was mainly a hundred threads on "Songcatcher." Maybe we put movies in a different category like SOBASS (SoncatcherOBrotherAndSimilarShit)...........

Truthfully I think the "REV" would be better because we also hit on a few good books as well as movies and also some of the TV specials on music.

Spaw

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: SeanM
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 02:20 AM

After considering, my opinion is that the REV prefix might be useful.

My first thought was that it wouldn't be - initially, I couldn't recall that many 'reviews' aside from the twenty bajillion OBWAT and Songcatcher threads that 'Spaw mentioned... But then I realized I HAVE seen other reviews. Normally they're just under the recording name or the artist name, and thus kinda slip under that initial recollection.

I'd think that this could be useful for both the poster and for the JoeClones - it'd give the poster a way to identify material that otherwise might slip off unnoticed, and the JoeClones another way (beyond wholesale retitling) to help clarify what's on the forum.

My thoughts, at least.

M

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: gnomad
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 05:08 AM

Sounds like a good idea to me. Better REV than CD, as the category can then include any alternative recording media, and also events, books, films etc.

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 09:58 AM

I like the idea. Add my $00.02 to the folks voting yes.

Steve

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 10:09 AM

Use and see if it works. Of course we can imagine endless arguments about whether it's appropriate to run a review of something that has been around for years, or is out of print or whatever the equivalent is for records. Is an appreciation the same as a review?

The essential thing is that threads ought to be started by people who are saying "this is something I liked, and I want to share with you". If other people chip in to disagree, that's fair enough, but I'd as soon do without people starting threads about music they hate.

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: lamarca
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 10:12 AM

I think Susan's suggestion is a good one - if some of us hard-core posters start using REV: when starting a thread on a new recording, or TV program (Burns' Mark Twain, fer instance) or book, we'll see if it is useful enough to catch on.

It's really more of a filing device to make looking up threads easier and to signal a certain type of discussion to folks just scanning threads for something interesting.

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 10:36 AM

I don't know if it is just serves that purpose lamarca. Perhaps I'm reading too much into Max saying (about the upgrade) "Anyhow, it includes some advanced filtering technology that should make the 1%ers more satisfied with the content without the other 99 even noticing" but my guess is that the route Max is taking would rely on the use of prefixes here (there are other ways). I'm also guessing that this route with consistently applied prefixes should enable Mudcat to be a "Music only" forum for one user and a mixed forum for another in terms of thier view of the forum.

Jon

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: jeffp
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 11:55 AM

Add me to the chorus of voices for "REV:" as a prefix for reviews. It's clear, concise, and probably won't piss anybody off.

jeffp

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 12:13 PM

I think it's a good idea, I have used it already, looks like I'm the first!

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 08:43 PM

Well, Pene knows I will bop him upside the head is he adds any abbreviations that aren't immediately recognizable. I'd go for "CD" or "Review," but not "REV." My mom is an English teacher, and I have to uphold family tradition.
Good idea, as long as the prefix is recognizable English. I think "Review" would work because the rest of the thread title wouldn't have to be long - but does anybody have a better suggestion?
-Joe Honeymoon, coming up for air for a brief time-

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 08:49 PM

Fine wit me, Joe. I have a few to edit with Mike Miller and then I can start posting his, so let's hear from a few more folks and then get going.

~S~

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Jan 02 - 01:13 AM

What else would it be around HERE Joe? Stories of racing engines? Introductions of ministers?

Spaw

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Jan 02 - 10:05 AM

An exhortation to get excited: REV!

About music that is.

~S~

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: Pene Azul
Date: 20 Jan 02 - 01:07 PM

Hmmm... I think I'll make it "WEMPAR:" (Writings Evaluating Musical Performances and Recordings)... Naw, I think it should be "Review:" It's in there, folks.

Thanks,
Jeff

Subject: RE: New Mudcat Prefix for reviews?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Jan 02 - 01:10 PM

El senor muy queek!

~S~