Another MALU Challenge Opinion (Helpful Advice for New Members)

Member Name: meah

Product:	Helpful Advice for New Members
Date:	16/11/03 (61 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Helpful Opinions, A few extra pennies

Disadvantages: Not always relaxing.

This Q&A challenge can help newbies find out what dooyoo is about and, if many established members participate, what the community is like and will hopefully convince them to stay and become active. To be sure, everything has been said before, but has it had any impact? Only for a limited time until the opinion disappeared from the front page. by presenting the tips on helping new members in the form of a questionnaire which can be done by several members the impact can perhaps be prolonged. several members, better: many members, to show that many roads lead to dooyoo.

Q: When did you join dooyoo?

Back in the middle of July 2001. Time does go quickly!

Q: How did you discover dooyoo?

One of my sons came across a link on one of the freebie sites and signed up. He pestered me into writing so he could make some extra money through the referral.

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Q: Why did you join?

Mainly because of my son, but I wouldn't have written more than one opinion if the site hadn't been any good. I wasn't really bothered about the financial aspect because I knew I wouldn't be writing very often. There were enough interesting opinions to make me want to stay.

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Q: What was your very first opinion on?

Funnily enough it was on dooyoo itself. I couldn't think of anything else to write about and it seemed like a good place to start. I waited a week and then wrote a product review. Unfortunately I couldn't find the correct category for it and I got a few NU ratings before I managed to get it moved.
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Q. Did you find it easy to get the hang of dooyoo?

I had a few problems finding categories at first (dooyoo was confusing even before aurora!) but there were still staff members that you could ask for help at that time.
None of the minor problems I had were enough to put me off, though I sometimes wonder if I'd stay for long if I joined the site today.

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Q. Did you read other opinions before you posted your first one?

I think I read four or five of my son's early opinions before I got round to posting myself. I probably didn't read as much as I should have. I suppose if there's one tip I'd give to any new member, it would be to read and rate as much as you can before you post your first op. It's very easy to get off on the wrong foot when you join a site like this and much more difficult to lose the tag of being a churner or revenge rater.

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Q: Do you write no/some/many comments?

I don't write many comments to be honest because it takes me a long time to type even one or two sentences. I do like getting comments myself so I try to leave them when I can.

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Q: When you click on the list of Newest Reviews, do you read your friends' opinions no matter what they're on/according to subject no matter who has written on it/preferably the opinions of new writers?

I tend to read my friends' opinions as often as I can, though I don't have any one on alerts so I sometimes miss an opinion or two. There are some categories that I'm just not interested in - computer games for example - so I usually steer clear of those opinions. If I have the time I try to click on as many new writers as I can, but usually I'm so busy that I just scan down for recognizable names or topics. I also try to read at least four or five opinions every time I post one myself because I think it's very bad manners to log on, post an opinion and then log straight back out.

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Q: Do you w
rite your opinions in one sitting?

No, because it takes me too long to type things up. I usually manage to get about half of an opinion done before I need to take a break. I come back a few hours later and post it as soon as I've finished. It's probably better to write opinions that way as you get a chance to have a proper read through before putting it on the site.

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Q: How often do you post a new opinion?

Thirty opinions in over two years tells it's own story! I normally write in fits and starts, a two month break and then three or four opinions in a few weeks. It depends on how busy I am and whether I'm in the mood to sit at the computer waving my fingers over the keyboard.

Q. Do you use a spell check?

I always type my opinions on Word, spell check and then cut and paste on to dooyoo. I also look back through the text and edit out all the question marks before I post an opinion. I'm sure there's an easier way to do it but I'm set in my ways.

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Q: Do you think you can improve your chances to get a crown if you suck up to a guide?

I think you can improve your chances of a crown by putting more effort into your opinions. Some people spend more time complaining than they ever do spell checking or proof reading their work. I suppose guides are more kindly disposed to certain people but I really don't think any of the Guides would nominate their friends at the expense of other writers. Crowns aren't the be all and end all anyway, though the extra money is nice.

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Q: Are you a member of a forum or a chat room?

No. When I'm not on dooyoo I use the internet to read the football gossip, book flights and check my emails. I don't have time for chat rooms, and even if I did, I don
9;t think I'd get on the computer when my daughter's around.

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Q: Does it get to you when members praise or condemn you?

It's always good to get a nice comment or two. I've never had any run ins with people on dooyoo so I don't know what online condemnation feels like. I have seen a few spats on dooyoo but I don't see the point in getting so worked up myself. Live and let live.

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Q: What did you do in your spare time before you joined dooyoo?

Watched TV and mooched around the house acting like Victor Meldrew. I still do both now, just a little less than I used to.
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Q: What do you wish for the future?

Question marks back, more members and enough money to get another amazon voucher.


If you want to participate, please add:

Please don't take this challenge to ciao without asking MALU, she'd rather decide herself what to do with a text she's written, when to take it there or if at all. Thank you.

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