I am following in some of the others footsteps today with a more self indulgent review to pass the time - eerily quiet at work at the moment and I'm still struggling with my latest book meaning that I don't have anything decent to review!


Q. How did you discover Dooyoo?

I somehow managed to find my way from Ciao to Dooyoo - I know people are in one or the other camp and I have to say that I am firmly in the Dooyoo camp! Saying that I do love reading peoples reviews over there, they are almost always of a good quality. However, I just find that the atmosphere and community spirit is much better over here, as well as the incentives, so I am definitely a firm dooyoo-er.

Q. Why did you join?

I love writing. My parents bought me a laptop so that I could start writing again and I never got round to it or found the "inspiration". Reviewing has given me that as well as helping me hone in on my skills that I hadn't used for a while! The money is an incredibly wonderful bonus, but to be honest when I first joined I thought the incentives were similar to Ciao so I wasn't expecting the nice payments!!

Q. What was your very first opinion on?
It was one I copied over from Ciao on Virgin Credit Cards - in fact I copied over several on the first day (woopsie, Im sure older members wouldn't like that....  ) But the first one I wrote for Dooyoo was a book by Penny Smith. (the book was awful by the way!!)

Q. Did you find it easy to get the hang of Dooyoo?

In terms of writing, yes, as I had had a couple of weeks practise from Ciao and was told by certain members over there how to improve my writing and how to use the site fairly, so I was well aware of what I had to do (as well as return rates) once I got here. In terms of navigating the site, it took me a while!

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

I didn't actually. But as soon as a posted my first review, I returned the courtesy of everyone who read mine. I know that people avoid new members as they dont always return rate, and I didn't want to be put in that category.

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

If its made an impression on me or if I have something to say to add to the review then yes. I dont so much anymore. I nominated all the good reviews (which tend to be my circle of friends - not because they are my friends but because they are there for a reason, they write excellent reviews!This isnt always the case, i dont ALWAYS nom my friends reviews and it certainly isn't exclusive before anyone says!) but sometimes I forget to say, and I also dont want them to think that I am saying it for a return, so I will write my comment to say how good i thought it was and usually nominate without saying so. Sometimes I still say it though!


Q. When you click on the list of Newest Reviews, do you read your friend's opinion no matter what they're on/according to subject no matter who has written it/preferably the opinion of new members?

Yes, I have to say that I go down the list looking for my favourite writers. Then once I've done that I go and look for the people who are always kind enough to read my reviews. I have to say that its very rare that I read new members - I have fallen into that trap of not wanting to waste my time which is bad, because some are great and DO return rates!

Q. Do you write your opinions in one sitting?

Not always, but I do tend to have a better review if I just sit and bash it out. I tweak it a lot but its usually in one sitting, im either at home on my laptop or sat at my desk at work, so I have plenty of time to finish it to a good standard in one go!

Q. Do you use a spell check?

yes, I always write my reviews in word first.

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

I doubt it! Why bother?! They will think what they think!

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

No

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

I love the praise, I just love the comments in general. I have to say that I haven't had any bad comments from anyone so I am happy! Ive had one or two constructive criticisms - mainly just stuff that I could add to my review which is great. No one has said my reviews are rubbish, and I am proud that I dont have a rating lower than useful.

Saying that, I did get a "somewhat useful" a couple of weeks ago that made me furious - everyone else had rated "very useful" and some had mentioned nominations - it turned out I had reviewed this new members review as "Useful" (not bad, surely?!) with good reasons I might add so it was clearly a revenge rate. However, it was resolved, I sent an email to the person in question to ask why and to remind them that revenge rating is not allowed. This person changed their rate - and I might add, I got a crown for that review!

Q. What did you do with your spare time before joining Dooyoo?

I was still writing! Reading lots, dancing the night away, cycling, swimming spending lots of time with my boyfriend and going on regular trips to Portsmouth to see friends and family. Generally having a life!!!

Q. What do you wish for the future?

Moving next year back to Portsmouth with my boyfriend, a new job awaits but I have no idea what in so thats the exciting part. Perhaps no more TV production for me! Im hoping to have a wedding and children fairly soon too....altough as long as I and my loved ones are happy and healthy that is all the wishes I could hope for! :D