I was intrigued by this questionnaire which seems to be making the rounds again, so I thought I'd have a go.


Q. When did you join Dooyoo?
22 June 2005

Q. How did you discover Dooyoo?
I've known about Dooyoo for a while, as it's one of the places I check before buying an item. I was reading a web article which mentioned online review sites and decided to sign up. I've never regretted it. Dooyoo is my favourite opinion site because it works well (now that product suggestion has been fixed).

Q. Why did you join?
I've just started up as a freelance writer (although I've been writing most of my life). It seemed a good way to keep my hand in, get feedback on what I'd written and write about the products I like and dislike.

Q. What was your very first opinion on?
It was on my brand new digital camera - the Dimage x50. Despite the fact that I posted it twice (comes of not reading the rules properly), other dooyooers were welcoming and didn't slate me too badly. Rereading the op doesn't quite make me cringe, but I can see lots of ways in which it could be improved.

Q. Did you find it easy to get the hang of Dooyoo?
Fairly easy. I read the comments people left and tried to make my reviews more informative.

Q. Did you read other opinions before you posted your first one?
Not properly, though I've made up for it since. It's worth spending the time to find out what kind of op gets a VU, because then you can avoid some common mistakes.

Q. Do you write no/some/many comments?
I looked at my stats and I'm averaging one comment for every 10 reads. I don't comment on everything, because life's too short and unless I've got more to say than 'good review' (which is implied by my rating anyway) I don't bother. I tend to comment if I think a review is particularly good or strikes a chord with me in some way - or if I have something to add that might be useful to others.

Q. When you click on the list of Newest Reviews, do you read your friends’ opinion no matter what they're on/according to subject no matter who has written it/preferably the opinion of new members?
In the Newest Reviews section, I tend to look for products or discussions that interest me, so I've read a lot of Ipod and Harry Potter reviews. I get alerts for everyone on my CoF anyway as well as a few others, so there's no need to pick them out specially. Occasionally, when I've got time after looking at the CoF ops and the Newest Reviews, I'll have a gander at the new writers section as well.

Q. Do you write your opinions in one sitting?
Usually, unless my three year old carts me off for a game.

Q. Do you use a spell check?
Always, and I proofread too. Misspellings are one of my pet peeves. That said, I've occasionally made a mistake - last week I spelled the name of a site wrong. I felt a bit sheepish when it was pointed out. (thanks, milsyboo)

Q. Do you think you can improve you chances of a crown if you suck up to a guide?
I have absolutely no idea. I love getting crowns because it means others think my writing is good, but I mainly write because I love writing and I'd write even if there were no chance of getting a crown.

Q. Are you a member of a forum or chat room?
Yes, several, but I don't have much time to post. Writing generally, reading and rating on Dooyoo and updating my website and blog take up most of my time these days.

Q. Does it get to you when members praise or condemn you?
I'm only human. Like most people, I enjoy the praise and dislike the condemnation. I haven't had much condemnation on Dooyoo, only constructive criticism, which is OK. Besides, I wouldn't have lasted very long as a journalist if I fell apart every time someone criticised my work.

Q. What did you do with your spare time before joining Dooyoo?
What spare time? I have a three year old, so there's not much of that. However, I'm a member of a book club and a film club. Most of the members are mums looking to carve out some time and space for themselves and we have a laugh.

Q. What do you wish for the future?
That's a big question. For myself, I'd like a bit of success in my writing career - enough to allow me to do it full time. I'd like my daughter to grow up healthy and happy. I'd also like to see an end to war, though I don't think it's likely.

Hope you enjoyed reading.

Sharon