I appreciate that it has become fashionable to celebrate MouthShut milestones, such completing 50, 75 or 100 reviews, by writing about the website which has allowed you to do so. However I have neither the patience, nor the propensity to wait until my big 5 0 before sharing with you why I believe MouthShut to be one of the greatest websites on the web!
History
I would like to give you a colorful account of the very first moment Faisal had the brainwave to create this wonderful site, but alas, I don’t know that story. Instead, allow me to share with you my first experiences at MouthShut.
Just over a year ago, a young Deepshikha, a MS virgin, typed into a Google search engine the words Choker Bali. After viewing a few 2nd rate book reviews by people who were paid to write, and hence lost the passion to do so, Deepshikha stumbled across a review that refreshing in its honesty. After further investigation, Deepshikha came to the conclusion that the reason for the reviews openness was because the critic responsible for the review was reviewing what he felt about the book, and not what publishing agencies wanted to hear. Scanning the page, Deepshikha realized she had the option of rating his work, which she did (Very Useful – because it was), and consequently found herself the member of a new and exciting website.
Deepshikha’s first review was not a raging success. In fact, her first couple of reviews lacked the personal touch and comprehensiveness that she had admired so much in the Choker Bali review. However, a wise and respected member of MS came to her rescue and kindly pointed out the flaws in her work, telling her how to make reviews go from Useful to Very Useful.
With time, Deepshikha’s reviews improved. She happily Read, Rated and Commented on several reviews while building up her own profile on MS. She became friends with several members of MS and is pleased that they she can share reviews and gossip together.
(Now we come to a stage where Deepshikha stops referring to herself in 3rd person and becomes myself again)
My Fellow MSians
The fact that makes MS superior to other websites is the broad range of people it attracts. There are those who review the item in the strictest sense of the word ‘review’, while others show a creative flair and others simply write about the inane – which irritates some members and delights the rest. MS also has the wonderful option of creating your own, personalised account so ‘the world can see the real you.’ Many a stray afternoon I have spent clicking randomly at ‘Trust Lists’ and meeting new people.
There is support and camaraderie between most members. There are also minor elements of nastiness and revenge rating which are irritating, however most MS members tell bullies what they can do with their lot, while the MS support team also knows how to deal with them efficiently.
Comments are my main reason for writing reviews. I love reading them. I also like writing them, especially if I know that the person I’m writing comments for, will respond to them. I’m at a loss to understand why we don’t receive points for commenting, but I’m even more confused about the motive behind receiving points. Will someone be kind enough to enlighten me?
What I like…
-> I like reading interesting profiles pages that tell you something about the person who is writing the review. Admittedly, this is not my forte considering I have the same, now redundant, illness message on my ‘Interest’ section of profile page since earlier this year, but I’ll change it soon enough…well, I’ll try.
-> I like reviews that have an element of creative flair. This makes the read so much more pleasurable, meaning I’m likely to read the review properly before assigning a rating.
-> I like people who comment on my reviews. This also has the effect of making it more likely to comment on their reviews.
-> I like reading comments sections where great debates have ensued over a person’s opinion. Having a legitimate avenue for open discussion is ideal for sharing opinions – something this site is all about!
-> Lets face it. I just like this website! :-D
What I Dislike
-> This site is far to addictive
-> I have discovered a new way to procrastinate
-> I don’t have enough time to write on this site as much as I’d like to :-(
I can already hear your strangled screams as you notice my hypocrisy of praising this site to the stars and then writing on it only at random intervals - but please, put your pitchforks down!
The only reason I don’t write on this website as much as I used to is because of this years much increased work pressure. However, come December, I should be footloose and fancy free once again and write, read, rate and comment as before.
There are, however, some topics I will never write on. For example, ‘The Five Best Reviewers on MouthShut.com’. How could I choose just 5? That is a task that is beyond me!
I have a serious love/hate relationship with the 8000 character max limit on reviews. I fully appreciate the reason it’s there, however, it often seems to curb and interrupt the flow of some reviews that are created by master writers. Ah well….
I believe MS should have a section on this site, or create a sister site, where a person can really let the their creative flair flourish in the form of short stories, poetry, anecdotal writing etc. I’m led to understand that there are other websites which allow for this type of writing, but if MS where to create a sister site, where we would be able to see the diversity a writer. At the moment, I know I’m guilty of writing creative pieces and pushing them off as best I can under the legitimate MS subheadings :-)
As a website, MS is easy to navigate around. It has a bright and cheery format/color scheme, while the support staff are, on the whole, drastically better then most websites. Nonetheless, I wish they would not knock back my idea of adding a category called ‘classroom pranks/pranksters put under the advice section of ‘Education’, let’s face it; this could be a very fun read. Oh well, such is life!
So in all, MS is wonderful. I have absolutely no hesitation in giving this site 5 very well deserved stars. I have had the pleasure of meeting some magnificent people, also the chance to better my writing. This site was created for people to share knowledge, but it is the people, with their friendship, honesty and creative flair, which make this site really special!
So I want to thank all the members for making this site so great. For all of those people who aren’t members – why aren’t you? Sign up today so you can actively share this site like the rest of us. (When you finish signing up, don’t forget to comment on my rev)
And before you go, please don’t forget to congratulate me on completing my 27th review!!
