Personally, I like to hear from USERS. Not individuals who have
agenda's, like reviewers, publishers, manufacturers, editors.
Lets be honest. Publishers, editors, reviewers, and manufacturers
ALL have an agenda, whether it be to SELL the books, products and
individual camera's, but USERS will always give the best feedback.
Debbie
Ever heard of post-purchase justification? No one is free from
'agenda' - certainly not those who defend their cameras like they
were their own children, and who take criticism of certain camera
brands personally.
We are 'policed' by the most active camera forums in the world, and
that's reason enough to make sure the only agenda we have is
getting the reviews right.
S
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Simon Joinson, dpreview.com
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Simon,
Sure I have, and I understand that completely. I am not attempting to confuse the issue of independent reviews with actual users. They definately both serve their purpose.
My point is this. One of the best sources of knowledge is the actual user. I have for years consulted in service repair technicians to determine the best quality of merchandise, and I have since determined that source of information is basically flawed also, by "agenda". Why, because service technicians don't want you buying the equipment that does not need repair, they would obviously go out of business. If you want the true knowledge, you must go to the SATIFSFIED consumer to do your research.
Independant reviews are designed as a whole to give the consumer an EDUCATED observation, but those reviews are based solely on the assumption that the user is as knowledgable as the reviewer and thus not perfect in the hands of a non professional user, as I am sure you would agree.
How many times have you seen where DSLR units are basically worthless in the hands of someone who has limited knowledge of photography, and has absolutely no clue as to what aperture priority is, much less shutter priority, or even what the different modes mean.
So, my point is to not disagree with Independant reviews, but lets be realistic, some consumers will always believe that your site here is based on advertising dollars into your pockets. Not saying that is true in any capacity, but you must admit the agenda is still revenue or your site fails.
It also fails if your members here quit participating, thus the reasons you police the forums. That is the agenda. You need members who are satisfied and happy to be here, right? That is where your advertisers want to be. You have a LARGE market base based upon your numbers of members. The manufacturers know this, as do you, therefore their agenda is to get into the member base, because all you have to do is look at the shear numbers of HITS DPReview receives on a daily basis. Manufacturers jump at the chance to advertise here I am sure, but would they if your member base all of the sudden disaappeared? I suspect not.
The easiest way to reflect what I am saying is this. Your reviews are extremely helpful to the consumer, and the manufacturer in the purchase process, as is a stock brokers knowledge to investors. But to live like a millionaire, you must learn from a millionaire. AGREE?
Debbie
