RateItAll: The Opinion Network

Update: This changed today. See the blog.

Original Comment: I'm not sure about this one. I tend to invest a lot of time and thought in my reviews, and I don't really like the idea of some disgruntled weblister deleting all of their stuff and erasing my reviews at the same time. On the other hand, it's giving the publisher of the Weblist more control over their list, which I like.

In theory (since I've never even considered deleting a weblist) I generally like the added ability to delete my lists. For starters, each weblist contains a disclaimer that RIA is not responsible for the list, so it's a rater beware world out there. Though I always search the site first, I can see where I might want to delete an entire list if I subsequently find a duplicate that was created prior to mine. (Perhaps RIA could merge the lists under those conditions to preserve as much as they can.) As another reviewer noted, some may want to delete an unpopular list (but who really knows when a list may get active). Anyway, if a list is truly deleted, I would hope that all reviews do go with it instead of lingering in a member's prior reviews. Another reviewer suggested that all weblists become public domain after three months, but I strongly oppose this idea. I would prefer that a member who is deleting his account be giving the option to place his weblists in some form of "orphaned" status so that that could be "adopted" by another member. Moreover, this should be an option for those who just tire of managing a list or for those lists created by members who are inactive for a period of time. The bottom line (to come full circle) is that non-orphaned weblists should clearly be the sole responsibility of the creator and should be able to be deleted if that creator so chooses.

Im on the fence about this one too. I dont like the idea of someone being able to delete my well thought out comments, whilst deleting a whole heap of helpfuls at the same time just because they have some ball of emotion where they suddenly want to leave RIA. That is unfair on the people who have built helpfuls and have spent time on their comments. It almost makes me feel insecure on RIA because I never know when someone just might delete their weblist, which could mean that about 10 or 20 posts may be deleted that Ive spent all this time on, and just as many helpfuls if not more gone just at the click of a button. So Ive learnt to not put all your eggs in one basket (if you want to secure helpfuls and your hard work). At the same time, I do like the idea of user control because it is only fair. I think there should be a compromise. If you want to make a weblist, you should be made aware that your weblist becomes the property of RIA after 3 months and you can only delete it eg 3 months after creation. After the 3 months, since logically more and more people would of made comments on it, thats when it should be RIA property. The 3 month period caters for the people who may of made a failure of a weblist and want to delete it. Yet at the same time, they should have the right to delete offensive comments or make alterations or delete items.

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. Still on the fence really. While I appreciate the fact that an individual would probably like to have complete control over his or her own lists I also feel that a list, once created, is really the property of all the members who have gone out of their way to rate and comment on that list. Admittedly some reviews are throwaways. Others, however, are the result of serious thought and consideration on the part of the reviewer. It's a shame to see some of those deleted.

It has drawbacks, but I had a list where I made a mistake and couldn't get rid of it until this tool came along.

I like it, because face it...Some of us have created lists that have bombed.