Viewpoints Review

Almost a year has gone by since I first learned of Viewpoints.  I can't even tell you how I first learned of it.  Somewhere I saw a post about a new review web-site and I decided to investigate.

A couple of emails back and forth with Jolie Fleming and a long  telephone conversation in which she described a review utopia of unsurpassed beauty.  Okay, I exaggerate.  But she did say it was going to be a really neat place where I could write all I wanted about virtually anything I wanted.  A sales pitch?  No doubt, but how's it worked out?

After joining in April, I diddled around a little and wrote a couple of reviews in May.  It took awhile to acclimate to the streamlined nature and design of Viewpoints.  From a writer's point of view, the mechanics of the site were very attractive.  In fact, it almost seemed too easy.  The atmosphere could only be described as ethereal.  Light, wispy and almost Stepford-like friendly.  Spooky I thought.  Keep in mind that I had become comfortable in the rough and tumble, hard-boiled community of another review site.

It took me another month before I really took writing here seriously.  But, then little by little, it happened.

What Happened?

I was seduced!  Yes indeed.  Right here, I was downright seduced.  What were the means of this seduction?  I'll tell you.

Freedom

I found that indeed I could in fact write a review on anything.  That's an awfully large stage to play on, and I love it.  I don't have to cool my heels waiting for a database update while my passion for writing the review ebbs.

Visuals

It took me a while before I appreciated how much more powerful a review could be made with the right set of pictures added to it.  Pictures can really set the tone for a review or help reinforce a major point being made.  Sometimes they're just plain fun to add.

Navigation

Viewpoints is such an easy place to get around. It's simplicity in this regard is a thing of beauty.  Getting from one point on the site to another is never more than just a couple of clicks away.

The Viewpoints Team

Don't worry, I'm not going to get sappy here.  Have you noticed that hardly a week goes by without improvements being made to the site?  Have you noticed that the suggestions you heard being made a month ago are being incorporated into the system this week?  How do you suppose this happens?  Serendipity?  They're listening to us!

It's rare to find a team this receptive to input and this responsive to suggestions.  Matt, Jolie (and I'm sure others that I'm not familiar with) have created a cooperative environment in which our views matter.  They seem to get that collectively, we are the product.

Challenges Ahead

Since the official launch a little over a month ago traffic on the site has increased significantly.  But, there's still so far to go before we achieve "critical mass".  The challenge as I see it is to become a top-of-the-mind source of consumer oriented reviews and information.  I'd like to stick around and help that become a reality.

My Viewpoint

Okay, you got me, I'm hooked.  How much do I like it?  Well, for the first time ever on the internet, the entire Xeno clan is revealed on my profile page.  I'm planning on sticking around for the next act.

Regards,

Rudi