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-- How will store.visorcentral.com affect the product reviews? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=4404)

Since Peracto currently only has three employees (plus independent contractors like Mike, James, Jake, and Scott), it is rather hard seperating Peracto Commerce from Peracto Media. However, as we grow we will make sure the organizational barriers are clearer drawn.

BTW, Yucca is right, as a former Journalism student I have to agree that it is unethical to sell what you report. However, there is a new media world taking shape, where major global corporations own and produce everything from what read, hear, see, drink, and eat.

I don't think necessarily that is a good step (unless Peracto is that company of course )

So let me summarize: Now in the beginning it will only be Anthony and me that handle the store. We will leave James and the other reviewers (if you would like to become a part of the VC staff, and review exciting new toys while getting paid email me [email protected]) for the reviews and product related articles - to minimize any conflict of interests and establish a somewhat clear organizational line.

Further down the road, PeractoCommerce should be able to have a whole team just dedicated to store.visorcentral.com with minimum organizational connections with the rest of the VC team.

[This message has been edited by marcus (edited 04-10-2000).]

[This message has been edited by marcus (edited 04-10-2000).]

In an attempt to "move on", I am going to distance myself from any further discussion in this thread. It is evident that vastly differing opinions are being expressed here (which is a GOOD thing). Everyone is entitled to their own, as long as they don't tell me what mine is and vice versa.

In the end, the people who frequent this site will determine if and when any ethical boundries are crossed. They will have the final say... in other words, what if there was a web site and nobody came???

This is a "new" age evolving. Some of the tried-and-true "traditional" ways of doing things are being replaced. We all have to adjust. This is not to say that we must accept these new ways... integrity and ethical behavior must never no away. But the standards are going to change.

In closing, I'm sure, based upon their track record to date, Marcus & Co will continue to provide an environment conducive to furthering the Visor community.

VisorCentral is, and will always be, "the #1 independent resource for Visor information".


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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

Yucca,
I apologize if I went off with my comment on the media. I didn't get to finish what I was writing as I had a kid emergency and had to log off. What I wanted to finish with is that the web is really changing how we, the consumers, interact with the media and the retailer. Sites like this are becoming more like the town general store, where we interact with a trusted agent who not only sells us what we want, but also tells us what's coming down the pike. For a site like this to last, while offering a store in one section, and reviews in another, they will have to be scrupulous (sic) in their integrity. If they aren't, they will be hammered unmercifully and repeatedly by the public online. What worked in print, radio, and television will not work on the web. The public has the ability to be much more visible and active in reaching others here on the net. This discussion we are having would take much longer and cost alot more in other media (if it happened at all). My point is to let a sin happen before we cast judgement. I have got nothing but rock solid advice and a ton of fun participating with this site's community. I like that Eraser felt safe enough to start this post. I like reading the very intelligent opinions on all sides. We are in the middle of something new, and I feel we can't judge it be old standards (that I personally feel are great standards, but mostly ignored- or worse used in a hypocritical manner).
Give them a chance, we can always swamp their servers with protests if the start shilling junk in their reviews (which I really don't think will happen).
Thanks for your thoughts!
Michael

I'm grateful to Marcus for setting the record straight. I am loath to see any profession relinquish ethical safeguards, but I recognize that the landscape is changing. Marcus' plan seems workable; and Michael is correct, Marcus' plan should be given every opportunity to succeed.

Michael - I am less certain that this or any online community will object should things get dodgy. Here are a few reasons:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>So many participants are looking to validate a purchase decision that a coherent negative response to a review or article may be an impossibility.
<LI>Presumptive irrelevance due to association. "Oh. Its that yucca fellow yammering on about nothing again. I can safely ignore this . . ."
<LI>A misplaced sense of loyalty. "Reviewer X is my friend. He has helped me out with problems, and he has never mislead me before. He must have just been having a bad day . . ."
<LI>Cynical apathy. "They're all crooks anyway. Why waste my breath?" [A quality that is thankfully scarce here - ]
</UL>

Now. Back to bed . . . I hate colds!