User:Vivasuzi/Sandbox

Viewpoints is a consumer-review Web site based in Chicago, Illinois. Viewpoints members can review nearly any consumer product or service, including service providers such as physicians, dentists, hospitals, veterinarians, and even plumbers, electricians and building contractors. In addition to reviewing services such as these, Viewpoints members can review products from automobiles to cosmetics to televisions, as well as music, movies, books, travel destinations and restaurants. Illegal items (e.g., drugs) and certain other products (such as firearms) can not be added to the site's database and therefore can not be reviewed.

Membership on Viewpoints is free and members may write as few or as many reviews as they choose. Some Viewpoints members are paid for their participation but most consumer reviewers are unpaid at this point. Members are encouraged to post pictures with their reviews; although these pictures have a wide range of quality, seeing a product from a consumer's standpoint is unusual for consumer review Web sites at this time.

Reviews on Viewpoints are rated with a simple "I agree" button, and reviews accumulate a "Good Point" each time someone clicks on the "I agree" button. Inappropriate content, such as spam messages, advertisements or plagiarized reviews, can be reported to staff for potential removal.

History
"Viewpoints founded by Matt Moog in July 2006. Within the next few months, Matt raised $4.7 million in venture capital and began to assemble the site's operating team. This crew consists of a few former Q Interactive employees, plus Leon Chism, former Chief Internet Architect at Orbitz."

Turning 36 and finding out his dad, Robert Moog, was diagnosed with brain cancer led Matt to seek the best doctors and hospitals. Unhappy with the available information and believing there had to be a better way to find this information provided the motivation to start Viewpoints.

The I AM Tags
Reviewers are encouraged to use "tags" to describe themselves, giving the reader a better understanding of the reviewer's perspective. Each time a writer starts a review, that person tags him or herself as it pertains to that review. For example, someone reviewing a restaurant may use tags such as I AM "a budget diner" or "a gourmet chef" to describe herself, giving the reader some insight into the reviewer's point of view. Then, if the same person reviews a diaper, for example, the tags might say, I AM "a mom" or "sleep deprived" or "environmentally aware". Users can use as many I AM Tags as they want as the site allows them to be added on the fly.

The I AM Tags can be used to filter reviews. Looking for a game review but you'd rather the opinion of a mom? Then click the "I AM a mom" tag to see only reviews where this tag was used.

Status on Viewpoints
There are levels of writers from I to IV

A Writer I has contributed 25 reviews to Viewpoints, has received 12 unique helpful ratings and has posted a photo to his/her profile. Twelve reviews per year must be maintained.

A Writer II is an active contributor to Viewpoints. A Writer II must have contributed 50 reviews to Viewpoints and received 25 unique helpful ratings. Writer IIs must have photos on their profile pages and must maintain a level of 25 reviews per year.

A Writer III is the same as II but rather than 50 reviews, he/she has contributed 100 reviews and has received 50 unique helpful ratings

A Writer IV is the most active contributor to Viewpoints. He/she has contributed 200 reviews to Viewpoints and has received 100 unique helpful ratings. Writer IVs must maintain a minimum of 50 reviews annually and post photos on their profile pages.

The Publisher's Circle (PC) members are the most active contributors to Viewpoints. They each must have contributed 400 reviews to Viewpoints and have received 100 unique helpful ratings. They maintain a minimum of 50 reviews annually and post photos on their profile pages.