[Sigia-l] user ratings and reviews

[Erik Ojakaar]

I'm looking for data and different UI implementations
of user ratings (products / services) and reviews. For
example, Amazon.com allows users to rate CD's on a 5
point scale (stars) and write reviews. Users must
first click "Write an Online Review" and then a
pull-down provide the rating scale and text boxes to
write the review. Other sites like Netflix and Yahoo's
Launch music site allows you to rate music on the same
page by clicking on the star rating "widget." This
saves your rating right away. Is this good?  What
issues have you observed with these type of UI's? What
sites have the best implementations?

Forward any usability studies, data, or anecdotes
related to user ratings or reviews (placement issues,
scales used, form issues, etc.). I'll write a summary.
Merchant or expert ratings / reviews are also of
interest. 

Thanks in advance!

-Erik
eojakaar at yahoo.com