Sunday, August 23, 2009

Reviews -- just some comments about them

Okay, I'm probably going to link to this in all my review posts. Here are a few general statements I want on this blog somewhere about the reviews I do.

First, I'm going to be very detailed and my reviews will be long. I want you to get a real feel for how I use a product and what that really looks like in my home. Because what I say about my favorite aspect of a product might be what makes you realize this is not the thing for you. Or what I hate my strike a chord and make you realize that this product is perfect in your home. So I tend to say a lot, not just whether I like something or not, because I know full well what works for me is not going to be the perfect program for someone else. Or it might still be wonderful for you, but for totally different reasons.

I want you to know why I like what I like, and to know why something didn't work. For me and my household. Your mileage may vary.

The second thing. As part of the TOS Review Crew, I do receive free products. Or people I know will give me a product in exchange for me writing up my experiences with it. The fact that I received a complimentary product is not going to guarantee a favorable review. It does guarantee a review. A fair review. But I am not going to praise something unless I think it deserves the praise.

Third. Affiliate links. So far, aside from the AdSense ad in my sidebar, I have not put stuff on this blog where you clicking a link will personally benefit me. I've been uncomfortable putting up any links that will profit me, as I don't want anyone to think I'm recommending stuff just to make a few bucks (or a few cents, depending on the link).

However, I do believe that is going to change. For one thing, I am going to put a link on the side somewhere to my Usborne website. I may put up some of the other things too. I will put a disclaimer in, so you can choose to check something out without going through my links. But I guess that as I shopped this weekend, and spent a total of $8.26 for groceries for a week (I had $9, so I could have gone back for another item), it was occurring to me that a $5 check from Click N Kids would make a world of difference. So, while I have no intention to become a blog full of ads, I do think there are going to be a couple links posted.

I'll still tell you exactly what I think. Click N Kids, for instance, is not my favorite phonics program in the world. I'm glad we have it, and the great part is that when one student completes it, you can delete him and start another student. And that goes on forever.

I don't like the extra little "stuff" that happens in between the lesson segments. Maybe if it varied a bit more. But my kids thought it was funny the first couple of times, but then they just got impatient -- and they can recite word for word what the dog is going to say.

And I wish there was an option to turn off the dictation. That got way too hard for my son. However, the beginning part was great, and I know between 4 kids (Connor was too old for it) we'll get our money's worth. I won't even link to it here, but my referral is my yahoo email address which is dkbrinkman. You can add the @, the yahoo, and the dot com. :)

Anyway, just wanted to throw some of that out there. Thanks for listening :)



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