So... I was flipping around the net half asleep,,,

[rabidsamfan]

And I went to the home page of ff.n, which I like, almost never do, and found this:

November 21st, 2005 -- New features added.
Private Messaging: Registered members can now message each other without revealing or needing one's email address. Messaging link is displayed at the top of every member profile. Messages are delivered via email like our review alert system.


Review Reply: Authors may now reply to signed reviews via a link provided in updated review alert or using the "reply" link displayed next to each signed review. Please note the reply is not displayed on the site but emailed to the reviewer. Only one reply is allowed per signed review.
Putting "review responses" within story chapters is now unncessary and more importantly, not allowed.

(My emphasis.)

Okay, it's nice that we can make replies now, but I'll admit to often enjoying author responses to reviews, or finding them illuminating. And what about responses to anonymous reviews? Not everyone who reads there has an ff.n account or is at a computer where they're comfortable signing in.

Comments

[gayalondiel.livejournal.com]

WTF??

Another reason to despise and deplore ff.net, I guess. What's wrong with putting review responses in the chapter? It's fun!

There ain't nothing saying I can't put them on my website, and link at the bottom of the chapter. Nope. Nothin' stopping me doing that. *sulks*

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Back in the dark ages, I had a seperate chapter which I used to make author replies and keep author notes. But that got banned too.

It's not adding the functionality I mind, it's immediately banning the other practice, as if they've fixed it and now we all have to comply.

[gayalondiel.livejournal.com]

Welllll.... since I was on the verge of putting all my fic back up... don't think I'll be bothered with ff.net. Nope, can't face it.

[ansostuff.livejournal.com]

I almost never go there either and I have completely stopped posting after not getting any reviews for my stories there for a very long time (I provided links to them though, if someone browsing the site actually wants to read what I write). I agree that it is nice to be able to respond because sometimes the reviewer deserve a proper respond and not only a "thank you, glad you enjoyed it" even if that also is nice to say too because I appreciate every review I get even if it¨s "OMG. I liek this. Pliz write more." or some kind of critisism (I have been spared real flaming so far).

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

I like posting there, although there isn't the response that there once was. And to be honest, I almost never put replies to reviewers up anyway, but a lot of people do.

I'd like to see the replies on the review page, myself.

[shirebound]

Whaaaat??? Wow, thanks for posting that. I had no idea.

Hmmmph.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Hmph, indeed!

[dreamflower]

Why I like Stories of Arda. At least another reason. As many reviews and replies as you want. And not only email notices, but all the reviews are there for others to read. I find it frustrating to read a bunch of responses with no idea of what the review originally said.

So glad I don't mess with ff.net.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Yes, SoA has an excellent system. Not only can you see the review, you can see the reply right next to it. And I don't necessarily like having to scroll past a gazillion author replies before I get to my new chapter, but ff.n hasn't created a fix which works for all situations, and adding the prohibition just puts salt in the wound.

[clever-hobbit.livejournal.com]

Hmmph. I don't like that. I've been rather disenchanted with ff.net recently, what with the floods of Sues and such. Can you recommend any other places to post?