• It seems like most of you like the long reviews. In fact, there are a number of very good reasons to support loner reviews (a) there are a ton of other sites that simply list new freeware and copy/paste the blurb from the developer’s site, so transforming Freewaregenius into one of those is probably counterproductive, and (b) Google likes wordy posts (I get more of a third of my traffic from Google, btw).
• So now I’m thinking I will have 2 kinds of posts; “featured reviews”, with a star rating, which will look exactly like any of my other postings so far, as well as simple “scout reports” without ratings that will just mention a program or whatever. I will make sure to test/install every program I mention, though.
• Length of reviews: I could probably streamline a review so that it just has (a) a description, (b) reasons why I like the program, and (c) the program’s wish list. This way I can skip writing about every single feature and by making it so subjective I can get away with it if there are glaring gaps in the “review” . Come to think of it, this really isn’t that different from what I do right now.
• Posting frequency: I will be shooting for a goal of 5 postings every 7 days. This is 2 less than my previous goal of a posting per day, which I wasn’t able to meet anyway.
• The star system: what I have currently is a 3 point system: 4 stars/5 stars/5 star picks. I think the problem is that most people assume that 5 stars is the highest accolade and think that I shouldn’t be so generous. I will think of another way to formulate the rating system that might make more sense.

As for the theme, it might be nice to have a few ideas and put them to a reader vote? just a thought there.

More posting frequency?!! yay!
I simply can’t get enough of this GENIUS site! (get what I did there? Sorry it was toooo tempting)

Releequest

Re reviews: I agree with the previous posters who would like to continue to see reviews of some length. I have found a higher excellent software-to-review ratio at this site than any I visit (usually 6-7 daily). Perhaps you could form a board of trusted reviewers who’d like to assume the Mantle of Fame that comes with posting good reviews online (for little/no money, eh?).

Anyway, welcome back… Happy Birthday… and Godspeed!

Just thought I would add my two cents.

I loved your site just the way it was. It was easy to navigate and I really liked your detailed reviews and the star system. I found that your site was easier to pick out good free reliable software than other sites that are similar but don’t give such detailed reviews.

I like to know that what I try has been tried by someone else who liked it and didn’t have problems with.

I think most people are afraid to try new software just for the sake of trying it. They like to know that they are not risking their machines just to see what something will do.

I really appreciate the trouble you go to with this site.

Thanks so much for your efforts.

About your ratings, etc. First, I understand the work involved (I’ve done similar things), believe me. I like your idea of posting short “scouting” reports on interesting new software. But, I do find the long reviews very useful (they’re what attracted my attention initially), so I hope you keep them. Maybe just do a long review on the really, really good stuff (explaining why it’s really, really good;).

And I hope you keep the star ratings or something similar. Even if most are 4 or 5 stars. When I’m looking for something I need in a hurry, they help. You might also consider having a “reject” list of things you looked at and found wanting. Sometimes knowing what’s bad is helpful, too. Especially crippleware, adware, and stuff that just sucks.

And, hey, try to have some fun with it all!

Thanks for a great site and best of luck!

What kind of a geek are you?!? Priorities, man!

About the rating system, I figured you only reviewed pretty good items, so they would always be a four or five. I wouldn’t mind if it went away, but it would be nice if a BAD freeware was indicated as such.

I kept meaning to write a comment about your star system. Maybe they’re here somewhere, but I don’t believe I ever saw a review with less than 4 stars, even those where you listed lots of cons with the program! In order to make it useful, you need to use the whole scale (or at least more than the top two ratings), and it’d probably be too much work to go back and reconsider each one with that in mind.