Lots of interesting and some very "spot on" posts above....
As a long time hobbyist (and as a marketing person for a good many years elsewhere) I see great value for both hobbyists and providers in the review "process" and "system." Also some very definite negatives and, of course, the reality of many issues.
But, a basic or two, at first.
Way back when (pre-Internet, of course) there were only a very few ways for gents to find out about working ladies and working ladies to let gents know where to find them.
- Madams (usually linked with or via certain sources, such as bellmen, bartenders, barbers, cops, desk clerks, etc.)
- Agencies and spas - most often via "community" newspaper advertising
- Streets and "strolls"
The 'net opened up the possibility of boards and GUIs and browsers expanded the 'net from just lines of characters into photos and all the etcetera along with that.
The review boards were an outspin from the usenet groups.
Enough of an abbreviated history, but here's what I see gaining from the boards and from contributing to them:
For the ladies -
- direct advertising and marketing opportunities
- more importantly, direct persona to persona communication channels (pm's) and peer-to-peer back channels
- direct feedback - even if they cannot read the ROS they can still get a sense of content from the replies to a review
- a sense of what an individual hobbyist might be about, based on who he reviews, what else he posts (or doesn't post or doesn't review)
For the gents -
- immediate notice of ladies new to the community
- a sense of availability and of BCD quality from both the quantity of a provider's reviews and the quality and quantity of the reviewers' bulk (meaning his review of other providers)
- some insight into the provider community as a whole (not just a provider's reviews and ads, but also her other posts and communication exposure)
Taken as a whole, no one board, nor, indeed, no accumulation of boards can ever be perfect for all users, either ladies or gents, but these are a part of a process and system, much as is word of mouth recommendations and referrals, local meet & greets, photos, ads, etc.
But the hobbying community has advanced so far from where we were more or less individuals and very small groups, that we owe a world of thanks to the folks who both pioneered the 'net and to those who have a guts (and stamina) to create and maintain our online communities.
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