Would You Find a LM Directory of Developers w/Ratings and Reviews Useful?

[LinkedMusicians]

I originally planned a Directory of Developers and Services as part of LinkedMusicians. While I’ve put enhancements on hold due to a lack of funding (we’ve raised around $80 total in contributions since starting the site and I’ve spent more than $3,000 US, so we’re a bit underfunded, to put it mildly), this is a function I think would be really valuable and want to add, because I really think there’s a need for it. The underlying rationale is that it’s not easy to find trustworthy sources for insights on developers that we’re unfamiliar with. Sure, every influencer is telling you that they’re completely unbiased and you can trust them (spoiler alert: they’re lying). That’s why I turn to friends and trusted community members for opinions, people who don’t get NFRs from developers for hawking them online. But not every inquiry gets a lot of responses; people get tired of sharing the same stories over and over each new thread for a developer’s sales. Consequently, part of what I want to create a directory of developers with reviews from paying customers.

That would mean that anyone who has worked for a developer as an employee or contractor, any influencers, or anyone with a personal relationship with a developer is excluded from reviews. Just go to VI-Control and you’ll find that some of the folks talking up sample libraries like Impact Soundworks and attacking competitors are actually Impact Soundworks contractors who make royalties on the products they’re hyping. Of course, they don’t disclose it and they may try to influence our ratings here too, no doubt. So, that will be a challenge. And yes, this also means that I’ll be excluded from reviewing numerous developers. I don’t love that. I believe that I am fair and can still be critical, but I believe the policy is more important than my desire to do a review.

This would drill down to products too. But at a high level, it will be about developers, to help people navigate through the sea of developers to determine what uncompensated customers think of their product and service quality. Consider it a more niche version of Trust Pilot, that is targeted only at plugin, sample library, and DAW developers and companies that sell services to music producers. What do you think?

CURATED BEST FREE LISTS: Kontakt Libraries, Sample Libraries, Virtual Synths, Effects
POWERSEARCH TOOLS: Synth Presets, Loops & Sound FX, Gear Reviews 
FREE TOOLS: Mixing Problem Solver, Songwriter's Toolbox, QuickGuides, Scale, Mode & Chord Finder
READ/WATCH: Mag Articles / Podcasts, Audio Production & Songwriter's Dictionaries

3

[superabbit]

It would be fun to have, but also kind of a nightmare to create and maintain for the reasons you stated.

-Erik
___________
superabbit.bandcamp.com

1

[lamia6]

Also if rating, mention what it is that is being rated for devs with multiple products.

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1

[LinkedMusicians]

On lamia6 said

Also if rating, mention what it is that is being rated for devs with multiple products.

At the brand level, we would be rating the developer’s overall quality of work, reliability, and customer support, whereas product and service reviews would focus on the quality of specific products and services. I’m thinking that only moderators or admins should be able to create a record, so that we don’t have abuse and poor quality control that inevitably comes if hundreds of people are creating these records.

CURATED BEST FREE LISTS: Kontakt Libraries, Sample Libraries, Virtual Synths, Effects
POWERSEARCH TOOLS: Synth Presets, Loops & Sound FX, Gear Reviews 
FREE TOOLS: Mixing Problem Solver, Songwriter's Toolbox, QuickGuides, Scale, Mode & Chord Finder
READ/WATCH: Mag Articles / Podcasts, Audio Production & Songwriter's Dictionaries

1

[lamia6]

On LinkedMusicians said

On lamia6 said

Also if rating, mention what it is that is being rated for devs with multiple products.

At the brand level, we would be rating the developer’s overall quality of work, reliability, and customer support, whereas product and service reviews would focus on the quality of specific products and services. I’m thinking that only moderators or admins should be able to create a record, so that we don’t have abuse and poor quality control that inevitably comes if hundreds of people are creating these records.

Yeah point taken. Guess that’s more if products were sold then review it.

CINZ NET Radio    |    Radio Registry

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