Is anyone else here an Amazon Vine member?

[nomore]

Lucky. I only got 23 upvotes on my anti-DRM review for the Riddick PC game and I was one of the first people that posted a review for that game. It's very easy to get upvotes when your reviews are anti-DRM. Gotta work on my anger better for my next anti-DRM review to get more upvotes.

better luck next time but you just can't be angry like Genci about DRM period.

[genci88]

Lucky. I only got 23 upvotes on my anti-DRM review for the Riddick PC game and I was one of the first people that posted a review for that game. It's very easy to get upvotes when your reviews are anti-DRM. Gotta work on my anger better for my next anti-DRM review to get more upvotes.

Yeah, I wrote a negative review on Riddick too, and likewise it didn't get many votes.

My Spore review became that popular, simply because it was featured on major tech publications for some reason ( ). Additionally, Spore had over 3000 anti-DRM reviews (extremely popular), while Riddick only 100.

[neight]

Lucky. I only got 23 upvotes on my anti-DRM review for the Riddick PC game and I was one of the first people that posted a review for that game. It's very easy to get upvotes when your reviews are anti-DRM. Gotta work on my anger better for my next anti-DRM review to get more upvotes.

[nomore]

According to users on Vine's official forum, all other reviewers got special DRM-free copies too.

thats what they want you to believe.

I am greedy, but not THAT greedy.

now that is hard to believe.

[genci88]

that sucks, sorry to hear that.
but I wonder whether they can track it or not.


they were probably afraid of you, so they removed the DRM specially for you.

According to users on Vine's official forum, all other reviewers got special DRM-free copies too. Meh, whatever. That's perfect for me anyway, since the software itself is pretty good.

As for selling, I don't think I wanna take any chances. I am greedy, but not THAT greedy.

[nomore]

Plus it's against the rules to sell (or even donate) the stuff they send you.

that sucks, sorry to hear that.
but I wonder whether they can track it or not.

Hmm, I just installed Painter 11, and wasn't required to activate (I disabled my NIC to make sure). Interesting. I could swear that Corel's latest stuff came with DRM. Guess I was wrong. However, there was a "Dear Reviewer..." letter from Corel in the package, so maybe they sent me a DRM-free special copy?

Oh well. At least now I won't be removing any points due to DRM.

they were probably afraid of you, so they removed the DRM specially for you.

[genci88]

Hmm, I just installed Painter 11, and wasn't required to activate (I disabled my NIC to make sure). Interesting. I could swear that Corel's latest stuff came with DRM. Guess I was wrong. However, there was a "Dear Reviewer..." letter from Corel in the package, so maybe they sent me a DRM-free special copy?

Oh well. At least now I won't be removing any points due to DRM.

[genci88]

congratulations though.
that Corel program looks very expensive, so if you don't use it you can probably sell it and make some money.

I'll probably use it, since Photoshop sucks at painting. Plus it's against the rules to sell (or even donate) the stuff they send you.

[nomore]

I think you work for Amazon.

They are sending me Corel Painter 11 (I'll stay on topic when I review it, but I WILL cut a star if it comes with DRM.).

I am also getting a brand new Creative Live! Cam Pro webcam. Everything totally free. Not a bad grab considering this is my first monthly offer.

congratulations though.
that Corel program looks very expensive, so if you don't use it you can probably sell it and make some money.

[genci88]

I hope they will send you a game with DRM to review.

I think you work for Amazon. They are sending me Corel Painter 11 (I'll stay on topic when I review it, but I WILL cut a star if it comes with DRM.).

I am also getting a brand new Creative Live! Cam Pro webcam. Everything totally free. Not a bad grab considering this is my first monthly offer.

[coyote81]

Lmao nomore, anyway never heard of this. It sounds pretty neat and I should review my items better next time

Anyway congrats man, sounds like your in a sweet deal.

[nomore]

But seriously, Amazon will be losing much more money in the future (than these individual lost sales), if this DRM trend continues. Amazon makes a lot of money (though fees) from the third party second hand market, and DRM effectively kills that market.

So, from a business perspective the anti-DRM reviews are a good thing for Amazon.

in the short term, Amazon is losing money because of your review though.

people that I believe messed up the economy:
1-Bush
2-People that voted for Bush not once but twice.
3-Republicans
4-Genci88

[nomore]

Again, !

you bastardo.
I hope you are proud.

[genci88]

so let me get this straight, you are going to get something for free because you prevented people from buying a game with DRM from amazon and because you prevented amazon from making money in the process?

Again, !

But seriously, Amazon will be losing much more money in the future (than these individual lost sales), if this DRM trend continues. Amazon makes a lot of money (though fees) from the third party second hand market, and DRM effectively kills that market.

So, from a business perspective the anti-DRM reviews are a good thing for Amazon.

[nomore]

so let me get this straight, you are going to get something for free because you prevented people from buying a game with DRM from amazon and because you prevented amazon from making money in the process?

congratulations on your help to the economy?

What is Amazon Vine™?

Amazon Vine™ is a program that enables a select group of Amazon customers to post opinions about new and pre-release items to help their fellow customers make educated purchase decisions. Customers are invited to become Amazon Vine™ Voices based on the trust they have earned in the Amazon community for writing accurate and insightful reviews. Amazon provides Amazon Vine™ members with free copies of products that have been submitted to the program by vendors. Amazon does not influence the opinions of Amazon Vine™ members, nor do we modify or edit their reviews.

[Cartigan]

I hate you. I want in for free junk.

[genci88]

I hope they will send you a game with DRM to review.

I see that Amazon has sent Vine members expensive electronics as well in the past. My anti-DRM involvement has finally paid off!!!

For example look at this MS webcam. Under the reviewers name (all of them!) it mentions Amazon Vine (which basically means that the item was given to the reviewer for free):

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-RLA-00001-LifeCam-Show-Black/dp/B001DWI1F0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Damn, I hope they have something good next month.

[nomore]

Anyway, Amazon invited me a few days ago to the Amazon Vine program which is accessible to "top reviewers only". While in the program Amazon sends you pre-release books, movies, and other items for free, and you are supposed to review them. Then the items are yours to keep.

I hope they will send you a game with DRM to review.

[bete]

Don't even know what it is but I am one of the last of the Luddites.

[genci88]

Thanks to my anti-DRM Spore review on Amazon.com (which got like 8000 positive votes) I am now a Top 500 amazon reviewer.
Even though I only have like 22 reviews total.

Anyway, Amazon invited me a few days ago to the Amazon Vine program which is accessible to "top reviewers only". While in the program Amazon sends you pre-release books, movies, and other items for free, and you are supposed to review them. Then the items are yours to keep.

Sounds pretty awesome except that the list of items they have this month was pretty lame (mostly books from unknown authors). Not a single science fiction book either, which is my favorite genre. They did have some 24-packs of energy drinks, but those were all out of stock...

So anyone else here a member of this program?