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I bought 3 sets of Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers and wound up returning all 3, after buying an initial set of them that blew me away with its effortless, clear sound reproduction across the audio range and at low-to-high volumes. The 3 later sets all exhibited 60 cycle hum whenever the speaker volume control was turned up above about 1/4. (The volume control must be set higher than this, to achieve an adequate max. sound level). The hum only occurred while the audio input was attached to computer (Mac Pro). By swapping components with my first set of these speakers (which still works great), the source of the hum was localized to the bass/amplifier unit in each case. Powering the speakers and computer from the same grounded UPS outlet and inserting a ground loop isolator in the audio input chain did nothing to improve the situation. The initial set of speakers simply has exhibited no issues like this under identical conditions. Since 3 of 4 systems were completely unacceptable under normal usage conditions, I have to give this product low marks overall and for construction quality and sound quality. I wonder if this is why these speakers are now difficult to find new.	negative	[ "I bought 3 sets of Klipsch ProMedia 2.", "1 speakers and wound up returning all 3, after buying an initial set of them that blew me away with its effortless, clear sound reproduction across the audio range and at low-to-high volumes.", "The 3 later sets all exhibited 60 cycle hum whenever the speaker volume control was turned up above about 1/4.", "(The volume control must be set higher than this, to achieve an adequate max.", "sound level).", "The hum only occurred while the audio input was attached to computer (Mac Pro).", "By swapping components with my first set of these speakers (which still works great), the source of the hum was localized to the bass/amplifier unit in each case.", "Powering the speakers and computer from the same grounded UPS outlet and inserting a ground loop isolator in the audio input chain did nothing to improve the situation.", "The initial set of speakers simply has exhibited no issues like this under identical conditions.", "Since 3 of 4 systems were completely unacceptable under normal usage conditions, I have to give this product low marks overall and for construction quality and sound quality.", "I wonder if this is why these speakers are now difficult to find new." ]
I ordered from Seller1on1 and I got my case in 4 days (including Easter Sunday!) This was 2 days sooner than the first day of the estimate! The case was genuine Speck in T-Mobile retail packaging. The case is nice but I'm not a huge fan of the fit. There seems to be a lip around the edge of the case. When the lip is locked under the bezel of the phone the buttons don't line up right. The buttons built into the case are raised but the underside of the case isn't hollowed out to accommodate the buttons. If I put the case on the phone but don't push down the lip then it fits better. It feels like a nice case though and for the price it's hard to complain. Update: I had to reduce my rating from 3 to 2 stars. I ordered this case and the Speck Candyshell case. The Candyshell case is much better! The PixelSkin HD I received doesn't fit well at all so the buttons don't line up right. Based on other reviews, I will assume the PixelSkin I received may have been defective.... the volume was constantly changing on its own and the camera kept activating, etc. I do not have these issues with the Candyshell and I highly suggest that case! Again, the PixelSkin HD I received may have been defective but I don't feel like returning a six dollar case to find out. I will also say the patterned square boxes are more for look than they are for grip. The pattern is not nearly as "deep" as I thought it would be so the case is still slippery.	negative	[ "I ordered from Seller1on1 and I got my case in 4 days (including Easter Sunday!", ") This was 2 days sooner than the first day of the estimate!", "The case was genuine Speck in T-Mobile retail packaging.", "The case is nice but I'm not a huge fan of the fit.", "There seems to be a lip around the edge of the case.", "When the lip is locked under the bezel of the phone the buttons don't line up right.", "The buttons built into the case are raised but the underside of the case isn't hollowed out to accommodate the buttons.", "If I put the case on the phone but don't push down the lip then it fits better.", "It feels like a nice case though and for the price it's hard to complain.", "Update: I had to reduce my rating from 3 to 2 stars.", "I ordered this case and the Speck Candyshell case.", "The Candyshell case is much better!", "The PixelSkin HD I received doesn't fit well at all so the buttons don't line up right.", "Based on other reviews, I will assume the PixelSkin I received may have been defective....", "the volume was constantly changing on its own and the camera kept activating, etc.", "I do not have these issues with the Candyshell and I highly suggest that case!", "Again, the PixelSkin HD I received may have been defective but I don't feel like returning a six dollar case to find out.", "I will also say the patterned square boxes are more for look than they are for grip.", "The pattern is not nearly as \"deep\" as I thought it would be so the case is still slippery." ]
This is the worst bond game ever, and possibly the worst game ever. It is not a game, it's a movie. here are the reasons it sucks: 1)EA went with the trend and went 3rd person. This disallows for any entertaining gameplay at all, because you cannot sidestep. 2)The co-operative multiplayer is a completely different story than the single player, and all of the characters you start with are generic ppl. 3)The Co-operative mode is unbelievably hard. It is like trying to shove a rhino in a soda can. It is not entertaining, and is the most frustrating thing i've ever played. 4)You must beat the first "level", which consists of about 10 cansecutive levels, of co-operative to unlock arena mode. 5)I have repeatedly completed every goal to get a platinum medal on one mission, but the game refuses to award it to me. 6)The only good things about this game are the driving levels, but they soon become repetitive and boring. 7)Pierce Brosnan's scrip is worse than that of Dyanasty Warriors 3. After having a discussion with Q about metal, Q suggests he leave. Bond says "Platinum idea, Q, lets test Diavolo's mettle." The line "Bond, James Bond" is repeated at least 4 times, and it is not dilivered well. 8)I know it's a little sexist, but the girls are ugly as hell. 9)The game is basically a remixed, retextured Enter the Matrix, only with worse hand-to-hand combat, and no focus ability. 10)The only reasons to play this game are to see John Cleese as Q, and Willem Dafoe as Diavolo (2 letters away from the spanish word for devil)	negative	[ "This is the worst bond game ever, and possibly the worst game ever.", "It is not a game, it's a movie.", "here are the reasons it sucks:\n1)EA went with the trend and went 3rd person.", "This disallows for any entertaining gameplay at all, because you cannot sidestep.", "2)The co-operative multiplayer is a completely different story than the single player, and all of the characters you start with are generic ppl.", "3)The Co-operative mode is unbelievably hard.", "It is like trying to shove a rhino in a soda can.", "It is not entertaining, and is the most frustrating thing i've ever played.", "4)You must beat the first \"level\", which consists of about 10 cansecutive levels, of co-operative to unlock arena mode.", "5)I have repeatedly completed every goal to get a platinum medal on one mission, but the game refuses to award it to me.", "6)The only good things about this game are the driving levels, but they soon become repetitive and boring.", "7)Pierce Brosnan's scrip is worse than that of Dyanasty Warriors 3.", "After having a discussion with Q about metal, Q suggests he leave.", "Bond says \"Platinum idea, Q, lets test Diavolo's mettle.", "\"\nThe line \"Bond, James Bond\" is repeated at least 4 times, and it is not dilivered well.", "8)I know it's a little sexist, but the girls are ugly as hell.", "9)The game is basically a remixed, retextured Enter the Matrix, only with worse hand-to-hand combat, and no focus ability.", "10)The only reasons to play this game are to see John Cleese as Q, and Willem Dafoe as Diavolo (2 letters away from the spanish word for devil)" ]
This is terrible writing, at its best, marketed to the masses. The dialogue is so unreal. The characters, you can't even relate to them. It's so hokey, and nothing original. Unrealistic practices, rose meditation, c'mon, I'm to do this for two weeks. There are many, many other better books out there. Trying Being Peace by TNH. Good luck, and if this book worked for you, great. I reviewed this in a positive mood too.........	negative	[ "This is terrible writing, at its best, marketed to the masses.", "The dialogue is so unreal.", "The characters, you can't even relate to them.", "It's so hokey, and nothing original.", "Unrealistic practices, rose meditation, c'mon, I'm to do this for two weeks.", "There are many, many other better books out there.", "Trying Being Peace by TNH.", "Good luck, and if this book worked for you, great.", "I reviewed this in a positive mood too....", "....", "." ]
Have had Insinkerator disposers for years and have always gotten a fair life of the unit until now. I installed a Badger 5 less than 4 years ago and it cracked in the upper housing the same way so many others have failed. It cracked vertically in three places on the back side of the unit. The leaks start small and then the cracks run, as they will do anytime there is vibration. Since the leaks were on the back side, they weren't noticed until the leakage became apparent on the bottom of the sink cabinet. After I removed it and inspected the cracks, it looks like it has been leaking for a few years. Not what I expected after light residential usage. I took pictures and sent a note to Insinkerator customer service even though it was past warranty since I noticed so many people reporting the same type of cracked housing failure. On the one hand, they denied ever knowing of a problem and quoted several customers stating that their units lasted 10 or more years. On the other hand, they were very quick to respond and very agreeable to working with me regarding a replacement unit. So 1-star for the product, but 5-stars for their customer service. Though I hated to do it, I bought a more expensive unit of the same brand with a stainless steel grinding chamber and stainless grinding components. Due to design differences, it shouldn't have the same failure. Hoping for the best!	negative	[ "Have had Insinkerator disposers for years and have always gotten a fair life of the unit until now.", "I installed a Badger 5 less than 4 years ago and it cracked in the upper housing the same way so many others have failed.", "It cracked vertically in three places on the back side of the unit.", "The leaks start small and then the cracks run, as they will do anytime there is vibration.", "Since the leaks were on the back side, they weren't noticed until the leakage became apparent on the bottom of the sink cabinet.", "After I removed it and inspected the cracks, it looks like it has been leaking for a few years.", "Not what I expected after light residential usage.", "I took pictures and sent a note to Insinkerator customer service even though it was past warranty since I noticed so many people reporting the same type of cracked housing failure.", "On the one hand, they denied ever knowing of a problem and quoted several customers stating that their units lasted 10 or more years.", "On the other hand, they were very quick to respond and very agreeable to working with me regarding a replacement unit.", "So 1-star for the product, but 5-stars for their customer service.", "Though I hated to do it, I bought a more expensive unit of the same brand with a stainless steel grinding chamber and stainless grinding components.", "Due to design differences, it shouldn't have the same failure.", "Hoping for the best!" ]
I'm now buying my third cable. As everyone else states, they don't last that long. I wonder if posting this review on the Shure PGX Wireless unit will get any attention from Shure. There stuff is usually rock solid and lasts for years, these cables each lasted maybe only a year or two each. For me that's only 40 gigs. The first one I got to last a little longer by actually going in and repairing the solder joint but everything in there is so small, it's not at all like soldering a regular guitar cable. The latest one broke in a different way. The brass female connectors inside the end which goes to the belt pack actually started coming out of its housing. Completely broke the connection inside. I would buy something different if I could but the wireless unit itself cost around $300 and it's quite an investment to get a different unit. So here I'll just keep throwing $16 at the problem.	negative	[ "I'm now buying my third cable.", "As everyone else states, they don't last that long.", "I wonder if posting this review on the Shure PGX Wireless unit will get any attention from Shure.", "There stuff is usually rock solid and lasts for years, these cables each lasted maybe only a year or two each.", "For me that's only 40 gigs.", "The first one I got to last a little longer by actually going in and repairing the solder joint but everything in there is so small, it's not at all like soldering a regular guitar cable.", "The latest one broke in a different way.", "The brass female connectors inside the end which goes to the belt pack actually started coming out of its housing.", "Completely broke the connection inside.", "I would buy something different if I could but the wireless unit itself cost around $300 and it's quite an investment to get a different unit.", "So here I'll just keep throwing $16 at the problem." ]
I bought this for $6.90 with shipping of $.99 included. I got what a paid for, a piece of junk. I should have saved that money for a Togo's sandwich instead. Not only the damn thing broke a piece of my vent, it didn't work. No matter how I adjusted it, I couldn't get my phone from facing the sky, which is contracting to what was being depicted on the website. As for the sticky stand, don't use that. You will crack your phone as everything will end up on the floor. I can not return this because it would cost me almost half of what I paid for it. The seller refused to pay for a return label. Don't be fool. Don't buy this piece of crap.	negative	[ "I bought this for $6.", "90 with shipping of $.", "99 included.", "I got what a paid for, a piece of junk.", "I should have saved that money for a Togo's sandwich instead.", "Not only the damn thing broke a piece of my vent, it didn't work.", "No matter how I adjusted it, I couldn't get my phone from facing the sky, which is contracting to what was being depicted on the website.", "As for the sticky stand, don't use that.", "You will crack your phone as everything will end up on the floor.", "I can not return this because it would cost me almost half of what I paid for it.", "The seller refused to pay for a return label.", "Don't be fool.", "Don't buy this piece of crap." ]
[...] ASPCA and veterinarians say: All close members of the onion family (shallots, onions, garlic, scallions, etc.) contain compounds that can damage dogs red blood cells if ingested in sufficient quantities. A rule of thumb is the stronger it is, the more toxic it is. Garlic tends to be more toxic than onions, on an ounce-for-ounce basis. While its uncommon for dogs to eat enough raw onions and garlic to cause serious problems, exposure to concentrated forms of onion or garlic, such as dehydrated onions, onion soup mix or garlic powder, may put dogs at risk of toxicosis. The damage to the red blood cells caused by onions and garlic generally doesnt become apparent until three to five days after a dog eats these vegetables. Affected dogs may seem weak or reluctant to move, or they may appear to tire easily after mild exercise. Their urine may be orange-tinged to dark red in color. These dogs should be examined by a veterinarian immediately. In severe cases, blood transfusions may be needed. Knowing that why would you feed them any of it? Shame on Mother Hubbard.	negative	[ "[...", "]\n\nASPCA and veterinarians say:\n\nAll close members of the onion family (shallots, onions, garlic, scallions, etc.", ") contain compounds that can damage dogs red blood cells if ingested in sufficient quantities.", "A rule of thumb is the stronger it is, the more toxic it is.", "Garlic tends to be more toxic than onions, on an ounce-for-ounce basis.", "While its uncommon for dogs to eat enough raw onions and garlic to cause serious problems, exposure to concentrated forms of onion or garlic, such as dehydrated onions, onion soup mix or garlic powder, may put dogs at risk of toxicosis.", "The damage to the red blood cells caused by onions and garlic generally doesnt become apparent until three to five days after a dog eats these vegetables.", "Affected dogs may seem weak or reluctant to move, or they may appear to tire easily after mild exercise.", "Their urine may be orange-tinged to dark red in color.", "These dogs should be examined by a veterinarian immediately.", "In severe cases, blood transfusions may be needed.", "Knowing that why would you feed them any of it?", "Shame on Mother Hubbard." ]
ya see ... i mean ... how do i put it ? there are times ... most of the time ... things go on around you ... and ya know ... they may ... hit you , but they sorta stay outside you . but this ... this ... this doesn't stay outside , this ... this is like suddenly realizing that you're ... you're vulnerable . it can get inside . it can destroy you . and ... the ... the pain i had with this shingles stuff ... it is not just the pain ... it was ... it was pain with the ... the ... implication that there was something really badly wrong inside . and ... going through ... ya know ... the ... weeks of that ... n ... n ... ya know ... you ... the ... the medics ... just shrug it off . they don't look . ya know ... they assume that ... -lrb- sighs -rrb- they assume that it is all ... ya know , just ... the ... the shingles . but it feels as if there is something ... ya know ... deep in your gut that is just horridly wrong	negative	[ "ya see...", "i mean...", "how do i put it?", "there are times...", "most of the time...", "things go on around you...", "and ya know...", "they may...", "hit you , but they sorta stay outside you.", "but this...", "this...", "this doesn't stay outside , this...", "this is like suddenly realizing that you're...", "you're vulnerable.", "it can get inside.", "it can destroy you.", "and...", "the...", "the pain i had with this shingles stuff...", "it is not just the pain...", "it was...", "it was pain with the...", "the...", "implication that there was something really badly wrong inside.", "and...", "going through...", "ya know...", "the...", "weeks of that...", "n...", "n...", "ya know...", "you...", "the...", "the medics...", "just shrug it off.", "they don't look.", "ya know...", "they assume that...", "-lrb- sighs -rrb- they assume that it is all...", "ya know , just...", "the...", "the shingles.", "but it feels as if there is something...", "ya know...", "deep in your gut that is just horridly wrong" ]
I've got a 3Doodler 2.0 first, purchased locally, which was complete junk (see customer reviews for 2.0 here on Amazon). Was able to return it and purchase a 3Doodler Create. All I can say is that this is probably the most frustrating technical/creative present I've ever purchased for my kids. I also own a 3D printer, so I have some idea about basic physics of plastic filament deposition modeling and thermal properties of various plastics. This pen doesn't take into account even basic physics of the extrusion process. Cold section of the nozzle feeding tube is too short, which puts the cold thermal break way too close to the feeding gear. Feeding is based on a worm gear, which is hardly adequate when used with hard plastics (e.g. PLA). Very little has been done to properly calibrate retraction (the part when the plastic is "sucked" back into the nozzle to prevent oozing). The results are rather underwhelming -- excessive oozing with Flex filament, large gaps in extrusion when stopping and starting again, almost guaranteed clogging when changing plastics and so on. The last straw that prompted me to return the pen was when on a plastic change the smaller segment of the plastic noodle that was already in the nozzle got melted at the tail end when being pushed by the new plastic noodle I fed from the back of the pen. The result was an unrecoverable clog, as the melted portion ended up being thicker than the nozzle would allow to feed forward and thicker than the opening of the feeding mechanism so it won't feed backwards either. As the extruder in this pen is not customer serviceable (the "service" opening is a joke), the result was a solid plug of plastic which is impossible to remove. You can say that my expectations were too high, but at the times when you can purchase a decent 3D printer for $300, I expected a little bit more from a $100 3D pen.	negative	[ "I've got a 3Doodler 2.", "0 first, purchased locally, which was complete junk (see customer reviews for 2.", "0 here on Amazon).", "Was able to return it and purchase a 3Doodler Create.", "All I can say is that this is probably the most frustrating technical/creative present I've ever purchased for my kids.", "I also own a 3D printer, so I have some idea about basic physics of plastic filament deposition modeling and thermal properties of various plastics.", "This pen doesn't take into account even basic physics of the extrusion process.", "Cold section of the nozzle feeding tube is too short, which puts the cold thermal break way too close to the feeding gear.", "Feeding is based on a worm gear, which is hardly adequate when used with hard plastics (e.", "g. PLA).", "Very little has been done to properly calibrate retraction (the part when the plastic is \"sucked\" back into the nozzle to prevent oozing).", "The results are rather underwhelming -- excessive oozing with Flex filament, large gaps in extrusion when stopping and starting again, almost guaranteed clogging when changing plastics and so on.", "The last straw that prompted me to return the pen was when on a plastic change the smaller segment of the plastic noodle that was already in the nozzle got melted at the tail end when being pushed by the new plastic noodle I fed from the back of the pen.", "The result was an unrecoverable clog, as the melted portion ended up being thicker than the nozzle would allow to feed forward and thicker than the opening of the feeding mechanism so it won't feed backwards either.", "As the extruder in this pen is not customer serviceable (the \"service\" opening is a joke), the result was a solid plug of plastic which is impossible to remove.", "You can say that my expectations were too high, but at the times when you can purchase a decent 3D printer for $300, I expected a little bit more from a $100 3D pen." ]
This game has many things going for it, but I am not going to itemize those things. The reason I rated this game 2 stars (and subsequently cancelled my pre-order) - was solely because of the RIGHT THUMBSTICK. It infuriates me to no end that I must press (the RIGHT THUMBSTICK) RIGHT to look LEFT and vice versa. It boggles my mind that there is no menu option to reverse the polarity. Prisoner of War - has the same exact flaw. Let me be as clear as I can (in the hopes that video game programmers are reading). All players want the most "intuitive and flexible" controls possible - so that they can become effecient at killing bad guys. Pressing RIGHT to look LEFT will NEVER EVER EVER be intuitive for me. Please AGREE with this comment so that we send a BIG message to the video game makers. HALO's controls are perfect - don't reinvent the wheel!	negative	[ "This game has many things going for it, but I am not going to itemize those things.", "The reason I rated this game 2 stars (and subsequently cancelled my pre-order) - was solely because of the RIGHT THUMBSTICK.", "It infuriates me to no end that I must press (the RIGHT THUMBSTICK) RIGHT to look LEFT and vice versa.", "It boggles my mind that there is no menu option to reverse the polarity.", "Prisoner of War - has the same exact flaw.", "Let me be as clear as I can (in the hopes that video game programmers are reading).", "All players want the most \"intuitive and flexible\" controls possible - so that they can become effecient at killing bad guys.", "Pressing RIGHT to look LEFT will NEVER EVER EVER be intuitive for me.", "Please AGREE with this comment so that we send a BIG message to the video game makers.", "HALO's controls are perfect - don't reinvent the wheel!" ]
In the wake of the revolutionary Grand Theft Auto 3, there were a horde of pretender games released that couldn't come close to GTA's audacity and style. True Crime: Streets of LA was actually one game that came close in this sense, which is why this sequel, True Crime: New York City, was so looked forward to. However, not only is this game supremely disappointing, it's almost unplayable. At first glance the game looks slick enough, but once you engage in the game's storyline and horrible dialogue along with the unbelievably choppy frame rate, you'll wonder how this ever got released. The story of the game is you play as Marcus; an undercover cop looking to clean up the streets, one way or another. No matter which route you take: good cop or bad cop, it's going to be hard to get past the fuzzy graphics, the clunky controls, the derivative gameplay, the inane collision detection, and bugs that plague True Crime: New York City throughout the game. There's hardly anything good worth noting about True Crime, other than a somewhat decent soundtrack (featuring punk favorites the Misfits as well as the godfather of ghoul rock Danzig, and naturally plenty of hip-hop, ugh...) and a surprisingly solid cast of actors supplying their voices (including Christopher Walken, Laurence Fishburne, Mickey Rourke, and Mariska Hargitay among others) who are sadly wasted with the cliche dialogue. Also, it should be noted that the game will crash randomly, a lot. It's a wonder how this game ever got past quality control, but then again, I guess everyone's got to make a quick buck these days. Do yourself a favor; stick with GTA, any GTA for that matter, even the original one for the PS1. Just whatever you do, leave this game on the shelf.	negative	[ "In the wake of the revolutionary Grand Theft Auto 3, there were a horde of pretender games released that couldn't come close to GTA's audacity and style.", "True Crime: Streets of LA was actually one game that came close in this sense, which is why this sequel, True Crime: New York City, was so looked forward to.", "However, not only is this game supremely disappointing, it's almost unplayable.", "At first glance the game looks slick enough, but once you engage in the game's storyline and horrible dialogue along with the unbelievably choppy frame rate, you'll wonder how this ever got released.", "The story of the game is you play as Marcus; an undercover cop looking to clean up the streets, one way or another.", "No matter which route you take: good cop or bad cop, it's going to be hard to get past the fuzzy graphics, the clunky controls, the derivative gameplay, the inane collision detection, and bugs that plague True Crime: New York City throughout the game.", "There's hardly anything good worth noting about True Crime, other than a somewhat decent soundtrack (featuring punk favorites the Misfits as well as the godfather of ghoul rock Danzig, and naturally plenty of hip-hop, ugh...", ") and a surprisingly solid cast of actors supplying their voices (including Christopher Walken, Laurence Fishburne, Mickey Rourke, and Mariska Hargitay among others) who are sadly wasted with the cliche dialogue.", "Also, it should be noted that the game will crash randomly, a lot.", "It's a wonder how this game ever got past quality control, but then again, I guess everyone's got to make a quick buck these days.", "Do yourself a favor; stick with GTA, any GTA for that matter, even the original one for the PS1.", "Just whatever you do, leave this game on the shelf." ]
Two stars might make the reader believe this is a bad product, but it isn't. The VINCENT LONGO Olive Oil Fix Tip Makeup Remover is actually a very nice product. However, it has several drawbacks. First, the tube contains about - maybe, I don't know - maybe a teaspoon and a half of an "olive oil product" - I'd rather use pure olive oil than some olive oil mixed with chemicals (see label photo). The product itself does a very good job at removing makeup mistakes without disturbing much surrounding area. However, is this product worth $20? Absolutely not. As I stated . . . it's a tiny amount of oil, a fixed, stationary applicator, and a dozen extra swabs (overproduced, glorified Q-tips). The in-tube applicator defies explanation; if one is expected to dispose of the provided tips, not re-immerse them in the oil, it seems that providing the attached applicator is counter-intuitive. Its use would contaminate the oil, so why is it there? Also, immersing a disposable tip in the tube this morning, I managed to dislodge the white cap, which could create an oily disaster in someone's purse if the tip remained dislodged inadvertently. Yes, this product does the trick. But so do a host of other things, including water on a Q-tip. So why pay $20 for what is basically frou frou?	negative	[ "Two stars might make the reader believe this is a bad product, but it isn't.", "The VINCENT LONGO Olive Oil Fix Tip Makeup Remover is actually a very nice product.", "However, it has several drawbacks.", "First, the tube contains about - maybe, I don't know - maybe a teaspoon and a half of an \"olive oil product\" - I'd rather use pure olive oil than some olive oil mixed with chemicals (see label photo).", "The product itself does a very good job at removing makeup mistakes without disturbing much surrounding area.", "However, is this product worth $20?", "Absolutely not.", "As I stated.", ".", ".", "it's a tiny amount of oil, a fixed, stationary applicator, and a dozen extra swabs (overproduced, glorified Q-tips).", "The in-tube applicator defies explanation; if one is expected to dispose of the provided tips, not re-immerse them in the oil, it seems that providing the attached applicator is counter-intuitive.", "Its use would contaminate the oil, so why is it there?", "Also, immersing a disposable tip in the tube this morning, I managed to dislodge the white cap, which could create an oily disaster in someone's purse if the tip remained dislodged inadvertently.", "Yes, this product does the trick.", "But so do a host of other things, including water on a Q-tip.", "So why pay $20 for what is basically frou frou?" ]
PROS: Easy to setup. There's a short cable sticking right out of the back of the dual radios this module is made for. Easy to pair up and pairs really fast. The music is crystal clear. Even clearer than my CD's or HD radio. CONS: the phone is on the low end of bluetooth. You can hear fine through the speakers but the person on the other end often has problems hearing you. I've had complaints of muffled, bottom of a well, and windy (especially with AC blowing full blast.) Also, when you switch from bluetooth back to radio, it doesn't play the station you were on. It's just silent. You have to choose another station and then go back to the station you want to listen to. It's kind of annoying. OVERALL: I mostly use it for the music because I got tired of people complaining about the sound quality of the phone. I use a HTC Touch Pro 2 phone btw.	negative	[ "PROS:\nEasy to setup.", "There's a short cable sticking right out of the back of the dual radios this module is made for.", "Easy to pair up and pairs really fast.", "The music is crystal clear.", "Even clearer than my CD's or HD radio.", "CONS:\nthe phone is on the low end of bluetooth.", "You can hear fine through the speakers but the person on the other end often has problems hearing you.", "I've had complaints of muffled, bottom of a well, and windy (especially with AC blowing full blast.", ") Also, when you switch from bluetooth back to radio, it doesn't play the station you were on.", "It's just silent.", "You have to choose another station and then go back to the station you want to listen to.", "It's kind of annoying.", "OVERALL:\nI mostly use it for the music because I got tired of people complaining about the sound quality of the phone.", "I use a HTC Touch Pro 2 phone btw." ]
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Disclosures: I borrowed the audiobook (CDs) from the library. As I don't read Russian, I read the most recent English translation. Some of my comments on the book may be due to the translation. It occurred to me during a few years ago, during my last viewing of the movie version of Doctor Zhivago that I hadn't read the book and that and that maybe I should, because the book is usually better than the movie. There are some notable exceptions to the book is better than the movie rule. For me, my favorite example of the movie being better than the book is The Godfather I. The book was a page turner, but ultimately pulp fiction. The movie was art, and not just in my opinion, many critics and viewers feel that The Godfather movie is art. I started reading Doctor Zhivago with the expectation that I would enjoy it and probably love it. I enjoy the movie and have watched it at least five times. I expected to read incredibly beautiful, lyrical and poetic passages. I expected to gain additional insight into the human condition. About a third of the way into the book, I started thinking, where is the poetic language? Why does Mr. Pasternak choose to linger over seemingly small incidents and gloss over things that should, by my taste as a reader, be delved into? For example, we learn that Lara, the great passion of Doctor Yury Zhivago's life, bore his child (a daughter) and then gave her up for adoption so that she could marry her first, and presumably last, lover, Viktor Komarovsky (a man who was known for taking advantage of everyone and every situation that he could). I would have liked to have known more about that episode in the Lara / Yury saga, but it was a virtual aside. While I liked the each member of the love triangle (Lara / Yury / Tonia (Yury's wife) in the movie, the only character of the triangle that resonated with me from the book, was Tonia. Tonia had more dimension in the book. Strangely, I did not find either Lara or Yury compelling or romantic. By the time that I was finished reading the book, I came to think of Yury as a somewhat indulged man, who preferred to share a bed, rather than sleep alone, because there was a third "Mrs." Zhivago in the book (Marina) that was not in the movie. As for the content, what comes to mind is bloat. Mr. Pasternak was a poet before he turned his hand to writing Doctor Zhivago. I expected leaner prose. Mr. Pasternak told more than he showed, especially the seemingly endless, heavy-handed, droning passages filled with his philosophy and politics. The plot meanders and there are too many extraneous characters and scenes that don't advance the story. The descriptions were not poetic and the dialogue . . . the dialogue, felt unnatural, wooden and clich-ridden. The phrase "give up the ghost" was used too often for my tastes. Perhaps some of my discontent with the book is due to the English translation by Larissa Volokhonsky and Richard Pevear that I read. The Volokhonsky-Pevear translation is the second English translation of Doctor Zhivago. The first English translation was by Max Hayward and Manya Harari. I read an article in The Guardian by Ann Pasternak Slater, Boris Pasternak's niece. Ms. Slater was not enthralled with the Volokhonsky-Pevear translation. Some of the comments that Ms. Slater wrote about the translation, include: "It's instructive to check Volokhonsky-Pevear's English against the Russian. It's painful ineptitudes can regularly be defended by a Russian source. Yet the original isn't inept. It's simply been badly translated." "This misguided literalism is disastrous in dialogue. "Yes, yes, it's vexing in the highest degree that we didn't see each other yesterday" ("Oh, I wish I'd seen you yesterday")." "Volokhonsky-Pevear are ruled by the principle of literal fidelity, Hayward-Harari by the imperatives of clarity, elegance and euphony." If I had read the Hayward-Harari translation, I might have liked the book better. But truly, after the Volokhonsky-Pevear translation, I don't have the interest or stamina to read the Hayward-Harari version. As for the movie, why is it better than the book, IMO? Because the director, David Lean, and the screenwriter, Robert Bolt, were disciplined and extracted from the book a story that was a sweeping epic and a romance, without the sermonizing or extraneous bits. (Hard to believe that I'm saying this about a movie that clocks in at 3 hours, 17 minutes.) Messrs. Lean and Bolt were alchemists that created movie gold out of the iron that was the novel. Notes about the audiobook: John Lee narrated the audiobook. Mr. Lee is a masterful reader. His voice is resonant; his diction clear, his pronunciation accurate and his ability to create separate voices for the various characters is skillful. However, even Mr. Lee's excellent performance couldn't make, as they say, a silk purse out of a pig's ear. Why is it that the publishers of the CD versions of books feel that it is unnecessary to announce the number of the CD at the beginning of the disc and the end at the end of the disc? I consider it, at best, unfriendly, and, at worst, inconsiderate of the reader.	negative	[ "THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS\n\nDisclosures:\nI borrowed the audiobook (CDs) from the library.", "As I don't read Russian, I read the most recent English translation.", "Some of my comments on the book may be due to the translation.", "It occurred to me during a few years ago, during my last viewing of the movie version of Doctor Zhivago that I hadn't read the book and that and that maybe I should, because the book is usually better than the movie.", "There are some notable exceptions to the book is better than the movie rule.", "For me, my favorite example of the movie being better than the book is The Godfather I.", "The book was a page turner, but ultimately pulp fiction.", "The movie was art, and not just in my opinion, many critics and viewers feel that The Godfather movie is art.", "I started reading Doctor Zhivago with the expectation that I would enjoy it and probably love it.", "I enjoy the movie and have watched it at least five times.", "I expected to read incredibly beautiful, lyrical and poetic passages.", "I expected to gain additional insight into the human condition.", "About a third of the way into the book, I started thinking, where is the poetic language?", "Why does Mr.", "Pasternak choose to linger over seemingly small incidents and gloss over things that should, by my taste as a reader, be delved into?", "For example, we learn that Lara, the great passion of Doctor Yury Zhivago's life, bore his child (a daughter) and then gave her up for adoption so that she could marry her first, and presumably last, lover, Viktor Komarovsky (a man who was known for taking advantage of everyone and every situation that he could).", "I would have liked to have known more about that episode in the Lara / Yury saga, but it was a virtual aside.", "While I liked the each member of the love triangle (Lara / Yury / Tonia (Yury's wife) in the movie, the only character of the triangle that resonated with me from the book, was Tonia.", "Tonia had more dimension in the book.", "Strangely, I did not find either Lara or Yury compelling or romantic.", "By the time that I was finished reading the book, I came to think of Yury as a somewhat indulged man, who preferred to share a bed, rather than sleep alone, because there was a third \"Mrs.", "\" Zhivago in the book (Marina) that was not in the movie.", "As for the content, what comes to mind is bloat.", "Mr.", "Pasternak was a poet before he turned his hand to writing Doctor Zhivago.", "I expected leaner prose.", "Mr.", "Pasternak told more than he showed, especially the seemingly endless, heavy-handed, droning passages filled with his philosophy and politics.", "The plot meanders and there are too many extraneous characters and scenes that don't advance the story.", "The descriptions were not poetic and the dialogue.", ".", ".", "the dialogue, felt unnatural, wooden and clich-ridden.", "The phrase \"give up the ghost\" was used too often for my tastes.", "Perhaps some of my discontent with the book is due to the English translation by Larissa Volokhonsky and Richard Pevear that I read.", "The Volokhonsky-Pevear translation is the second English translation of Doctor Zhivago.", "The first English translation was by Max Hayward and Manya Harari.", "I read an article in The Guardian by Ann Pasternak Slater, Boris Pasternak's niece.", "Ms.", "Slater was not enthralled with the Volokhonsky-Pevear translation.", "Some of the comments that Ms.", "Slater wrote about the translation, include:\n\n\"It's instructive to check Volokhonsky-Pevear's English against the Russian.", "It's painful ineptitudes can regularly be defended by a Russian source.", "Yet the original isn't inept.", "It's simply been badly translated.", "\"\n\n\"This misguided literalism is disastrous in dialogue.", "\"Yes, yes, it's vexing in the highest degree that we didn't see each other yesterday\" (\"Oh, I wish I'd seen you yesterday\").", "\"\n\n\"Volokhonsky-Pevear are ruled by the principle of literal fidelity, Hayward-Harari by the imperatives of clarity, elegance and euphony.", "\"\n\nIf I had read the Hayward-Harari translation, I might have liked the book better.", "But truly, after the Volokhonsky-Pevear translation, I don't have the interest or stamina to read the Hayward-Harari version.", "As for the movie, why is it better than the book, IMO?", "Because the director, David Lean, and the screenwriter, Robert Bolt, were disciplined and extracted from the book a story that was a sweeping epic and a romance, without the sermonizing or extraneous bits.", "(Hard to believe that I'm saying this about a movie that clocks in at 3 hours, 17 minutes.", ") Messrs.", "Lean and Bolt were alchemists that created movie gold out of the iron that was the novel.", "Notes about the audiobook:\n\nJohn Lee narrated the audiobook.", "Mr.", "Lee is a masterful reader.", "His voice is resonant; his diction clear, his pronunciation accurate and his ability to create separate voices for the various characters is skillful.", "However, even Mr.", "Lee's excellent performance couldn't make, as they say, a silk purse out of a pig's ear.", "Why is it that the publishers of the CD versions of books feel that it is unnecessary to announce the number of the CD at the beginning of the disc and the end at the end of the disc?", "I consider it, at best, unfriendly, and, at worst, inconsiderate of the reader." ]
Let's get down to brass tacks: The first three books? Excellent. Each was better than the one before. The first book took me awhile to get into, but by the halfway point I knew I was in for a real treat with this series. But my opinion took a nose-dive after this thing. Three excellent books notwithstanding, Martin has definite strengths and weaknesses. I would like to touch on these. Martin's main strength, I think, is his actual plot development. The first three books had complex, exciting, unpredictable plots. In this book. the plot takes a left turn into a brick wall. It never really gets rolling. Not like in the first three books. A Storm of Swords had more plot in two chapters than is contained in this entire book. Frightening to say what is obvious here, and I hoped I never would have to, but here it is: Shades of RJ. Throughout the entire series, Martin's prose -- word-smithing, dialogue, pacing -- all of these are adequate. Good but not great. Some find the constantly changing point-of-view, from chapter to chapter, to be refreshing, riveting, novel, ingenious, etc. I find it somewhat tedious at times, and evidence of fickleness, a writer who cannot settle on a protagonist or three. You can look at the wanton removal of characters as proof of this flightiness. Do we really want to read POV from a secondary character who may not last three quarters of a book; or, that we wish wouldn't last that long? More shades of RJ. (And since I am on the subject of that RJ fellow, I must ask: did Martin really refer to a dragon eating its tail?! I know RJ must have stolen that snake thing from somewhere, that many or most of his concepts were shamelessly "borrowed" -- but still, that's been done.) Speaking of characters, most are not likeable, and some are not cut out for POV. Hardly a sympathetic character in the bunch. I guess maybe Martin feels the same, because he kills them off as readily as if they were houseflies. I don't have a problem with this, really; it adds grit and realism to the story. But it is nonetheless interesting to note this in a writer, this scarcity of larger-than-life heroes. Again, it adds grit, but the problem is, so many POV characters, and so few likeable or truly interesting characters. Do the math: there are many characters we would rather not spend too much time delving into; some cans of worms are just unappealing. And some are just a bit dull. Now, let's look at the characters we really, really like to read about, the ones where we are sorry when their chapters are over. We have a whoring, patricidal, black-sheep dwarf with a surprising sense of honor and nobility; a young [...], marked for greatness, with a painful sense of honor and nobility; and a soft, fat coward who nevertheless manages, nobly, to control and overcome his cowardly nature enough to get the job done without wetting himself. There are, of course, a few others that are quite interesting to read about. Still, for characters that really grow on you, those are pretty much the ones that do it -- for me at least. But what characters! These are excellent, well-developed personalities set in complicated situations. So where the hell are they in this book??? Perhaps the most compelling character in this installment is a revolting, incestuous, child-maiming knight whose prowess was removed along with his sword-hand. It's hard to look past this guy's grotesqueness and callus baseness, to see any worthwhile fabric underneath -- but behold! there it is. Like it or not, and irredeemable though he should be, there is something here to fascinate the reader. He is, unarguably, an interesting character, tarnished, twisted, and unforgivable though he is. But this book is off point. I was disappointed and bored.	negative	[ "Let's get down to brass tacks:\n\nThe first three books?", "Excellent.", "Each was better than the one before.", "The first book took me awhile to get into, but by the halfway point I knew I was in for a real treat with this series.", "But my opinion took a nose-dive after this thing.", "Three excellent books notwithstanding, Martin has definite strengths and weaknesses.", "I would like to touch on these.", "Martin's main strength, I think, is his actual plot development.", "The first three books had complex, exciting, unpredictable plots.", "In this book.", "the plot takes a left turn into a brick wall.", "It never really gets rolling.", "Not like in the first three books.", "A Storm of Swords had more plot in two chapters than is contained in this entire book.", "Frightening to say what is obvious here, and I hoped I never would have to, but here it is:\n\nShades of RJ.", "Throughout the entire series, Martin's prose -- word-smithing, dialogue, pacing -- all of these are adequate.", "Good but not great.", "Some find the constantly changing point-of-view, from chapter to chapter, to be refreshing, riveting, novel, ingenious, etc.", "I find it somewhat tedious at times, and evidence of fickleness, a writer who cannot settle on a protagonist or three.", "You can look at the wanton removal of characters as proof of this flightiness.", "Do we really want to read POV from a secondary character who may not last three quarters of a book; or, that we wish wouldn't last that long?", "More shades of RJ.", "(And since I am on the subject of that RJ fellow, I must ask: did Martin really refer to a dragon eating its tail?!", "I know RJ must have stolen that snake thing from somewhere, that many or most of his concepts were shamelessly \"borrowed\" -- but still, that's been done.", ")\n\nSpeaking of characters, most are not likeable, and some are not cut out for POV.", "Hardly a sympathetic character in the bunch.", "I guess maybe Martin feels the same, because he kills them off as readily as if they were houseflies.", "I don't have a problem with this, really; it adds grit and realism to the story.", "But it is nonetheless interesting to note this in a writer, this scarcity of larger-than-life heroes.", "Again, it adds grit, but the problem is, so many POV characters, and so few likeable or truly interesting characters.", "Do the math: there are many characters we would rather not spend too much time delving into; some cans of worms are just unappealing.", "And some are just a bit dull.", "Now, let's look at the characters we really, really like to read about, the ones where we are sorry when their chapters are over.", "We have a whoring, patricidal, black-sheep dwarf with a surprising sense of honor and nobility; a young [...", "], marked for greatness, with a painful sense of honor and nobility; and a soft, fat coward who nevertheless manages, nobly, to control and overcome his cowardly nature enough to get the job done without wetting himself.", "There are, of course, a few others that are quite interesting to read about.", "Still, for characters that really grow on you, those are pretty much the ones that do it -- for me at least.", "But what characters!", "These are excellent, well-developed personalities set in complicated situations.", "So where the hell are they in this book???", "Perhaps the most compelling character in this installment is a revolting, incestuous, child-maiming knight whose prowess was removed along with his sword-hand.", "It's hard to look past this guy's grotesqueness and callus baseness, to see any worthwhile fabric underneath -- but behold!", "there it is.", "Like it or not, and irredeemable though he should be, there is something here to fascinate the reader.", "He is, unarguably, an interesting character, tarnished, twisted, and unforgivable though he is.", "But this book is off point.", "I was disappointed and bored." ]
This case is extrememly cheap! First off, there was no opening for my charger. How are you supposed to charge/sync your iPhone without an opening to the port? Take off the case each time? I don't think so!!! Secondly, the holes that were cut for buttons and speakers were NOT lined up, at all! There are holes in random places and I can't access any of the buttons. Thirdly, the case looks much differently than it does in the photo. The cassette is cheaply printed on, and looks as if it would easily wear off. I refuse to use this item, and don't suggest it to anyone!!	negative	[ "This case is extrememly cheap!", "First off, there was no opening for my charger.", "How are you supposed to charge/sync your iPhone without an opening to the port?", "Take off the case each time?", "I don't think so!!!", "Secondly, the holes that were cut for buttons and speakers were NOT lined up, at all!", "There are holes in random places and I can't access any of the buttons.", "Thirdly, the case looks much differently than it does in the photo.", "The cassette is cheaply printed on, and looks as if it would easily wear off.", "I refuse to use this item, and don't suggest it to anyone!!" ]
This is the worst head cleaner I have ever bought and I wonder if this is an authentic Maxell head cleaner. There are 2 labels that look like they were just pasted on a blank VHS tape. I have 3 VHS players. Two are combination VHS/DVD players. This does not work with ANY of them. The directions tell you to insert in VCR and press the play button. When I tried to do this with all 3 players, the tape is either ejected or will not play. The tape got stuck in one of the VCRs and required major work to remove it. I do not recommend this head cleaner. Unfortunately, it is too late for me to return it.	negative	[ "This is the worst head cleaner I have ever bought and I wonder if this is an authentic Maxell head cleaner.", "There are 2 labels that look like they were just pasted on a blank VHS tape.", "I have 3 VHS players.", "Two are combination VHS/DVD players.", "This does not work with ANY of them.", "The directions tell you to insert in VCR and press the play button.", "When I tried to do this with all 3 players, the tape is either ejected or will not play.", "The tape got stuck in one of the VCRs and required major work to remove it.", "I do not recommend this head cleaner.", "Unfortunately, it is too late for me to return it." ]
I felt like I had to read all the other books in this series to appreciate this book. I felt like I was missing parts of a puzzle. I did know that this was a book that could or could not be read in a series so I hold my self accountable for that. The story was medium to hot in the sex, but the story was all over the place. I was missing the romance and the romantic banter. They seemed kind of dull..... The fact that Tori hates Declan so much prior to her Vampireism (is that a word? I vote YES) and then she needs him to make her earth rotate just boggles me. I am all for lust hitting you fast but...I think I would have liked this if she wasn't a vampire and he was a wolf at the same time. Separate would have made this story enjoyable. I am looking forward to reading the other stories in the Hunter's series. This one was not for me. I ADORE Shiloh Walker as a writer so I am just writing this one up as a "Not For Mocha" book as posted on DelightedReader.com	negative	[ "I felt like I had to read all the other books in this series to appreciate this book.", "I felt like I was missing parts of a puzzle.", "I did know that this was a book that could or could not be read in a series so I hold my self accountable for that.", "The story was medium to hot in the sex, but the story was all over the place.", "I was missing the romance and the romantic banter.", "They seemed kind of dull....", ".", "The fact that Tori hates Declan so much prior to her Vampireism (is that a word?", "I vote YES) and then she needs him to make her earth rotate just boggles me.", "I am all for lust hitting you fast but...", "I think I would have liked this if she wasn't a vampire and he was a wolf at the same time.", "Separate would have made this story enjoyable.", "I am looking forward to reading the other stories in the Hunter's series.", "This one was not for me.", "I ADORE Shiloh Walker as a writer so I am just writing this one up as a \"Not For Mocha\" book\n\nas posted on DelightedReader.", "com" ]
I used to own a LitterMaid - it lasted about a year and a half before the rakes started to get stuck during operation, unable to handle the load. And finally, while I was traveling one weekend, the rakes got permanently stuck and stripped the plastic gears. I managed to repair the thing once - (I'm a mechanical engineer so it was easy taking the thing apart and repairing it, but it wasn't exactly a hygienic task!) - by removing the gears and reshaping the plastic teeth. It lasted another couple months like this, but since the plastic teeth were already shot, when the gears started slipping a second time, I just tossed the thing (metal gears would have prevented this problem or even LitterMaid selling replacement plastic gears would help). For those of you who still have a Litter Maid and hate changing the trap, I discovered a method to make the task easier and much more pleasant. I'd simply use one trap over and over again, and use a regular grocery bag as a trap liner. When the trap was full, all I'd do was lift the grocery bag (leaving the trap locked in its position), tie the handles and toss, and then replace with a new bag. The same plastic trap would last for several months (and I'd only end up tossing it if it got dirty). Since you never have to deal with removing the trap, it doesn't get cracked and you never have to buy replacement traps (I still have about 8 of the 12 original ones that came with my Litter Maid) Overall my experience with the LitterMaid was a love/hate thing. It was my first exposure to automatic litter boxes so it was great that the cats always had a clean litter box to use. But I'd never buy another one because of the problem of the plastic rakes getting clogged with sticky cat leavings (yuck!). When I'd have to clean it, it was much more of a disgusting operation than a month of scooping cat litter with a regular scoop! I'm in the process of looking for another automatic litter box and the best so far seems to be Litter Robot. I'm doing more research but I think that's probably what I'll go with. The Cat Genie sounded like heaven until it actually went on the market. All I've heard are problems with the thing, plus I strongly dislike any system that requires you to continue buying their refills (like Scoop Free and Cat Genie).	negative	[ "I used to own a LitterMaid - it lasted about a year and a half before the rakes started to get stuck during operation, unable to handle the load.", "And finally, while I was traveling one weekend, the rakes got permanently stuck and stripped the plastic gears.", "I managed to repair the thing once - (I'm a mechanical engineer so it was easy taking the thing apart and repairing it, but it wasn't exactly a hygienic task!", ") - by removing the gears and reshaping the plastic teeth.", "It lasted another couple months like this, but since the plastic teeth were already shot, when the gears started slipping a second time, I just tossed the thing (metal gears would have prevented this problem or even LitterMaid selling replacement plastic gears would help).", "For those of you who still have a Litter Maid and hate changing the trap, I discovered a method to make the task easier and much more pleasant.", "I'd simply use one trap over and over again, and use a regular grocery bag as a trap liner.", "When the trap was full, all I'd do was lift the grocery bag (leaving the trap locked in its position), tie the handles and toss, and then replace with a new bag.", "The same plastic trap would last for several months (and I'd only end up tossing it if it got dirty).", "Since you never have to deal with removing the trap, it doesn't get cracked and you never have to buy replacement traps (I still have about 8 of the 12 original ones that came with my Litter Maid)\n\nOverall my experience with the LitterMaid was a love/hate thing.", "It was my first exposure to automatic litter boxes so it was great that the cats always had a clean litter box to use.", "But I'd never buy another one because of the problem of the plastic rakes getting clogged with sticky cat leavings (yuck!", ").", "When I'd have to clean it, it was much more of a disgusting operation than a month of scooping cat litter with a regular scoop!", "I'm in the process of looking for another automatic litter box and the best so far seems to be Litter Robot.", "I'm doing more research but I think that's probably what I'll go with.", "The Cat Genie sounded like heaven until it actually went on the market.", "All I've heard are problems with the thing, plus I strongly dislike any system that requires you to continue buying their refills (like Scoop Free and Cat Genie)." ]
Well, I won't go as far as "hate" on this one. I'll be generous and give it two stars. First off, you have to know this is NOT a soda. It is sparkling flavored water. I was looking for just that. I love dragonfruit flavor, and thought this would be a nice thing to try. They don't carry it locally, so I ordered it from Amazon. We've tried it both right out of the can and well-chilled, and neither one passes the muster. If you are old enough to remember Strawberry Nehi sodas, then you will be able to understand what I mean when I say that this stuff tastes like a glass of carbonated water with a few drips of Strawberry Nehi mixed in. There is zero dragonfruit taste, so I'd guess they tacked that on there to sound exotic and interesting. It is FAR from interesting. There's a little bit of the strawberry soda aftertaste, but that's all. I would definitely NOT buy it again. I'll stick with other brands of sparkling water that have actual taste to them. This was just not good, and would not recommend it either. Two thumbs down (or should I say eight thumbs down - no one in the house liked it) for this drink. Fail.	negative	[ "Well, I won't go as far as \"hate\" on this one.", "I'll be generous and give it two stars.", "First off, you have to know this is NOT a soda.", "It is sparkling flavored water.", "I was looking for just that.", "I love dragonfruit flavor, and thought this would be a nice thing to try.", "They don't carry it locally, so I ordered it from Amazon.", "We've tried it both right out of the can and well-chilled, and neither one passes the muster.", "If you are old enough to remember Strawberry Nehi sodas, then you will be able to understand what I mean when I\nsay that this stuff tastes like a glass of carbonated water with a few drips of Strawberry Nehi mixed in.", "There is zero dragonfruit taste, so I'd guess they tacked that on there to sound exotic and interesting.", "It is FAR from interesting.", "There's a little bit of the strawberry soda aftertaste, but that's all.", "I would definitely NOT buy it again.", "I'll stick with other brands of sparkling water that have actual taste to them.", "This was just not good, and would not recommend it either.", "Two thumbs down (or should I say eight thumbs down - no one\nin the house liked it) for this drink.", "Fail." ]
My Keen Whisper sandals are the most comfortable shoes I own. I can hike for miles in them without the slightest discomfort. I've had my eye on these burnt henna Venice H2s for about a year and finally bought them when the price dropped. They were beautiful out of the box but I was so disappointed when I put them on and found them at least half an inch too wide and a touch too short. Not only not comfortable, with my big toe touching the toe cap, but wide to the point of clunkiness. The upper is of course adjustable but you can't do anything about the sole. I love the profile of the Whisper and these are entirely different. They just don't work for my foot. Sadly they are going back and I'll at some point get another pair of Whispers, which unfortunately don't come in this color. Hoping Keen hasn't changed the design in the last 4 years!	negative	[ "My Keen Whisper sandals are the most comfortable shoes I own.", "I can hike for miles in them without the slightest discomfort.", "I've had my eye on these burnt henna Venice H2s for about a year and finally bought them when the price dropped.", "They were beautiful out of the box but I was so disappointed when I put them on and found them at least half an inch too wide and a touch too short.", "Not only not comfortable, with my big toe touching the toe cap, but wide to the point of clunkiness.", "The upper is of course adjustable but you can't do anything about the sole.", "I love the profile of the Whisper and these are entirely different.", "They just don't work for my foot.", "Sadly they are going back and I'll at some point get another pair of Whispers, which unfortunately don't come in this color.", "Hoping Keen hasn't changed the design in the last 4 years!" ]
I am not sure what is going on with it. After 2.5 months of using it, the scroll wheel physically works, but on the screen, it scrolls, but when you stop the wheel, the screen returns to its original location. It's a crazy maker. I love the feel of the mouse. This is actually the second one that I have owned. Now that I think about it, the last one failed on me as well. Maybe I should choose another mouse this next time. FYI, the return window was one month, and the support window was two months. I am SOL.	negative	[ "I am not sure what is going on with it.", "After 2.", "5 months of using it, the scroll wheel physically works, but on the screen, it scrolls, but when you stop the wheel, the screen returns to its original location.", "It's a crazy maker.", "I love the feel of the mouse.", "This is actually the second one that I have owned.", "Now that I think about it, the last one failed on me as well.", "Maybe I should choose another mouse this next time.", "FYI, the return window was one month, and the support window was two months.", "I am SOL." ]
The SACD version of this great album is no improvement over the regular CD. It does not sound remastered or even an improved resolution at all. In fact I a/b listened between this and regular the CD and could not decide which one I liked better. It really should be no contest. I have The Stranger and it is an incredible sounding SACD which I will treasure forever. It is on the Columbia lab and it is also in 5.1 surround. It's one of the best sounding surround mixes in is genre. Your money is better spent elsewhere unless the price comes down to a few bucks over the regular CD (it's currently 4 or 5 times the cost). The best part about this is the nice mini lp sleeve with lyrics insert. Wasted money, disappointing audio quality, lesson learned and passed on to you. Content gets 4 stars, audio quality 2, value 0.	negative	[ "The SACD version of this great album is no improvement over the regular CD.", "It does not sound remastered or even an improved resolution at all.", "In fact I a/b listened between this and regular the CD and could not decide which one I liked better.", "It really should be no contest.", "I have The Stranger and it is an incredible sounding SACD which I will treasure forever.", "It is on the Columbia lab and it is also in 5.", "1 surround.", "It's one of the best sounding surround mixes in is genre.", "Your money is better spent elsewhere unless the price comes down to a few bucks over the regular CD (it's currently 4 or 5 times the cost).", "The best part about this is the nice mini lp sleeve with lyrics insert.", "Wasted money, disappointing audio quality, lesson learned and passed on to you.", "Content gets 4 stars, audio quality 2, value 0." ]
... but this one just hits the bottom! After reading about it: the cast, Gilliam, etc. I thought that it should be a good movie, but oh, what a disappointment... Drug use and abuse is no good, that's what the movie keeps shouting all the time. Images are weird (druggy), acting is weird (druggy), plot is weird (druggy), etc. I have no doubts lots of people will like it (as some reviewers adore it), but not me. I love strange movies ("Mulholland Dr.", "Memento", "The Wall", "Pi", "Delicatessen", etc), but this one was just over the top. You really need to be in the mood to watch it. It's not your popcorn-kind of movie.	negative	[ "...", "but this one just hits the bottom!", "After reading about it: the cast, Gilliam, etc.", "I thought that it should be a good movie, but oh, what a disappointment...", "Drug use and abuse is no good, that's what the movie keeps shouting all the time.", "Images are weird (druggy), acting is weird (druggy), plot is weird (druggy), etc.", "I have no doubts lots of people will like it (as some reviewers adore it), but not me.", "I love strange movies (\"Mulholland Dr.", "\", \"Memento\", \"The Wall\", \"Pi\", \"Delicatessen\", etc), but this one was just over the top.", "You really need to be in the mood to watch it.", "It's not your popcorn-kind of movie." ]
DO NOT BUY THIS JUNK... spend a little more and get better quality. I wish I'd read these reviews first. They mention that the threads on this filter are not well made... I put it on the camera and couldn't get it off. Took ten minutes to loosen it. I tried again...this time not tightening it. Same problem. It is in the trash. I wouldn't even give it away.	negative	[ "DO NOT BUY THIS JUNK...", "spend a little more and get better quality.", "I wish I'd read these reviews first.", "They mention that the threads on this filter are not well made...", "I put it on the camera and couldn't get it off.", "Took ten minutes to loosen it.", "I tried again...", "this time not tightening it.", "Same problem.", "It is in the trash.", "I wouldn't even give it away." ]
I was really disapointed with this game. The graphics are nice. Not great by any means. The objectives are too basic & simple. I thought you had to pick up certain drugs & deliver then to a certain spot. Taking long journeys avoiding rivals & cops. This was not the case. Basically, you run back & forth. The fun level is minimal. Common rockstar. You can do much better then this..	negative	[ "I was really disapointed with this game.", "The graphics are nice.", "Not great by any means.", "The objectives are too basic & simple.", "I thought you had to pick up certain drugs & deliver then to a certain spot.", "Taking long journeys avoiding rivals & cops.", "This was not the case.", "Basically, you run back & forth.", "The fun level is minimal.", "Common rockstar.", "You can do much better then this.." ]
Totally unusable and getting sent back. Here's the problems... 1) I can't get the lid off the cup. 2) When "dialing" the drink, the alignment is off and you can't see the top ingredient line in most cases. 3) The printing on shaker is spotty at best. I bought this because a friend has one. He didn't buy his at Amazon for a ridiculously cut-rate price, he got his at BB and Beyond. His came in a box, this one did not (was in plastic shrink wrap). His is fine, this one is not. The only thing I can think of is that the price is so low because these are factory rejects and NOT first quality goods (hence the misalignment of the defective printing). Buyer beware, I say.	negative	[ "Totally unusable and getting sent back.", "Here's the problems...", "1) I can't get the lid off the cup.", "2) When \"dialing\" the drink, the alignment is off and you can't see the top ingredient line in most cases.", "3) The printing on shaker is spotty at best.", "I bought this because a friend has one.", "He didn't buy his at Amazon for a ridiculously cut-rate price, he got his at BB and Beyond.", "His came in a box, this one did not (was in plastic shrink wrap).", "His is fine, this one is not.", "The only thing I can think of is that the price is so low because these are factory rejects and NOT first quality goods (hence the misalignment of the defective printing).", "Buyer beware, I say." ]
After watching this film I said to myself, "I will never watch this film again!" One of the main problems with it, is that it is so utterly contrived and it is also without a doubt, un-American. I know there will be a few people reading this whose brains are melting right about now, but it is true. I don't want to hear about the ill treatment of Indians at the hands of the whites either, I am talking about this movie. Lets look at the nutty officer who sends what's his face off to his remote post then quickly blows his brains out. What was that all about? The only reason that was in there was to get Costner alone at his new post. Then, of course, the soldiers at the fort desert their post and the driver who was bring them supplies and Costner gets killed, all so Costner can make friends with a wolf, Indians and an Indianized white woman whose Indian "husband" just died so she can be free to run off with Costner! Let me know here, if this wouldn't be described as very, very contrived story elements. It just goes on from there, but let me write about the rest of the film. The photography is nice, some of the acting is very good, especially from the Indians. Costner's acting isn't much to be desired with his monotone ramblings, etc. The film is very slow paced and should have been cut down by about 45 minutes to an hour. Now let me explain how it is un-American. We have an officer of the American Army who deserts his post to fraternize with Indians who are even shown to be killing white people because they hunted buffalo. Then he ultimately gets arrested by the soldiers who come to the fort. The movie makers show all the whites and all the American soldiers as savages. They can't read and use books for toilet paper, they beat Mr. Dances With Wolves and taunt him like the Romans taunting Jesus, the main character even realizes that he is a traitor, however, we are supposed to identify with him. The viewers are supposed to side with Mr. Wolves and the Indians who are friendly accept to the white people which is all of them except Costner and the white woman who is living with the Indians. So, if this wasn't all enough, one of the last scenes is Costner being hauled away to be hanged or shot and the soldiers see a wolf and take pot shots at it. Now a real wolf, even one used to people would skedaddle once all these soldiers started firing at him. But the writer and director show the poor wolf standing there looking at his friend, Costner, getting shot. This scene is for the audience to be so outraged at the United States soldiers that we cheer when the Indians massacre them! It is one of the dumbest and most disingenuous scenes in movie history. The film is an outrage in its storyline and underlying message. Costner should be ashamed of himself for making such an idiotic movie.	negative	[ "After watching this film I said to myself, \"I will never watch this film again!", "\" One of the main problems with it, is that it is so utterly contrived and it is also without a doubt, un-American.", "I know there will be a few people reading this whose brains are melting right about now, but it is true.", "I don't want to hear about the ill treatment of Indians at the hands of the whites either, I am talking about this movie.", "Lets look at the nutty officer who sends what's his face off to his remote post then quickly blows his brains out.", "What was that all about?", "The only reason that was in there was to get Costner alone at his new post.", "Then, of course, the soldiers at the fort desert their post and the driver who was bring them supplies and Costner gets killed, all so Costner can make friends with a wolf, Indians and an Indianized white woman whose Indian \"husband\" just died so she can be free to run off with Costner!", "Let me know here, if this wouldn't be described as very, very contrived story elements.", "It just goes on from there, but let me write about the rest of the film.", "The photography is nice, some of the acting is very good, especially from the Indians.", "Costner's acting isn't much to be desired with his monotone ramblings, etc.", "The film is very slow paced and should have been cut down by about 45 minutes to an hour.", "Now let me explain how it is un-American.", "We have an officer of the American Army who deserts his post to fraternize with Indians who are even shown to be killing white people because they hunted buffalo.", "Then he ultimately gets arrested by the soldiers who come to the fort.", "The movie makers show all the whites and all the American soldiers as savages.", "They can't read and use books for toilet paper, they beat Mr.", "Dances With Wolves and taunt him like the Romans taunting Jesus, the main character even realizes that he is a traitor, however, we are supposed to identify with him.", "The viewers are supposed to side with Mr.", "Wolves and the Indians who are friendly accept to the white people which is all of them except Costner and the white woman who is living with the Indians.", "So, if this wasn't all enough, one of the last scenes is Costner being hauled away to be hanged or shot and the soldiers see a wolf and take pot shots at it.", "Now a real wolf, even one used to people would skedaddle once all these soldiers started firing at him.", "But the writer and director show the poor wolf standing there looking at his friend, Costner, getting shot.", "This scene is for the audience to be so outraged at the United States soldiers that we cheer when the Indians massacre them!", "It is one of the dumbest and most disingenuous scenes in movie history.", "The film is an outrage in its storyline and underlying message.", "Costner should be ashamed of himself for making such an idiotic movie." ]
This book opens with an intriguing situation, one in which the central character goes out on a limb and takes up a preposterous proposal from a total stranger. Instead of drawing in with a question and then gradually exposing a clever answer, the book just keeps piling up question after question after question. After awhile, the questions are not of the charitable sort. It is not just that the story is preposterous. It is that I finished with no idea what on earth THAT was all about. I'm not even sure what she was trying to say. There wasn't a character in it for whom I felt any affection, either, although a lot of them would be exceedingly hard to live with. I got very tired of the old aunt who was supposedly a bit shallow and intellectually slow and who was yet so extremely insightful at the same time. I wish that in the end it that someone had "discovered" that the old bat was pulling everyone's leg the whole time, but that never happened. Likewise, I had hoped that the author was going to spring it off on us at the last minute, letting us know what all those odd leads were about, that she was surely not as dotty as she seemed to be, but that never happened, either. It's a book that few of us have ever heard of. Let's just say: There is Reason for That.	negative	[ "This book opens with an intriguing situation, one in which the central character goes out on a limb and takes up a preposterous proposal from a total stranger.", "Instead of drawing in with a question and then gradually exposing a clever answer, the book just keeps piling up question after question after question.", "After awhile, the questions are not of the charitable sort.", "It is not just that the story is preposterous.", "It is that I finished with no idea what on earth THAT was all about.", "I'm not even sure what she was trying to say.", "There wasn't a character in it for whom I felt any affection, either, although a lot of them would be exceedingly hard to live with.", "I got very tired of the old aunt who was supposedly a bit shallow and intellectually slow and who was yet so extremely insightful at the same time.", "I wish that in the end it that someone had \"discovered\" that the old bat was pulling everyone's leg the whole time, but that never happened.", "Likewise, I had hoped that the author was going to spring it off on us at the last minute, letting us know what all those odd leads were about, that she was surely not as dotty as she seemed to be, but that never happened, either.", "It's a book that few of us have ever heard of.", "Let's just say: There is Reason for That." ]
I don't know what Tidy Cats has done to their formula but it was not a wise move. As stated by an earlier reviewer, the old formula would turn into nice balls and was a finer grain. My cats loved the stuff as did I. The new formulation makes giant clumps that now stick to the floor of the litter box and are almost impossible to properly clean out. You have to scrape, scrape, and scrape some more just to get the muddy residue off the bottom of the box and then you've got all these fine scrapings of urine that won't/can't be picked up by the scooper within the leftover litter. It used to be the blue and red caps were different but now they are pretty much the same. Tidy Cats has turned into Scoop Away. Now the new search begins. Purina...take the hint. Bring back the old formula.	negative	[ "I don't know what Tidy Cats has done to their formula but it was not a wise move.", "As stated by an earlier reviewer, the old formula would turn into nice balls and was a finer grain.", "My cats loved the stuff as did I.", "The new formulation makes giant clumps that now stick to the floor of the litter box and are almost impossible to properly clean out.", "You have to scrape, scrape, and scrape some more just to get the muddy residue off the bottom of the box and then you've got all these fine scrapings of urine that won't/can't be picked up by the scooper within the leftover litter.", "It used to be the blue and red caps were different but now they are pretty much the same.", "Tidy Cats has turned into Scoop Away.", "Now the new search begins.", "Purina...", "take the hint.", "Bring back the old formula." ]
I like Tom Clancy's books, but I thought the whole premise to this one was just silly. There were too many contradictions in the story for it or the characters to be believable. The hero is an ex special forces guy, trying to help a new girlfriend face her past demons and bring evil men (murderers) to justice. Instead of heading straight for the cops he decides to joy ride in her old neighborhood where she is recognized and immediately becomes a target. (I know when I am trying to protect someone I love from harm I always drive down to the projects.) They are chased and shot at but manage to escape. But instead of immediately heading to safety at the police station (still their destination), they park in a secluded area and decide to wait there until their cop buddy comes on duty, and then drive to see him. Well the bad guys never quit looking, and sneak up on the parked couple. Mr Tough Guy gets caught by surprise and his girl dies. In the hospital, he vows revenge because he is such a tough guy (his nickname was even Snake, he's such a bad mother-f***). Sure. He's such a badass that he brought his love into a dangerous neighborhood, let them get ambushed and got her killed. Watch out everybody! Here comes the Homer Simpson of the vengeance league.	negative	[ "I like Tom Clancy's books, but I thought the whole premise to this one was just silly.", "There were too many contradictions in the story for it or the characters to be believable.", "The hero is an ex special forces guy, trying to help a new girlfriend face her past demons and bring evil men (murderers) to justice.", "Instead of heading straight for the cops he decides to joy ride in her old neighborhood where she is recognized and immediately becomes a target.", "(I know when I am trying to protect someone I love from harm I always drive down to the projects.", ") They are chased and shot at but manage to escape.", "But instead of immediately heading to safety at the police station (still their destination), they park in a secluded area and decide to wait there until their cop buddy comes on duty, and then drive to see him.", "Well the bad guys never quit looking, and sneak up on the parked couple.", "Mr Tough Guy gets caught by surprise and his girl dies.", "In the hospital, he vows revenge because he is such a tough guy (his nickname was even Snake, he's such a bad mother-f***).", "Sure.", "He's such a badass that he brought his love into a dangerous neighborhood, let them get ambushed and got her killed.", "Watch out everybody!", "Here comes the Homer Simpson of the vengeance league." ]
Ok, I don't do reviews very often but I HAD to warn people about this device. Ok, so I purchased the Transform Ultra a few days ago. I plan on returning it as soon as I can find a place that sells the Warp. Unless I can't, then I'll have to return the phone and be out the 55.00 I paid for the plan. The Transform Ultra has two major (to me) flaws that make this thing terrible, almost completely useless and certainly not worth the 230.00 I paid for it. The first being the touch screen. It's awful. You try to drag a widget from one screen to the next it'll take you 5 minutes because the screen doesn't recognize what you're doing. The widget drops constantly when you're trying to drag it around and of course your finger is still on it when it drops so it opens up the program sometimes two or three screens deep, which you then have to back out of. You can't scroll in the browser either. Well you can but it's ridiculously frustrating. If you're scrolling through, say a list of items at Amazon, when you're brushing your finger down the screen to scroll, it will constantly click on items in the list, forcing you to have to back out all the time. Not to mention the zoom in and zoom out features have a tendency to work at what seems like random. You swipe to scroll down and the screen zooms out. Now, let's talk about the sliding qwerty. It's terrible as well. The buttons are barely raised up so it's incredibly difficult to feel which buttons you are actually pushing which wouldn't be so bad if not for the space bar. Good grief! I don't know who thought it was a good idea to make the space bar longer than necessary and then put two buttons at each end of the bar. Now you've got this sloping gap between the two buttons which is the perfect place for your thump to keep landing in (like a pot hole), which of course makes it impossible to tell if you've actually hit the space bar to begin with. What's worse is that space between the two buttons is flush with the buttons above it! That's right, so you might end up hitting the space bar but then again you also might be hitting the keys in the row above it and sometimes you're not even activating the space bar when you thought you did! Nope. Instead you're just hitting the buttons in the row above the space bar. This happened to me on numerous occasions. In fact I found myself using the touch screen qwerty instead of the sliding one which completely defeats the purpose of having one at all. I mean these issues are mentioned everywhere by actual users yet it's still getting fantastic reviews from phone critics, most of them not even mentioning these two big problems, which to me is almost like lying about the product but then apparently many of them do get paid to sing praises about some of the items they are reviewing. Honestly how can such a quick phone internally and such an attractive looking phone, on the outside, have such shoddy qwerty design and screen hardware? Or maybe it's a screen software issue. Either way it's a huge issue. This phone certainly looks awesome to me, and it would be almost perfect if not for those two, rather major problems. Oh by the way one other small problem I had with this phone was the back cover. It looks nice and feels nice to me in my hands but when I would try to slide open the qwerty board to do a text, my fingers kept slipping over the phone instead of gripping the surface so even sliding the phone open was frustrating at times. I think that had they rubberized the back it would of solved this issue completely. Yeah it annoys me when people mention these little problems and I thought they were just being nit picky but I had never experienced the issue until I got this phone. Now I see what people were talking about and honestly if this were the only problem this phone would be awesome. All I can say is for those who are happy with the phone, who don't mind these flaws, and apparently these flaws are universal and not just random. I mean I've seen user reviews from people who have mentioned these flaws but are ok with them being there and then turn around and say the phone is near perfect (giving it 4 and 5 stars). Anyway for those who are happy with this phone, I'm happy for you but anyone interested in purchasing it, really do your research. This phone isn't nearly as great as the ratings seem to suggest. Check out sites that post reviews from actual users of this phone. People who actually paid for this device out of pocket. Check out videos of people using the phone. There are videos of people pointing out on the actual device the issues that I am mentioning here. See them for yourself, then make an informed decision. As a person who has paid for this phone out of pocket and has had a chance to use it, I can not recommend it. The biggest reason I bought this phone was because I wanted a phone with a sliding qwerty. This one has one, but it's horrible thus making it pointless to have gone with this phone. The other reason I bought this phone was because it's fast and it looks nice. What's the point of a fast phone when the screen makes it near impossible to navigate in the browser or even use an app that requires you to click and drag? I mean you can forget about any kind of decent gaming on this phone, although I will admit, Angry Birds ran perfectly, graphics wise, and I barely had any screen touch issues although I did have some. Sometimes the birds would get released prematurely because the screen couldn't recognize the dragging motion. What good is a good looking phone if it's component parts make it a pain to use? My two biggest reasons for choosing this phone over something else, just flew right out the window (like an Angry Bird;-). The reason I gave this phone 2 stars instead of one is because, the over all build quality is nice and it does load pages quickly. It's just a pain trying to navigate those pages because the screen is so bad. So is the phone complete crap? No, but for me, the bads significantly outweighed the goods. For those considering getting this phone, all I can say is, don't do it. However, if you opt to see for yourself (nothing wrong with that, it's always good to base your decisions on your own experiences instead of someone elses) good luck with that decision!	negative	[ "Ok, I don't do reviews very often but I HAD to warn people about this device.", "Ok, so I purchased the Transform Ultra a few days ago.", "I plan on returning it as soon as I can find a place that sells the Warp.", "Unless I can't, then I'll have to return the phone and be out the 55.", "00 I paid for the plan.", "The Transform Ultra has two major (to me) flaws that make this thing terrible, almost completely useless and certainly not worth the 230.", "00 I paid for it.", "The first being the touch screen.", "It's awful.", "You try to drag a widget from one screen to the next it'll take you 5 minutes because the screen doesn't recognize what you're doing.", "The widget drops constantly when you're trying to drag it around and of course your finger is still on it when it drops so it opens up the program sometimes two or three screens deep, which you then have to back out of.", "You can't scroll in the browser either.", "Well you can but it's ridiculously frustrating.", "If you're scrolling through, say a list of items at Amazon, when you're brushing your finger down the screen to scroll, it will constantly click on items in the list, forcing you to have to back out all the time.", "Not to mention the zoom in and zoom out features have a tendency to work at what seems like random.", "You swipe to scroll down and the screen zooms out.", "Now, let's talk about the sliding qwerty.", "It's terrible as well.", "The buttons are barely raised up so it's incredibly difficult to feel which buttons you are actually pushing which wouldn't be so bad if not for the space bar.", "Good grief!", "I don't know who thought it was a good idea to make the space bar longer than necessary and then put two buttons at each end of the bar.", "Now you've got this sloping gap between the two buttons which is the perfect place for your thump to keep landing in (like a pot hole), which of course makes it impossible to tell if you've actually hit the space bar to begin with.", "What's worse is that space between the two buttons is flush with the buttons above it!", "That's right, so you might end up hitting the space bar but then again you also might be hitting the keys in the row above it and sometimes you're not even activating the space bar when you thought you did!", "Nope.", "Instead you're just hitting the buttons in the row above the space bar.", "This happened to me on numerous occasions.", "In fact I found myself using the touch screen qwerty instead of the sliding one which completely defeats the purpose of having one at all.", "I mean these issues are mentioned everywhere by actual users yet it's still getting fantastic reviews from phone critics, most of them not even mentioning these two big problems, which to me is almost like lying about the product but then apparently many of them do get paid to sing praises about some of the items they are reviewing.", "Honestly how can such a quick phone internally and such an attractive looking phone, on the outside, have such shoddy qwerty design and screen hardware?", "Or maybe it's a screen software issue.", "Either way it's a huge issue.", "This phone certainly looks awesome to me, and it would be almost perfect if not for those two, rather major problems.", "Oh by the way one other small problem I had with this phone was the back cover.", "It looks nice and feels nice to me in my hands but when I would try to slide open the qwerty board to do a text, my fingers kept slipping over the phone instead of gripping the surface so even sliding the phone open was frustrating at times.", "I think that had they rubberized the back it would of solved this issue completely.", "Yeah it annoys me when people mention these little problems and I thought they were just being nit picky but I had never experienced the issue until I got this phone.", "Now I see what people were talking about and honestly if this were the only problem this phone would be awesome.", "All I can say is for those who are happy with the phone, who don't mind these flaws, and apparently these flaws are universal and not just random.", "I mean I've seen user reviews from people who have mentioned these flaws but are ok with them being there and then turn around and say the phone is near perfect (giving it 4 and 5 stars).", "Anyway for those who are happy with this phone, I'm happy for you but anyone interested in purchasing it, really do your research.", "This phone isn't nearly as great as the ratings seem to suggest.", "Check out sites that post reviews from actual users of this phone.", "People who actually paid for this device out of pocket.", "Check out videos of people using the phone.", "There are videos of people pointing out on the actual device the issues that I am mentioning here.", "See them for yourself, then make an informed decision.", "As a person who has paid for this phone out of pocket and has had a chance to use it, I can not recommend it.", "The biggest reason I bought this phone was because I wanted a phone with a sliding qwerty.", "This one has one, but it's horrible thus making it pointless to have gone with this phone.", "The other reason I bought this phone was because it's fast and it looks nice.", "What's the point of a fast phone when the screen makes it near impossible to navigate in the browser or even use an app that requires you to click and drag?", "I mean you can forget about any kind of decent gaming on this phone, although I will admit, Angry Birds ran perfectly, graphics wise, and I barely had any screen touch issues although I did have some.", "Sometimes the birds would get released prematurely because the screen couldn't recognize the dragging motion.", "What good is a good looking phone if it's component parts make it a pain to use?", "My two biggest reasons for choosing this phone over something else, just flew right out the window (like an Angry Bird;-).", "The reason I gave this phone 2 stars instead of one is because, the over all build quality is nice and it does load pages quickly.", "It's just a pain trying to navigate those pages because the screen is so bad.", "So is the phone complete crap?", "No, but for me, the bads significantly outweighed the goods.", "For those considering getting this phone, all I can say is, don't do it.", "However, if you opt to see for yourself (nothing wrong with that, it's always good to base your decisions on your own experiences instead of someone elses) good luck with that decision!" ]
This one not for me. I purchased this item and used it three times. The string sometimes pops out of the keepers and does not last very long when they stay in place. I purchased the < http://www.amazon.com/Grass-Gator-8020-Precut-Replacement/dp/B000BQO23E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435773977&sr=8-1&keywords=8020+gator+string > and it is not strong quality string. I have the old "bump head" back on and it is really worn looking and works perfect in comparison to the "Gator" I have great luck with the " Husqvarna Titanium Force Premium Trimmer Line .105 inch" and I have never found any that is as good. Sticking with my bump head and will hopefully "garage sale" the failed pre-cut Grass Gator string and head junk.	negative	[ "This one not for me.", "I purchased this item and used it three times.", "The string sometimes pops out of the keepers and does not last very long when they stay in place.", "I purchased the < http://www.", "amazon.", "com/Grass-Gator-8020-Precut-Replacement/dp/B000BQO23E/ref=sr_1_1?", "ie=UTF8&qid=1435773977&sr=8-1&keywords=8020+gator+string > and it is not strong quality string.", "I have the old \"bump head\" back on and it is really worn looking and works perfect in comparison to the \"Gator\" I have great luck with the \" Husqvarna Titanium Force Premium Trimmer Line.", "105 inch\" and I have never found any that is as good.", "Sticking with my bump head and will hopefully \"garage sale\" the failed pre-cut Grass Gator string and head junk." ]
If you've spent much time on PCs this past decade, no doubt you recognize the familiar 4-color AVG logo from their wildly popular AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. The free edition has been downloaded at C-Net's download.com an incredible 356 million times. This is their full-featured suite, the <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/AVG-Internet-Security-3-User-2011/dp/B003WT1KFA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">AVG Internet Security 3-User 2011</a>. It's a breeze to set up, and just as easy to use. Most all the features are configured for you right out of the box, and the features operate in the background, even the updates. But there is a serious Achilles' heel for AVG. I'm always sensitive to resource usage of programs, especially multi-tasking programs like this one, and that's is where the AVG Suite falls behind. Ten separate AVG processes are running in Task Manager, and the system speed slowed considerably. I've tested Bit Defender Total Security 2011 and I use Norton 360 at work, but not even a noted resource-hog like Norton drags down performance like this. There were noticeable lags in bootup and operation, even on an advanced system such as mine, 2.66 ghz Quad-Core with 4 gb memory. If you're system is equal or less powerful, I'd recommend against this product. Two stars for ease of setup and use.	negative	[ "If you've spent much time on PCs this past decade, no doubt you recognize the familiar 4-color AVG logo from their wildly popular AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition.", "The free edition has been downloaded at C-Net's download.", "com an incredible 356 million times.", "This is their full-featured suite, the <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/AVG-Internet-Security-3-User-2011/dp/B003WT1KFA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?", "ie=UTF8\">AVG Internet Security 3-User 2011</a>.", "It's a breeze to set up, and just as easy to use.", "Most all the features are configured for you right out of the box, and the features operate in the background, even the updates.", "But there is a serious Achilles' heel for AVG.", "I'm always sensitive to resource usage of programs, especially multi-tasking programs like this one, and that's is where the AVG Suite falls behind.", "Ten separate AVG processes are running in Task Manager, and the system speed slowed considerably.", "I've tested Bit Defender Total Security 2011 and I use Norton 360 at work, but not even a noted resource-hog like Norton drags down performance like this.", "There were noticeable lags in bootup and operation, even on an advanced system such as mine, 2.", "66 ghz Quad-Core with 4 gb memory.", "If you're system is equal or less powerful, I'd recommend against this product.", "Two stars for ease of setup and use." ]
Where to begin? This could have been a good story, but I just couldn't get past the terrible writing. Characters were dropped into the story with no explanation of their background or place in the story, grammatical errors, syntax errors, repetitive sentences, and omissions (characters popping into the story with no lead-in as to why they were there). I kept thinking "Maybe it will get better . . . " It didn't. Where was the editing on this book? Did anyone proofread it and offer constructive criticism before it was submitted? Thank heaven it was a free download, but I'll never get back the time spent reading it.	negative	[ "Where to begin?", "This could have been a good story, but I just couldn't get past the terrible writing.", "Characters were dropped into the story with no explanation of their background or place in the story, grammatical errors, syntax errors, repetitive sentences, and omissions (characters popping into the story with no lead-in as to why they were there).", "I kept thinking \"Maybe it will get better.", ".", ".", "\" It didn't.", "Where was the editing on this book?", "Did anyone proofread it and offer constructive criticism before it was submitted?", "Thank heaven it was a free download, but I'll never get back the time spent reading it." ]
Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided Sigh Where to begin... This game could be better named: "Star Wars Galaxies: A Development Team Vs. A Player base". Never in all my life, have I seen a company alienate so many people in pursuit of the almighty dollar. It's truly sickening. I WAS a 20-month veteran of the game, I had been playing since week one. PLEASE, READ ON... In the beginning... This game was alright; it was fun, it was unique, and it was totally bug-ridden and unbalanced. Over the course of the last 20 months, the SOE Dev team have made us promise after promise to do certain things to fix and enhance this game. They in fact did very little, if anything at all. They milked us. They exploited the "Star Wars" name to make a buck. They made promise after promise after promise... and never delivered squat. Don't believe me? Just ask any "Smuggler" in the game for their opinion. They strung us along and led us to believe that the "fixes" to the game were right around the corner! Instead, they were hard at work on an "Expansion Pack" to sell us! And then once again "promised us" that the fixes we've all been waiting for were the next big thing waiting for us, "just hang on, this game is going to be great!" They promised us that they were going to do this "Combat Upgrade" and do it right, and it "wouldn't be released until it's ready!" We all had a lot of hope, we thought that they had finally figure out that they had totally screwed up and were trying to make amends with a player base on the brink of total collapse. God, how wrong we all were... Well, much to everyone's surprise, they made the announcement that the long awaited "CU" would be coming out along with the "Rage of the Wookiees" expansion pack! Uhhhmmm... did I miss something somewhere? The alpha test for the "CU" was supposed to begin in January, it never happened. Beta testing began in April, 4 whole weeks before it was supposed to go to live! We all rolled up our sleeves and dove in. I think after the first week or so, the sad realization of what was happening to our game begun to sink in... The CU was supposed to go live on May 5th. SOE decided to push it to live a whole 2 weeks sooner than that. Honestly, with all the bugs that were still in beta, and then in live, beta could have gone on another 4-6 months! I guess they figured they could milk us all a little more and dump this beta on the live servers and let us pay to test it. Why am I not surprised? The CU itself is unplayable. It has become Everquest in space, or "EverStar Galaxies QuestWars" as we call it. There are just too many things to list. There are a lot of other more technical reviews which go into much more detail over on the page for the stand-alone game. As you all can imagine, the player community was totally enraged! We went to the SWG Forum boards to voice our concerns. The only response we ever got back from SOE was THOUSANDS of deleted threads and players banned from the forums (I was one of them). Facing futility, a large portion of the player base has left the game, permanently this time. Then 6 whole months later, after they finally figured out that the CU did indeed suck, they let loose the NGE. They released it just two days after releasing the Obi-Wan expansion which had "special items" for classes that were about to disappear. 32 professions reduced to 9. The NGE is the final nails in the coffin of this game. It totally destroyed it. It became some sort of a twisted MMO/FPS wannabe. Fake and cartoony and dumbed down to where a 5 year old could figure out how to mash the buttons. It is so bad that even Smedly himself said that it wasn't good. And a recent developer conference in Austin the quote was "learn from our mistakes". It's widly rumored that the game will be "sunset" soon (they're gonna pull the plug on it). This "Complete" (I'm feeling sick here) edition is their last ditch effort to milk a little more cash out of it before it's all over. This is just not how you do business. I personally will NEVER deal with Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) EVER again. I DO NOT pay MY HARD EARNED MONEY to be lied to, deceived, ignored, strung along, censored, and banned for voicing my concerns. I do not pay money to folks who treat me, a PAYING CUSTOMER, in this fashion. Star Wars Galaxies is dead. Servers are empty. People have moved on to other games where folks know how to appreciate their patrons. If you are a fan of Star Wars, and this is the only reason I ever started playing this game to begin with, you will be sadly disappointed! SWG is nothing more than an exploit of a title, a milk machine. I for one, am tired of being milked. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!	negative	[ "Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided\n\nSigh Where to begin...", "This game could be better named:\n\n\"Star Wars Galaxies: A Development Team Vs.", "A Player base\".", "Never in all my life, have I seen a company alienate so many people in pursuit of the almighty dollar.", "It's truly sickening.", "I WAS a 20-month veteran of the game, I had been playing since week one.", "PLEASE, READ ON...", "In the beginning...", "This game was alright; it was fun, it was unique, and it was totally bug-ridden and unbalanced.", "Over the course of the last 20 months, the SOE Dev team have made us promise after promise to do certain things to fix and enhance this game.", "They in fact did very little, if anything at all.", "They milked us.", "They exploited the \"Star Wars\" name to make a buck.", "They made promise after promise after promise...", "and never delivered squat.", "Don't believe me?", "Just ask any \"Smuggler\" in the game for their opinion.", "They strung us along and led us to believe that the \"fixes\" to the game were right around the corner!", "Instead, they were hard at work on an \"Expansion Pack\" to sell us!", "And then once again \"promised us\" that the fixes we've all been waiting for were the next big thing waiting for us, \"just hang on, this game is going to be great!", "\" They promised us that they were going to do this \"Combat Upgrade\" and do it right, and it \"wouldn't be released until it's ready!", "\"\n\nWe all had a lot of hope, we thought that they had finally figure out that they had totally screwed up and were trying to make amends with a player base on the brink of total collapse.", "God, how wrong we all were...", "Well, much to everyone's surprise, they made the announcement that the long awaited \"CU\" would be coming out along with the \"Rage of the Wookiees\" expansion pack!", "Uhhhmmm...", "did I miss something somewhere?", "The alpha test for the \"CU\" was supposed to begin in January, it never happened.", "Beta testing began in April, 4 whole weeks before it was supposed to go to live!", "We all rolled up our sleeves and dove in.", "I think after the first week or so, the sad realization of what was happening to our game begun to sink in...", "The CU was supposed to go live on May 5th.", "SOE decided to push it to live a whole 2 weeks sooner than that.", "Honestly, with all the bugs that were still in beta, and then in live, beta could have gone on another 4-6 months!", "I guess they figured they could milk us all a little more and dump this beta on the live servers and let us pay to test it.", "Why am I not surprised?", "The CU itself is unplayable.", "It has become Everquest in space, or \"EverStar Galaxies QuestWars\" as we call it.", "There are just too many things to list.", "There are a lot of other more technical reviews which go into much more detail over on the page for the stand-alone game.", "As you all can imagine, the player community was totally enraged!", "We went to the SWG Forum boards to voice our concerns.", "The only response we ever got back from SOE was THOUSANDS of deleted threads and players banned from the forums (I was one of them).", "Facing futility, a large portion of the player base has left the game, permanently this time.", "Then 6 whole months later, after they finally figured out that the CU did indeed suck, they let loose the NGE.", "They released it just two days after releasing the Obi-Wan expansion which had \"special items\" for classes that were about to disappear.", "32 professions reduced to 9.", "The NGE is the final nails in the coffin of this game.", "It totally destroyed it.", "It became some sort of a twisted MMO/FPS wannabe.", "Fake and cartoony and dumbed down to where a 5 year old could figure out how to mash the buttons.", "It is so bad that even Smedly himself said that it wasn't good.", "And a recent developer conference in Austin the quote was \"learn from our mistakes\".", "It's widly rumored that the game will be \"sunset\" soon (they're gonna pull the plug on it).", "This \"Complete\" (I'm feeling sick here) edition is their last ditch effort to milk a little more cash out of it before it's all over.", "This is just not how you do business.", "I personally will NEVER deal with Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) EVER again.", "I DO NOT pay MY HARD EARNED MONEY to be lied to, deceived, ignored, strung along, censored, and banned for voicing my concerns.", "I do not pay money to folks who treat me, a PAYING CUSTOMER, in this fashion.", "Star Wars Galaxies is dead.", "Servers are empty.", "People have moved on to other games where folks know how to appreciate their patrons.", "If you are a fan of Star Wars, and this is the only reason I ever started playing this game to begin with, you will be sadly disappointed!", "SWG is nothing more than an exploit of a title, a milk machine.", "I for one, am tired of being milked.", "YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!" ]
I was introduced to His Verbosity, Stephen R. Donaldson, in my mid teens. At the time I thought Donaldson was very Wise and Deep, and that his book was practically dripping with insights on the human condition. Now that so much time has passed me by, I decided I would read it again to see how well it would hold up. Read on; the whole dreary experiment is detailed below. This book is about a successful writer, Thomas Covenant, who is stricken with the ancient horror of leprosy. The disease strips him of everything worth having, leaving him mentally, spiritually and physically maimed. After a severe traffic accident he is transported to a magical place known only as the Land, a Reality so essentially wholesome that his leprosy is cured simply by being there. But it is also a place whose peace is threatened by Lord Foul, ancient foe of Good and practitioner of Wickedness. This evil entity lays upon Thomas Covenant the charge of carrying a Message of Doom to the Lords of Revelstone, a Doom in which Covenant finds himself included thanks to the unguessable might of his white gold wedding ring! Can Thomas Covenant reach the Lords in time to stop this nightmarish vision from becoming reality!? Man, it SOUNDS pretty good, don't you think? How could it all have gone so terribly, terribly wrong? First of all, Thomas Covenant is the most unrelentingly unpleasant person to ever appear in the fiction of a civilized people. I get that he's an anti-hero, but famous anti-heroes like Billy the Kid and Jesse James had personality, some trait or Independent Streak that people can admire on some level. Covenant has no redeeming qualities of any description. He rapes the first person to offer him aid. He never talks; ol' Tommy can only communicate by grating, snarling, glowering, and occasionally, when he's feeling lazy, by shouting. Covenant pities the fool who tries to connect in a physical way, too! "Don't touch me!!" he screams again and again, flinging acid in the faces of his staunchest allies. He keepeth Ingratitude and Surliness closer than a brother, and surely he shall dwell amongst the Jackasses forever, saith the critic. Was Donaldson being paid by the syllable? At a guess, I'd say I must have read at least five or six hundred books over the course of my life, but I ran across quite a few obscure words here. I'm talking about words I have never read or heard used in ANY place OTHER THAN this book. It reads as though a Thesarus publisher was paying the author to test drive a gratis copy of their product, and Donaldson bought a ski lodge in Aspen outright with the proceeds. I do not object to being challenged by what I read, but here it's so overbearing as to reduce itself to an irritating parody. With added perspective I realize the characters are about as engaging as an episode of Full House. One dimensional set pieces, carted to and fro and forced to utter the absurdest dialogue, they are never allowed to have an ambiguous thought or feeling of their own. This is the same reason I no longer enjoy 'Star Wars' in the same way I did as a child, the moral extremes no longer seem plausible. And so what you are left with are not characters but plot devices, wind-up soldiers who serve only to make the authors' point for him. Life is very short, and there are much, much better books out there to enjoy.	negative	[ "I was introduced to His Verbosity, Stephen R.", "Donaldson, in my mid teens.", "At the time I thought Donaldson was very Wise and Deep, and that his book was practically dripping with insights on the human condition.", "Now that so much time has passed me by, I decided I would read it again to see how well it would hold up.", "Read on; the whole dreary experiment is detailed below.", "This book is about a successful writer, Thomas Covenant, who is stricken with the ancient horror of leprosy.", "The disease strips him of everything worth having, leaving him mentally, spiritually and physically maimed.", "After a severe traffic accident he is transported to a magical place known only as the Land, a Reality so essentially wholesome that his leprosy is cured simply by being there.", "But it is also a place whose peace is threatened by Lord Foul, ancient foe of Good and practitioner of Wickedness.", "This evil entity lays upon Thomas Covenant the charge of carrying a Message of Doom to the Lords of Revelstone, a Doom in which Covenant finds himself included thanks to the unguessable might of his white gold wedding ring!", "Can Thomas Covenant reach the Lords in time to stop this nightmarish vision from becoming reality!?", "Man, it SOUNDS pretty good, don't you think?", "How could it all have gone so terribly, terribly wrong?", "First of all, Thomas Covenant is the most unrelentingly unpleasant person to ever appear in the fiction of a civilized people.", "I get that he's an anti-hero, but famous anti-heroes like Billy the Kid and Jesse James had personality, some trait or Independent Streak that people can admire on some level.", "Covenant has no redeeming qualities of any description.", "He rapes the first person to offer him aid.", "He never talks; ol' Tommy can only communicate by grating, snarling, glowering, and occasionally, when he's feeling lazy, by shouting.", "Covenant pities the fool who tries to connect in a physical way, too!", "\"Don't touch me!!", "\" he screams again and again, flinging acid in the faces of his staunchest allies.", "He keepeth Ingratitude and Surliness closer than a brother, and surely he shall dwell amongst the Jackasses forever, saith the critic.", "Was Donaldson being paid by the syllable?", "At a guess, I'd say I must have read at least five or six hundred books over the course of my life, but I ran across quite a few obscure words here.", "I'm talking about words I have never read or heard used in ANY place OTHER THAN this book.", "It reads as though a Thesarus publisher was paying the author to test drive a gratis copy of their product, and Donaldson bought a ski lodge in Aspen outright with the proceeds.", "I do not object to being challenged by what I read, but here it's so overbearing as to reduce itself to an irritating parody.", "With added perspective I realize the characters are about as engaging as an episode of Full House.", "One dimensional set pieces, carted to and fro and forced to utter the absurdest dialogue, they are never allowed to have an ambiguous thought or feeling of their own.", "This is the same reason I no longer enjoy 'Star Wars' in the same way I did as a child, the moral extremes no longer seem plausible.", "And so what you are left with are not characters but plot devices, wind-up soldiers who serve only to make the authors' point for him.", "Life is very short, and there are much, much better books out there to enjoy." ]
UPDATE: The problem continues. Also if you continue to try twice to get the problem resolved Amazon who by the way fills the orders and is AWARE of the problem will ban you from continuing to buy on their site! Great company! I have read all of the comments written by this companies previous customers, Some, have received the six canvases that are advertised and many others have not. I just ordered from this company as well. I was hoping against all hope,since I had called prior to placing this order that, as the Amazon representative had told me that the problem had been fixed. and that the remaining negative comments were old and should not concern buyers anymore. I ordered with confidence due to this assurance. Unfortunately, since I received only one canvas in a huge box it has not. This is a shame because the one canvas they did send was of excellent quality. I really want the rest of my six canvases at the price they are continuing to offer to this day. I am having a hard time believing that Amazon continues to allow this to happen. I thought they would disqualify companies that had such poor business practices. I am waiting to hear what Amazon plans to do regarding this repeated problem. I have been an extremely loyal customer to Amazon for years, and am very anxious to see how they handle this matter. The two stars are for the five missing canvases. They would have received five stars if all of the canvases had been shipped.	negative	[ "UPDATE: The problem continues.", "Also if you continue to try twice to get the problem resolved Amazon who by the way fills the orders and is AWARE of the problem will ban you from continuing to buy on their site!", "Great company!", "I have read all of the comments written by this companies previous customers, Some, have received the six canvases that are advertised and many others have not.", "I just ordered from this company as well.", "I was hoping against all hope,since I had called prior to placing this order that, as the Amazon representative had told me that the problem had been fixed.", "and that the remaining negative comments were old and should not concern buyers anymore.", "I ordered with confidence due to this assurance.", "Unfortunately, since I received only one canvas in a huge box it has not.", "This is a shame because the one canvas they did send was of excellent quality.", "I really want the rest of my six canvases at the price they are continuing to offer to this day.", "I am having a hard time believing that Amazon continues to allow this to happen.", "I thought they would disqualify companies that had such poor business practices.", "I am waiting to hear what Amazon plans to do regarding this repeated problem.", "I have been an extremely loyal customer to Amazon for years, and am very anxious to see how they handle this matter.", "The two stars are for the five missing canvases.", "They would have received five stars if all of the canvases had been shipped." ]
The plot idea for this work is ingenious, if implausible: a mysterious group of terrorists (the FFF) threatens to destroy The Netherlands' dikes with nuclear weapons unless British troops withdraw from northern Ireland. (Yes, you read that correctly: one country is threatened in order to blackmail another). The FFF consists of an odd collection of figures, including some with ties to organized crime, a fundamentalist preacher, and a surprisingly humane leader with mysterious motives. Detective Lieutenant Peter van Effen and his associates inflitrate the gang to try and stop their efforts. Of course there are a few stunningly attractive women hostages to gaze the men in admiration, and occasionally, offer some help. Oddly, for a work of this kind, this book has almost no action, and what does happen is reported so matter-of-factly that it raises not a bit of excitement. There is much talk about who is doing what and going to do what, but most of what actually happens is off - screen. The climax of the tale is nothing but a weak fizzle: the bad guys turn out not to be very bad after all, and (with the action once again, off screen), we hear that they have been overpowered, tied up, and handed over to the authorities. It's as if the author had long since lost interest and just wanted to end the book. "Floodgate" started well, but ultimately it must be ranked as a weak effort from the downhill side of author Alistair MacLean's career. Interestingly, Wikipedia reports that in the Dutch translation, Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport does not get flooded; instead, an uninhabited airplane is destroyed on the runway. Dutch readers will probably appreciate the many cultural referents, although other readers may find the profusion of names (van Effen, van Rees, van de Graaf, van der Kuur) a bit hard to sort out. There are plenty of better works by Mr. MacLean, and new readers should seek them out.	negative	[ "The plot idea for this work is ingenious, if implausible: a mysterious group of terrorists (the FFF) threatens to destroy The Netherlands' dikes with nuclear weapons unless British troops withdraw from northern Ireland.", "(Yes, you read that correctly: one country is threatened in order to blackmail another).", "The FFF consists of an odd collection of figures, including some with ties to organized crime, a fundamentalist preacher, and a surprisingly humane leader with mysterious motives.", "Detective Lieutenant Peter van Effen and his associates inflitrate the gang to try and stop their efforts.", "Of course there are a few stunningly attractive women hostages to gaze the men in admiration, and occasionally, offer some help.", "Oddly, for a work of this kind, this book has almost no action, and what does happen is reported so matter-of-factly that it raises not a bit of excitement.", "There is much talk about who is doing what and going to do what, but most of what actually happens is off - screen.", "The climax of the tale is nothing but a weak fizzle: the bad guys turn out not to be very bad after all, and (with the action once again, off screen), we hear that they have been overpowered, tied up, and handed over to the authorities.", "It's as if the author had long since lost interest and just wanted to end the book.", "\"Floodgate\" started well, but ultimately it must be ranked as a weak effort from the downhill side of author Alistair MacLean's career.", "Interestingly, Wikipedia reports that in the Dutch translation, Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport does not get flooded; instead, an uninhabited airplane is destroyed on the runway.", "Dutch readers will probably appreciate the many cultural referents, although other readers may find the profusion of names (van Effen, van Rees, van de Graaf, van der Kuur) a bit hard to sort out.", "There are plenty of better works by Mr.", "MacLean, and new readers should seek them out." ]