The problem with five-star rating systems
Let users choose from five stars, and they nearly always pick
three
Three is the little bear’s porridge
neither too hot nor too cold
a safe place to hide
four-star
you leave them no cover
Neither is three stars out of four.
There is no place to hide.
Force people out of the brush, and they develop the backbone needed to state an opinion.
The trouble with “maybe”
“Maybe” is a button that begs to be pushed.
“Maybe” sometimes means maybe
but it can also mean
“I’m not coming but I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“I plan to come but I reserve the right to change my mind at the last minute if something better comes along.”
“I won’t make dinner but I’ll come for dessert.”
What is the solution?
Use web services that offer a binary choice: “I’m coming” or “I’m not coming.”
When demand an outright yes or no, people generally supply it. They only equivocate when handed the means to do so. Form is content.