RateMyArea.com

A new website, ratemyarea.com, is bringing the consumer review process into the Web 2.0 sphere. Users can review, share and discuss local services in their area, pinpointed on Googlemaps. This information-producing mechanism is user-driven and allows for group formation which makes it feel somewhat like a social networking site. Businesses can also promote themselves - though this is not free; there is a charge of €50. Liam has already discussed mechanisms for assessing publicly provided goods in Ireland (here) - some of the most popular being ratemyteacher.ie or ratemyhospital.ie. While ratemyarea.com may be contextualised by geographically constrained decision-making, it is actually possible to search on a "what" as well as a "where" basis. Also, one does not necessarily have to restrict searches to private-sector services, though the benefits of this will of course depend on how the user-driven platform develops. Finally, it would be unfair not to mention the compettition (http://www.yourlocal.ie), who also came to my attention last year.