Training might help in some cases. The learning curve for example can be very steep if someone really wanted to get very deep into a package like some of the FPGA parts, or even some of the IOT devices where you almost need to be a network or IT specialist to get all of the data moving correctly.
Recently, on my roadtest of the NI Thermocouple Measurement Kit, I had thought long and hard about delving into some of the NI programming environments like LabView to further automate the data collection process by controlling the programmable load, while collection data from my DMM and the Thermocouple Measurement Kit, but in the end I decided that doing all of that would have required way more time and energy than I had to expend. As it was just getting all of the necessary software loaded and running was a huge chore.
It is a number of things. I'm interested in testing a power supply or SMU but assess my chances for selection on the nicer units from R&S that have been offered recently as low and they are also beyond my needs anyway so I've not applied. I've RoadTested a number of sensor packages and microcontrollers and don't feel I would learn much from assessing another one. There are others that could make better use of them. I'm waiting for the right thing to come along before making more applications and there are plenty of other things on element14 to attract me.
Thanks Gene. You mention above the learning curve issue. It has been in the back of my mind that for some of these roadtests actual product training is needed by the roadtester before a review can be done. Easy stuff like Ras Pi doesn't need that, but some products are getting complex and target domain knowledge that many people don't have. Your comment made me think of that thought. Thanks for responding.
It usually comes down to a combination of these choices, not just one. I mostly fall into the "My life is busy right now ...", "I'm involved in other activities on element14 ..." or "Due to my knowledge of the product, I would need a steep learning curve .." selections. There are other times that I feel that there are other people who could do a better job covering the testing of the roadtest item, or that the test would require test equipment that I do not have, or that other members deserve the opportunity to have a chance to get involved in this fun and rewarding activity.
I have to admit, that the roadtest program was one of the things that first attracted me to becoming an element14 member. Once I applied to a few roadtests and was rejected I decided that to be successful I would need to become more involved in other element14 activities in order to be a more credible applicant. Interestingly, the more I participated, the more I felt a camaraderie and sense of belonging to the community. The enjoyment of this belonging soon became a greater reward than the roadtest items and I focused on participating with and encouraging others in their engagement within the community.
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