• Author Author: rscasny
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RoadTests Are For All Skill Levels: Pick The One That Fits You Best

rscasny

I call a roadtest "a product review." That's how I describe it when I speak with our sponsors. And that's what the roadtest sponsors want: someone who can take a look at their product, experiment with it, and then write about those experiences and make some conclusions based on those experiences.

 

You don't need to be a genius to be a roadtester. Granted, some roadtests require specialized knowledge, such as FPGAs. But I always try to run roadtests on products that anyone with a basic electronics or engineering skill level can handle. A good example of what I'm talking about is this roadtest: Multicomp Pro Non-Contact Voltage Tester

 

Some roadtests require a little more skill or the desire to use the roadtrest as a way to build your skills. This is a good example of that kind of roadtest: Arduino Nano 33 IoT Embedded Dev Kit   Now, there are many members who have a passion for Arduino products. So, even someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with Arduino products can get some help right from the element14 community. Remember, you have to ask for help. Use the comments section on the roadtest page to ask questions; it functions as a de facto support community. Our sponsors want to get feedback by people who aren't geniuses. They produce products and want to understand how all skill levels experience their products.

 

Some roadtests require an extra brain (my words). This is a good example of this kind of roadtest: Intel Neural Compute Stick 2  If you had no experience with this kind of product, you have to think about whether you can build enough expertise in 60 days to review it. This may not be a roadtest that is your "best fit." That's fine. Expertise in today's world is specialized.

 

Picking a roadtest to apply for has a lot to do with you figuring out what roadtest is your best fit. Once you have figured that out, you need to communicate in the roadtest application that you have the basic skills and you have a plan for roadtesting it.

 

Randall Scasny

RoadTest Program Manager

  • I think the RoadTest program you put on is an incredible opportunity for the E14 community.  Both to be a person who does a review and for the people who get to read the reviews later.

     

    While certain products I definitely feel comfortable with it is items such as your example, Intel Neural Compute Stick 2  which can seriously tweak my interests at time in regards to learning about a new product and stepping into a new area.  Looking at examples and seeing how it has already been implemented can make me go out and research a whole new area that I had never thought of before and expand my experience as well bring a new set of eyes to a product!

     

    The parts that have me made hesitate previously in submitting have been not knowing fully what might be in a review kit that would be coming (take for example the latest Camera where everyone thought no lenses would be included but you made magic happen and they came for the reviewers).  Wanting to be responsible an provide as complete and educational review as possible can sometimes make me not submit, where as the best plan would be to submit and make mention of my concerns, this is what I plan on working with in the future.

     

    Thank you keeping this program rolling!