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Roadtest Files : I want To Believe

firatkocak
Hi Firiends,

Following Altera Roadtest procedure and seeing the last status of it, i am seriously thinking about how a Roadtest should be. To be more clear, better we should compare the current process with POLL method;

Current Method

1.  Alistair( Mostly ) or someone else creates an event for a new Roadtest.
2.  We generally have a limited numbers of the Roadtested products, say less then 10.
3.  And then members attend to the event if they want to have a chance to be able to receive one of the roadtested products.
4.  Members wait for the event to close ( not so long ).
5.  Alistair or the creator of the event makes a random draw for the winners.
6.  Winners are being informed via e-mail for their postal addresses if their detailed information are not already recorded before.
7.  Roadtested products are sent to winners.
8.  Winners receive their Roadtest products.
9.  Winners wait for some free time to be able to make a review.
10. After finished their reviews, winners start to share them with members.

So, What are there in a review ?

1.  Information about the product package.
2.  Information about the package contents.
3.  Information about the hardware specifications of the product.
4.  Information about the software come with the product( if there is any ).
5.  Information about the installation of the software of the product ( If necessary ).
6.  Information about the usage of the utility come with the product.
7.  A number of applications to use the product in.
8.  PROs about the product ( if any )
9.  CONs about the product ( if any )
10. Lates comments about the product.

Polling Method

1.  Alistair creates an event for a new Roadtest and requires from the members to leave their project ideas for the Roadtested product.
2.  Phase 1 starts ( Making the projects list ).
3.  Members start to think and then leave their projects.
4.  Phase 1 ends ( projects list are finished ).
5.  Phase 2 starts ( Poll time for the listed projects ).
6.  Members vote for the most liked project ( if members like more then one project they may be allowed to vote for more than one project but not more then one for a project ).
7.  Phase 2 ends.
8.  According to the available roadtested products the top rated projects will be the winners.
9.  Alistair provides a place for each project to follow all the project activity.
10. We all learn much from the newly projects either being a winner or being an attendee.

As it is clearly seen, a winner gets the roadtested product but, either he/she never uses it in an active design or we will never know whether it is used in an active design or not. I don't know what companies suppporting Roadtest expect from a Roadtest event. It is important because they provide their products for the Roadtest and they have rights on how a Roadtest is done. If current procedure followed for a Roadtest is OK for them then there is nothing to do but, if it is Ok for any other method then we may make some changes on choosing a winner; Random or Polling ( as in Altera Roadtest ). In my opinion, if a Roadtest is done by a poll process and winners are chosed according to thier projects then the roadtested product go to the right people. So, we have chances to follow the projects, get new ideas, give our thoughts and so on.

Ok, this is what i am thining about this issue. What do you say ?

Firat Kocak

  • Hey Firat.

     

    Thanks for the post, from the beginning of RoadTest I've tried to encourage feedback like this, and also test new things to see how they go.

     

    The companies I have talked to like to see how testers found the products, what features are appreciated, and which users want in the next range of devices. I think they are happy with this as a minimum, but of course would love to see how people test and use the products after the initial evaluation.

     

    I know I am interested in what happens next...and have been for quite a while. The main question for me, is should these further descriptions be in this group, or should a seperate group be set up for this purpose and keep RoadTest for the initial evaluation? I think a seperate group...and keep your eyes open over the next two weeks for my solution image

     

    I know some companies who provide equipment keep an eye on the group, maybe some of them could comment also?

  • Thanks for raising the question, Firat.

     

    I like Ally's idea of two approaches - a road test in the current style, and something more project-based. I think there may be room for a third additional approach for some products.

     

    Many development boards (like the arduino and the mbed) already have their own flourishing on-line communties. I think we can contribute to both element14 and those communities by building bridges between the two. A concrete example: I've added a couple of libraries on the mbed site, and added a note about element14 and the road-tests. One library was part of the road test; another is now mentioned in the mbed forum here on element14.

     

    I think this sort of cross-linking is good for everyone; it gives something back to the product sponsors, who make the road-tests possible; it enriches the element14 site, and makes more people aware of it; and it gives us a chance to create something that gets used, which I think is a motivation for many software developers and hardware designers.

  • in reply to romilly

    First of all, I like the idea of roadtests in general - and especially enjoy reading peoples reviews of the kit etc.

     

    I think each roadtest may have to be taken on it's own merits and there may not be a one size fits all solution, so I'm happy for them to carried out in different ways.

     

    The poll idea is great - but can lead to people coming up with fantastical ideas which are simply not feasible in a realistic timescale or for a realistic cost. It may encourage people to come up with a great idea so that they win the poll, but then be unable to realize that idea. In addittion, some items simply need a 'reaview' and for that there may be no need to have a fantatsic idea - or any project idea at all, it could simply be a case of reviewing the product for what it is.

     

    So whether it's a poll, or a tombola, or any other method  - I'm happy to participate in any way.

     

    Finally, I think it is best if people are honest and realistic and not enter roadtests if they know they won't be able to complete it.

     

    -Kenny

  • I have follow almost all the roadtests that passed throught element14, some I have assisted and others not.

     

    Independently of being made in a polling method or the current method, I think that roadtest can be really usefull to provide people the opportunity to try different "brands" of electronics and get to know its pros and cons. In my case, has I work in a university it is not only good for my to road test the products, but also for my students, since I then make the roadtests products available for the ones that want to try It.

     

    I think it is also important to remember that sometimes we don't know what to do with a product until we have it and test it. And for this reason I completely agree with Kenny when he says that most people can have the most amasing idea without even know if it can be really possible.

     

    If the next roadtest are to be done by the polling method I sujuest the creation of kind of "ranking" to destinguish the members who really have sone what they proposed from the others who simple gave the idea to win the roadtest.

     

  • in reply to awinning

    Hi Ally,

     

    The most important thing is that the companies can see how testers found the  products, whether the documentation is sufficient for an average engineer to install and run the demo(s), what features are appreciated, and what new features are wanted.

     

    The competition of design project ideas is a quite different business, similar to the PIC32 Design Challange. It serves a quite different purpose...

     

    Istvan Cserny


  • in reply to icserny

    Thanks for all the feedback.

     

    It is a very interesting suggestion Istvan. Thanks for that. It may be a great idea. RoadTest for exactly what we are doing now, Projects for updates on these and other projects, and a challenge group for competitions, and we have some very exciting products which would lend themselves well to that.. hmmm thinking cap on

     

    @Kenny. This is very true. But surely by posting an outlandish idea, the author exposes himself to the critical eye...and voice of the community? And also with a poll it should be easy to avoid the outlandish!

     

    As suggested by Firat in the original post, I have built a project group. There are a few familiar faces from RoadTest there already, including myself. I've decided to do a bit of tinkering http://www.element-14.com/community/groups/projects.

     

    The basic idea is that if you are planning a project, either with products from RoadTest after you've written a review, or if you are planning a project and you want some help, advice and moral support (I need all three image) then come along, start a thread detailing the project and join the fun! Hopefully we can build an online hackspace!