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Interesting way to ask for "reviewers"  while ensuring readers are really part of the comunity

kas.lewis

I was looking over LMR (Let's Make Robots) today and saw something that to me is new, a call for reviewers. The non interesting part is that it is very similar to E14 road test reviews, where you get to keep the product in exchange for a decent review. The interesting part is the rest of the conditions:

 

If you want to get a chance just tell in a comment:

 

  1. That you are a member for at least 1 month, with at least 1 publications of enough quality (it is at the discretion of LMR to decide that quality, but they are fair, just try your best!).
  2. What would you like to do with this OWI-535 Robotic Arm Edge.
  3. It´s not compulsory, but at least that you will consider the “Tips on writing reviews at Let’s Make Robots”,specially videos with LMR intro and end.

 

or

 

If you want to get a chance just tell in a comment:

 

  1. That you are a member for more than 3 months, with at least 2 publications of enough quality (it is at the discretion of LMR to decide that quality, but they are fair, just try your best!).
  2. What would you like to do with one of these Leap Motion Sensors.
  3. It´s not compulsory, but at least that you will consider the “Tips on writing reviews at Let’s Make Robots”,specially videos with LMR intro and end.

 

Its interesting that rather than just give stuff away to the person that sounds the best on "paper" they want the person to be part of the site for some time (1 or 3 months) and to show that they are really part of the community (write a real blog entry and not some 3 line question 5 years ago). I wonder how some of the members here feel about these requirements and if it would go to solving the long debated question of level 0 or 1 members receiving top road tests or even mediocre road test but then not writing a review.

 

Look forward to everyone's comments

Kas

Parents

  • The qualifications approach is interesting, and might be worth trying on a few road tests, but I don't think it should ever be elevated to the point where it is used on most road tests. The incentive to sign up for some undefined future road test months in advance resonates with a much smaller audience than an immediate sign-up for a cool tangible road test. Sure, not everyone who signs up is going to be a super participant, but the immediate reward system attracts everyone and statistically must result in higher levels of participation.

    The element14 road test/design challenge system is currently the best-in-class system and it is pretty miraculous that it has evolved into such a win-win system. I don't have any idea how fragile its cost/benefit justification ratio is, but I would hate to tinker with the formula and push the ratio into an untenable position.

    I'm not sure tinkering with the system to make it more beneficial for active participants will actually increase the number of active participants more than the current formula, in fact I suspect it would have a negative effect.

    I see the road test / design challenge system as a huge benefit to me and other designers, and hopefully the manufacturers and e14 also see benefits. The qualifications approach would likely benefit me in the short term, but I don't think it would benefit the most members in the long term.

    Doug

  • in reply to dougw

    Certainly my coments where not ment for the challanges, I agree with Doug, these work exceptionally well already. I am refering to the basic road tests like the Keysight Truevolt DMM and TI DAC8734

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  • in reply to Robert Peter Oakes

    It's an interesting discussion.

    In the past it was pointed out that the roadtest has introduced some very worthwhile members who are now TM's.

     

    I had this discussion with Christian, and he pointed out that he read every application, and while some had very fancy ideas, it was recognised they were unachievable ... or not possible for varying reasons.

    So I do think there is care taken with the testers (and Design Challengers) .....

     

    Unfortunately no-one can anticipate the future and sadly some fall short, that is the chance you take.

    I'm also not sure if the sponsor has a large say, and maybe the person has 'other contacts' outside of element14 that help spread the word about xyz product.

     

    I do like the hints in the body of text ... but getting them to read it is another thing.

    It seems that several don't seem to read the terms and conditions.

     

    Mark