Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 91 replies
  • Subscribers 2568 subscribers
  • Views 6791 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

Please Read: An Important RoadTest Program Change

rscasny

This is the third virtual "fireside chat" that I'm writing regarding the RoadTest Program. For this one, I'd like to roll out a RoadTest Program change and explain why the change is occurring.

 

To start, I'd like to share a snippet of an email I received yesterday from a vendor who participates in the RoadTest Program:

 

"We received only 13% reviews back from the RoadTests we sponsored in 2016. I would like to know the status of each of these roadtests. Are the missing reviews still being pursued? I would also like to know if the members that failed to post a review are now being flagged so we do not chose them again."

 

It was not pleasant to respond to. I had to eat "humble pie," as we say in the US, when I responded to this vendor.

 

To solve the problem, I decided I don't want to go down the road of suspending members from the RoadTest program. Suspensions sound too much like the hard rules of the military. I was in the Navy for 10 years and I didn't like tough rules back then, but I knew they were necessary given the reality of uncomfortable shipboard conditions and potentially dangerous operations we were participating in.

 

But this is a community. It should be a place to have some fun, meet new people, network professionally, be a mentor, or get mentored. Suspending people just is the wrong road to follow.

 

The way I've chosen to resolve the problem is the program change.

 

RoadTest application reports will soon include whether a specific applicant has completed all of his/her previous RoadTest reviews. I'm told by our developers this is very easy to do. We will provide this information to the vendor with a RoadTester's application. The supplier will make the decision where to select the RoadTester or not. Given the above comment by the supplier, I think the answer is self-evident.

 

Now, this change will probably cause me more work. If someone were flagged, I will have to check to see if that person is on a current RoadTest and it's before the due date of the official review. I surely don't want to penalize a conscientious RoadTester. I will also have to ensure there are not any extenuating circumstances that have caused the person not to write the review, i.e., sickness, family issues.

 

I am ambivalent about this whole thing. There are many RoadTesters who are doing a fantastic job. But a 13% success rate is not successful. I really have no choice but to implement this change.

 

Sincerely,

 

Randall Scasny

RoadTest Program Manager

Parents Reply Children
  • in reply to Former Member

    find themselves "out of their depth" when the product arrives

    That makes the assumption they simply apply for everything in the hope of getting something.

     

     

    Personally I have a look at the item and decide if it is within my capabilities to evaluate it BEFORE applying.

    Once the testers have been announced there is at least two weeks (assuming no delays) to download and copy links for every document available to help you.

    You may also grab some piccys, and sort out software you'll need.

     

     

    So in reality there is more than 2 months available

     

    Mark

  • Former Member
    Former Member in reply to mcb1

    mcb1 wrote:

     

    That makes the assumption they simply apply for everything in the hope of getting something.

     

     

    Exactly, either that or just the thought of getting free stuff overshadows the fact that they've got to be able to demonstrate using it. Most of us who do contribute to roadtesting have an interest in the products but some people really are just out to get freebies. There may also be people who have dabbled a bit in electronics thinking they'll be able to just pick up how to use the product as they go along, starting with good intentions but realizing its not as easy as they thought it would be.

     

    Thats not to mention the Raspberry Pi craze, there was so much attention on it being the next big gadget that techies everywhere wanted one, techies in this sense people who are into gadgets (gadget show watchers etc..) and the latest crazes, lots of these people bought Raspberry Pi's but didn't have the technical knowledge to use them so they ended up been put to the back of a shelf, I imagine people like this seeing the chance of getting one for free and jump at it. It still doesn't mean they can use it when it finally arrives.

     

    Sorry if this seems negative but I'd prefer to think of people trying to fulfill their side of the bargain and getting out of their depth then those just taking a freebie and running with no conscience in doing so.