Please Read: An Important RoadTest Program Change

Randall Scasny wrote:

 

It's a large sample I didn't want to spell it out because the actual numbers are dreadful. Simplifying it to a percentage is bad enough. But things are improving immensely. People are getting their reviews in or notifying about upcoming review postings, which was not happening 2 weeks ago. Thanks.

I'm glad people are starting to get their reviews back to you, this is great news

What about those that didn't reacted so far? Can you send them a private message asking for any update on their side? If they don't bother to reply, then I guess they can be flagged ...

I thought that this is already being applied. I think this improvement is neccessary, and might work out fine. 13% review rate is totally unnacceptable.

Also, I believe many Roadtests have applicants that are new and have no roadtest's posted before. Maybe Roadtests should include only a certain percentage of "new" members, so there are more chances of satisfied supplier?

However, I tend to disagree with these short deadlines (2 weeks for unboxing for example). Roadtester's are chosen ~1month after applications are closed. Then there is shipping and etc. The time when you should reserve time for a roadtest is distant and undetermined. I simply cannot plan so much ahead and sometimes it is difficult to find spare 3 hours of free time (having a fresh head of course) to experiment / write even an unboxing review. 60 days seems reasonable to me and should be enough  for everyone to write a review (if no serious issues occur).

From my perspective, RoadTest rules should encourage everyone to participate, not only the ones with the most experience / good testing equipment. That means, letting the applicant know, that the rules are strict, and he has to do the RoadTest in time, although the RoadTest itself does not have to be a masterpiece. The review from "amateurs" side can also be as insightful as from an "expert". It should be clear that the reviewer has spent time playing around, working, trying to integrate the product somewhere, but also spent some time writing the review in a clear and understandable way. For those, who are not sure how to make a roadtest, it would be good to know, what properties of the product the supplier wants to get tested / reviewed? Maybe some template could be created?

Anyway, I think the changes are for the good. If we could increase the review rate, then we could expect more and better products to be supplied for testing

I wonder how many people apply for a roadtest and find themselves "out of their depth" when the product arrives? Sometimes I wonder if this is part of the reason many people aren't able to complete their review.

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

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.

Interstingly looking through ACTIVITY I noted 8 people signed up for Road Test.

Mostly all were new to the site, but one enterprising fellow had managed to amass 1325 points in a single day.

He'd started one conversation and a mention then completed the Plugged in badge.

This made him Level3 which I guess means that he looks like he belongs and has been around.

https://www.element14.com/community/news?streamSource=publication&streamID=821733

I don't know if these people all apply, but if Randall is having to sort through these types of issues, then a level based application process is not going to work.

Mark

It just keeps getting more interesting, what happened to honesty and integrity otherwise known as being a decent human being ?

K

Why wouldn't you apply.

here is the banner.

I had mentioned that in another thread (A Conversation about RoadTests, Missing Reviews, and the Future). I agree its an issue when you are trying to stop entrants thinking its free giveaways and then you post its for free...

Kas