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RoadTests: Project vs Unboxing vs Experiment vs Other

rscasny

Over the past few months, I have implemented some changes to the RoadTest program. Some of these changes had to do with things that needed to change in order to have the program work for all stakeholders. Of course, some of them have to do with things that would help me manage the program better (e.g., asking applicants to use their profile email address on applications or my asking supplemental questions.)

 

But one comment caught my attention last week. To paraphrase it, the commenter thought that RoadTests were more or less morphing into prototyping "big" projects. This has led some individuals not to apply because of a lack of time.

 

While creating a big project would be nice, it's definitely not required. After all, we give you 60 days to complete testing and write a review. Not a whole lot of time to create something totally new.

 

A RoadTest can be a combination of performing an unboxing (start up/installation), conducting some experiments or tests (e.g., verify a power supply's load regulation is in specs), building a prototype, or doing something else.

 

When I review the applications -- all of which get sent to the supplier -- I do provide some recommendations. Sometimes they go with my recommendations, sometimes they do not.

 

But I've observed the following things regarding applications:

 

  • We are looking for a concise plan of testing.
  • Is the project do-able? Some projects aren't in 60 days.
  • Does the RoadTester appear to be able to pull off the testing and write the review.
  • The plan isn't being re-hashed over multiple RoadTests.
  • The application sounds like the applicant took the time to study the product; we have had some RoadTesters that submitted applications that were irrelevant to the product being tested.
  • Long applications may get looked at, but the winners are a combination of long or short applications. The application should be only as long as need be to explain your testing plan. But 1 sentence applications are rarely taken seriously.

 

I encourage everyone who is interested to keep on applying for RoadTests. Since we are given a limited number of units, we can't get everyone to test all the time. But a good plan will rise to the top.

 

Randall Scasny

RoadTest Program Manager

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  • As a reader of a road test, the questions I want answered are "Is this product any good?" and "Is it worth buying one if I need something similar?". The usefulness of the product can be demonstrated in a number of ways, but will really depend on what it is. Personally, I find unboxing style road tests entirely useless - just an excuse to type something and pretend you've done something useful. In my opinion, they're no benefit to the reader at all.

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  • As a reader of a road test, the questions I want answered are "Is this product any good?" and "Is it worth buying one if I need something similar?". The usefulness of the product can be demonstrated in a number of ways, but will really depend on what it is. Personally, I find unboxing style road tests entirely useless - just an excuse to type something and pretend you've done something useful. In my opinion, they're no benefit to the reader at all.

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  • in reply to Fred27

    well.... unboxing as the core of a road test I don't like eather. but unboxing as part of a road test I love.

  • in reply to Fred27

    David,

     

    As you always do, you make good points.

     

    Perhaps I need to give more clarity on unboxing in a RoadTest.

     

    But first, your points are at the heart of the RoadTest: is the product any good? Would you the roadtester recommend buying it? I would like to see these questions in some form addressed in the review. I don't want to dictate the words you use. But we would like to know if you think it's worth it.

     

    For unboxings...

     

    Before I took over RoadTests, I went through reading a lot of roadtests. Unboxings seem to be the basic fodder at the beginning of the review. Nothin particularly wrong with it. But surely the unboxing is NOT the total review. I would not say they are worthless at all. It's a chance for everyone to see the parts (assuming visuals are posted) and how to do the basic hook up (probably for newbies). I read someone say he didn't have enough USB ports so he had to modify things -- I think he added a hub, so an unboxing / basic hookup could show that. Again, most helpful to newbies.

     

    But a review needs to be "a review" and answer the basic questions of the product.

     

    Thanks.

     

    Randall

  • in reply to Fred27

    David Murphy wrote:

     

    Personally, I find unboxing style road tests entirely useless

    I agree. The unboxing reviews are only really a review of the packaging.

     

    Some of my recent purchases have been influenced by watching certain you-tubers using test equipment and seeing the results.