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Update: Change in RoadTest Applications

rscasny

Anyone who has followed the RoadTests group is probably aware of my challenges in getting applicants to submit complete applications. My specific challenge is those writing "single-sentence" applications. Given the fact that recently, I have had a roadtest where over 50% were single-sentence applications, I decided to implement a new policy.

 

When you click to enroll in a roadtest, and the official application form opens up, you will see the following message in the comments section of the application form:

 

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Stop and Read the Directions.

 

Please answer the following questions:

 

(a) What is your background?

(b) Why you are applying for this roadtest?

(c) What is your testing procedure?

(d) Give some examples of your element14 community participation

(e) Please verify that you can complete the testing and review writing on element14 within 60 days from the receipt of the product.

 

Single-sentence applications are incomplete and will not be eligible for winning the FREE product.

 

If you are still unsure of what to write about in a RoadTest application, then Click Here to view a short webinar on Writing RoadTest Applications

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To submit a complete application, you must answer the five questions cited above. If you do not, your application is incomplete and will be ineligible for winning the FREE product.

 

The good news is that there will be better quality applications and likely few applicants overall, hence, less competition for winning.

 

Sincerely,

 

Randall Scasny

RoadTest Program Manager

 

 

Parents

  • Update:

     

    I skimmed through all the applications for current roadtests. Only 25% are answering the 5 questions. From my point of view, this means any decent application has a great chance of winning because I am screening out people now who do not submit a complete application.

     

    Up coming roadtests:

     

    a DMM from Keithley

    an Arduino engineering Kit (worth ~200 Us)

    an NXP rapid Iot prototyping kit

    2 NFC kits

    some Pansonic BT and Wifi kits

     

     

     

    Randall Scasny

    RoadTest Program Manager

Reply

  • Update:

     

    I skimmed through all the applications for current roadtests. Only 25% are answering the 5 questions. From my point of view, this means any decent application has a great chance of winning because I am screening out people now who do not submit a complete application.

     

    Up coming roadtests:

     

    a DMM from Keithley

    an Arduino engineering Kit (worth ~200 Us)

    an NXP rapid Iot prototyping kit

    2 NFC kits

    some Pansonic BT and Wifi kits

     

     

     

    Randall Scasny

    RoadTest Program Manager

Children
  • in reply to rscasny

    The formulation of question b) is in principle very simple.


    However, answering this question can sometimes be very complex, especially if you get a lot of emotions when filling out the text boxes and writing your application.
    Answering this question can range from technical discipline with a factual description to the description of his personal inner feeling, or motive.

    Therefore, you can easily get nervous, hoping to get it right.
    Yes, that can be a challenge.

    I need to think about this for a few days, because the planning of the project and the necessary preparation have to come with that as well.

    Needing to answer these 5 questions is just right, to separate the chaff from the wheat.

     

    Best Regards

    Gerald

    ---

  • in reply to geralds

    Gerald,

     

    You makes some good points. Yes, it may take some time thinking about why you want to apply. But there are so many people who so nothing. At the very least, they could say: I want to roadtest this because (a) it will give me hands on experience for my final semester project or (b) it will give me experience for a project I am doing at work, or (c) I want to show my kid about technology or (d) I have done one project with it and want to gain more experience.

     

    Randall

  • in reply to rscasny

    From the issues that have been raised so far, I wonder how long it will be until one of those sentences appears verbatim in an application image

     

    Rod

  • in reply to rscasny

    Ooh ... Keithley back with another DMM after the 2110 I reviewed five years ago Now that's exciting I wonder which one it is as I did get a chance to play with the DMM6500 and  DMM7510DMM7510 sampling multimeter at the ElectroneX trade show and it looked quite interesting with the full-touch LCD interface I guess I'll just have to wait and see image, but if anything, the fact my 2110 has seen a bucketload of Li-Ion battery capacity tests (using the Dual Measure functionality), sampled data throughout a ~6500hr LED test for my PhD and is still helping me out with RoadTests today just goes to show how robust and reliable they are.

     

    As for RoadTest applications - as long as users keep in mind the competitive nature of the process and the outlined "questions" that they will be judged on, it's beyond crystal clear. But I'm sure someone will still try to click that submit button ... thinking that it's up to chance. Just hopefully fewer.

     

    - Gough

  • in reply to Gough Lui

    Yes, yes, yes!! I'm waiting for that "ONE PIECE". image image

     

    Well, yes, Roadtesters should think about having some responsibility.

    I understand Randall well because it is hard to filter out only from letters, certain personalities (responsible / irresponsible).

    Among other things, this is similar to a job interview when you have to hire a new employee.

     

    The most important is that the suppliers / manufacturers of this device are satisfied.

    They give this device to someone unknown, hoping / ok, profit-thinking / that their device is not just stolen.

    If so, they may also have to provide further explanations in their own company.

     

    Well, it's not easy.

     

    Gerald

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  • in reply to rscasny

    If the first one is their latest DMM - the DMM6500 then I have a comment - that device is a single thing that has really improved my engineering productivity and capability, and I've only started using it.

     

    It seems so well executed and feature-rich, but I won't say more so that people can discover for themselves when they read the various reviews, because I know they will be interesting to read.

     

    It is however missing a "thank the engineers who created me" button. That should be on the front panel : ) I bet they use this DMM themselves too in their day-to-day work..

  • in reply to shabaz

    Agree.

    Tektronix, Keithley, R & S, Hewlett Packard / Agilent / Keysight and so on ... they have been the world leaders for many decades.