Poll: How Can I Get You More Active In The RoadTest Program?

We are getting closer, m account doesn't appear to have that option.

I will see if there is any response from the admins. If not I will open a discussion.

Sean

What limits my participation in the RT program is time. Unfortunately the very nature of my work will require sudden and intense spells of "full-immersion" work, which is often difficult to predict. Nevertheless, I try my best to make some time to apply and test some of the products I'm more interested in. Let me be clear, this limit has nothing to do with the time needed to complete the RoadTest: I don't think having more time to complete a RoadTest would have any impact on the decision to apply. This is for 2 reasons: first, in my experience there is nothing better than an hard deadline to improve someone's focus. And second, if needed, Randall has always been very open and flexible in accommodating extension requests, so if you find yourself in need of more time, all you need to do is ask (I have done it myself).

And when I'm available to apply, typically is the type of product that drives me to apply: I apply only to the products I'm interested in, I'm eager to try and test, and I know I can learn something worth writing about. I usually try to stretch my limits on the application, trying to implement projects often at the edge of my (or the product) capability. This sometimes leads to failure, but the journey is usually always enlightening regardless.  Definitely I'm one of the RoadTesters whose participation really does not depend on the value of the product.

Personally, I think the program is working very well, and this is testament to Randall's great work with developing the RoadTest program.

I'm not sure what could be done to increase participation. Experience with previous RoadTests seems to suggest the participation increases both with the product's value and with the product's popularity in the maker space. But this is common sense, as more expensive and more usable products are always preferred by the majority. But I don't think a RoadTest is successful only if there is a high number of applicants. One of the strengths of the current program is the wide variety of products offered for RaodTest, covering almost all areas of application. But some products are more "niche" and the number of applications will inevitably reflect that. And, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with having only few applicants in such cases.

I like many of the suggestions made by other members, definitely little incentives always help the "undecided" make their mind and apply. One thing I would not touch is the selection criteria, as it seems to be working well.

This is my 2p

Fabio

colporteur  wrote:

 

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Can someone point me in the direction to register for RoadTest email notices if that is an offering. I might be asking for something that already exists. That is not uncommon. I still haven't explored all the crevices of the community.

It's here:

Hummm, I confirmed that I am a member of the RoadTest Group. I don't ever recall receiving an email announcing a new Roadtest offering. The only correspondences I receive are if I post a comment on an active RoadTest. As that Roadtest changes I get information.

Can someone point me in the direction to register for RoadTest email notices if that is an offering. I might be asking for something that already exists. That is not uncommon. I still haven't explored all the crevices of the community.

Sean

I suspect there would be a number of different responses if we were to poll the group and ask the question what are the requirements for an Oscilloscope RoadTest Review (RTR)? What is the ideal answer?

Our community has a collective of minds not unlike the MacGyver character from the original 1985 TV series. I rather look forward RTR shows, what will be done next. I believe as technical minds we over estimate what is required for a RTR. If you have little experience with an oscilloscope, then why not make your RTR exercise about developing the knowledge on how to use it. What would be your thought process in learning how to use the test equipment. I suggest that insight provides value to our community and to the test equipment vendor.

I interacted with a member just the other day about troubleshooting a switching power supply. In my response I used content already available from community posts to provide some insight. The individual confessed he was working beyond his pay grade. I tried to encourage the person and share some concerns regarding safety. Given sufficient time and having a process to exchange information that gives both of us confidence, I believe we both would have benefited.

A complex RTR using an oscilloscope, would not provide the same benefit as a step by step, guided approach on how to use the scope to troubleshoot a switching power supply. I write a lot of tutorials. Simple is ideal. The advanced knowledge will be discovered by the advanced people. They know where to go look and they know what they are looking for. How many of us could describe how to setup a scope to trigger on a signal for a novice. Not just display the waveform but wait until an event occurs and then record the results.

Sean

I think the issue Randall is trying to solve is not about completion (which has been discussed many times before), but about participation. I suspect this post was triggered by the apparent lack of interest in the Renesas RX65N MCU EV Kit.

gpolder I have to second with Sean here Even though I am following the road test group, I never received an email (i dunno if it's because of any settings in my profile. Nevertheless, I was able to sort that till now). That is how I also missed a lot of very good opportunities where I could have done great.

rscasny, as we all suggested, we all believe in the point that you deserve to give more credit to yourself. The time you spent on screening each and every roadtest application (whatever the number is) to select the final one is something far better than any of us could do. I am sometimes disappointed with the fact that I could be coming across an awesome roadtest starting when I am already doing another. Once it happened when Arduino MKR1000 IoT Bundle Kit, Particle Kit IoT Bundle and the Raspberry Pi 4 all came together. So, I was not able to apply for the new ones which were very interesting until I completed the one I was doing at that time. But in a positive context, it gives chance for other people to participate too, which is the whole point of our community. I think the time given for the road test is more than enough once the item to roadtest is delivered to the roadtesters. But I too had some hard times (in Infineon Gate Driver with Truly Differential Input) where I could not complete the roadtest in time due to unexpected travel requirements and technical issues. But from all my experience in this community, I learned how much I should truly give time for myself to complete the tasks.

I also like the idea put forward by dougw to give perks to all who completes the roadtest in time, which can be an additional motivation element for all

this is already implemented, if you follow the roadtest group, you will get emails from new posts.

"...I would love to have a oscilloscope, but my need and knowledge to use one is so finite. So here is the question; how do I get the knowledge needed to make an competitive application..."

A while back I suggested the idea of a road test including not only the shiny equipment but some sort of training package to go along with it. This would help evaluate the kit from a perspective of makers looking to invest for the first time or for existing users to develop their skills further. Road test applicants could declare that their road test application would more of an educational perspective than a real world usage one in order to get a balance of applicants. Could also tie in quite nicely with 'Workbench Wednesdays'.

If you are looking at a scope then you may be interested to know that the likes of the entry level Keysight scopes have a free educator's training kit lab guide available to download, which is based around the training waveforms pre-loaded onto the scope, so everything you need is there.

There must also be something missing outside of the 5k roadtest group followers as that number is IMO very low from the number of people who I imagine would love to get their hands on some of these great items...just look at the huge list of roadtests currently being so generously offered by E14 and manufacturers.

I have often wondered why, out of a world population of 7.7 billion people, where many are interested in making and technology, students, home makers, retired folk, that some of these roadtests only get a few dozen applicants....and Randall has to throw many of those out due to lack of application detail. This is a global program so I would imagine the numbers should be magnitudes higher (20-30dB)

On Twitter there is <5k followers of Element14 Community, Farnell is about 26k and Avnet is <10k. These numbers seem low even though the Tweets and Facebook posts always show these roadtests, competitions and giveaways. Sometimes there are only a few likes and even less re-tweets.

I have told many friends who love tech about Element14 and, unless they are lurking in the background under some alias, they still haven't joined. When I tell them where I got my latest dev board from (for free) they seem upset they too haven't got one !!

One thing I would suggest which might perhaps pull more people onto Element14 Community is to send A5 fliers out with orders, including CPCFarnell, Avnet, Farnell. Send some fliers to maker spaces and similar Hackathons. Send them to Universities, colleges, schools and get more on board. These fliers could highlight many of the past roadtest items to get them hooked. Many buisnesses could IMO also benefit from allowing their staff to undertake roadtests in work time as they get that knowledge and the product at the end (I thought I'd include that in case my boss is reading this).