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

Greetings. If you don't know me, let me introduce myself. My name is Randall Scasny and I manage the element14 RoadTest Program. While I know some of you, I don't know all of the 5,352 members who follow the RoadTest group. I am always interested in getting more members involved in this program. I'm always looking for good roadtesters who are committed to producing a review everything can enjoy to read and experience. That's why I am writing today: What Can I do to get you more active in the roadtest program? My poll covers the range of things I consider when working with suppliers on offering a particular product to roadtest. If you have other things on your mind, feel free to add them in your comments.

  • in reply to colporteur

    Yes, e-mail overload is a problem. Ideally you want to be able to follow updates to the 'Now Enrolling' section of the RoadTest & Reviews page, but not sure if that is possible.

  • Hey

    RoadTests & Reviews Ideas are the best things ever in element14 you give the hardware for free all we have to do is write a seriously good report.

    My problem is lack of knowledge and and resources.

    All I know to do now is play with SBC's and AI. Am not a good member of IoT stuff!

    I still need to learn a lot more about SBC's and IoT.

    Currently completing my TensorFlow Course and then Ill be moving on to Keras which I already know! See!

    Now the resource needed are the only problem!

    How about RoadTesting a large kits of Basic Materials needed for a RoadTester. image Joking! But that could be a solution for RoadTester like me! (Not exactly, am a NEW MEMBER! Who knows just nothing other than some Ai programming on Google Colab, play around Windows Services, do experiments with my friends RPI's and nothing more than that!)

    If you put up a "RoadTest: Basic Electronic Gadgets Kit useful for a RoadTester" am sure to give an application for it! image

    Gadgets like -

    - Heat Gun to remove small parts from circuits!

    - Soldering Iron with super small nibs!

    - Basic tools for handling circuit boards!

    The list is long!

    But Yeah! Thank you for putting up all RoadTest until now!

    Looking forward to RoadTest RPI Media Center and BB-AI! image

  • Mine has to do with the bitter experiences in recent past. I spend lot of time doing research for my roadtest application and when experiences such as closing roadtest application 4 hours before the actual closing time (as happened to me in Rpi 4 roadtest) or recieving mails saying I'm selected and not receiving the product are the things which forces me to rethink my interest and time investment.

     

    -Nitin

  • in reply to beacon_dave

    I following your instructions and I am getting more RoadTest review correspondances. More than I would like to weed through but at least now I will get notices of new ones. Thanks.

    Sean

  • As many others have said already, personal time is at a premium.

    Currently I am working more on projects that might be saleable than writing reviews for 'free' stuff. This might change if something interesting comes up.

    My wins/applications score so far: 2/3.

    - W.

  • Obviously I don't know who voted but most/all of the comments (including mine) seem to have come from "regulars" on element14. I think that to get more applications, there needs to be a wider pool of people aware of the program (as suggests). From that wider pool it would be nice to think that even the less popular kit would attract a good number of well-researched applications and completed RoadTests.

     

    I didn't know anything about element14 or the RoadTest program until someone I "know" on Twitter tweeted about a RoadTest that interested me. The popularity of the AVNET Azure Sphere starter kit and the Raspberry Pi 4 RoadTests suggests that it is possible to "get the word out" about some RoadTests more than others. Those members on here that use social media could probably help get the word out a bit more using their own networks.

     

    Getting applicants to complete the RoadTest is another matter of course and I think does a great job in striking the balance between "safe" applicants and "new" applicants (and in chasing up late reviews).

  • I'm a fairly active member of the RoadTest community, being a major beneficiary of the program. On the whole, I think the program is run well, especially when we think about the limited number of products on offer, the large number of applications submitted and the feelings of the members who participate - entailing the need for more rules and an element of transparency to allow newer members a chance to prove themselves. I've seen the program improve under the stewardship of and the quality and thoughtfulness of my applications have improved to remain competitive.

     

    On the whole, I think the RoadTest section still remains a major driver of engagement - I think many members would have engaged with the RoadTest program organically or via social media advertising and continue to do so. Of course, some may have unrealistic expectations that any application would result in a win, but they're probably not the people that might deliver a quality review. It's a balance, and the community resource in terms of time and expertise are limited.

     

    My engagement with the RoadTest program is primarily limited by a finite resource of time and energy for writing applications or for delivering reviews. Likewise, my expertise and interests are also limited, so a wider selection of products which overlaps with my interests would definitely increase my level of participation. But I suspect many people would prefer if I didn't participate too much ...

     

    - Gough

  • Hi Randall,
    I like the road tests, they are a great opportunity to get some seat time with high end equipment.

    That being said the equipment of the road tests when it comes to bench-top testing equipment is always top of the line and out of my budget range for equipment, im sure many of the 5000 members are in a similar situation and would like to see more mid range and affordable options being tested and reviewed.



  • in reply to clem57

    Not sure I would fully agree with that original sales pitch. In reality I think it is a case of, it's free AND I want to learn something from the road test experience.

     

    If there is nothing to gain personally from the effort then I would be surprised someone would actually take on a road test just because of a free product - unless of course, if they have plenty of time on their hands (and do not value their time properly) or it is a very valuable product and they could somehow gain something from it afterwards.

     

    So the value gained is really professional development and/or know how, as it does take a fair amount of time, for which you are not getting paid for. And it has a very good self examination process at the end as you have to write about your experiences.

  • in reply to beacon_dave

    After some drunkin stumbling around the webpage, me thinks I gotch it setup.

     

    Locating the obscure check box for email, on the third attempt, has given me some confidence I'm on the right path.

    I now wait by an email from a new RoadTest being released into the wilds.

     

    Sean