Software and Hardware Reviews

Product Evaluation Guidelines

by Nancy Cottrell

From time to time review software and hardware are offered to MUG members for review. Reviewers are selected by lottery from a pool of those interested in the product being offered.

In return for taking the time to fully evaluate a product and writing a review, the reviewer gets to keep the product.

To qualify, a person must be a MUG member in good standing (that means your dues are paid). Members are only eligible to review one product per paid membership at a time. (Translated, that means couples or people with family memberships can only have one product out for review at a time.)

Reviews are due on or before the next MUG meeting for publication in the newsletter and on the website. They should be submitted by email to Rhonda Tomlinson, editor, and Nancy Cottrell, webmaster.

Please write a fair and balanced review covering the following areas:

Does the product deliver what it promises on its packaging or website? Did the installation go smoothly? Are there special system requirements? How would you rate the product's ease of use? Are the help files and/or manual (if any) adequate? Do you consider the product a good value? What is the present street price? Is there technical support available?

Include a link to the vendor's website for additional information.

A review should be well organized and as concise as possible. A good rule of thumb is about page of 12-point type for a single product...at least two pages for a suite. Space is limited in the newsletter, but additional information may be included on the website if you feel it is warranted to fully describe the product.

Being a reviewer is an interesting and rewarding opportunity. Please be sure your computer meets the system requirements of the review product BEFORE you submit your name.

We also ask that whenever possible, you do not register the product until your review has been submitted and approved by Wanda or Nancy. In the event that you are unable to fulfill your obligation, the product will be offered to someone else for evaluation.