Supplement to Info Manager for October 28, 2002
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User Group Tip: Delinquent Reviews
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In August, the AUGD list had quite a discussion of how to get reviews done as promised to vendords. Some suggestions:

We have tried the "list of shame" - publishing in the newsletter those who are delinquent. We do not allow them to receive additional products until their review is completed.

"The only thing I could add to your list would be the negative approach of requesting that the item be returned so someone else can do it justice or the postive approach of adding even more incentives for successful completion of the task, possibly something like a raffle that is only eligible to people who return their reviews on time."

"I gave up long time ago after feeling like the grim reaper about the reviews. It got to where some of the members would be embarrassed enough not to attend the meetings because they had not prepared their reviews. So, after a long talk with my core group, we did away with reviews unless I wanted to do them myself. If this means I am the only one that gets the benefit of the product, so be it. I still demonstrate it for the group, but this way, at least I can take advantage of the generosity of the vendors AND give them their review on time."

That was followed with this response: "I understand how you feel. I am a lone reviewer for my group. I know that some groups hold on to the registration cards until the review is complete."

"I've had twinges of sadness and smiles at some of the experiences out there which are so familiar to our group's. One of the evils of having a newsletter as a member benefit is that you really have to work to get the group involved in the submission of articles, software reviews, book reviews...to the extend of the taxation of time of the one doing the solicitations.

"At our group, we did not see a benefit to publishing the names of people who didn't accomplish what they promised. This may only serve to "shame" them enough to not attend meetings, or be a part of the group anymore. We do send out blanket reminders of the deadlines and the editor makes personal reminders by phone, email, snail mail if necessary. If reviews aren't done in the time requested, we ask for a return of the item if it is still out there and we place an urgent message that a review is needed immediately from someone with prior personal experience with the product.

"Failing that being a success, the job gets turned to me as VP (sorta the buck stops here when everyone else fails to submit the change!). Then its up to either the editor or myself to review these items, yet again placing our names out there, when no one else wanted or couldn't put forth the effort to see their names in the bylilne. Sometimes its enough repetition of seeing the same names out there, that causes other members to begin to offer their time and talents for review purposes. Or just seeing the few that get to enjoy the wares, causes enough burning desires elsewheres to make them take action.

"Often its a matter of seeking review items that people are interested in. We try seek out items based on a member's question as to what others think of a certain software or what have you. Then when the review item come in, it is offered first to the member who made the suggestion and if they turn it down, then it goes out to the rest of the group. Sometimes the benefit is that a few, not alot, of the companies are willing to send two copies of items, one for raffle and one that can be given to the reviewer. Those offers always get results."

"I quite like the idea of a raffle for those who turn in their reviews on time!"

"This same issue of reviews is before all groups. I have been working with our editor and with our past president to find a solution to reviews in particular and articles for the Journal in general. As I work with people in camps, in classes and around the group, I encourage them to consider writing an article. For example, one our members entered a digital photo print in a local county fair. She won first place. She is an artist and when there were not enough judges for another category, she was asked to help judge. So, now she is writing an article about how to enter a digital photo into a contest. She is writing about the matting process, what judges are looking for and where to find other contests to enter.

"The teens in camp found a 3D graphic program demo that they downloaded and tried. They liked it and I suggested they write a review. To do that they also downloaded another 3D program to compare it to. Since the programs they were using are used to generate scenes, we also found an object generation program to try. That has led to two reviews for this Journal issue.

"The main issue I am seeing it that people do not know how to write a review, so we are now working on a new SIG, to be called the Reviewer's SIG. While we are still in the planning stages, what I am working on is a monthly meeting where we look at how to write a review, critique and edit reviews that have come in, and then pass out software to those who have passed in a review. I plan to start the process with shareware and freeware, and then when our new reviewers have developed some confidence, we will work on software sent to the group."

Lots of great suggestions here. If you are not on the AUGB mailing lists, you should be. You can sign-up at:
http://lists.apple.com/mailman/listinfo/augb

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News and Info you can use...

The Info Manager invites user groups to use his column in full or in pieces in their newsletter. He would appreciate word that you are doing so however and if you can, please send a pdf version of the newsletter for his perusal. Or just provide him with the link. Use this address: Infomanager@user-groups.net or... our online Information form

pau

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Also see: MUG NEWS bursts from the AACUG Mac User Guide (MUG)
 

Note: Features schedule

The InfoManager invites user groups to use his column in full or in pieces in their newsletter. Or add a link to their web site. He would appreciate word that you are doing so however and if you can, please send a pdf version of the newsletter for his perusal. Or provide him with a link. The address is InfoManager@user-groups.net. You can also use that address for feed back.
Note: Features schedule
1st Monday Vendor of the Month; (VOM)
2nd Monday "InfoManager's Humble Opinion (IMHO);
3rd Monday TBA (What would you like to see?)
4th Monday: User Group Tips. (Send them in)
5th Monday: Nothing extra - my day of rest. ;-)
Of course I could make adjustments to this schedule as I see fit and will take suggestions. Have a great week! Note: In light of the new AACUG MUG tabloid publication, I may be changing the above schedule. Please send me your input.
Pau

The Info Manager is a veteran of the UGN (AOL User Groups Forum) and User Group Network. He's been a supporter and volunteer on many, many UGNet and User Group Academy projects. As a long time user group member, he's served as volunteer from Honolulu to Boston and many points in between. Currently working with the Apple Corp of Dallas, the Dallas Mac Pack, Cowtown MUG of Ft. Worth and TUMS (the Tulsa Users of Macintosh Society) doing newsletter articles and the monthly CD-ROM Update. Post a lead Info Manager should follow up on.

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