Oh, I got a question to all reviewers

[speed freak]

How do you get into it? I mean, after seeing what you guys do just to get the goods out, and help us decide, it is amazing. I would LOVE to test hardware out and help fellow computer freaks, gamers, or just plain old rich people who can't make up there minds ;) (not that rich applies to me :( ) ;) Also, keep up the good work, and maybe, just5 maybe, you'll be reading mine for a change. ;)

[indieboy117]

Try getting you own site , get your own hardware or use some one elses, write your own reviews, advertise the site to get exposure. The one of these says SE, Toms, or AnadTech will be knocking at your door. That sounds about right to me.

[speed freak]

Originally posted by indieboy117
Try getting you own site , get your own hardware or use some one elses, write your own reviews, advertise the site to get exposure. The one of these says SE, Toms, or AnadTech will be knocking at your door. That sounds about right to me. would love to start that way, but, would older product reviews be fine? (i.e. P4 1.6A, P4S533, GeForce 3, things like that?) Also, what would be a good amount of reviews a month, like 1 or 2? Thanks in advance ;)

[jester22c]

Originally posted by speed freak
would love to start that way, but, would older product reviews be fine? (i.e. P4 1.6A, P4S533, GeForce 3, things like that?) Also, what would be a good amount of reviews a month, like 1 or 2? Thanks in advance ;)

Well I personally only read reviews of NEW hardware because if it is over a month old I've probably already read the review. Sometimes reviewers get hardware ahead of the release date (probably with beta drivers though) to review. Good luck.

[CaTaLyST]

i used to run a review site. If you write reviews about products and software, SE, Anand, and Tom's will NOT knock on your door.

Here's the thing.. you need to find your niche, that allows people to become attached to your writing. Some reviewers have poor grammer, but are more laid back, and people enjoy reading the reviews, because maybe that person understands the hardware better.

On the otherhand, there are people with English degrees, who have awesome grammer, and they typically write reviews for some of the better known sites, and magazines.

[speed freak]

Well, I'd be more the grammar type, but then again, I can usually adjust to others likings, by reading there replies and so on. I have one last question though, if Anand, Sharky, and toms won't be "comming to the door" how do I get recognized?

I also want to thank everyone who has helped me this far, with your quick replies and helpfull attitude.

[ua549]

You build your own site with content, then advertise. If your stuff is attractive to the community, the word will spread and you will be recognized. Then you can communicate with a few hardware suppliers. Provide them with outlines for proposed articles/projects and ask for the loan of materials for whatever your project requires.

It is not easy, but the other ways require that you work for known publications and work your way up that very long ladder to success. this is a writing career, not a techie career.

[speed freak]

Originally posted by ua549
this is a writing career, not a techie career.

No need to worry about that, I see what is involved, and have always loved to wright. Not only am I an avid gamer, but a "writer" too. I have submitted peoms, stories, and once in a while, plays at my schools. Therefore, I do feel as though I have what it takes, and will try to do what I have always wanted to do. I want to take this time to thank all of you for your feedback, and general ideas, along with your support and a few interesting ideas as of how to start ;) (I know I am running on ;) )

[slavik]

I'm going to start a web server soon (week or so), I will need In-Depth reviews (no site has satisfied my understanding of indepth, relating to computers), but www.dpreview.com is great with digital cameras. They show you all the options compare to other cameras (by size, picture quality), and a few models that came before.

When I review my mobo, I'm prolly make a program to show you all the options available.

[Vince Freeman]

Here's my 2 cents on what you require to start out as a hardware reviewer:

1) A Forum for your Reviews: Whether this is a website, online forums or USENET, your writing has to be accessible. This also proves your dedication, since writing in-depth hardware reviews with detailed benchmarking is not quite as easy as it may seem.

2) Investment Captital: Reviewing hardware is an expensive business, as you need at least one high-end reference system that is used for nothing but testing. It's not your home system, your neighbor's system, etc. and this means a lot of money up-front when someone sends you a GF4 Ti 4200 to review.

3) Contact the Hardware Sites: Email them with links to your articles, along with the full system specs of your reference PC. Cross your fingers.

Here's the real deal: In order to be picked up by a mainstream site or publication, you must be a proven commodity with some talent and flair for the job, and also have access to serious cash for the initial reference hardware purchases.

[pwain]

I have always wanted to do a review site but the thing that keeps you from being better than the leading sites is money. A lot of the top sites get the hardware and software for free from the company, or at least have ads to pay the cost. Of course I guess you could always grow up to what they are now like they once did.

[CaTaLyST]

well, here is the thing... if you want to do a site, you are better off to start with unique content to bring in traffic. IE, do a REALLY nice case/hardware mod. Make a new product, or something along those lines. Its the unique stuff that makes small sites into something more. I've seen guys make awesome cases out of wood, have a lage site link to it, and that ussually gets a small site started.

If you review a GeForce 4, why would someone bother reading your review when there are hundreds of other sites doing the same thing, maybe even better than you are.

Granted, if you want to write reviews for someone else's site, then by all means, write reviews on the current hot products :)