|
At the top and separated
from the body of your review please include: Your own name and
phone number; The official name AND SPELLING of the product and
version number; The name of the product's manufacturer; The list
and/or discounted price; The hardware and software requirements
as stated on the box or in the documentation. Include the manufacturer's
website URL if there is one. This can be used if the review is
posted to the RPCUG Website so that readers can go to the site
if they wish.
Write 750-1000 words for
major applications, 350-500 words for smaller applications, add-ons
or updates, and 200-300 words for books (the shorter the book,
the shorter the review).
Reviews of books should
be headed with the full title, author, publisher, number of pages
and cover price. Book review topics might include: Was it valuable
to you? Comparison with other similar books, if possible. Writing
style. Level. Was the index useful? What did you learn? Would
you recommend this book to a beginner?
You must not register software
until your review is accepted for publication. If for any reason
you are unable to complete a review by the deadline, return the
software package or book and all accompanying materials to the
editor as soon as possible.
Keep your writing personal.
Your own hands-on experience and observations are what is needed.
It is helpful to make notes of observed goodies or glitches as
you begin to explore the review item. Keep in mind the kinds of
things YOU would like to know if you were reading a review of
the product. Do not simply list the features of the program or
tell prospective users how to use it—tell how YOU used it,
how it helped, failed, facilitated, hindered, etc. Use past issues
of ComputerConnection as a model, especially writing you have
enjoyed reading.
Understand that your copy
may be edited for space, grammar, clarity and style. Do not prettify
your review. Tabs, indents, centering, fancy typefaces, dotted
lines, all must be undone by the editor before placing in the
newsletter. Do not indent the first line of paragraphs. Instead,
to separate paragraphs, just tap Enter twice at the end of each
paragraph. Use only a single space between sentences. Use a common
type face like Times New Roman.
Be sure proprietary names
are spelled and capitalized correctly. Refer to the documentation
rather than the box. Please do not capitalize words or titles
for emphasis.
If you have questions,
phone or send e-mail to the editor.
Hand deliver or mail a
diskette and a hard (printed) copy to the editor. Or attach your
review file to an e-mail addressed to the editor. You may use
any major word processor, but be sure to indicate which word processor
you used. Ad any screen graphics shots as separate files that
you think might help the reader and/or the editor in presenting
the product. Use a common file format for these graphics files
such as .bmp or .tif or .gif.
Most of all, have fun and
enjoy the review process.
|
