Don't you just hate it, when you can't think up a title? (How To Write A Good Computers Review)

Name: Del_Boy

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Product:	How To Write A Good Computers Review
Date:	18/06/02 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Could help you

Disadvantages: May not though

An accusation often correctly leveled at reviews for Computer items, is that they are often written in pure technical jargon. This has 2 discernable consequences:


a) Only the computer literate will tend to understand them, and to be quite honest a large percentage of those will already know a significant amount about the product being reviewed. This is especially true if it's a product such as a graphics card.


b) The non - technically inclined will be at a complete loss as to what the review is about, or at the very least what the review means. This is a pity, as the product may genuinely interest the reading consumer, if they knew what the opinion writer was talking about!


It is for this purpose, that I will always from now on do my best to cater for all users, for computer aficionados, and computer novices alike. In the main at the end of any of my future reviews, I hope that you at least know more about the product that I reviewed, and whether or not it would hold any value for you.


There is always room for improvement for any writer however, so my tips for writing better Computer opinions are:


1) Ensure you are factually correct, and the information is relevant

This is quite a big bugbear with me, I have read many Computer reviews in the past that have contained quite large technical inaccuracies or just glaring omissions regarding the abilities of the product. In this instance I will always comment to that effect regarding the inaccuracy, and more often than not I will rate low because of this. At the end of the day, if you are unsure about the technicalities of a product, it is best not to mention them at all, instead of just guessing about them.

~Relevance to the user~

Sometimes when I read a review it can go into immense detail regarding the packaging said product came in, this is unnecessary detail in my opinion. At the end of the day, it's all
about prioritizing what does, and what doesn't go into your opinion. In short, I'm not too bothered about the aesthetical qualities of the box it came in; I want to know everything about the product that came in the said box. The only time when I consider the box to be a relevant aspect, is when you are talking about packaging for the sakes of protection of the item, an example of this is:

Good usage =

If I were reading a review on a Pre-Built Computer that was delivered by Courier to your door, then packaging detail would be relevant.

Bad usage =

Describing the box in great detail that your shop purchased card, peripheral or other such item came in. The main problem is that going into detail on such things is that it can detract from the actual opinion itself, and look like 'padding'.


2) Try to cater for all users - if possible include a definition of terms at the end of your review where necessary

I have in the past been guilty of this aspect, of not catering for all users. This is why, from now on, my opinions will always be written in such a manner that is universally readable and accessible regardless of computer experience.

Including a short definition of terms at the end of the review, or links to websites that carry these terms is also something that I would also consider advantageous. By the same token however, your main target audience for all computer reviews will always be those who are into the subject matter. So whilst catering for all levels and types of user is important, ensuring you reach the target audience is even more so.


3) Ensure you mention how much the product actually cost

As per the title, ensure you mention how much the product cost you. If you got it from a specific retailer for a good price, then by all means mention make a small mention of that as well. At the end of the day adding price details helps the end consumer
who may be interested in buying that product after reading your glowing review of it. Of course, even if the review is the opposite of glowing, the pricing information should still be added. If only to inform the reader of how much they stand to save by reading your review, and potentially shunning the product :-)


4) Include personal opinion

These tips can be applied to virtually any Dooyoo category this one is no exception. If I wish to read a list of specifications and little else, then I can just as well do that on any other website, or from the side of the box in which the product comes in. Feel free to rant or eulogise about the product or service being reviewed, however be sure to not get carried away, particularly in the case of a rant.

If you are particularly irate regarding something it is often good to type up the opinion in word, and then delaying posting of the opinion until the next day. This is because opinions can sometimes be clouded by bad feelings present at the time of writing.


5) If you have problems with a certain product, try to ensure that user error isn't the problem - rather than blaming the software/hardware straight away
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I have read countless reviews whereby a reviewer has slated a product quite severely, from reading the opinion though it becomes readily obvious that user error is the determining factor involved rather than any fault of the actual product itself.

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I hope these tips have been of some help to you, I will update this opinion with extra information as and when required.

Thank you for reading,

Kev

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