Practically Networked value (post Tim Higgins)

[garyv]

Is it just me or does it seem that the overall value of the PracticallyNetworked site has decreased since the departure of Tim Higgins over a year ago? When I was in the market for a home router/wireless gateway I read the review of nearly every product on this site and found the information an enormous aid. Since then, however, I've seen very few product reviews that meet the informative quality that Tim produced.

Most of the reviews I have seen are leveraged reports from external sources (e.g.: http://www.practicallynetworked.com/review.asp?pid=489, which is simply a redirection to an article from 802.11-planet.com, or http://www.practicallynetworked.com/item.asp?pid=432, which is just a product feature checklist with no actual product review information). And while there’s nothing wrong with leveraging information for the good of all, the quality still isn’t the same as that which Tim used to produce.

Additionally, feedback about errors/updates to pages seems to either go unanswered or responded to with a form letter. In either case, the feedback was simply ignored. For example, I twice submitted feedback for the page regarding the review for the SMC wireless router/gateway (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/review.asp?pid=377). An update on 1/31/02 indicates firmware version 1.94a2 is available. While I did download that firmware version from SMC’s site, it was subsequently recalled. After asking SMC about the status of that firmware version, their official response was:

“Some number of users were getting locked out of the router after applying the firmware, so we removed it off the website to prevent any further issues. If you managed to upgrade successfully, we do not recommend downgrading to 1.93s1 unless you are experiencing any serious connection problems.”

Since then SMC appears to have discontinued further updates of the firmware for the original SMC7004AWBR (model 750.5312), leaving 1.93s1 the current version.

Of the two attempts to provide feedback, one was apparently completely ignored and the other resulted in the return of a form-letter appearing “thank you” e-mail, but the update was never posted to the site.

All in all, I’m saddened to see a great site turn mediocre by the lack of in depth reviews and regular upkeep.

:(

[Greenstead]

garyv

Yes I think its just you. Do you visit here every day and help people, or do you come here and expect free advice and help and make your single negative contribution.
Since you have posted in the forums which I moderate I want to say your overall comment of this website as mediocre is a facile view and an insult to the people I see here helping each other. Since the forums were rejuvenated a couple of months ago there are many people making an effort and helping each other here and the forums are a 100 times better now. I challenge you or anyone to contest that.

I don't find the website lacking regular upkeep. I see product reviews weekly and sometimes daily.
I looked at your link to
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/item.asp?pid=432,
It seemed more than a review of features. It provided a summary of setup and operation and a recommendation. If you think you can do better offer your services to PracticallyNetworked.com.
btw 802.11-planet.com is a sister website of PracticallyNetworked.com so it seems natural to me they would link to each other rather than duplicate information.

I am not the editor of the website, just the forums moderator. I come here soley because I enjoy networking and helping people who want to network. Perhaps the editor will be more tactful to you - I don't have to be. Try and be more positive in future. I will draw your concern to his attention.

[garyv]

I apologize if you took my post as a personal attack against either yourself or the forums. You’ll note that my post made no references to the forums whatsoever, since that wasn’t the focus of the post. While I agree with you that the format of the forums are significantly better than what previously existed, my post was focused purely on the product reviews noting that the thoroughness of the reports has decreased since Tim’s departure.

With my regard to lack of upkeep, again am not referring to the forums, but rather the information provided within the product reviews and my attempts at offering corrections to the information within the reviews to the websites editor (making specific references to firmware that was recalled by SMC).

.

[clutchd]

Did you ever think that we really dont care about what you think? Other than constructive critisism, I really dont think Greenstead or the person/people who maintain this site want to hear what you have to say, nor do the readers. So in the future, why dont you ask a question or say something constructive or just not post at all. Lets remember back to kindergarden: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say it at all."

[garyv]

If this thread truly disturbs you, I can only offer the suggestion to not read it. In any event, I posted this as an attempt to point out what I believed could be improved after noting that the thoroughness of the reviews had declined since Tim’s departure.

What I’m truly amazed at as a result is how fragile people are to criticism and how some would believe that a personal attach had been launched –which can’t be further from the truth. It would seem more energy has been used to attack me for pointing out areas for improvement rather than addressing the issues I had pointed out in the first place.