Review Template

[TRN]

Those of you who have visited Tux Reports for a long time know that we are never satisifed with our reviews. We spend long hours trying to figure out the best approach which will contain the most information for our viewers. If you look at our initial reviews, we focused on the installs and now we are trying to figure out how to relate our experiences while using the distributions.

Here are a few notes (taken from previous reviews and new ideas). Please let us know your suggestions too.

BACKGROUND
==========

Looking for an objective means to compare a distribution from the user's perspective and not one from the developer's point of view.

* Our experiences are based on people disagreeing on just about every approach to installing software. We agree to disagree.
* There are many ways to install a distribution. We attempt what we believe to be the most common methods.
* Distributions are snapshots of technology available at the time of their release. Changes are being made daily to thousands of programs and we do not expect distributions to have the latest release of every application.
* An appropriate and fair amount of time must be devoted to installing, researching, and planning an installation. We are not interested in this website becoming a review mill. We spend weeks with hardware before writing a review and we expect to spend an appropriate amount of time with each distribution.
* The marketing message of a distribution must match its content.
* Ease of installation is determined by all three of us successfully installing the distribution without reading a manual. Screens are to be self explanatory.
* If we reach for a manual, then we expect the manual and screen to agree. Manuals and HOWTOs fail because of ambiguity.
* Good distributions deserve positive feedback and positive press. Negative experiences are to be shared with the companies responsible for the distribution in private. Linux Tests does not follow a radio talk show style. We are not looking, nor do we desire, to ruffle feathers for the sole purpose of promoting this website. We want the content to stand on its own.
* Newbies should spend more time reading and spend less time complaining that Linux isn't like Windows. Linux is Linux. Accept it. (We just thought we'd throw that last comment in to prompt some emotion.)

Plenty of screenshots, labeled for new users to comprehend.
Links to other reviews so that material is not repeated.


OUTLINE
=======

History of Distribution
Marketing direction
Features (Specifications)
Kernel version
Filesystems
Unique Features
Changelog - what's new in this version
hardware requirements
Installation
Types of Installation
Test configuration
Different types of installation include:

* Workstation - (Xinetd (inet services) are not installed during this class of installation
* Server System
* Custom System
* Upgrade from workstation to server
* Dual boot situation between Windows ME and RH 7

Notes on installation
Docs match?
Can an existing partition be resized?
Configuration ...
Usability
Creating a user
Monitoring
Menu layout
Directory listings
window managers
Default screenshot of KDE, GNOME, and any other wm
applications available
Release versions
GPL, Commercial, Demonstration / Trial software
Tools
Performance Tuning
Updating applications
RPM , .deb
Compiling from source
Documentation
Paper Manuals
Electronic Manuals
Technical Support
Bug List
Score Summary & Chart
Suggestions for improvement
Conclusion
Resources
===========
About Company
Contact Info


And that's as far as we've come .. right back to where we were two years ago !

Please let us know your thoughts too.

[TRN]

This thread is obviously not a hot topic.

Guess TR should just publish any ole kinda review !

Here fishy fishy. Want some fish food? ;-)

[robbie_n]

We actually discussed this some briefly time back over on Lycoris.org (http://www.lycoris.org/viewtopic.php?topic=3142&forum=33). Our list wasn't nearly as detailed as yours' is, but even so...

I think that you're on the right track here :-)

[TRN]

Thank you for the list from your link !

Let me summarize so that I can add it to my list that is a text file at home: (I'm at school right now)

1. More than just an "it installs! wow!"
2. Testing every component (as far as possible)
3. Pointing out potential pitfalls
4. Citing bugs
5. Actually talking to the manufacturor or developer to confirm information (again if possible)
6. Professional screenshots
7. Good spelling and grammar
8. Analysis of real-life usability
9. Feasability of migration and/or uptake
10. Comparison to competing products
11. Insightful understanding of the IT industry reflected in time of publication.
===

Every single app should be tested that is listed in the menu
===

1. serial mice -- 'nuff said (I bought a new PS/2 mouse)
2. Xfree 3.x used by installer, but Xfree 4.x used after reboot
3. During installation can't specify the resolution and refresh I actually want and use (because of #2)
4. Kxconfig changes serial mouse settings to PS/2 defaults -- even when just used to change video.

[EMH]

We definitely should spend more time writing about using the distribution.

Our LindowsOS versus Xandros Desktop would be a great place to start. Netscape is in the LindowsOS while Mozilla is the default for Xandros. Both are commercial Debian distros but have taken different approaches. LindowsOS is a home market target while Xandros is stating they are after the business market.

Does that show in their choices of default applications?

I know you've been playing with LindowsOS lately and yet Birdie seemed to move right past it. Do you think it was the default theme under KDE?

We could write something worthwhile ! I vote that we try it ...

[robbie_n]

We could write something worthwhile ! I vote that we try it ...

I second that :-)

[Kraig]

If written constructively both companies could use the observations to improve there products.

[TRN]

If written constructively both companies could use the observations to improve there products.

The girls have convinced me. They will continue to work on comparing the two distributions. Birdie started to develop a score card so that all of us are consistent from one distro to the next. My job is to get the review.php file fixed because it really isn't that good. Cleaning up that module may take longer than they spend on the review ... :lol:

[Kraig]

A point by point comparison with all three KDE distros would be really cool. Lindows and Xandros could learn a lot for Desktop/LX configuration application.

[TRN]

A point by point comparison with all three KDE distros would be really cool. Lindows and Xandros could learn a lot for Desktop/LX configuration application.

There are a couple of concerns.

(1) Xandros is using KDE 2.2.2. They have a technology preview with the KDE 3.0 installed by default but ... it's going to be important to compare apples to apples

(2) Both companies are going after different markets. Xandros = business. LindowsOS = converts / new users / home users

(3) Lycoris Desktop/LX is KDE 2.2.2 but is not based on Debian. I'd like to keep the comparison to Debian commercial distros, which is why I've considered adding Libranet into the report.

(4) Well, I stated there were a couple of concerns and yet this is labeled number 4. Best stop :-)