We got reviews.
- posted by Michael Walsh on September 11th, 2009
- (8)
Here’s another quick post to announce a fundamental shift in the way I’m going to handle reviews on this site.
As many of you already know, I openly welcome users who write their own reviews of their Acer products and have published nearly ten so far. Name one other PC manufacturer with the balls to do that…
Now I’ve managed to convince the girls in Acer PR (thanks Cristina!) to recognize The Acer Guy as a key information website which means we can now do battle with the likes of CNET and ShinyShiny. Expect to see notebooks, netbooks, AIO PCs and smartphones on these pages real soon…
But who does the reviews? Not me, you’ll be happy to hear. No, again, I’m going to stick my neck out and have contributors to the site do the reviews. This then is the community feeding itself and a dream come true for me.
Now all I have to do is get the menu adjusted so that the products are easy to find…
So ladies and gentlemen, would you give a warm round of applause and your long lasting support to the next generation of community journalists:
TechieDiva (USA)
Peter (Canada)
Jing Shyang Yeow (UK)
Before I sign off, I’d like to add that I also invited Ferry Meidianto to take part in this project but as he lives in Indonesia, I couldn’t get the products delivered to him. I’m really sorry about this Ferry.
And one more thing: I have spaces for another two reviewers and I actually know who they are. But as I haven’t seen them on the blog for a while I’m hoping they reply to this post before I invite them. FWIW, both are from The Netherlands 
You want comments? We got comments:
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Ferry wrote, on September 11th, 2009:
Cool! Can’t wait to see your review guys
TechieDiva wrote, on September 11th, 2009:
can’t wait! So, anyone see that hot new Ferrari one?
Michael Walsh wrote, on September 12th, 2009:
Technically no because it hasn’t been released yet… Why do you think I’m taking my camera to the Italian Formula One Grand Prix today…???
Sneak peak here.
TechieDiva wrote, on September 12th, 2009:
sweet. take many many pics!
Ferry wrote, on September 12th, 2009:
don’t forget to take the grid girls too!
Peter wrote, on September 16th, 2009:
The Acer Guy, now with more Canada.
Michael Walsh wrote, on September 17th, 2009:
@Ferry – on the practice days, the grid girls work in the various stalls dotted around the circuit selling cigarettes and burgers. Kind of like a modern day representation of beauty and the beast. I wouldn’t want to do them the dishonor of photographing them like this…
OK. Quick update on the reviewing initiative. We’re OK with everyone inside Europe (all one of them). Outside we’re having to work out a plan so that the European couriers can get stuff to you. Or rather get it back…
The first problem I have to iron out is that we can get the products out of the EU but there’s a possibility we (I) might have to pay for them to be returned which I wouldn’t mind avoiding as it’s going to get expensive. They think there might be a way round this so I’m still optimistic.
The second is bureaucratic. Normally, couriers deliver to companies (magazines, publishing houses etc) so the transportation documents are all standard and pass through customs without a hitch whereas here I’m asking members of the public to receive/return them which, as far as the US customs are concerned, is a no-no as when you send more than say three, they think there’s an undeclared import/export business involved (eBay anyone?).
So I’m working with the PR department to get a standard, official declaration form that reviewers from outside the EU will have to fill out every time they send the products back (and yes they do have to do that – sorry Morris).
Red tape…
Oh and why not go through Acer US? I’ve already thought of that but this idea (public reviews) is so new it’s even more complicated for me to set up and there are more hoops to jump through.
Of course you do all know that the Acer Mission Statement is: Breaking down the barriers between people and technology?
Piece of cake
Ferry wrote, on September 18th, 2009:
@Michael: