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Submission Guidelines
How to be a Reviewer
 PC Alamode

Become a Reviewer!

With over 1200 members, a treasury of experience and knowledge exists in Alamo PC Organization. You can share that knowledge by reviewing commercial software or hardware you have purchased, computer related books or review copies we receive from the providers.

Here are some guidelines for book and software reviews.
 
 

PC ALAMODE SOFTWARE REVIEW ARTICLE 
SUBMISSION CRITERIA
TITLE: Title of the article should either be or include the name of the product and version you have reviewed. This allows easy identification of the purpose of the article. Include a byline to indicate who is writing this review. 
FORMATTING: Reviews prepared for submission to the magazine should be formatted as follows 
  1. Use Times or Times/New Roman 12 point font. 

    2.  
  2. Use LEFT justification.

    3.  
  3. DOUBLE SPACE between paragraphs and DO NOT INDENT. 

    4.  
  4. Indicate where illustrations should go. You can do screen captures or go to the website and download illustrative materials for the article.
OPENING PARAGRAPH: Tell the reader what the program is about. The opening paragraph should tell them what the program does or what it's purpose is. Include whether this is an updated version of a program you have used previously or is a new venture for you. Describe changes if it is an update that you are familiar with. Consult the instruction manual for changes if it is an update that you are not familiar with. 
BODY OF ARTICLE: Organize the article as you see fit. Some basic information should be included 
  • Minimum requirements

    • including CPU, RAM, Operating System, disk space required, CD-ROM or floppy disks
     
  • Your experience

    • don't go into detail describing your system or installation unless there was a problem or it was somehow unique.
  • Were there problems using it?
  • Did you like it?

    • include why or why not
  • Was it user friendly?
  • Was there adequate information in the manuals or supporting documentation?
  • Was technical support available?
  • Did it live up to expectations from the box?
  • Would you recommend others buy it?

    •  
  • Availability and price

    • this may require a phone call or two.
  • Where is it available locally? 

    • Can it be purchased in local stores, ordered directly, ordered over the phone, on the Internet?
  • What is the suggested retail versus actual street price?

    •  
  • Vendor Information: 

    • Include the address, city, state, zip, phone number, fax number, website or e-mail address for ordering information.
     
  • Your bio

    • A 1-3 sentence description of who you are, experience with PCs, etc.
     
  • Illustrations: 

    • If possible, include an interesting screen capture from the program or go to the website and download a picture of the box.
     

    DO NOT IMBED THESE ILLUSTRATIONS IN YOUR ARTICLE; SEND THEM AS SEPARATE FILES WITH FILENAMES SIMILAR TO THE PROGRAM YOU ARE REVIEWING, I.E. PHOTOSHOP1.JPG, PHOTOSHOP2.JPG .
FINISHING: Once the article is completed, please run a spell-checking program to check for and correct spelling errors. Submit the article to 
If you do not have access to e-mail, make a paper copy or a disk copy onto a 3.5 inch floppy diskette or recordable CD and bring it to: 
Susan Ives, Product Review Coordinator 
Alamo PC Organization Computer Learning Center 
Crossroads Mall
Ask the desk staff to place it in her mail slot