TAG | How to really write a Linux review |
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| by Sam Varghese | |
| Tuesday, 08 July 2008 | |
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Page 3 of 3 The installation process for most distributions is slick and easy. There is no point wasting time on describing what you have to do to get the distribution installed - unless your readers do not understand any one of a dozen or more languages which are supported. Featured Whitepaper
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The idiots who provide screenshots of every stage of an installation probably have nothing better to do with their time. Or else they are using those images to fill space. The review has to be of a certain length; too brief and people will wonder if you are a fool. Bingo, bring on the screenshots. What you should mention specifically is whether the distribution you are reviewing will end up giving the user a GNOME or KDE experience. You have to feed those biases. It is very likely that an argument will ensue between your readers with the GNOME camp claiming it is the best things since sliced bread and the KDE camp scornfully dismissing GNOME as something that only idiots will use. Excellent, that's what you need, a flame war. Does the distribution you are reviewing have multimedia codecs ready to go or will it take some user intervention to get these working? Does the distribution provide free updates? Do you have to buy support or do you get security updates regularly? These are important too but don't go into detail else you will lose your readers. I wouldn't delve too much more. Keep everything down to around 1000 words and you are home and dry. If a dozen others have reviewed the same distribution don't try to emulate them; provide your own observations and remember that while sticks and stones will probably break your bones, names will never hurt you. If you follow Gregson's guide, you will be writing your review at the time the undertakers come to measure you up. The review will run to about 20,000 words, it would have taken you about 24 years, and you will be so proud of it, you will probably burst with pride by the time you finish writing it. Which will make it that much easier for the undertakers to carry you out. |
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