Re: Can anyone help save Hardware Pub?
 

Ahh, I was expecting angry replies. That's quite alright though.

Just so you know, I was highly associated with the original HardwarePub, run by 1derful and whoever else it was, all those years back. They wanted to use my tweak guides, which I allowed them to, although, they were posted on Tweak3D.net soon after.

As for my lack of experience, or however you put it, I have plenty of experience in dealing with websites. I'm a previous writer for Tweak3D, I'm friends with Jim McMahon, the owner of the once-great tweakfiles, I'm friends with Thomas at 3D Spotlight, Tuan N at Firing Squad, blah blah. Additionally, I'm a writer and co-manager of EverythingUSB, and work every day, consulting with my boss, working out new site designs, ideas, and communicating with companies such as Logitech, Microsoft, Adaptec, Iomega, Intel and others.

I don't question your work ethic, but I do question the quality of work. From a site standpoint, HardwarePub is sure a lot better when I first made 'donations' to it, quite a long time ago. I think you're doing a good job as webmaster, but the real concern is the writers. I understand you're young and unexperienced, but the only way to get better is to accept criticism and learn from your mistakes. I've come a long way in my years, just like anyone.

I don't stand back on ram reviews being pointless, because they are. I suggest you do a ram roundup, as you'll have more to work with article-wise.

Everyone makes mistakes, and the best way to learn from them is to take the good and bad opinions and mature from them.

As for Explosive Hardware, I have nothing to say about that site.

PS: I would appreciate it if you pointed out my grammatical errors as well.

Re: Can anyone help save Hardware Pub?
 

Big-E, you replied like a professional, and I'm very impressed and appreciative of that. You know how to deal with comments very well.

I don't deny the webmasters are doing a good job, no way.

My initial comments were far too hostile, and I apologize. HardwarePub is not nearly as bad as ExplosiveHardware. And when I say that, I mean it. Comparing HardwarePub to ExplosiveHardware was insulting to you guys, and I apologize. It's like comparing apples to stones, there's no point.

As for sites losing money, it's not really a case of Anand not having a new Porsche, but more the case of sites like TweakFiles, Guru3D and the Duke of URL being banished from the face of the earth, because of a dying advertising industry; quite possibly attributed to a huge number of 'tech sites' popping up.

Edit:

I read your Radeon and Athlon XP reviews. I have no complaints about them, because they're good reviews. The only real thing I could see is simply avoiding the use of first person references, like 'I' or 'my'. In formal reviews and essays, the use of I should be avoided. In news posts or editorials or other more 'casual' things, I is fine. I think they teach that in English class? Other than that, you have great writing skills and I know you'll be better each time you write an article. I know it seems hard to cut out 'I', but after a while, it's natural. :)

Re: Can anyone help save Hardware Pub?
 

Hello, Dustin.

I am "Raxizhad" from Hardwarepub.com . Big_E recently displayed to me this post. Hardwarepub.com, as of the past weeks, has come a very long ways compared to when "Trevelyan", "1derful", and "Val" were in charge. As a staff member, and reviewer, I just like to say that I think that Keefe, and David "Omega", are doing a superb job with Hardwarepub.com.

Hardwarepub's highest daily stat session was  7,277 daily views. Now we are sitting on an average of around 5000 per day, when our site is up.

I do realize that our design is lingering us behind from sites such as Tweak3D, and Rage3D, but I am currently doing a full site re-development on Hardwarepub, that in my opinion, makes us look more professional than some of the largest independant hardware sites on the web.

Our new design will be very user friendly with resolutions of 800x600, and above.

Our design will also have much cleaner code, and a new easy-to-update system. Basically what my point is, is that I'm trying to say that we are doing MUCH better than we were before Keefe aqquired us.

Hardwarepub, back when it was ran by "Trevelyan", and the other members, was lacking content. Now we are pushing 2-6 new articles per week.

Also, as for ExplosiveHardware.net, I agree that it is veyr unprofessional, and the articles aren't to great. ExplosiveHardware is run basically for kicks, so that the owner can have a thrill ride.

We at Hardwarepub are 100% dedicated to producing the highest quality content, of the latest, and greatest products.

As you may notice in my "Alpha PAL8045" review, I definitly don't mind stepping on any toes. I got an email from Swiftech flaming my review, but I simply told them that I wasn't going to make up a false story in my review.

Anyways, we accept your apology, and wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Re: Can anyone help save Hardware Pub?
 

One thing that I think needs to be said is that while site layout is importent, its the content and writing style that really earns $, respect in the online community and of course return readers.

I use www.dansdata.com for an example because Dans site has, no offence, one of the worst layouts Ive seen for a PROFESSIONAL site.

Professional?  Yes thats right.  I know for a fact that in addition to all the freelance writing that Dan does for Icon, Atomic MPC, and Australian PC among others dansdata.com earns the guy approximently the the same as the Average aussie wage. (About 35 - 40,000 AUD)

Now if the site is so badly designed what brings the readers back?

Is it the reviews? The hardware? The How To's?

Well while it is all those things, id say the biggest draw is Dan himself, I mean you can reconise the guys writing style from a mile away.

IMHO I think that if you want to get return readers (which hardwarepub are obviously doing) you need to get a difinitive style....then the rest will come.

BTW excuse my ULTRA bad spelling, had a hard day in the sun and sand  :D

Re: Can anyone help save Hardware Pub?
 

wit us 14 yr oldz wots wrong?  >:(

i agree that reviews shouldn't be written in slang but all age groups use slang (well maybe not the oldies) on the net, it uses less time and amongst peers is alot easier to read. ive read a forum post (not here) where the writer used full proper spelling and grammer and it was annoying to read when it could of been made less than half the size.

Re: Can anyone help save Hardware Pub?
 

Well, I'll give Dustin some backup.

This site is near laughable.  

You're looking for server hardware, while one of your "writers" is off selling the IWill motherboard and XP1700+ he probably got for free.

I would suggest you guys take some courses on professional and technical writing and then give it another go.

Re: Can anyone help save Hardware Pub?
 

Not trying to stir up trouble, but what site do you hail from sir?

Also what qualifications do you hold that make you such a fine judge of the english language.

If you have a Masters of Modern English (or whatever they are called in America) then ok, thats fine.

If your site attracts 5000+ hits a day then that is also fine, you have every right to talk about how inferior the site is.

If however you do not meet the above then please shutup.

Im sick of people having a winge just because they can without backing up there complaints, by giving us an example of their site and how good it is.

Dispite all the whining I still say that to get 5000+ hits a day they must being doing something right.....

Re: Can anyone help save Hardware Pub?
 

5,000 hits per day is NOT hard to do.

5,000 pageviews per day is a bit more difficult,  but still nothing major.

FYI... i'm a writer at AMDZone.com.

Re: Can anyone help save Hardware Pub?
 

After reading this thread . . . . I see a great story board forming in my head . . . .

Coming to theaters in your neck of the woods this summer it's . . . . . .

I'll get back to you later with a name  8)

Phew, you guys all take life far too seriously. Take a pill, chill and continue on in an orderly fashion.

He said, she said gets you no where fast. Do the best you can with what you have and strive to improve as time moves forward.

The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. Everyone's ideas, opinions etc can be improved upon in someone elses eyes.

If it doesn't affect your breathing? It's no big deal. Can't we all just get along?

Thanks for tuning in this week with Dr Wizbones, now let's tune in to some classical jazz why don't we . . . .

Re: Can anyone help save Hardware Pub?
 

Do you have a degree in writing TigeR?

I agree that 5000 hits a day aint hard.  Ive been involved with sites that get 50,000 - 80,000 a day...and that still isnt THAT much.

And im not going to tell what sites simply cuz they are in no way related to computer hardware and I wasnt involved in designing or writing for them.

I took a peep @ AMDZone and yes it is a nice site....however I dont think it is in anyway better than Hardwarepub.

AND the layouts are basically the same.

Seriously compare the two side by side (make sure to scrooll both sites all the way down) and you'll be suprised what you see.

AMDZone might get more cash flow, but thats about it....as far as writing style goes I read two reviews radomly from each site and AMDZone seems to lean to ward a formal style (which is good) while Hardwarepub has a more casual style to it (which is also good).

The point imm trying to make is I dont understand why people keep coming here just to bag out the Admin's site....I mean seriously even if you think your site is gods gift to the web (or even if it actually is) that doesnt give you the right to knock someone elses handywork.

I say if everyone just worryed about there own job then we would all be alot better off.

If someone from one of my competitors walked through the door and started telling me how to do my job, then more than likely they are either basking in there own glow or are doin it in a way which makes you feel like shit.

All Im seeing here is a mine is better than yours attitude.  Ok...what makes it better than mine?

The fact we can afford Coldfusion? And to actually pay our staff a wage?  

I say no.

And on a parting note I refer again to DansData

No offence to either hardwarepub or AMDZone, but (layout aside) Dan woops both your asses.

Remember, no matter how big,bad or cool you are (or think you are), there is someone bigger, badder and much much cooler.  

 
just my 2c.