"Product Announcement vs Review" Topic

I'm told that I need to add to the FAQ, because some people do not understand the difference between a product announcement and a review.

I don't see the need, as the terms define themselves!

A product announcement is a post announcing a new product. Something like "ABC's Panzerheads is coming out on Friday!"

A review is defined as a critical appraisal of a product. Hopefully, a product you've actually examined. Such as "I've played a few games of Panzerheads, and it plays like Risk! on steroids."

I suspect it is often said by the folk will do anything to save a little bit of money.

Locally we have several motorists who park illegally to save 50p on parking. It inconveniences others by blocking access but their case is "special/exceptional".
They say "i won't be long"
"i am just dropping off some stuff"
"it's easier to park here for me"
"my car is too nice to park in the car park"

Your advertising rates are very good value indeed Bill.

Here at Peter Pig we get two or three customers a week who choose the "PDF only" postal option for their figure order, because it is free.

Be patient Bill.

martin

I think this makes perfect sense and I have long asked for "added content" not just in new posts but responses. Not just "cool", but why it is so, what appeals, what could be better, what other work resembles this etc.

This is an important new subject and I wonder if could appear beyond TMP talk and FAQs for maximum effect.

I understand the difference between a product review and an announcement. I also understand and agree with Bill's rule.
My question deals with asking for a review or comments on a new product.
For example: Let's say I know there is a new line of figures or a rule set coming out from someone who does not advertise on TMP. Can I ask if anyone has seen these figures or played these rules?

I believe that there is a Third Category: the Recommendation.
Example:
I need a Rubber Duck for my upcoming Russian Front game.
Have you seen CBA Miniatures Rubber Ducks? They're the Best!

OK, say there's a book that is coming out on a subject, but isn't something from a book publisher that's not a TMP advertiser. Now, I don't know of many publishers of "serious" books that advertise on TMP--books where wargamers are a fraction of the target audience.

For example, The Great Horsepower Race, which is a technical history of aero-engine development during the Second World War.

Or the upcoming "reprinting" of Volume 1 of Black Cross Red Star, which is essentially a second edition. (It's a massive tome.)

Are those out of bounds for posting, "Hey, if you're interested in WWII air combat, here's something I'm excited about"?

This seems materially different from "mentioning" that a new game is coming out or a new scenario book.

The WWII Discussion boards here is pretty broad. It's not just game-specific material. Heck, very little is game-specific at all.

My question deals with asking for a review or comments on a new product.

No rule against doing either, if the request is sincere and not a form of trolling.

I don't know of many publishers of "serious" books that advertise on TMP…

Publishers that have advertised on TMP include Helion, Osprey, Casemate, Pen & Sword, etc.

I see Helion and Casemate are on the advertisers' list, as is Partizan Press, and you've mentioned you'd prefer Osprey not to get the ‘oxygen of publicity' in the light of recent actions by them, but what's the current standing of P&S?

Similarly, what about Naval & Military Press, Greenhill or Frontline Press, to pluck 3 specialist publishers at random from my bookshelf – if I see a press release of a planned new release likely to be of interest to forum members, can I share that info on the appropriate board or would you prefer me not to?

Wait, what's up with Osprey? Link?

but what's the current standing of P&S?

Not currently advertising, but not part of the boycott. They seem to be cutting expenses, they also stopped shipping out physical review copies of books to the USA.

… can I share that info on the appropriate board or would you prefer me not to?

I'd prefer that you not, and that you suggest they advertise here.

Wait, what's up with Osprey? Link?

For unknown reasons, Osprey has been vocal on social media supporting TooFatLardie's boycott of TMP. Sorry, don't have a link, it was on FB and TFL has deleted much of that discussion.

Well to be fair TFL did kind of get screwed first. Or that was my impression. The Infamy Infamy thing went a bit too far on both sides truly.

I'm on the Osprey forum and follow them on several sites, can't say I've seen anything from them about boycotting TMP, or publicly saying they've stopped advertising here.

Are you sure about your sources or maybe it's one employee gone rogue?

Well to be fair TFL did kind of get screwed first. Or that was my impression. The Infamy Infamy thing went a bit too far on both sides truly.

Not sure what you think we could have done differently. We took gradual steps to resolve the trolling issue, escalating only as the problem escalated. We closed a few accounts (mostly sock puppets), then ultimately banned mention of that ruleset for a time.

I don't think any forum would allow itself to be trashed by trolls.

Are you sure about your sources or maybe it's one employee gone rogue?

It was on Facebook, no idea if it is still there. Can't speak to whether or not one employee at Osprey has power to cancel advertising and post attacks on social media on his own or not.

Fair enough I must not have seen the whole thing then.