- What do all them darn cows
mean?
Due to the overwhelming
interest in our rating system, we have constructed this page to inform our
users and software authors of the new criteria we will be following when
establishing a rating for software on our site.
If your application receives a three-, four-, or five-cow rating, congratulations! As you'll see by
reading the ratings guide below, this is no small feat. You are in the company of
some of the best programmers in the world. We receive hundreds of requests each
week for inclusion in the Tucows archives. The fact that you scored in the three-cow range or
higher has earned you a spot on our site and illustrates your attention to detail. This is a sure road sign that your product is among the best of its kind.
The automatic elimination of one- and two-cow rated applications reflects the dramatic
increase in high-quality submissions that we receive on a daily basis. As
competition among developers increases, so to must our standards. If your product
did not earn a three-cow rating or better, don't despair. You can always try again
once you've made additions or modifications.
Also included below are some guidelines that are considered when we choose not to
accept certain types of software in to the Tucows archive.
- I see some programs with no cow rating. What's up with that?
While Tucows has the ability to test and review almost every application
submitted, we periodically receive a product with primary functions that are
impossible, cost prohibitive or foolish to verify. For instance, consider the case
of a utility that was written to find, isolate and destroy certain rare computer viruses.
In order to adequately test a program such as this, we would have to infect a computer with said
virus and simply hope for the best. This is a circumstance that we would rather avoid. This is not
to say that the application doesn't do what the description claims; it
simply means that we have not independently verified the functions.
Another instance when we are unable to apply our ratings guide is the case
of various server administration tools that have the capacity to produce
conflicts with our in-house server configuration. We also apply this policy
in the case of terminal emulators that require a great deal of setup time
before adequate testing can be performed.
As a general rule, applications that cannot be adequately tested with a
single Internet- and LAN-connected computer will fall under this policy. In
short, if we lack the sufficient expertise or hardware resources to perform
the necessary subjective evaluation, the application will post to the
archive as an unrated program with an edited version of the full description
as provided to us in ARC. While this is periodic and extremely infrequent,
it is useful to note that it is possible for these applications to appear in
the Tucows archive based on demand alone. It is our position that, while it
may be difficult or impossible to judge these programs by our cow scale,
these tools remain useful and necessary to a large percentage of our users.
- What types of programs will
Tucows not accept?
Tucows will not accept a program under the following circumstances:
- Based on the discretion of our reviewers, the evaluation period offered is too brief. This can mean that users are offered too few days or too few trials before being forced to register. While this is not always an automatic justification for immediate rejection, it is critical that our users have ample opportunity to try your product before they are forced to register. If your trial period is time sensitive rather than based on a particular number of uses, we consider seven days to be the minimal acceptable standard
- The user is required to fill out a registration form before they can access the trial period
- There is no valid referencing Web site in English. Note that even a free site will do
- The interface is in a language other than English
- Registration is required to access the trial period
- The program is designed for mass-mailing (spam)
- The program is command-line driven (MS-DOS/UNIX). We will accept programs with command-line driven extraction or installation, but this process must be automated. The user must not encounter a command line
- The application can be categorized as programming software. This includes compilers, ActiveX components, OCX components, source code, and so forth
- The product consists of non-executable Java-related material such as JAR files, CLASS files, or applets
- The application uses or requires the use of the Microsoft® .NET XML Web services platform
- The product is a development tools library that contains no graphical user interface
- The program progressively disables functions during the evaluation period. This is also known as crippleware
- The version you are submitting is either a pro or standard version of an application already hosted on Tucows
- The program is an add-on to a program other than one that can be considered an Internet browser or a Microsoft Office product
- The program is an e-book
- It requires the user to provide a credit card number to use the trial version
- The intent of the program is to re-sell another program
- It expires on a specific given date
- It will reset the user's home page without warning. This does not apply when the program is specified as homepageware
This list is by no means complete, but it does highlight the majority of reasons
that a program might not be accepted.
- How does Tucows rate
programs?
How does Tucows rate Internet browser and Microsoft Office add-on programs?
Remember, Tucows is not just a download site -- we actually review
your applications. Don't use Tucows if you just want a pat on the back. We
will
give you an honest opinion of your software based on our established
evaluation criteria.
We rate and review based on the following guidelines. When reading these
guidelines, try not to get hung up on any one review item. You do not need the maximum
number of points in any category to get a five-cow rating. Some of these points are clearly subjective. Remember, we are reviewing your application. By definition, all reviews contain subjectivity.
It is our sincere hope that our evaluation of your program helps you
provide better software for your customers. Bear in mind that our criteria are dynamic. This being the case, we welcome your ideas for improvements or modifications. If you have
suggestions, please let us know.
Because each of the download libraries on Tucows are as unique as the operating systems they support, there are significant differences in how those applications are evaluated. Please refer to the appropriate ratings guide for the library most closely matched to your product.
Ratings guide for general Windows applications
- Reviewer checklist; apply the following scale to each of the nine items
listed:
(23 possible points)
| (-1) point | = | Below average |
| 0 points | = | Average to below average |
| 1 point | = | Average to above average |
| 2 points | = | Exceptional |
| 3 points | = | Deserves a medal |
|
- This program has unique features (two points possible)
- This program has a professional-looking interface (two points possible)
- This program has a reasonable file size for its sub-section (two points possible)
- How it compares to other programs in this section. One point is awarded automatically if this is the only program in a section (two points possible)
- This program has tips on start up (0 = No, 2 = Yes)
- This program contains third-party applications (-1 = User cannot disable this; 0 = It does contain them but you can shut them off; 2 = It does not contain them)
- This program has a professional-looking home page containing relevant information. Also, the program must be easy to find on this page (three points possible)
- This program is easy to use (three points possible)
- A note of the general impression and reviewer's overall recommendation of this program (three points possible)
- Microsoft Certified Partner authors will receive two bonus points. This must be proven in the software submission. While we are not affiliated with Microsoft, these bonus points are made available due to the extensive testing that a program must endure to meet Microsoft's certification requirements. (0 = No, 2= Yes)
- Install
(four possible points)
- 0 points = The software author provides no installation mechanism with this program
- 1 point = This software installs, but it neither creates nor provides the option to
create a desktop shortcut icon, a quick launch bar or a Start menu program group selection
(optional)
- 2 points = This program meets the one-point criteria and provides a shortcut icon, a
program group or some similar convenience.
- 3 points = This program meets the two-point criteria and includes help files, readme
text or other forms of documentation to help the end user.
- 4 points = This program meets the three-point criteria and provides one of the following during the installation process: step-by-step wizards, voice instruction, or some other type of multimedia tutorial.
- Documentation and help
(five possible points)
- 0 points = The software author provides no help
- 1 point = The software author provides some form of help, but it is not apparent on the user interface
- 2 points = The software author provides help built in to the program. This may not be skipped. If you merely link your help to an online help site without including local help files you don't get credit for three points
- 3 points = This software meets the two-point criteria and includes online help. This can be skipped if the application meets the four-point criteria
- 4 points = This software meets the two-point criteria and provides tutorials
- 5 points = The software meets the four-point criteria and provides Flash-style or multimedia demonstrations. It includes impressive documentation and help with everything a user could possibly need in order to download and run the program without any trouble
- Customer support
(five possible points)
- 0 points = No customer support is provided
- 1 point = Technical support is provided by e-mail only
- 3 points = Technical support is provided by e-mail and through the program interface
- 5 points = Three-point support criteria has been met and there is also telephone, fax, forum, live chat or some other form of technical support
- Uninstall
(four possible points)
- 0 points = The software author provides no means to uninstall this program or it cannot
be uninstalled
- 1 points = This program adds an uninstall feature to the
Add/Remove Programs utility; however, it leaves traces of the uninstalled program behind. Also, the program's automatic uninstall will remove all aspects of a program that have not been modified by the user and a custom uninstall option exists to remove all files
- 2 points = This program meets the one-point criteria and completely removes all traces of
itself from the hard drive
- 3 points = This program meets the two-point criteria and can perform repairs, but it
leaves traces of itself on the hard drive. An added option to keep or save the data is preferred
- 4 points = This program meets the three-point criteria and uninstalls itself from the hard
drive completely. It also provides the option to repair and modify itself
| Rating scale based on total points |
| 22 to 25 points | = | 3-cow rating |
| 26 to 30 points | = | 4-cow rating |
| 31 or more points | = | 5-cow rating |
|
- How does Tucows rate Internet browser
and Microsoft Office add-on programs?
Remember, Tucows is not just a download site -- we actually review
your applications. Don't use Tucows if you just want a pat on the back. We
will
give you an honest opinion of your software based on our established
evaluation criteria.
We rate and review based on the following guidelines. When reading these
guidelines, try not to get hung up on any one review item. You do not need the maximum
number of points in any category to get a five-cow rating. Some of these points are clearly subjective. Remember, we are reviewing your application. By definition, all reviews contain subjectivity.
It is our sincere hope that our evaluation of your program helps you
provide better software for your customers. Bear in mind that our criteria are dynamic. This being the case, we welcome your ideas for improvements or modifications. If you have
suggestions, please let us know.
Because each of the download libraries on Tucows are as unique as the operating systems they support, there are significant differences in how those applications are evaluated. Please refer to the appropriate ratings guide for the library most closely matched to your product.
Note that add-ons can be rejected based on file size. Rejections of this type are based solely on the reviewer's discretion.
Ratings guide for Internet browser and Microsoft Office add-on applications
- Reviewer checklist; apply the following scale to each of the nine items
listed:
(23 possible points)
| (-1) point | = | Below average |
| 0 points | = | Average to below average |
| 1 point | = | Average to above average |
| 2 points | = | Exceptional |
| 3 points | = | Deserves a medal |
|
- This program has unique features (two points possible)
- This program has a professional-looking interface or can enhance the existing interface (two points possible)
- This program has a reasonable file size for its sub-section (two points possible)
- How it compares to other programs in this section. One point is awarded automatically if this is the only program in a section (two points possible)
- Does this program install correctly?
- This program contains third-party applications (-1 = User cannot disable this; 0 = It does contain them but you can shut them off; 2 = It does not contain them)
- This program has a professional-looking home page containing relevant information. Also, the program must be easy to find on this page (three points possible)
- This program is easy to use (three points possible)
- A note of the general impression and reviewer's overall recommendation of this program (three points possible)
- Microsoft Certified Partner authors will receive two bonus points. This must be proven in the software submission. While we are not affiliated with Microsoft, these bonus points are made available due to the extensive testing that a program must endure to meet Microsoft's certification requirements. (0 = No, 2= Yes)
- Documentation and help
(five possible points)
- 0 points = The software author provides no help
- 1 point = The software author provides some form of help, but it is not apparent on the user interface
- 2 points = The software author provides help built in to the program. This may not be skipped. If you merely link your help to an online help site without including local help files you don't get credit for three points
- 3 points = This software meets the two-point criteria and includes online help. This can be skipped if the application meets the four-point criteria
- 4 points = This software meets the two-point criteria and provides tutorials
- 5 points = The software meets the four-point criteria and provides Flash-style or multimedia demonstrations. It includes impressive documentation and help with everything a user could possibly need in order to download and run the program without any trouble
- Customer support
(five possible points)
- 0 points = No customer support is provided
- 1 point = Technical support is provided by e-mail only
- 3 points = Technical support is provided by e-mail and through the program interface
- 5 points = Three-point support criteria has been met and there is also telephone, fax, forum, live chat or some other form of technical support
- Uninstall
(four possible points)
- 0 points = The software author provides no means to uninstall this program or it cannot
be uninstalled
- 1 points = This program adds an uninstall feature to the
Add/Remove Programs utility; however, it leaves traces of the uninstalled program behind. Also, the program's automatic uninstall will remove all aspects of a program that have not been modified by the user and a custom uninstall option exists to remove all files
- 2 points = This program meets the one-point criteria and completely removes all traces of
itself from the hard drive
- 3 points = This program meets the two-point criteria and can perform repairs, but it
leaves traces of itself on the hard drive. An added option to keep or save the data is preferred
- 4 points = This program meets the three-point criteria and uninstalls itself from the hard
drive completely. It also provides the option to repair and modify itself
| Rating scale based on total points |
| 20 to 23 points | = | 3-cow rating |
| 24 to 28 points | = | 4-cow rating |
| 29 or more points | = | 5-cow rating |
|
- Tucows removal
policy
Unfortunately, due to space limitations and the demand for fresh content,
Tucows must remove older programs to make room for new ones. Programs hosted
by Tucows are subject to removal if the program's page views are in the
bottom five percent per tab each month.
Periodically, Tucows will re-evaluate your application to confirm that it still meets our standards based on the most up-to-date criteria. This occurs at random intervals and can result in removal of your program from the archives on the basis of an updated score. If this occurs with your product, please feel free to review the Ratings Guide published at the time of removal, make any necessary modifications to your application, and re-submit the software using your account on the Author Resource Center.
Programs are also subject to immediate removal if you make drastic changes to your application without informing Tucows. This includes changes in licensure policy, license type, contact information, or any other modification that impacts our original understanding of your product or company.
- Old-cow clause
Some of
the programs posted on Tucows prior to August 17, 1998 may not
match the guidelines posted above. It is our policy that these applications will
not be re-evaluated based on the latest criterea and may remain on Tucows with the
rating they received prior to implementation of the new guidelines. The only exclusion to this policy are ratings containing ½-cow increments.
Tucows reserves the editorial right to add or remove programs as we deem
necessary.
