I have that issue, its real good for people that havent found their strings of choice. Only thing i think they should have added is sumhow determined the approximate life of the strings b4 they dull out, rust or break.
It could have done with some info on string tension, but otherwise fairly useful.
One thing to watch out for though is that some house brands are repackaged strings made by larger manufacturers. Apparently (according to a Talk Bass participant) some of these have been appraised very differently despite being the same string. Pretty amusing if this is the case.
I enjoyed the article too. What you're asking them to do is too subjective to the individual using the strings. What you consider dull I might consider well worn in with the perfect sound. I've only broken one string in 25 years and never left any on long enough to rust.
Plus... You expect them to find the string life for 140 sets!? That would take a very long time and playing! It would be cool but like stated it depends on so many factors its simply impossible.
Yeah, I was enjoying the article too until I got to the column that said "Street price". What the hell is that? Street price. Who came up with that? And what street do I need to go to to get strings at that price? Even though I don't sell strings at full list ,like some other stores in my town (you know who you are!) they have some selling at my cost! Sheesh. Street price. Whoever came up with that needs to be dragged behind a horse.