home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- CP/M Survey Results as of 03-25-90
-
- By Bill Juliani <C128-BILL>
-
- Introduction:
-
- The CP/M Sysops wanted to find out what you, our members, thought
- about the CP/M RoundTable. We decided that a survey would tell us how
- you used the CP/M RT, and help us tailor the RoundTable to better fill
- your needs. The Sysops put together 11 questions and one area for
- sending in comments, via private GEmail. As of this writing, 55% of
- the total RoundTable membership has taken this survey, generating
- valuable feedback. While we are still analyzing the results, we
- thought it best to leave it running, so that you may change, or add to
- your input. If you have not taken the Survey, please participate by
- selecting menu item 6 on page 685, which is first CP/M Menu. We are
- very pleased with your responses, and thank you all!!
-
- - - - - - - - -
-
- #1. What types of CP/M computer do you use?
-
- This changed from time to time, but the most popular CP/M
- computer is the Commodore 128. Kaypro users are a close second, and
- use the CP/M RT more frequently. 'Other' or non-specified computers
- was always the number one answer but left us in the dark regarding
- what 'other' was. An ambiguous question that really could be
- interpreted differently, but we generally assume that members were
- listing multiple machines, and not all of them were CP/M.
-
- #2. What are the major uses of your CP/M Computer?
-
- Word Processing was tops with telecommunications second.
- Programming held a steady third.
-
- #3. How often do you use the CP/M Bulletin Board?
- #4. Specific Bulletin Board Information?
-
- This varied monthly with the more frequent users BROsing the B.B.
- and finding information better than others. 40% of our members do not
- use this resource area, or don't know how. This is one area that we
- plan to work on. The majority tend to read or search the B.B., but
- hold back on input (REPly) to messages.
-
- #5. What protocol do you use?
-
- While X-Modem was more popular, we noted that frequent members
- used the batch protocols.
-
- #6. Searching the Libraries.
-
- The Search function (item #3 on page 686) was very popular, and
- held the number one spot. Listing the Library Directories and
- Browsing were second. This was the least answered question of the
- survey, possibly telling us that you find the wanted files using a
- variety of methods, instead of just one or two.
-
- #7. How long do you stay in the CP/M RT?
-
- The overall average visit lasts 30 minutes, but the more frequent
- members stay less. Generally everyone agreed that it usually depends
- on the circumstances of the visit.
-
- #8. Real Time Conferencing
-
- About 1/3 of our members have dropped in on some sort of GEnie
- RTC, but in the CP/M RT only 16% have joined us in conferencing. This
- response has us looking for a way to attract attention.
-
- #9. Have you ever read the PIPMAG Files?
-
- The PIPMAG was brought back to life while the survey was running,
- so we don't feel that the answers to this question are accurate. It
- will be repeated in our next survey.
-
- #10. Have you ever downloaded the SIG/M Files?
-
- We were not surprised at these answers. Members either haven't
- downloaded any SIG/M files, or have downloaded more than one disk.
- Only a few have ever downloaded just one disk.
-
- #11. Z-Systems Enhancement?
-
- This was the most surprising result. Most of you have not even
- tried any Z-systems, and we are hoping to change this with some
- exciting files.
-
- #12. Text Comments
-
- Many (about 40% of you) replied using this area. All replies
- were kept confidential, except where specific CP/M help was requested.
- Of these requests, several were forwarded to the CP/M sysops for
- replies. I received many letters that were loaded with good ideas and
- suggestions. There were also several members that were pleased that
- we are still actively keeping CP/M alive on GEnie. A few expressed an
- unfounded fear that this roundtable would 'go away'. No, we will not
- vanish. The National CP/M RoundTable on GEnie will remain here with
- full GEnie support for many years to come!
-
- Conclusion:
-
- This CP/M Survey has shown us that you care about what is
- happening in the RoundTable. It should tell you that we will continue
- to find ways to maintain the CP/M RoundTable as a secure bastion of
- CP/M computing in the future. We are now planning a new type of
- survey that allows better interaction and is more flexible than this
- present style of multiple choice.
-
- Again, thanks to all who took the time to help us!!
-