Comments on: Microsoft doesn’t know what Windows Live is http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/ All the stuff about Microsoft and technology you haven't read anywhere else. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:01:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Google Buzz: A Microsoftian concern | Fullrunner http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-137764 Google Buzz: A Microsoftian concern | Fullrunner Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:15:19 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-137764 [...] was revealed as a poorly integrated bundle of disparate services. On occasion, Microsoft itself didn’t appear to understand what it had [...] [...] was revealed as a poorly integrated bundle of disparate services. On occasion, Microsoft itself didn’t appear to understand what it had [...]

]]> By: What is Microsoft Windows? http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-22977 What is Microsoft Windows? Tue, 13 Mar 2007 22:42:40 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-22977 It's obvious that they are simply reusing the same form for all their services/ products. While some questions may seem stupid in certain contexts, it's a way of saving developer money by NOT rewriting a new survey for each product. Usability or attention to detail have NEVER been strong points at Microshaft. It’s obvious that they are simply reusing the same form for all their services/ products. While some questions may seem stupid in certain contexts, it’s a way of saving developer money by NOT rewriting a new survey for each product. Usability or attention to detail have NEVER been strong points at Microshaft.

]]> By: Microsoft doesn’t know what compatibility means at istartedsomething http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-3416 Microsoft doesn’t know what compatibility means at istartedsomething Thu, 19 Oct 2006 09:44:10 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-3416 [...] This is only days after the previous Microsoft survey stuff-up. Go figure how much money third-party survey organisers are robbing from Microsoft, and ruining their reputation in the process. [...] [...] This is only days after the previous Microsoft survey stuff-up. Go figure how much money third-party survey organisers are robbing from Microsoft, and ruining their reputation in the process. [...]

]]> By: Robert Banghart http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-3198 Robert Banghart Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:59:07 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-3198 Microsoft does a lot of surveys of partners and end-users. Personally, I will probably fill out a dozen or more such surveys this month in either digital or paper form. Since this is a typical month, I'll probably fill out close to 150 Microsoft surveys this year - especially with Vista and Office 2007 launches coming up. Many of the surveys disclose that they are done on behalf of Microsoft by third-party providers. As already noted in Long's post, it often seems like the survey writers don't know anything about the product, platform, etc. that they are surveying about. The surveys also appear to be written by people who know nothing about how to write surveys. If those people don't know how to write valid survey questions I think it is fair to assume that they have no concept of survey analytics. As a result, they waste the survey-takers time, bilk Microsoft out of money, and rely on garbage out analytics from garbage in set-up. Microsoft isn't the only purveyor of shoddy surveys. For example, see the post at http://www.juiceanalytics.com/weblog/?p=252 (full disclosure: I have no relationship to the post or juice analytics other than I subscribe to the blog). On the other hand, just because others are guilty doesn't mean Microsoft gets a free ride on this. Relying on bogus survey returns hurts their ability to meet partner and end-user needs. So, as I take the time to fill in my 150 plus or minus surveys, I know that the odds of Microsoft, and therefore me, benefiting from doing so is slim at best. My guess is that once someone within Microsoft whose province includes control of these surveys, or a subset of them, becomes vividly aware of the wasted effort, they will take the steps necessary to improve them. Hey, maybe they could even bring some of the new Microsoft BI software to bear on the issues. Finding those within Microsoft responsible and making them aware has been a problem up to this point and one that I have unsuccessfully attempted via face to face comments, and emails -including at the VP level. When Scoble was around I was able to successfully enlist his aide in addressing such issues. After he found the right person within Microsoft and he or she was made aware, it was always my experience that they jumped on any issue with merit and made things happen. I am glad that Long Zheng has untaken to see if we can find the right people within Microsoft on this issue. After all, improved survey results will benefit all and that is all I want. Microsoft does a lot of surveys of partners and end-users. Personally, I will probably fill out a dozen or more such surveys this month in either digital or paper form. Since this is a typical month, I’ll probably fill out close to 150 Microsoft surveys this year – especially with Vista and Office 2007 launches coming up.

Many of the surveys disclose that they are done on behalf of Microsoft by third-party providers. As already noted in Long’s post, it often seems like the survey writers don’t know anything about the product, platform, etc. that they are surveying about. The surveys also appear to be written by people who know nothing about how to write surveys. If those people don’t know how to write valid survey questions I think it is fair to assume that they have no concept of survey analytics. As a result, they waste the survey-takers time, bilk Microsoft out of money, and rely on garbage out analytics from garbage in set-up.

Microsoft isn’t the only purveyor of shoddy surveys. For example, see the post at http://www.juiceanalytics.com/weblog/?p=252 (full disclosure: I have no relationship to the post or juice analytics other than I subscribe to the blog).

On the other hand, just because others are guilty doesn’t mean Microsoft gets a free ride on this. Relying on bogus survey returns hurts their ability to meet partner and end-user needs. So, as I take the time to fill in my 150 plus or minus surveys, I know that the odds of Microsoft, and therefore me, benefiting from doing so is slim at best.

My guess is that once someone within Microsoft whose province includes control of these surveys, or a subset of them, becomes vividly aware of the wasted effort, they will take the steps necessary to improve them. Hey, maybe they could even bring some of the new Microsoft BI software to bear on the issues.

Finding those within Microsoft responsible and making them aware has been a problem up to this point and one that I have unsuccessfully attempted via face to face comments, and emails -including at the VP level.

When Scoble was around I was able to successfully enlist his aide in addressing such issues. After he found the right person within Microsoft and he or she was made aware, it was always my experience that they jumped on any issue with merit and made things happen.

I am glad that Long Zheng has untaken to see if we can find the right people within Microsoft on this issue. After all, improved survey results will benefit all and that is all I want.

]]> By: Chris http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-3193 Chris Mon, 16 Oct 2006 14:31:08 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-3193 Ha Long i like your last comment in the box! Ha Long i like your last comment in the box!

]]> By: Long Zheng http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-3187 Long Zheng Mon, 16 Oct 2006 12:32:07 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-3187 No. They asked Windows Live as an operating system. No. They asked Windows Live as an operating system.

]]> By: Palli http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-3186 Palli Mon, 16 Oct 2006 11:48:09 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20061016/microsoft-windows-live-survey/#comment-3186 If I get you right, you're saying that they shouldn't be asking this question because they should know that Vista will be teh awesomezx0r? If I get you right, you’re saying that they shouldn’t be asking this question because they should know that Vista will be teh awesomezx0r?

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