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Microsoft asks Linux users, "How can we get your business?'
December 21, 2003 (8:00:00 AM) - 5 years, 11 months ago
Microsoft has started distributing two online surveys to Linux User Groups and Linux users in general, one asking primarily about home computer use, the other about business use. They apparently don't plan to release the results of their surveys, so we and other people in the open source community are asking you to look at them and post your answers and comments here and on other appropriate sites where, in open source style, everyone can see them. Read on for more information and links, and please help spread the word about these surveys; as far as we know, this is the first time Microsoft has asked Linux users why we use Linux instead of their products, and the more results, the merrier. Author's Note: I'll reveal some of *my* answers to Microsoft's questions in a comment I'll post shortly after this story goes live, just to kick things off.
We heard about this survey through an email sent to a LUG mailing list that was passed on to us. The email started with these lines:
I am a program manager at Microsoft doing some research around how we can improve our operating systems. My goal is to help us identify capabilities, improvements, and features that Microsoft should be focusing on to help our customers over the next 5 years or so.It was signed by "Michael Surkan," using the "Reply To" address lnq@microsoft.com.
I am particularly interested in hearing from Linux users, and get their input about what they feel should be the priorities. In particular, I would like to better understand what it is that makes Linux and Open Source solutions so useful for you.
A follow-up message in response to a fellow OSDN employee who emailed to ask, "Have you contacted just our LUG, or more than one?" said:
From: frankwilliams291@hotmail.com (Frank Williams)So go ahead, make Frank and Michael happy by answering the questions. But please don't forget to share at least a few selected answers with others, either here on NewsForge or on other Linux/open source news and community sites.
To: [name and email address removed]
Thanks so much for agreeing to share your ideas about Linux. Unfortunately, Michael Surkan (the Microsoft program manager who contacted your Linux user group) is a bit overwhelmed with e-mail right now, so I volunteered to help him by sending the survey URLs to people who want to take his survey. I hope you don't mind.
Michael has put together some on-line surveys to make it easier to collect your answers.
One survey asks questions about Linux in the home environment. The other survey asks what makes Linux a great option at work. You can take whichever survey you feel you have the most knowledge about. Feel free to take both surveys if you wish. Or none at all. :)
On-line survey about Linux in the home:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=17174325370&c=2206
On-line survey about Linux at work:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=2550325411&c=2206
Thanks,
Frank Williams
Read in the original layout at: http://www.linux.com/archive/articles/33385