fedora-list-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx wrote: > On 03/25/2004 03:51 PM, Don Levey wrote: > >> So what you're saying is that it's OK to skew the survey in favour of >> MS products, to stand on principle. Additionally, phrasing your >> question as you do suggests that only someone who runs MS Office >> would even try to open the file. >> >> -Don >> >> >> >> > I think really he's just trying to point out two simple facts: > > 1) There is an inherent bias expressed in the use of a MS format for a > survey about MS vs. Linux. It may be small, but it's there. And it's > kind of funny. Well, using OpenOffice format would also be inherently biased - even more so. OO can open Excel - can Excel open OO? The only way to deal with such a bias (given the current assumptions) would be to use a format not tied to ANY product or platform. Failing that, the next best way would be to use a format openable by the most applications. In this case, XLS could qualify. > 2) Asking people to do it in a spreadsheet is dumb anyway. A web form > is a much smarter way to handle this. You'd get more people to > participate, have an easier way to collect personal info from them, > and get responses with fewer mistakes. > I agree - and this is where the original assumptions (attached file or form) must be challenged. This would indeed make it platform and product independant. > It's not such a big deal. I apologise for reacting as I did. I've been dealing with people who do some... interesting... things when trying hard to make a point at the expense of practicality. My frustration must have spilled over to here. -Don
