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Readers' Choice Awards

Posted by: siteadm
Date posted: Fri, 13 Jun 1997

If you've read Sandy's column or our article on the Readers' Choice Awards, you know that we were surprised by the results. OS/2, the 6-to-1 victor of the InfoWorld Electric Poll conducted in February, had a much more modest showing in the Readers' Choice survey performed last month. Furthermore, the overall and Internet awards went to Netscape Navigator 3.0 -- unquestionably the leader of a category that we felt would soon be obsolete and so did not give an Editors' Choice award to.

Windows NT Workstation 4.0 took client honors while Windows NT Server was ranked as the top server product. Norton Administrator Suite Premiere Edition 3.0 won the networking category.

Having reviewed the methodology and the ballot, we feel strongly that this new poll accurately reflects the opinions of InfoWorld and InfoWorld Electric readers.

Nevertheless, soon after the Readers' Choice survey results Sandy Reed hopped on a plane rather than face this forum again -- just kidding. Seriously, her vacation and the survey results did coincide, and I, Rachel Parker, will be hosting this forum for a few days. Obviously, we expect that OS/2 enthusiasts will be disappointed, but what other reactions do you have to this survey and the methodology? And, six months into the year, what products are you favoring for the 1997 Readers Choice?

Rachel Parker
Opinions Editor

Responses:

  1. Surprised? (wmstann) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. How so? (rbagwell) Sat, 14 Jun
    2. Mercedes Benz & Rolex are Cults? (os2hq) Sat, 14 Jun
      1. OS fanatics (tsikes) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. Automobile Fanatics. (gabriel) Mon, 16 Jun
          1. Very well put (larue) Today
        2. Business & Pleasure Meet.... (os2hq) Mon, 16 Jun
      2. It goes beyond personal preference (WATSON) Mon, 16 Jun
    3. not so... (jlrowe) Sat, 14 Jun
      1. A small group.... (wmstann) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. I don't understand... (rcsteiner) Mon, 16 Jun
        2. over 5 years of lies can make anyone ... (larue) Today
    4. Actually... (rcsteiner) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. It was some time ago.... (wmstann) Tue, 17 Jun
  2. What Poll? (forum) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. Agreed (rbagwell) Sat, 14 Jun
      1. Infoworld Electric Readers Don't Matter (Ron Findling) Sat, 14 Jun
        1. Actually I did get it. (rbagwell) Sat, 14 Jun
          1. Because NT won. (Pete Cacchioli) Sun, 15 Jun
            1. We love NT!!! (Yeah right...) (dorseyt) Sun, 15 Jun
              1. NT stability? Double your server count. (larue) Today
        2. Well, that's easy to change (rogersm) Today
    2. Both Polls are Equally Bogus (os2hq) Sat, 14 Jun
      1. Some understand, some don't (khasim) Sat, 14 Jun
        1. Our methodology (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
          1. Not so representative. (alunj) Mon, 16 Jun
            1. Contact Circulation (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
              1. Details? (alunj) Mon, 16 Jun
                1. Why bother? (kdenehy) Mon, 16 Jun
                2. Buying InfoWorld (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
                  1. Buy it??? (cjoffe) Tue, 17 Jun
          2. Product Categories (imric) Mon, 16 Jun
            1. Categories and sections (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
              1. Uh huh. (imric) Mon, 16 Jun
              2. A question (khasim) Mon, 16 Jun
                1. Attempting to answer (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
          3. Another Flaw In Your Methodology (Ron Findling) Tue, 17 Jun
            1. This isn't new (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
              1. Reasons Are Not Good Reasons (Ron Findling) Tue, 17 Jun
                1. Yes and no (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
                  1. Part of the problem (cjoffe) Tue, 17 Jun
                  2. No Matter How Much Criticism? (Ron Findling) Today
                    1. Some stats that color my view (rparker) Today
                      1. I will be cancelling my subscription (rplamb) Today
                      2. Not all of us are agin' ye... (jmalloy) Today
          4. Have this question... (master) Tue, 17 Jun
            1. Focus (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
          5. Sample Size and Randomness (richives) Tue, 17 Jun
            1. This isn't Mil-Spec, it's Microsoft. (challeron) Tue, 17 Jun
    3. Another poll was held?? (up_yours) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. Big Name Computer Company (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. Bias. (acagle) Mon, 16 Jun
        2. Rubbish!!! (Yaztromo) Mon, 16 Jun
          1. Yes, I call it valid (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
            1. More clarification needed. (Yaztromo) Mon, 16 Jun
            2. "Your audience" != Your Readers! (Ron Findling) Tue, 17 Jun
            3. You've really restored your Credibility! (dkvello) Tue, 17 Jun
            4. All responses by Pointy Hair Managers? (hnick) Tue, 17 Jun
            5. You're wrong. (CRConrad) Tue, 17 Jun
            6. This is an even BIGGER load of BS... (up_yours) Tue, 17 Jun
            7. on 300 representing 300,000 (lmalates) Today
        3. Pure, Utter, Unmitigated BS ... (up_yours) Tue, 17 Jun
        4. Have clue, can't vote (CRConrad) Tue, 17 Jun
          1. Sorry, but we have to focus (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
            1. Careful where you point that thing (cjoffe) Tue, 17 Jun
              1. You are determined to argue -- I give up (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
                1. Who me??? (cjoffe) Tue, 17 Jun
            2. Your mission has been fulfilled. (imric) Tue, 17 Jun
            3. Was that "Focus" or "F*ck Us", Rachel? (up_yours) Today
    4. Refusals to phone poll? (sayinf) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. Refusal rate (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
  3. Congratulations (kdenehy) Sat, 14 Jun
  4. Congratulations (kdenehy) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. Re: (shifrbv) Sat, 14 Jun
      1. Point is in Name of Poll (os2hq) Sat, 14 Jun
    2. Think About it... (minitmen) Sun, 15 Jun
      1. Chose for what? (kdenehy) Sun, 15 Jun
        1. Not to mention (kdenehy) Sun, 15 Jun
          1. Only logical explanation . . . (kdenehy) Sun, 15 Jun
  5. Not a readers' "choice" poll (Bernard) Sat, 14 Jun
  6. Call for another scientific survey (kdenehy) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. Yep... (warp1) Sat, 14 Jun
    2. Yep again (rbagwell) Sat, 14 Jun
    3. and Again... (cjoffe) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. The qualified circulation business (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. So... (alunj) Mon, 16 Jun
        2. Nice spin (kdenehy) Mon, 16 Jun
  7. As far as I am concerned ... (rothwell1) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. Good idea! (minitmen) Sun, 15 Jun
      1. Bad thought (CRConrad) Sun, 15 Jun
        1. Yes, it's an Annual Ritual (os2hq) Sun, 15 Jun
        2. worse thought (minitmen) Tue, 17 Jun
          1. Then why choose NT? (kdenehy) Tue, 17 Jun
          2. What is Dead? (rwrannells) Tue, 17 Jun
          3. Dead? Must be a strange definition (napalm) Tue, 17 Jun
  8. Think it's off again (kevinmca) Sat, 14 Jun
  9. I think that's a laugh (master) Sat, 14 Jun
  10. This Message Has No Title, Just Words (cornel) Sat, 14 Jun
  11. survey != poll (sunnychung) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. Thus we see the problem. (acagle) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. Cynicism misplaced (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. Huh? (w nau) Mon, 16 Jun
        2. One more nail (John J. Urbaniak) Mon, 16 Jun
        3. Not your adverts... (khasim) Mon, 16 Jun
          1. The hole in your circle (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
            1. But, but, but . . . (kdenehy) Tue, 17 Jun
            2. But without advertisers.... (khasim) Tue, 17 Jun
              1. I'm sure you love your job but ... (rparker) Today
  12. 300 surveyed... Wow... (TTChua) Sat, 14 Jun
  13. Prediction for 1997 (TTChua) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. You Missed Something (colinh) Mon, 16 Jun
  14. Subscribers etc etc Choice Award (gmuslera) Sat, 14 Jun
  15. New "POLL" is a farce, period (rmoyers) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. Reality VS Perception (leoxx) Sat, 14 Jun
      1. No Guts (os2hq) Sat, 14 Jun
        1. T3 and MacAddict (gabriel) Mon, 16 Jun
    2. Re: (shifrbv) Sun, 15 Jun
      1. Easier?? More expensive... (jlrowe) Sun, 15 Jun
        1. You Misunderstand (cjoffe) Mon, 16 Jun
  16. Whose choice is it, anyway (bknotts) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. clarification on awards (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
  17. Now the TRUTH is known (khasim) Sat, 14 Jun
  18. I have a question.... (rbagwell) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. Now that you mention it.... (khasim) Sat, 14 Jun
      1. Their sample wasn't large enough (rbagwell) Sat, 14 Jun
  19. Don't Kid Yourself, We Know Better (Ron Findling) Sat, 14 Jun
  20. "Scientific" ballot stuffing. (Andrew Grygus) Sat, 14 Jun
  21. Wow!!! 300 hundred people!! (dhmjr) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. Statistical Validity (sdugan) Sun, 15 Jun
      1. So explain why (khasim) Sun, 15 Jun
        1. Best Explaination I Can Offer (sdugan) Sun, 15 Jun
          1. My votes for 1997 (khasim) Sun, 15 Jun
            1. ROTFL!! (os2hq) Sun, 15 Jun
            2. No way (kdenehy) Sun, 15 Jun
              1. Idiot OS/2 peoples! (gabriel) Mon, 16 Jun
                1. Thinking far too small! (Yaztromo) Mon, 16 Jun
                  1. Heh. (alunj) Mon, 16 Jun
                  2. Speeking of Canadia . . . (kdenehy) Mon, 16 Jun
                    1. Silly OS/2 users, at it again... (gabriel) Tue, 17 Jun
                      1. Right on! (minitmen) Today
                2. Don't ignore the numbers (khasim) Mon, 16 Jun
            3. Simpsons Screen Saver, No Way (rwrannells) Mon, 16 Jun
          2. Give it up... (TTChua) Sun, 15 Jun
          3. No "inside" knowlege, but quick response (dhmjr) Mon, 16 Jun
          4. Rachel, can you confirm/deny? (khasim) Mon, 16 Jun
            1. Customer focus (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
              1. Thank you. (imric) Tue, 17 Jun
        2. Telling the difference... (erikf) Sun, 15 Jun
          1. So better titles would be ... (khasim) Sun, 15 Jun
          2. So what you're saying (kdenehy) Sun, 15 Jun
      2. Nope (CRConrad) Sun, 15 Jun
      3. Another Inconsistency (Ron Findling) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. Not inconsistent (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
          1. Not random sample (kdenehy) Mon, 16 Jun
          2. You Can't Have It Both Ways (Ron Findling) Tue, 17 Jun
  22. You have to understand about Infoworld (rlperkins) Sat, 14 Jun
    1. Win97 still there (khasim) Sat, 14 Jun
    2. Why Don't We Do Our Own Magazine? (os2hq) Sat, 14 Jun
      1. Get Real! (minitmen) Sun, 15 Jun
        1. I Wasn't Talking about One OS Only.... (os2hq) Sun, 15 Jun
          1. Cost .... (Raymond6) Tue, 17 Jun
        2. Sigh... yet another nitwit... (TTChua) Sun, 15 Jun
          1. Ditto... (minitmen) Tue, 17 Jun
            1. Please quote (kdenehy) Tue, 17 Jun
        3. Internet magazines (Bernard) Sun, 15 Jun
      2. Good Idea (loboz) Sun, 15 Jun
  23. Clueless (scorpion) Sat, 14 Jun
  24. OFFICIAL ONLINE FORUM POLL (os2hq) Sun, 15 Jun
    1. Another category: Coolest new toy (khasim) Sun, 15 Jun
    2. poll (jeff warren) Sun, 15 Jun
    3. Here's my choice (John J. Urbaniak) Mon, 16 Jun
    4. My votes (jbrabeck) Mon, 16 Jun
    5. Poll Responce (rwrannells) Mon, 16 Jun
    6. Response (bstanley) Mon, 16 Jun
    7. Poll Response (m-as4153) Mon, 16 Jun
    8. This one is just as bad. (gabriel) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. Ever hear of... (bstanley) Mon, 16 Jun
      2. Okay, it's just my little attempt (os2hq) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. Mac Attack! (gabriel) Tue, 17 Jun
  25. Give it up: entire process a waste (edremy) Sun, 15 Jun
    1. New Type of Fraud: Stuff the Questionbox (os2hq) Sun, 15 Jun
      1. That's not new at all. (Andrew Grygus) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. InfoWorld... pls respond... (TTChua) Mon, 16 Jun
        2. Letters in print (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
          1. Then why the second poll. (Pete Cacchioli) Mon, 16 Jun
    2. Baaa! Baaa! Baaa! (up_yours) Mon, 16 Jun
    3. Online Polls: It Can Be Done (tsikes) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. Troll Alert (Ron Findling) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. Not a troll...just a reality check (tsikes) Mon, 16 Jun
          1. Surprise (w nau) Mon, 16 Jun
          2. Re: Not a troll...just a reality check (Ron Findling) Tue, 17 Jun
    4. No sale on this survey? (sayinf) Mon, 16 Jun
  26. Honest award gives credit (Ture S) Sun, 15 Jun
    1. What's your theory? (kdenehy) Sun, 15 Jun
      1. It doesn't matter to Ture S (TTChua) Sun, 15 Jun
    2. Windows NT - yuk (satch) Mon, 16 Jun
  27. Still waiting for explanation of "other" (kdenehy) Sun, 15 Jun
    1. We will never see a clarification (TTChua) Sun, 15 Jun
      1. If that's the choice.... (os2hq) Sun, 15 Jun
        1. uNsTable - NT = useable (rmoyers) Mon, 16 Jun
          1. Ooops! (os2hq) Mon, 16 Jun
    2. Other stuff (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. Credit? (imric) Mon, 16 Jun
      2. Credit where Credit is Due (cjoffe) Mon, 16 Jun
  28. Seriously, NT Server TOP Server product? (TTChua) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. Why NT Server is a good product (stu01) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. And Why NT Server is not a good product (kdenehy) Mon, 16 Jun
      2. TOP Server Product??? (TTChua) Mon, 16 Jun
  29. What poll?!? (klemmerj) Mon, 16 Jun
  30. Some random Readers' Choice award ... (Alan Laing) Mon, 16 Jun
  31. Check this out (kdenehy) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. Multiple processors (Pete Cacchioli) Mon, 16 Jun
  32. Way to go Sandy (w nau) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. I feel betrayed (schaebel) Mon, 16 Jun
  33. What belongs in what category (m-as4153) Mon, 16 Jun
  34. Who gives a crap anymore? (acagle) Mon, 16 Jun
  35. Readers Choice not the intent. (hnick) Mon, 16 Jun
  36. Less validity than the first (Ken Hamlett) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. That's actually beside the point. (acagle) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. Can't argue with that (Ken Hamlett) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. The needed to. (cjoffe) Tue, 17 Jun
    2. I never even saw a survey! (mbejeran) Mon, 16 Jun
    3. Site licenses (Pete Cacchioli) Mon, 16 Jun
  37. Resistance is Futile-you Will be Assim.. (bob_zielazinski) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. Amen (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. Well.... (cjoffe) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. Judge by the actual coverage (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
          1. We Try (cjoffe) Mon, 16 Jun
            1. Point taken (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
              1. Timing (cjoffe) Tue, 17 Jun
            2. Amen, brother! (gabriel) Tue, 17 Jun
              1. Exactly (kdenehy) Tue, 17 Jun
          2. We *are* judging by the coverage! (taxbuster) Mon, 16 Jun
            1. Coverage is affected by many factors (jfrates) Mon, 16 Jun
              1. Where the heck have YOU been? (kdenehy) Mon, 16 Jun
                1. The issues as I see them (jfrates) Tue, 17 Jun
          3. Critical coverage is still a coverage (FatBrother) Tue, 17 Jun
            1. Fair in numbers? (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
              1. Justification (w nau) Tue, 17 Jun
              2. Seems that I really touched the nerve (FatBrother) Tue, 17 Jun
          4. Qualifiers (CRConrad) Tue, 17 Jun
            1. Great post (kdenehy) Tue, 17 Jun
            2. Ditto. (acagle) Tue, 17 Jun
          5. The Big Picture (Ken Hamlett) Tue, 17 Jun
  38. Infoworld's reputation (imric) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. Vacation scheduling (jfrates) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. It's possible (khasim) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. Defending positions (jfrates) Tue, 17 Jun
          1. Oh yeah. (imric) Tue, 17 Jun
  39. Fool me once... (Orson) Mon, 16 Jun
  40. New name for poll? (napalm) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. New name is inaccurate (kdenehy) Tue, 17 Jun
      1. No, no, here's the correct new name! (dloss) Tue, 17 Jun
  41. Here's how to fix the poll (napalm) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. Some really good ideas (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. Er ya (w nau) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. Focus (rparker) Mon, 16 Jun
          1. But he's right. (dloss) Tue, 17 Jun
      2. A few suggestions (bstanley) Tue, 17 Jun
        1. Good old fashioned ballots (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
          1. "product shipped which year" (CRConrad) Today
        2. Bigger sample, then. (imric) Tue, 17 Jun
    2. A couple of problems (edremy) Mon, 16 Jun
      1. Read the bottom (napalm) Mon, 16 Jun
      2. Oh, and the OS/2 vote (napalm) Mon, 16 Jun
        1. Exactly, only . . . (CRConrad) Tue, 17 Jun
    3. Still wouldn't work. (acagle) Mon, 16 Jun
  42. A Study of the Poll Results... (rwrannells) Mon, 16 Jun
  43. Interesting... (rcsteiner) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. I want my Jaz drive (khasim) Mon, 16 Jun
  44. 1 Reader = 1 vote ? (dric00) Mon, 16 Jun
  45. Infoworld Should Be Embarrased (colinh) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. They are. (Andrew Grygus) Mon, 16 Jun
  46. Polls or Voting Elects Presidents??? (os2wiz) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. They already do (jfrates) Tue, 17 Jun
  47. If you're leaving IW for good, read this (Yaztromo) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. Hate to see you go (cjoffe) Tue, 17 Jun
      1. Epidemic Madness (DRLunsford) Tue, 17 Jun
      2. Sadly, I agree. (acagle) Tue, 17 Jun
  48. Self Selected is OK - Redefine (Andrew Grygus) Mon, 16 Jun
    1. How about (Alan Laing) Tue, 17 Jun
  49. Demo of IT Managers Apathy (kdenehy) Tue, 17 Jun
  50. New Poll = Hypocricy In Exemplar (up_yours) Tue, 17 Jun
    1. Editors Choice Awards (thumper) Tue, 17 Jun
      1. A single phone call? Not (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
        1. I never said a single phone call (thumper) Today
    2. Did I offend? (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
      1. Why not show results? (FatBrother) Tue, 17 Jun
        1. The only possible conclusion . . . (CRConrad) Today
      2. Sue InfoWorld for the results? Hmmm.... (up_yours) Today
  51. Microsoft is a dinosaur... (karpens) Tue, 17 Jun
  52. Audience and Legal Issues (w nau) Tue, 17 Jun
    1. Clarification -- IT professional (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
      1. My apologies (w nau) Tue, 17 Jun
  53. Has anybody noticed? (kdenehy) Tue, 17 Jun
    1. Restricted? (imric) Tue, 17 Jun
      1. Smart Not To (w nau) Tue, 17 Jun
    2. Nick & Brett (rparker) Tue, 17 Jun
      1. Conspicuous by their silence (CRConrad) Today
        1. Some clarifications (n.petreley) Today
          1. Glad to hear it! (imric) Today
          2. Glad to hear it! (imric) Today
          3. Glad to hear it! (imric) Today
  54. WinfoWorld (cornel) Tue, 17 Jun
    1. I beg to differ. (cjoffe) Tue, 17 Jun
  55. Editor's Choice Awrads (os2wiz) Tue, 17 Jun
  56. The Dragon Lady'sEditor's Choice Awards (os2wiz) Tue, 17 Jun
    1. Knock it off. (gabriel) Tue, 17 Jun
      1. You're basically right, but . . . (CRConrad) Today
        1. I have to agree... (cjoffe) Today
  57. Reader's Choice? (patricap) Tue, 17 Jun
  58. Ha! Ha! Ha! (gmella) Tue, 17 Jun
    1. Speak for yourself (Alan Laing) Today
  59. A request... (TTChua) Tue, 17 Jun
    1. The poll wasn't in those categories (rparker) Today
      1. So (TTChua) Today
  60. OS/2 wins=Stuffing, NT wins=No stuffing (TTChua) Today
  61. Predictions and predilections (CRConrad) Today
    1. Good points (rparker) Today
  62. Damage Control (w nau) Today
    1. Business as usual (imric) Today
    2. One more reason (kdenehy) Today
  63. Maybe we didn't really want a poll (sboland) Today
    1. Uhhhhhh......maybe..... (acagle) Today
      1. Product of the Year Goals (rparker) Today
        1. 2 Points to Ponder (cjoffe) Today
          1. Agreed on both (rparker) Today
            1. They'd be excluded (w nau) Today
    2. You make some excellent points... (Alan Laing) Today
      1. How about this: (acagle) Today
        1. What a great idea (rparker) Today
    3. Moving target (w nau) Today
    4. I think you nailed it. (rcsteiner) Today
  64. Just occured to me.. (napalm) Today
    1. Should have scrapped it (forum) Today
  65. Archiving this "debate" (up_yours) Today

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