Spectrum Computing 2022 User Survey

[PeterJ]

We have launched a totally anonymous survey to find out a bit more about our members.

The link to the survey is in the announcement header section. This is so it's only visible to members. Please don't share with non forum members.

Thanks for completing it. We will publish the results on the forum.

Thanks to @1024MAK and @Mpk for their help in checking the form, and making very useful suggestions.

Update: you don't need a Google account

[8BitAG]

Should the "emulate other computers?" actually be multiple choice?

[8BitAG]

You can only select one answer for that question at the moment. I'm guessing a lot of people will emulate/own multiple old computers.

[PeterJ]

Should the "emulate other computers?" actually be multiple choice?

Thanks @8BitAG. Fixed. Much appreciated.

[flatduckrecords]

The “eLeMeNt ZX” should appear as an option under the modern clones question rather than the add-on devices. (MB03+ is correctly listed an add-on)

[PeterJ]

The “eLeMeNt ZX” should appear as an option under the modern clones question rather than the add-on devices. (MB03+ is correctly listed an add-on)

Thanks Robert. That is a very good point. I have made the change. If you have already submitted and want to change your answers please PM me and I can erase your existing response.

[PeterJ]

16 responses in just two hours. That's amazing. Thank you.

[catmeows]

Honestly, I was somewhat hesitant about emulation vs real hardware question. Yes, I have a real hardware and yes, I take it out of box for few hours every year and yes, I would like to do that more often but in practice, the real ratio is like 100 hours in emulator for every hour on real hardware.

[Ast A. Moore]

Sweet. I love this. I’m on the road now and don’t have my Google credentials ready, but I’m definitely going to fill out the form when I get back home.

[PeterJ]

I’m on the road now and don’t have my Google credentials ready

Thanks @Ast A. Moore. You don't need a Google account to complete the survey.

[Ast A. Moore]

Thanks @Ast A. Moore. You don't need a Google account to complete the survey.

Oh. Hadn’t realized that. Done!

[Guesser]

totally anonymous

I suspect that might not be entirely true, given a couple of my answers

[equinox]

Hey guys. I've just submitted the survey. Sorry, I'm a sucky emulator user (although you wouldn't believe the kit and software that I used to have once).
I have some comments:

1."Do you ever purchase modern Spectrum software (either physical or digital releases)": YES and NO are both tickboxes so you can choose both of them -- which is meaningless. This should clearly be a binary choice, either YES or NO, not both.

2. "If you own a Spectrum what devices do you own?" This is a required question (cannot submit without it) but there is no option saying "don't own a Spectrum". You can choose "None. I own a Spectrum but don't have any extra devices" -- but that is also wrong if you don't own a physical Speccy. The only option is to tick "Other". I think this question should just be ignorable by ticking nothing.

By the way, what are you going to do with the results?

[Evil Genius]

2. "If you own a Spectrum what devices do you own?" This is a required question (cannot submit without it) but there is no option saying "don't own a Spectrum". You can choose "None. I own a Spectrum but don't have any extra devices" -- but that is also wrong if you don't own a physical Speccy. The only option is to tick "Other". I think this question should just be ignorable by ticking nothing.

3rd option down reads: None. I only use emulation

[equinox]

3rd option down reads: None. I only use emulation

In that case: my mistake, sorry. Sort the answers into some kind of reasonable order though please. not random.

[Stefan]

I’m not feeling enough SAM Coupé love in the form…

[PeterJ]

By the way, what are you going to do with the results?

Publish summary results charts for each question on the forum. Please see original post. It may help us with future projects to understand our audience better.

Sort the answers

The sort order seems to have a mind of its own sometimes. It's correct in design view. Will look again when I'm home.



Thanks for completing the survey @equinox!

[1024MAK]

I suspect that might not be entirely true, given a couple of my answers

No chance given my answers…

Mark

[1024MAK]

@equinox, Peter did ask for help checking the survey yesterday. I checked through his first version and suggested some changes, but unfortunately did not have time to recheck it later after he made further changes.

Having the “none” answer at the top was one of the changes that was suggested and as you can see from Peter’s reply above, is what was tried.

Sorry guys if some errors got through.

Mark

[MatGubbins]

Done the survey....


The age splits are too far apart, maybe have them at 5-10 year intervals.
Being lumped within the 26-50 age group (25 years) is a bit too much.


When did you first get interested in the Spectrum?
1982, I was there when it all started happening.
During the 1980s
During the 1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Yesterday, I think it was a Sunday.

Do you own any modern Spectrum clones, FPGA devices or other emulators?
I'll have Option 12 please Bob!

Are you interested in the Spectrum Next?
Yes, I read bits about it, don't have one, don't emulate it, not on the Kickstarter either....

Finally, can you tell us if you use social media (Facebook / Twitter etc)
Yes = I can tell you
No = I can't tell you

Do you use social media (Facebook / Twitter etc)
Yes = Yes I do use it
No = No I don't use it

[equinox]

You were meant to fill in the form, not the forum.
The form -- not the forum!
Haha that's quite good. Do you like that Mabel?
- what? I'm pickling these onions
- I said "the form not the forum"
- the farm? well I wish you'd pay more attention to it, the pigs are running wild and one of the sheep has a tail the length of my arm
- no I mean the forum. you know the Spectrum forum.
- separate farm?! we have hardly got time to run one farm, who is going to wake up 6 in the morning and milk Jessica, that's what I want to know
- Mabel I mean the message board.
- Not surprised he's bored the way you go on. Help me slice these carrots, they ain't gonna chop themselves.

(life with Jeff Minter)

[PeterJ]

When did you first get interested in the Spectrum?
1982, I was there when it all started happening.
During the 1980s
During the 1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s

Thanks for completing the survey @MatGubbins.

I did think about decades for that question, but then it wouldn't really work with multiple age groups. I do understand your point though.

You wait until you reach the next age band....it feels even worse.

Maybe you could volunteer to help check future surveys @MatGubbins? Let me know.

[1024MAK]

@MatGubbins the questions, and the range of available answers were determined by Peter based on the information that he wanted. When constructing a survey, there is always a balance between how many questions you have, the level of detail and the number of selectable answers.

At my workplace it takes nearly one hour to fill in a medical survey because of all the details that they want. EVERYONE I spoken to (including the medic) thinks it’s ridiculous.

If you give me enough time, I could probably have listed fifty add-ons/expansions/peripherals. But how many people are going to stick with and complete a survey if all the questions and answers are so detailed?

If you want to give additional details, you are free to provide them in the forum. But not everyone wants to provide such levels of detail about themselves and their hobby.

I myself thought the questions were reasonable.

I don’t mind giving my actual age, because it’s already on another forum (110101b), and again, I first got interested in a ZX Spectrum in late 1983. Again that’s already on multiple topics on different forums.

Mark

[spider]

Nice survey. I did read this topic partly yesterday as a 'guest' on another device (no credentials on that) but pleased to see no Google acc was actually needed to complete it when I signed in on my desktop today.

Completed anyway.

[PeterJ]

Amazingly, we are up to 72 replies. I will leave the survey up until Sunday, then start working on the results.

Thanks everyone