Comments on: What was it, the question mark? http://zenofnptech.org/2007/12/what-was-it-the-question-mark.html Thoughtful and sometimes snarky perspectives on nonprofit technology Sun, 31 Jul 2011 12:25:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Holly http://zenofnptech.org/2007/12/what-was-it-the-question-mark.html/comment-page-1#comment-4947 Holly Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:33:23 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2007/12/what-was-it-the-question-mark.html#comment-4947 Hi Michelle and David! First - thanks to both of ou for blogging about the report. I DO think it's fair to point out that this was not a HUGE response rate. We certainly hope that now the folks have seen what these reports are about, it will boost participation in future surveys to make the data even more valuable. While I agree with Michelle - it's really not possible to draw REAL, statistically valid conclusions from our data - I also agree that it was good news for open source tools. Here's hoping that the next time around we get even more response! Holly Hi Michelle and David!

First – thanks to both of ou for blogging about the report. I DO think it’s fair to point out that this was not a HUGE response rate. We certainly hope that now the folks have seen what these reports are about, it will boost participation in future surveys to make the data even more valuable.

While I agree with Michelle – it’s really not possible to draw REAL, statistically valid conclusions from our data – I also agree that it was good news for open source tools.

Here’s hoping that the next time around we get even more response!

Holly

]]> By: Christopher Scott http://zenofnptech.org/2007/12/what-was-it-the-question-mark.html/comment-page-1#comment-4942 Christopher Scott Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:16:06 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2007/12/what-was-it-the-question-mark.html#comment-4942 Hi, I wanted to let you know about the Nonprofit December Giving Carnival. Deadline to submit your post is Dec. 20th. Here is the link, http://christopherscottblog.typepad.com/blog/2007/11/december-giving.html Let me know if you have any questions. Christopher S. www.ChristopherScottblog.com Hi,

I wanted to let you know about the Nonprofit December Giving Carnival. Deadline to submit your post is Dec. 20th.

Here is the link,
http://christopherscottblog.typepad.com/blog/2007/11/december-giving.html

Let me know if you have any questions.

Christopher S.
http://www.ChristopherScottblog.com

]]> By: admin http://zenofnptech.org/2007/12/what-was-it-the-question-mark.html/comment-page-1#comment-4937 admin Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:35:17 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2007/12/what-was-it-the-question-mark.html#comment-4937 Well, I do see what you mean, and its an interesting point, one I will have to ponder some. Its true, NOSI is not Idealware, and we're not going to ever be like Idealware. We are biased, and openly so. But I'm not sure how much good we do as open source advocates if we make things seem better than they are, and people end up being disappointed, and write off open source. Perhaps we're beyond that - but I'm not sure - especially for a large number of nonprofits who haven't yet delved much into open source waters. And of course, my problem here is that my background is in science, not marketing - so I find it impossible to look at data and not see its weak points. Well, I do see what you mean, and its an interesting point, one I will have to ponder some. Its true, NOSI is not Idealware, and we’re not going to ever be like Idealware. We are biased, and openly so. But I’m not sure how much good we do as open source advocates if we make things seem better than they are, and people end up being disappointed, and write off open source.

Perhaps we’re beyond that – but I’m not sure – especially for a large number of nonprofits who haven’t yet delved much into open source waters. And of course, my problem here is that my background is in science, not marketing – so I find it impossible to look at data and not see its weak points.

]]> By: David Geilhufe http://zenofnptech.org/2007/12/what-was-it-the-question-mark.html/comment-page-1#comment-4936 David Geilhufe Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:27:56 +0000 http://www.zenofnptech.org/2007/12/what-was-it-the-question-mark.html#comment-4936 I got the message :) But I also have some experience with marketing... and marketing is all about stating the positive without stating the negatives. The negatives clutter the message. One of the drivers of adoption of any software is relentless positivity. Driving nonprofit open source adoption might be best served by a mix of actors (NOSI as a relentless proponent, Idealware as a responsible reviewer). Trying to be both a booster and a responsible reviewer is a very hard path to tread. I respect you for trying to tread on it, but over the last few years my own personal decision has been to move more over into the relentlessly positive proponent category. I got the message :) But I also have some experience with marketing… and marketing is all about stating the positive without stating the negatives. The negatives clutter the message.

One of the drivers of adoption of any software is relentless positivity. Driving nonprofit open source adoption might be best served by a mix of actors (NOSI as a relentless proponent, Idealware as a responsible reviewer).

Trying to be both a booster and a responsible reviewer is a very hard path to tread. I respect you for trying to tread on it, but over the last few years my own personal decision has been to move more over into the relentlessly positive proponent category.

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