Could we organise some sort of survery (web based?) to gather information about the users of the javagaming forums. e.g.
With a view to making the articles being planned more tailored to the audience?
NOTE: This isn’t the survey, don’t post here… please 
Kev
Suggestions:
[quote]Could we organise some sort of survery (web based?) to gather information about the users of the javagaming forums. e.g.
How long you’ve been programming java:
< 1 month, 2-3 months, 4-6 months, < 1 yr, 2-5 yrs, > 5 yrs
How do you rate yourself in each of the following? Also, how would you LIKE to be in each of the following?
(1 = don’t really know what it is
2 = I understand the concepts
3 = I’ve used it, but didn’t really know what I was doing
4 = I’m OK but still have a lot to learn
5 = I’m really comfortable with this, but there’s lots of little bits I don’t really know yet)
[ I’m not going to bother spelling these out here!]
Note: these might sound quite personal questions, but if they could be collected anonymously, or only presented in aggregate then there should be no privacy concerns. They can, however, be very useful (in aggregate!) in pitching an article.
How about a question about the ‘most advance project you’ve completed’?
-None
-Pong/tetris
-shooter/asteroids
-scrolling game of some sort
-3d game of some sort
Of course a shooter can be quiet complex if you include complex enemy movement/ai, a scrolling backround and some funky graphics fx.
That really would be an interesting question! ;D
Since alot of folks are hobiest, I reakon you’ll find alot of half started/finished projects. I’ve lost count of how many “great” ideas I’ve had before getting bored about a month later
Kev
[quote]How about a question about the ‘most advance project you’ve completed’?
-None
-Pong/tetris
-shooter/asteroids
-scrolling game of some sort
-3d game of some sort
Of course a shooter can be quiet complex if you include complex enemy movement/ai, a scrolling backround and some funky graphics fx.
[/quote]
Great idea.
Which of the following have you implemented successfully within a game?
Which of the following are you trying to implement in a game?
Which of the following would you like to know how to implement ?
[quote]Which of the following have you implemented successfully within a game?
Which of the following are you trying to implement in a game?
Which of the following would you like to know how to implement ?
[/quote]
What would I answer if I have successfully implemented one of the techniques but not in a game ;D
Seriously, keep it simple and you are likely to receive most responses. Maybe have weekly or monthly polls with one multiple-choice question every month or something. I’ve never been too busy to not click in one of those
Indeed; tickbox multi-choice questions can be v. quick to fill out.
I’m only throwing out suggestions for “good questions to asl, ASSUMING no problems with people answering them all”.
OTOH, I never participate in polls, because they’re such a vacuous waste of space. “Do you prefer Java or C++?”, “Is Java: slow, medium, fast?”, “Who’s your favourite Spice Girl?”.
99.99999999% of website polls are complete crap, and sound like something that a 6-year old child came up with on a hot, boring sunday afternoon. Like popups, pop-unders, flashing “you have mail, click here” pages etc, I’ve learnt to mentally filter out polls at an almost subconscious level ;D … thankfully - since unlike popups/unders/etc Mozilla can’t automatically get rid of them for you 
Just saw http://www.votations.com which apparantly hosts web surverys. It would be nicer if it was a java.net based survey, but at last ditch we could go there…
Kev