[11460] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Web-based survey software
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Ernest Perez)
Wed Jul 9 20:18:54 1997
Date: Wed, 09 Jul 1997 18:17:37 -0500
From: Ernest Perez <perez@opac.osl.state.or.us>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Karen G. Schneider wrote:
> I've seen a good couple dozen web-based survey software packages,
> including
> several that claim to write the cgi for you and help present the data
> (definitely less work for Mother, if they function as advertised!). A
>
> search in Yahoo, for example, yields a healthy 20+ links in "Surveys
> and
> Polling." Prices range from modest to breathtaking, though most
> products
> claim to be uniformly "full-featured."
>
> For someone who has end-user Unix experience, a virtual webserver with
> a
> fair amount of CGI access, and somewhat cramped time constraints, can
> anyone who has gone this route recommend a good tool? I'm looking at
> a
> survey with approximately 20 questions (some of which have numerous
> check-all-that-apply selections), and am anticipating between 300 and
> 750
> completed surveys.
Karen,
Although not survey software utility itself, you might take a look at
Microrim's "Submit This!" The CD disk modestly proclaims it as "The
Most Complete Web Site Package You Can Buy!" (They like upper case and
exclamation points)
It provides CGIs for all Web server platforms, which will transport Form
data to text file input for an included runtime database. The CD
contains tons of glitzy Form and Graphic input examples that one can
customize to suit data, or if you know how to do it, you can create
forms from scratch. They include: copy of Windows HotMetaL, a Windows
95/NT Database application (runtime of ol' reliable Rbase), plus CGIs
for Windows, Macintosh, OS2, and Unix servers, which will transport the
data into a text file ready for you to periodically download and import
into the Database. Also loads of info of how to do it yourself on your
own server, or how to upload CGIs to your ISP, what to tell 'em, etc.
It ain't a statistical package, but it appears to be a really effective
and simple way to implement Forms for data collection, interactive
input, data validation (at the database import point), surveys, customer
info, etc., etc. And once you have it in a database, you can then
crossload the data or selected data items to anything you want.
Including statistical utilities that you already know & love,
Spreadsheets, whatever.
More info at their site, <http://submitthis.microrim.com/>. Lotsa
examples & ideas. It's decently cheap. Manufacturer's Sugested Retail
Price $89.95; Street price $65 to $69.95
-ernest
Ernest Perez//Oregon State
Library//perez@opac.osl.state.or.us//503-378-4243
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