[WEB4LIB] Re: Database Trials - details

[mlsamuel]

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Lester [mailto:dan at riverofdata.com] 
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2002 2:13 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: Database Trials - details

Thursday, October 24, 2002, 12:17:11 PM, you wrote:

DL> Yes.  We'll take input from anyone.  Now there aren't a whole lot
who
DL> actually provide it, but they're surely encouraged to.


At the Idaho State Library we too open our trials to everyone.  The
vendors have had no problem with us doing this.  We currently have a
number of trials up for consideration for our statewide contract, and
we've tried something new: instead of asking for feedback to be emailed
in, we've provided a short html form through which users can submit
comments and rate the databases.  We've seen a dramatic increase in the
number of responses received.  And, by having the responses written
automatically to a comma delimited text file, we can read our responses
right into a spreadsheet and measure the quantifiable results.

The moral here is, as with many things on the web, convenience reigns.
Want responses?  Give 'em a form.

Michael Samuelson
Web Design Specialist
Idaho State Library
mlsamuel at isl.state.id.us
(208) 334-2150 x 248