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site wide census for what?

  • 14-11-2011 5:51pm
    #1
    slavetothegrind
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,789 ✭✭✭


    I started to partake in your census so that boards could better understand my wants and needs.
    After being asked how much i earned and who my mobile provider was, what handset did i have i got the distinct impression it was data mining for advertising purposes.

    If you want feedback for the betterment of the site no problem, if you want to profile your users to better sell advertising also no problem but please state as much rather than the misleading information above.

    i like this site very much by the way, just not underhanded data mining.
    Post edited by Shield on


«1

Comments

  • #2
    KevIRL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,626 ✭✭✭✭KevIRL


    Agree. I thought it very odd the focus on mobile and travel related questions. Definitely seemed like a marketing data mine as opposed to just an information gathering excercise.

    That said, I still filled it out so more fool me I guess


  • #3
    GLaDOS
    Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,233 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    I've done the exact same surveys with irishopinions.com, same layout and all. This was most definitely done for marketing purposes.

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



  • #4
    4zn76tysfajdxp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,944 ✭✭✭✭4zn76tysfajdxp


    Bit of a pisstake to call it a census rather than a survey, which is what it was. Not happy with being decieved like this. I'm not sure if I can forgive this. Unless, I don't know, I got an iPhone to make up for it...


  • #5
    phasers
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,159 ✭✭✭✭phasers


    Drew Beautiful Beachcomber wrote: »
    Bit of a pisstake to call it a census rather than a survey, which is what it was. Not happy with being decieved like this. I'm not sure if I can forgive this. Unless, I don't know, I got an iPhone to make up for it...
    I am similarly unhappy.

    iPhones for all I say.


  • #6
    minidazzler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,739 ✭✭✭✭minidazzler


    It is for bettering the site, having reliable information on the make up of your users allows you to sell advertising space to companies that match the general make up of the crowd better, which makes the site more money and offers the user better ads that they might actually be interested in, which also provides a better draw for companies selling to boards deals.

    Within a year I can see some users complaining about how boards has gone commercial, TBH, the increased revenue seems to be doing a good job for now, though if ever I get a pop-up ad, then I will bitch :)


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  • #7
    WindSock
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,239 ✭✭✭✭WindSock


    Yeah I was taken aback by it too, but then noticed it says in the T&C's what it is about;
    Dav wrote: »
    Terms & Conditions
    • "Sponge It" are the independent consumer research agency who are running the Boards.ie census on behalf of "Distilled Media".
    • The census is being run by Distilled Media for themselves in order to better understand the wants and needs of their readers.
    • Participation is completely voluntary and you may withdraw from the survey at any time. All your responses are completely confidential and are reported in statistical form only, as part of an aggregate response.
    • Personal information is not gathered, with the exception of an email address the respondent may enter in order to participate in a prize draw for those who complete the survey. This address is for that purpose only. They are not passed to Distilled Media, nor are they used for any other purpose.
    • If you have questions at any time about the survey or the procedures you may contact Sponge It at denise.johnston-at-spongeit.ie


    Of course I didn't read any of this before doing the yoke...


  • #8
    4zn76tysfajdxp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,944 ✭✭✭✭4zn76tysfajdxp


    minidazzler wrote: »
    It is for bettering the site, having reliable information on the make up of your users allows you to sell advertising space to companies that match the general make up of the crowd better, which makes the site more money and offers the user better ads that they might actually be interested in, which also provides a better draw for companies selling to boards deals.

    Within a year I can see some users complaining about how boards has gone commercial, TBH, the increased revenue seems to be doing a good job for now, though if ever I get a pop-up ad, then I will bitch :)
    I wouldn't mind so much being asked to fill in a survey on what mobile phone I had if it wasn't done so in a clever cloak of deceit. Census implies something different from survey is all and I just think the Boards people weren't honest in their approach.


  • #9
    4zn76tysfajdxp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,944 ✭✭✭✭4zn76tysfajdxp


    WindSock wrote: »
    Yeah I was taken aback by it too, but then noticed it says in the T&C's what it is about;




    Of course I didn't read any of this before doing the yoke...
    Oh right. Well, I suppose it's all there, isn't it? Well, I feel foolish.

    Still though: don't call a survey a census. Not cool.


  • #10
    KevIRL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 39,626 ✭✭✭✭KevIRL


    Drew Beautiful Beachcomber wrote: »

    Still though: don't call a survey a census. Not cool.

    This is it in a nutshell.


  • #11
    Dravokivich
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Music Moderators, Politics Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 22,360 CMod ✭✭✭✭Dravokivich


    Drew Beautiful Beachcomber wrote: »
    Bit of a pisstake to call it a census rather than a survey, which is what it was. Not happy with being decieved like this. I'm not sure if I can forgive this. Unless, I don't know, I got an iPhone to make up for it...

    I don't want an iPhone as I've got a Samsung already.

    I'll take a 1 for all voucher please.


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  • #12
    Sideshow Mark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,155 ✭✭✭Sideshow Mark


    I stopped halfway through, Its very deceitful, and I object to it.


  • #13
    trellheim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,009 ✭✭✭trellheim


    I stopped just the same. Who are "Distilled Media" , a little bit of clarification ?

    Census ? Census ? this is a crappy marketing survey. I know I've sold million s of them. Where's the "Bypass this and never show me ****e like this again" button that you're required to show people ? "opt-in anyone ? " Or are Irish laws different to UK ones, because we used to get fined for doing this sort of stuff. Been years but it all comes flooding back.


  • #14
    TouchingVirus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,584 ✭✭✭TouchingVirus


    trellheim wrote: »
    I stopped just the same. Who are "Distilled Media" , a little bit of clarification ?

    A very quick Google would have clarified that.
    http://distilledmedia.ie wrote:
    Distilled Media - Ireland's largest online publisher

    Delivering over 3.65 million unique users and 165 million page impressions per month. Distilled Media operates some of Ireland's most well known and popular internet brands including Daft.ie, Boards.ie, Adverts.ie. and TheJournal.ie.

    Census ? Census ? this is a crappy marketing survey. I know I've sold million s of them. Where's the "Bypass this and never show me ****e like this again" button that you're required to show people ? "opt-in anyone?" Or are Irish laws different to UK ones, because we used to get fined for doing this sort of stuff. Been years but it all comes flooding back.

    Very briefly:
    A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population.

    vs.

    Survey methodology is the field that studies surveys, that is, the sample of individuals from a population with a view towards making statistical inferences about the population using the sample.

    I don't see the issue myself except for the pedants noting that this is not compulsory. It's a very minor thing, and you can just stop participating whenever you like.


  • #15
    Toto Wolfcastle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,005 ✭✭✭✭Toto Wolfcastle


    In the first announcement about the census Dav said that it's been awhile since we've had one. I took this to mean that it would be similar to the previous one but in a slightly more high tech format. I completed the survey because I presumed that the proper census questions would be in there somewhere.

    I have no problem with Market research. I've been heavily involved with it since I was a teenager. Regardless of the small print, calling it a census is misleading.

    It's a pity because the results of an actual census would be interesting to read.


  • #16
    GLaDOS
    Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,233 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    Bobblehead Panda wrote: »
    In the first announcement about the census Dav said that it's been awhile since we've had one. I took this to mean that it would be similar to the previous one but in a slightly more high tech format.
    Yeah same, assumed it was an update to this.

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



  • #17
    trellheim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,009 ✭✭✭trellheim


    A census tends to follow very established lines, has a very well defined methodology.

    It's also well publicised, and usually mandatory, and also trusted.

    This is a marketing survey, no problem with that, call a spade a spade , and put a big flashing "Remove this" button up.


  • #18
    Orion
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,807 ✭✭✭✭Orion


    Dravokivich wrote: »
    I don't want an iPhone as I've got a Samsung already.

    I'll take a 1 for all voucher please.
    I've a Samsung too. I want an iphone so I can sell it for millions of drachma.


  • #19
    5starpool
    Subscribers Posts: 32,856 ✭✭✭✭5starpool


    phasers wrote: »
    I am similarly unhappy.

    iPhones for all I say.

    If I could get a Samsung Nexus, that would be just super, and I won't complain about the survey census at all, I promise.


  • #20
    Callipo
    Registered Users Posts: 173 ✭✭Callipo


    What would Bill Hicks say...


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEnA29wK7uM



    Ideologies.

    You gotta love 'em

    Honesty is always the best policy.


  • #21
    flahavaj
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21,235 ✭✭✭✭flahavaj


    Would love to see a proper Census of boards users.


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  • #22
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,003 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Yeah, its a con. Its underhand, don't fill it in.



    (then I get a better chance at the iphone)


    Its a bit annoying though that it takes up all the top of the page on every page.....


  • #23
    mike65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 88,972 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    I'm shocked anyone would actually fall for it, I read the first paragraph, said no thank you and clicked the red X.


  • #24
    5starpool
    Subscribers Posts: 32,856 ✭✭✭✭5starpool


    looksee wrote: »
    Yeah, its a con. Its underhand, don't fill it in.



    (then I get a better chance at the iphone)


    Its a bit annoying though that it takes up all the top of the page on every page.....

    You've been posting here since 2006 and don't know there is a big red x on the top right of every announcement, and once you click it, you won't see that announcement again.

    For shame.


  • #25
    ___
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭___


    467755.jpg


  • #26
    jor el
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    ___ wrote: »
    467755.jpg

    I give up, what's your regular userid?


  • #27
    LoLth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,339 ✭✭✭✭LoLth


    jor el wrote: »
    I give up, what's your regular userid?

    funny pic :) however there's a very very good chance that the user is a re-reg of a currently permabanned user. Currently lots of evidence for that to be the case.

    ____ sitebanned until we've had a chance to chat in prison. Not going to remove the pic though, it is feedback and it would be a shame to waste all that effort.


  • #28
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,723 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Personally I thought it was fairly clear:
    "Sponge It" are the independent consumer research agency who are running the Boards.ie census on behalf of "Distilled Media".
    The census is being run by Distilled Media for themselves in order to better understand the wants and needs of their readers.
    I mean what do you think Consumer Research Agencies do, in all fairness?

    I agree it wasn't a 'census' because it wasn't. But to be abhorred halfway through and discover you are filling out marketing research, shouldn't have surprised you. Unless you're the type to click on links that say you've won a free iPad, and all you have to do is download a program to your desktop and give it access to your email account.


  • #29
    Dude111
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,771 ✭✭✭Dude111


    I think its strange it says YOU NEED TO ENABLE JAVASCRIPT..

    I didnt do any such thing and it worked fine :) (I usually always have scripts DISABLED)


  • #30
    _blank_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    I wouldn't mind seeing some real up to date results from the questions in the previous census, which was carried out over six years ago. And in fairness, those questions ARE contained in this latest survey.

    Why Boards.ie are insterested in my phone is beyond me though.


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  • #31
    stovelid
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,252 ✭✭✭✭stovelid


    mike65 wrote: »
    I'm shocked anyone would actually fall for it, I read the first paragraph, said no thank you and clicked the red X.

    .


  • #32
    pickarooney
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,593 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Poor form. Why is this passed off as "the boards.ie census" (for which, incidentally, we have a lovely census forum :pac:) and why does it merit a side-wide announcement?


  • #33
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    pickarooney wrote: »
    Poor form. Why is this passed off as "the boards.ie census" (for which, incidentally, we have a lovely census forum :pac:) and why does it merit a side-wide announcement?
    Well, for a start because it is a census. It's collecting demographic information about the boards.ie population.

    If someone thought that boards.ie wasn't going to use this information to compile statistics on the population that can be used to woo advertisers, then more fool them tbh.
    The original census was also used for this purpose, though you didn't get the same detailed disclaimer to agree to.
    There's nothing disingenuous going on here. You're aware that the official national census results are also used for marketing purposes when the IDA makes a pitch to a company or when an area is trying to attract investment? OH noes, someone call the dictionary police.

    It's a site-wide announcement because otherwise no-one would see it... :/

    I love the faux outrage though purely because an external company has been hired to do this. If the guys in the office had coded the exact same script, asking the exact same questions, there wouldn't be any bitching and squealing about the meaning of the word "census".

    If you don't want to answer it, don't answer it. Some people really need to get a sense of perspective.


  • #34
    LoLth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,339 ✭✭✭✭LoLth


    seamus wrote: »

    If you don't want to answer it, don't answer it. Some people really need to get a sense of perspective.

    this.

    honestly, the T&Cs were posted clearly in the notice which was sort of big and unmissable and can be gotten rid of by clicking the red X so it wont bother you again.

    anyone that uses the site should know that there are advertising banners used to generate revenue and many companies outsource to marketing companies to help direct the ads towards their users so they are more useful and less "you won! click here!".

    no-one is forcing you to take the survey. No personal data is being collected (apart from the email) and no-one is or was trying to con anyone by using the word census instead of survey.

    seriously, unclench, click the red X and then enjoy the site.


  • #35
    justsomebloke
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,407 ✭✭✭✭justsomebloke


    seamus wrote: »
    I love the faux outrage though purely because an external company has been hired to do this. If the guys in the office had coded the exact same script, asking the exact same questions, there wouldn't be any bitching and squealing about the meaning of the word "census".

    disagree with this as I think would of felt the same even if it was done purely in boards HQ


  • #36
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    justsomebloke wrote: »
    disagree with this as I think would of felt the same even if it was done purely in boards HQ
    Well then is it just a case that it came in a format that you didn't expect?

    Would you feel different if it was done in the above poll format, with the exact same questions?


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  • #37
    pickarooney
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,593 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    seamus wrote: »
    I love the faux outrage though purely because an external company has been hired to do this. If the guys in the office had coded the exact same script, asking the exact same questions, there wouldn't be any bitching and squealing about the meaning of the word "census".

    If you don't want to answer it, don't answer it. Some people really need to get a sense of perspective.

    I'm outraged that I got half way through and there was no option for my county or mobile phone company so I had to give up :(


  • #38
    LoLth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,339 ✭✭✭✭LoLth


    pickarooney wrote: »
    I'm outraged that I got half way through and there was no option for my county or mobile phone company so I had to give up :(

    from the T&Cs:
    If you have questions at any time about the survey or the procedures you may contact Sponge It at denise.johnston-at-spongeit.ie

    spare your fellow countymen and phone users the pain that you experienced and drop denise johnston a line to inform her of this oversight. It'll help in the healing process.


  • #39
    hardCopy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    5starpool wrote: »
    You've been posting here since 2006 and don't know there is a big red x on the top right of every announcement, and once you click it, you won't see that announcement again.

    For shame.

    A-ha!

    :o


  • #40
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,192 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    seamus wrote: »
    If you don't want to answer it, don't answer it. Some people really need to get a sense of perspective.
    This +1000. If it was something one had to do to continue to use the site, I'd see an issue, but it's not. So a) if you're not interested, hit the red X and be on your way, or b) fill it in and maybe get a freebie from it(and the site may get some needed finance from it) or c) get up to high doe over the wording of something you can choose to ignore. I'll take a or b please Carol.

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



  • #41
    Earthhorse
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,714 ✭✭✭✭Earthhorse


    Des wrote: »
    Why Boards.ie are insterested in my phone is beyond me though.

    A lot of people have smartphones now, capable of browsing online. Guess they might be trying to get a handle on that kind of thing.

    I agree that calling it a survey would be more accurate but it's not a big deal really.


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  • #42
    OldGoat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,638 ✭✭✭✭OldGoat


    Can I have a copy of the collected data so I can make graphs and charts and stuff?
    Ummmm graphs!
    Not pushed if its called a census or a survy but I am excited at the thoughts of seeing the published results. We ARE going to see results eventually, right?

    I'm older than Minecraft goats.



  • #43
    Dav
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,840 ✭✭✭Dav


    OK, so the last time we did a census on this site was February/March in 2007. In that census, we asked about where you browsed from and what times of the day/night you did. We also asked what you were using the internet for. Some of these questions are a little more specific this time around. For reference, I've attached the aggregated (and of course, anonymous) results of that last census - both DeVore and I were talking earlier and we both thought that Vexorg had published these results before, but if not, they're here now anyway.

    Mobile Phone questions: This is a big focus for the entire group at the moment. touch.boards.ie went live this year and the Boards.ie iPhone App is in development and the Android one will soon follow. We need to make sure we're covering all the bases with that and should we give any serious consideration to something like a Windows Phone 7 or even Meego app. We want to make sure you're looked after not "the people we think are using the site" if you get my meaning. There are statistics on what sort of usage there is, but that's general and we're looking for something more specific to our members and visitors.

    Ultimately *every* census that this site has done is designed to give us a sense of who's using this site so that 1) we can make sure that we're keeping that group of people in mind whenever we make any changes and 2) so that we can get more accurate information for sales so that we can keep our bills paid. I find it more than a little disappointing that some people seem to think we're trying to con anyone here or be dishonest - what on earth did you think the previous census' were for?

    It is completely voluntary. You don't even have to be a Boards member to fill it out - the notice appears for visitors too (and lets not forget, the ratio of visitors to members on the site at any given moment is around 3.5:1). If you want to be rid of the notice, then click the red X button on the top right of the notice as others have said - notices aren't new, we've been using them for about 3 years.

    I'll be looking at getting the results when this is all over and publishing them. We've handed the management of all this over to Sponge It because it's a big project and we're doing it for all of the sites in the group and so it's easier and more time efficient to have them take care of it.


  • #44
    slavetothegrind
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,789 ✭✭✭slavetothegrind


    Sorry about that i now understand census = survey and also where you are coming from.

    In my naievety i thought it might be a user experience questionaire as you get from sky sometimes after interacting with their customer service.

    so i live and learn.:)


  • #45
    minidazzler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,739 ✭✭✭✭minidazzler


    I use this site about 500 hours a year probably, from just casual browsing, to actually getting into serious discussions, it's always open when I'm using a computer. Am I gonna fill out a survey/census when they ask me to given I pay for nothing while using this site...yes, yes I am, because I know I don't HAVE to and because they give me a helluvalot of enjoyment for nothing....that said, this bastard of a site also makes me procrastinate, but still, enjoyment and meet new people, for the optional donation of some impersonal details....good deal.


  • #46
    Dude111
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,771 ✭✭✭Dude111


    Is there ANY WAY to see the results of this census?


  • #47
    Dav
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,840 ✭✭✭Dav


    Well it hasn't been completed yet, so no, but I am hoping to publish the results when I get them - I'd say it'll be 2 weeks, we're closing it off this Friday.


  • #48
    DeVore
    Business & Finance Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 32,387 Mod ✭✭✭✭DeVore


    If we were after nefarious ways of making money, we'd have sold your email addresses at SOME stage during the last 12 years. Which we have never done.

    Perhaps you would prefer the Facebook approach where we simply gather this information from you secretly and then sell it unanonimised to anyone who will give us money or build an app for us. :):)




    This will help us. Either monetarily when we can say "hey, 25% of our users are X" to advertisers or by clarifying who are userbase are so we can improve the site to fit better. Nothing bad will happen to you for answering it. We've been as clear as possible about everything. If you dont wish to complete it, then thank you for your time and sorry to have intruded.

    DeV.


  • #49
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,723 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    DeVore wrote: »
    If we were after nefarious ways of making money, we'd have sold your email addresses at SOME stage during the last 12 years. Which we have never done.
    You had the perfect opportunity to, after the hack. Should have :pac:


  • #50
    Steve
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,584 ✭✭✭✭Steve


    Dav wrote: »
    Well it hasn't been completed yet, so no, but I am hoping to publish the results when I get them - I'd say it'll be 2 weeks, we're closing it off this Friday.
    There's only one thing we really want an answer to.. are there real wimminz on the internet yet?????

    :D


  • #51
    Orion
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,807 ✭✭✭✭Orion


    Steve wrote: »
    There's only one thing we really want an answer to.. are there real wimminz on the internet yet?????

    :D

    According to the last census the internet is 83% Men, 17% Men pretending to be wimmens and 3% Beruthiel. All values plus or minus 3%


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