BOINC user survey

Several volunteer computing projects, including Climateprediction.net, Einstein@home, and SETI@home, use software called BOINC. If you participate in projects like this, we request that you answer the following questions. This will help BOINC-based projects increase participation and achieve greater scientific results.

Please answer as many questions as you want, then go to the bottom and click OK. If you previously completed the survey but your answers have changed, please complete it again - your new answers will replace the old ones.

The current results of the survey are here.

Do you run BOINC?
Yes - I have been running BOINC on my computer for... less than a week
less than a month
less than a year
more than a year
No - I was running BOINC, but stopped because... [check all that apply]
I lost interest
it was too complicated
I stopped it and forgot to start again
it caused problems on my computer
it used too much electricity
I switched to a non-BOINC computing project
Other:
No - I tried running BOINC, but... [check all that apply]
the software didn't install correctly
I couldn't figure out how to use the software
I had network communication problems
I couldn't attach to a project
I attached to a project, but never got any work
Other:
No - I never tried running BOINC, because... [check all that apply]
I was concerned about security
I wasn't interested in any of the projects
I don't have permission to run it on my computer
No version was available for my computer
Other:
Your participation
Where did you learn about BOINC projects? [check all that apply]
TV/radio/newspaper
From friends, relatives, or coworkers
Team message boards or web sites
The BOINC web site
Other web sites
Other:
Which are the most important factors when you decide whether to participate in a BOINC project? [check all that apply]
Nice-looking screensaver graphics
Fair and quick granting of credit for work done
Getting more credit from this project than from others
Helpful and friendly message boards
Participation by project staff on the message boards
Informative project web site
The science is important and beneficial
Non-profit, and results are public
Personal recognition if my computer finds something
Publication by the project in scientific journals
Periodic email newsletters from the project
Other:
How many BOINC projects do you participate in? 1
2-5
5-10
11+
Do you run BOINC as a screensaver? Yes
No
Your usage of project messages boards: to read information
to read and post information
None
Where do you get information to help resolve problems with BOINC and/or BOINC projects? [check all that apply]
The project message boards
The BOINC message boards
The BOINC web site
BOINC mailing lists
The Unofficial BOINC Wiki
Team web sites
Google or other search engines
Other:
Your computers
What kind of computers do you have running BOINC? [check all that apply]
Windows
Macintosh
Linux
Other:
Where are they? [check all that apply]
Home
Work
School
Other:
How many computers? 1
2-4
5-9
10-99
100+
On average, how many hours per day are they powered on? 0-8
8-23
24
You
Age 0-19
20-39
40-59
60+
Sex Male
Female
Your level of computer expertise Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Nationality
Comments
Please suggest ways that BOINC, and the projects that use it, could be improved:

When done click:

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Last modified 2:40 PM UTC, July 26 2007.
Copyright © 2008 University of California. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.