Show Me The Reviews


AMUG Mac OS Usage Survey
March 24, 2003 - AMUG has completed a survey of it's members use of Mac OS and AMUG services. One hundred thirty responses were collected between Match 21, 2003 and March 24, 2003. The answers were surprising different when compared to our last survey completed on November 22, 2002. Below are the results for your review along with some comments on the data collected.


Of the 130 responses 51% say that they use OS X as their main Mac OS X while another 12% use both OS 9 and OS X regularly. Adding these two groups together (as they both use OS X) gives you 63% of the AMUG members responding actually using OS X. Since this group did not select "using OS 9 as their main Mac OS" they see themselves as either converted totally or still using both. 37% classify their OS usage as mainly with OS 9 or earlier. We had to change this to include earlier versions before OS 9, as four users responded that they were using Mac OS 8 to 8.6. If you compare the 63% OS X usage reported now against the survey four months ago of 37% you find a huge jump in OS X usage overall and actually a slight decrease in those reporting that they use both OS X and OS 9 equally.


The next question in the survey dealt with satisfaction among AMUG members with OS X. We wanted to test this as a few members that responded to the last survey had some negative comments about OS X. What we found was that of the 130 members polled 82 or 63% "use OS X and really like it". It was also interesting that of the 48 who responded that they use OS 9 as their main OS, 35 members in this same group have not tried OS X. Thirteen or 10% of the AMUG members polled have tried OS X but do not plan to use it. The reason varied from software upgrade costs to interface issues. Two members felt the question was unfair. They felt they would use OS X because Apple was forcing it on them and that this option was not available for them to select. We placed them in the "do not plan to use OS X" category for the purpose of this survey. We have posted an article on how to make the OS X interface easier to adjust to for an OS 9 user moving to OS X called OS X 4U too posted at http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/osx4u/osx4u.html This may help some with the interface issues.


This question was asked to try and determine how many Macintosh computers AMUG members are utilizing. I was surprised to see that 42% were using three or more computers. I remember the days of multifinder on the Macintosh. Now that has changed to multi-computer with 78% of AMUG members using two or more computers.


AMUG members were asked next about their Macintosh buying plans. 18% plan to buy a Macintosh in the next six months. That fact seems significant for a group where most AMUG members already have two or more Macintosh computers. Several answered that they had just bought a new Macintosh and they were placed with the 71% that had no plans to buy a new Macintosh at this time. In an effort to see what effect a major upgrade in CPU speed might have on Apple computer sales we asked the question about a 2.4GHz model. Based on the answers we received it looks like Apple sales would jump an additional 50% among existing users if a 2.4GHz Mac was made available. New user sales of Macintosh computers would most likely jump even more.


AMUG members that join AMUG on-line are automatically signed up for amug-announce which provides email updates on AMUG meetings, special alerts on discounts, deals and new Macintosh files that become available. New members that join by postal mail can sign-up for the service at: http://www.amug.org/members/mail/mail.html This question in the AMUG survey was asked to determine what percentage of members find value in the amug-announce list. 87% said they enjoy the amug-announce list and many of these users explained how it had saved them money on purchases. 12% said they get the email but do not really use the information. This same group however did not want to be taken off the amug-announce list. Perhaps they thought they might use it in the future. One user responded that he could find the information in other places and asked to be taken off the list.


AMUG provides members a printed newsletter that is mailed every other month. The AMUG newsletter is also provided in PDF format along with back issues on the web in the AMUG members section at http://www.amug.org/members/ The AMUG Newsletter question in our survey was designed to find out how many AMUG members actually value this service. 91% of those responding read the AMUG Newsletter and find it helpful. 6% get the newsletter but do not read it. Another 3% of those responding had let their AMUG membership expire and as a result do not get the newsletter. It is amazing that 91% of any group agree on anything. Congratulations to the AMUG writers, production, editor and helpers. This newsletter is produced totally by volunteers. The printer and the Postal Service however want to get paid ;>


The last question in our survey deals with what AMUG members thought of the value of AMUG membership. While there were 6% or eight users that said they would not renew, four of these had already expired and one said he would like to renew but lost his job and would not be able to. Two of these users still wanted to receive amug-announce but alas amug-announce is only for members. 94% said they found AMUG membership helpful. Many AMUG members have been a part of the Arizona Macintosh Users Group for many years. The data in this survey shows an AMUG membership can help your computer skills grow. Congratulations to the AMUG Board, President Alex Podressoff, Treasurer Mike Bromley, Thomas Rubarth and Lea Bromley for producing the AMUG newsletter. While there are things AMUG can still improve a vast majority of AMUG members appreciate your volunteer service.

Thoughts
Apple OS X is growing more and more popular with the release of Jaguar and the many improvements since OS X was first introduced. With current survey numbers jumping to 63% of AMUG members using OS X that is a 70% increase in just the last 4 months. What will we find six months from now with Panther about to be released?

Copyright 2003
Arizona Macintosh Users Group, Inc. (AMUG)
AMUG Membership is $39 per year and you can join or renew on-line at: https://www.amug.org/amug/store/http/amug-order.html
May be reprinted with permission by other non-profit user groups. Visit AMUG at www.amug.org for computer news, resources, discounts and friends.