The last few years have seen huge increases in beta testers and transparency for Microsoft products in development. I remember not too long ago when beta testers for MSN Messenger were rather uncommon in public forums, or at least they preferred to keep quiet about it.
Microsoft has given far greater awareness to beta testing and more people are keen to to get into it. Each new version seems to have more beta hype than the last, but I think it was around MSN Messenger 7 when it really took off.
So this brings me to the latest poll, have you beta tested Messenger? Whether it be through Microsoft Connect/BetaPlace, or public betas (just not leaked versions!).
Either you have or you haven’t, but as always I give more specific options to choose from, one of which is Yes, to get the latest version. There’s a trend where users get into the beta programme, not to provide feedback back to Microsoft, but to get the latest and greatest or have something most people don’t have. Be honest, have you done this?
The poll on Windows Live Messenger usage has been up for two months, much longer than intended, so it’s now come to a close, and here are the results:
How often do you use Messenger?
- Everyday (84% | 992 Votes)
- I rarely sign out (7% | 87 Votes)
- Every 2 or 3 days (5% | 56 Votes)
- Once or twice a week (2% | 20 Votes)
- Never (2% | 20 Votes)
Total Votes: 1,175
Over 90% of visitors use Messenger everyday, some of them claiming they don’t bother signing out (always gotta be available, right?). Those who don’t sign in every day didn’t even make the 10% mark!
Considering this site is about Messenger, it’s no surprise the results show most people use Messenger regularly. Although I’m curious, who are the 20 that voted Never? What brought them here?
My time away was almost twice as long as I expected, but I’m now back and hopefully I can update the site as much as visitors expect. According to the poll results, most voters would like to see updates at least each day. That’s not impossible to do, but I have to say it is asking a lot, 3-5 per week is not an unreasonable goal, so that’s what I’ll be aiming for.
How often should this site be updated?
- At least daily (43% | 83 Votes)
- 3-5 times per week (20% | 39 Votes)
- I don’t mind (19% | 37 Votes)
- Once a week (17% | 32 Votes)
Total Votes: 191
This year I would like to invite guest posters to contribute to the site. If you want to write something you think others would be interested in reading, whether it’s a short news piece, a tutorial, review, tip or trick, or even just your opinion on something relating to Windows Live Messenger, get in contact and get it on the front page!
In terms of posting frequency, this year has probably been the most unpredictable for Fanatic Live. I would blame this on me being busy with my studies, other Web sites, and having bit of a break.
The holiday season is always quiet here, this year is no different. I will be back in the second week of January for some more updates, but until then things will be even quieter while I spend some time away from my computer.
On that note, I am interested to hear some feedback on how often you expect or would like Fanatic Live be updated, as this may help me plan things out for 2007. The poll question for this is now up in the sidebar.
I would personally like to aim for 3-5 posts per week next year, but what I believe to be more important is the consistency of updating (ie. avoiding one post one week, ten posts the next).
Like the last poll, it’s good to hear people elaborate on their vote, please do so by leaving a comment to this post.
Thank you to everyone who visited, read, or commented here this year, it’s been a great 2006 and I greatly value your readership and support.
The first poll I have put up, Are you using Windows Live Messenger?, has come to a close. It ran a little longer than I originally planned (just over one month), but here are the results:
Are you using Windows Live Messenger?
- Yes, I’m loving it. (59% | 382 Votes)
- Yes, but I don’t see the point. (27% | 178 Votes)
- No, I’m not really interested. (7% | 48 Votes)
- No, but I might get it later. (4% | 23 Votes)
- No, what is it? (3% | 19 Votes)
Total Votes: 650
Since this site focuses on Windows Live Messenger, it’s no surprise the results are in favour of going for yes. Altogether, 560 voters are using Windows Live Messenger, and only 90 aren’t using it.