A poll about polls (useful or just fun?)

[Heroique]

Maybe you’re like me – you participate in LF forum polls, but can’t actually recall the results of a single one.

If so, you must ask yourself whether LF polls are ever really helpful. Maybe they’re entertaining while they last, but not much else.

Or maybe you’re different – you make good use of results, not only when the poll is new and active, but long after the poll is finished. Still others might ignore polls altogether, never vote, but glean useful info from the comments people share.

Please tell us what you think about LF polls around here. What’s the most entertaining (or the most helpful) type of poll? Are they about gear? LF technique?

And how, if ever, did the results of a poll – not just the comments – help you in your practical work?

[jb7]

This gives me the opportunity to bump my last poll- which was designed to find out how people used their 11x14 cameras. The results were surprising, unexpected- though the sample base was very small. Perhaps this was because I removed the option to be anonymous, therefore only people who actually used the format were tempted to pick an option.

I think they can be useful, but only if the proposition and options are carefully designed. They can also be very entertaining, though the same conditions apply...

j

[Heroique]

...the sample base was very small. Perhaps this was because I removed the option to be anonymous...

I think you’re right that anonymity has a beneficial impact on poll participation. I’d even say that most people believe that anonymous voting – the “secret ballot” – is a sacred part of the voting process. Take it away, and people avoid the LF voting booth, no matter how helpful “signing your name” might be. Almost like a Constitutional right. Too bad, because it’s always fun to see how a particular LF photographer might have voted on an issue!