Would it be feasible to have software integrated into the Fairfax Underground, whereby respondents could voice a "yes" or "no" opinion or select from a list of choices. After "voting" one would be able to see the summary of all votes. Software would limit one vote to one IP. Initially, Cary could select suitable topics and, if the polling proves interesting, users could recommend topics. It would be understood that such polling would not be scientific, per se. I have seen systems whereby participants' responses are immediately posted, often with graphs such as bar charts. For example, what is your age bracket a) 10-17; b) 18-20; c) 21-30; d) 31-40; etc. Participants identities would not be posted. If possible, another dimension would be added to an already awesome program.

I could code that in python, using some sort of CSV database. I don't know about the IP part though. I am not sure if that is possible through CGI.

EDIT: It is possible to read IP address using a CGI script. Only problem is, I am unsure if a user could somehow exploit the script and gain access to the environment variables of the server.

EDIT: I am implementing a script to render the results using PIL (python imaging library). No way to setup a poll or anything though. I wonder if I could use this for extra credit in my Computer Science class...

EDIT: I gave up with CSV, and got bored making a binary format for it. So nevermind.



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 09/05/2007 07:11PM by joe.

Thanks, joe, for your review of the idea and comments.

There seem to be a multitude of survey programs already online. I thought that commercial software would be available to run such a program.

Maybe there's a conspiracy to prevent groups from seeing their opinions tabulated online. It's a pretty good indicator of how various populations may think or feel about a subject, even given the error percentage.

Cary, what are your thoughts? Any hope for integrating or interfacing extant polling software?

I vote Meade leave, and we never discuss him again.

Job Beams Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Would it be feasible to have software integrated
> into the Fairfax Underground, whereby respondents
> could voice a "yes" or "no" opinion or select from
> a list of choices. After "voting" one would be
> able to see the summary of all votes. Software
> would limit one vote to one IP.

that preposterous crazy talk! there is no such technology!


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

Gravis, I've seen and used such technology. Participants use a key pad to enter responses to questions. Immediately, the software makes its computations and the responses are shown on a large screen from a projection device. In what I saw and acted upon, almost anything could be polled, analyzed, and displayed. I thought at the time that this device was pretty amazing for working with groups.

Another time, a contractor demonstrated a wireless system that essentially did the same thing. I visited a Fairfax contractor off Arlington Boulevard that had a system set-up in their tiered briefing room, so a hundred or so people could participate.

Sorry that I didn't have the right terminology to describe the system--its akin to the online surveys whereby you "vote" and then can see how others voted on the same issue or question.

Survey Says!
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LOL
If an 11-year old troll/turtle-like alien can come up with the solution and finally get its iPhone working, surely some software could be designed for the Underground to help us retarded folks understand the issues.