Web Browser Survey Responses

["Simon Coulter" <shc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello All,

Well, this proved interesting to say the least!  12 people responded (and I 
thank them for 
their effort) with very different views.  12 is such a small sample and they 
were evenly 
divided on question 1 -- 6 said yes to a 5250 text browser, 6 said no.

I was confused by those who said no to the browser but then went on to say yes 
to frames, 
cookies, and JavaScript.  Frames and JavaScript are difficult on a 5250 screen 
and possibly 
not worth the effort -- even though many sites assume a frames-capable browser 
(ugly things).

Although most people wanted an open source version (it seems because they want 
to see how such 
a beast would use the 5250 data stream!) very few were prepared to assist.  
Mostly due to lack 
of skills in C -- although this would be one hell of a learning exercise!

I think I will proceed with a prototype and see what happens.  If you have 
questions or wish 
to discuss anything with me, please do so privately.

Here are the results:

 1/ Do you see a need for a 5250 text-based web browser?
        Yes/No                  6/6
 
 2/ What protocols should it support?
        a/ HTTP: Yes            6
        b/ HTTPS: Yes/No        7/
        c/ FTP: Yes/No          6/
        d/ SOCKS: Yes/No        5/
        e/ WAIS: Yes/No         1/
        f/ GOPHER: Yes/No       0/
        g/ FILE: Yes/No         5/
        h/ NEWS: Yes/No         1/
        i/ TELNET: Yes/No       3/
        j/ MAILTO: Yes/No       3/
 
 3/ Should it support frames?
        Yes/No                  7/3
 
 4/ Should it support tables?
        Yes/No                  10/0
 
 5/ Should it support cookies?
        Yes/No                  8/3
 
 6/ Should it support JavaScript? (Or at least as much as possible in a 
text-only browser)
        Yes/No                  7/2
 
 7/ Would you or your company pay for such a browser?
        I would                 3
        My company would        5
        Not a chance            2
 
 8/ If you would pay, how much would you pay ($US)?
           $25          1
        a/ $50          1
        b/ $100         4
        c/ $250
        d/ $500         1
 
 9/ Would you prefer a user-based or system-based license?
        User/System     3/7
 
 10/ Would you prefer an open-source version?
        Yes/No          7/2
 
 11/ Would you assist in a collaborative open-source version?
        Yes/No          3/7
 


Regards,
Simon Coulter.

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