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Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association > NPRHA Questionnaire #1  

NPRHA Questionnaire #1

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This is a questionnaire for NPRHA members on web site usage.

NOTE - only take the survey once.
Respond to this Survey Respond to this Survey
  
View: 

1. Only answer the survey once.
If a question is not applicable to you, just skip it.
To finish the survey, click Save and Close just above this text.


Are you a NP Veteran?

 Yes
 11 (10%) 
 
 No
 96 (90%) 
 
Total: 107

2.
Have you purchased something from the New NPRHA Company Store web site?

 Yes
 43 (40%) 
 
 No
 64 (60%) 
 
Total: 107

3.
Have you visited the new NPRHA Research web site?

 Yes
 91 (85%) 
 
 No
 16 (15%) 
 
Total: 107

4. Have you visited the NPRHA Research site to do actual research? For instance, have you used the bibliography, or referenced a picture or steam diagram?

 Yes
 46 (43%) 
 
 No
 60 (57%) 
 
Total: 106

5.
What option below best characterizes the nature of your interest in the NP?

 Modeling 100%
 4 (4%) 
 
 History/Research 100%
 21 (19%) 
 
 Modeling 80%, History 20%
 25 (23%) 
 
 Modeling 50%, History 50%
 36 (33%) 
 
 Modeling 20%, History 80%
 19 (18%) 
 
 Other
 3 (3%) 
 
Total: 108

6.
If you are a modeler, what scale?

 N or Z
 15 (17%) 
 
 HO
 65 (74%) 
 
 S
 0 (0%)  
 O
 3 (3%) 
 
 Large (G and above)
 5 (6%) 
 
Total: 88

7.
What era do you model?

 1966 – 1970
 19 (22%) 
 
 1961 – 1965
 9 (10%) 
 
 1956 – 1960
 13 (15%) 
 
 1951 – 1955
 23 (27%) 
 
 1946 – 1950
 10 (12%) 
 
 1941 – 1945
 7 (8%) 
 
 1930s
 1 (1%) 
 
 1920s
 0 (0%)  
 1910s
 1 (1%) 
 
 1900s
 2 (2%) 
 
 1890s
 1 (1%) 
 
 1880s
 0 (0%)  
 1870s
 0 (0%)  
Total: 86

8.
Do you model a specific year?
(Enter four digits, i.e. 1957, 1968, 1881, etc.)

 1,969
 3 (12%) 
 
 1,954
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,952
 3 (12%) 
 
 1,951
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,968
 5 (19%) 
 
 1,966
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,953
 2 (8%) 
 
 1,980
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,972
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,970
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,944
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,950
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,967
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,956
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,958
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,955
 1 (4%) 
 
 1,965
 1 (4%) 
 
Total: 26

9.
On the web site, rate how you would value roster and/or diagram information for these selections:
(Note - put only one vote in the 11 column, one vote in the 10 column, one in 9, all the way down to 1 )

  
Low
Average
High
(%)40725951371135
Steam Locomotives
 
 
    
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 1234567891011
(%)033459610141823
Diesel Locomotives
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 1234567891011
(%)04275141010121419
Cabooses
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 1234567891011
(%)1145671013161321
Passenger Equipment
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 1234567891011
(%)0243514713161121
Freight Cars
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 1234567891011
(%)1097137144510511
Gas Electrics & RDCs
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 1234567891011
(%)31311910155412310
MOW/Trucks/Other
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 1234567891011
(%)561259155129313
Line-side equipment (signals, bridges, culverts, etc.)
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 1234567891011
(%)0319107714131222
Stations and Structures
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 1234567891011
(%)013945125711922
Right of way maps
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 1234567891011
(%)23575614341079
Milepost listing
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
1234567891011
Total: 94

10.
Would you like to see the site publish a VOLUNTARY directory of NPHRA members? Members would only be listed if they choose to participate.
The directory would be similar to the voluntary directory that the GNRHS keeps. To see a sample of what is being proposed, visit http://www.gnrhs.org/ and click on Online Directory.

 Yes
 83 (82%) 
 
 No
 18 (18%) 
 
Total: 101

11.
Do you prefer diagram and drawing information on the web site that is:

 Small and reasonable to download on a slow internet connection, but with hard to read small print and details
 6 (6%) 
 
 Large and slow to download on a slow internet connection, but rich with detail for modeling and other reference
 66 (66%) 
 
 Where possible, even if it means less overall content on the site, I would like both small images and large images
 28 (28%) 
 
Total: 100

12.
What type of connection speed do you access the internet with?

 56K modem (slower)
 47 (44%) 
 
 Cable or DSL modem (fast)
 59 (55%) 
 
 Other
 1 (1%) 
 
Total: 107

13.
I would like other questionnaires like this in the future to help guide content on the site:

 Yes, this process could be useful
 102 (96%) 
 
 No, I think these questionnaires miss the point and are flawed
 4 (4%) 
 
Total: 106

14.
Other comments on web site content:

 This is a neat survey. We should use this for the convention car debate.
 1 (3%) 
 
 Keep up the good work.
 2 (7%) 
 
 It has a great look, and I find it easy to use.
 1 (3%) 
 
  I think that this could provide useful info HOWEVER only PC savy people will respond and that WILL skew the results. Will there be a way to compensate for this?
 1 (3%) 
 
 The Steam roster was extremely useful for my brother and I to track down information on where several RR artifacts came from.
 1 (3%) 
 
 Thank you "WEB CREW" for all the work put into the new web for the NPR
 1 (3%) 
 
 Windows should not be required to properly view all web site content. Too many MIcrosoft-isms!
 1 (3%) 
 
 The site is hard to read (text is too small, contrast is poor). The navigation is hard to figure out, even for an experienced web user. it takes too many clicks to get to anyplace useful. As an example of all of the above, the message that was sent to announce this survey should have been able to include a simple URL that took you directly to the survey page (instead of top level URL, click here, click here, click here again type of instructions). When I got to the top level survey page, I find that the site has overridden my browser configurations (which is for overall fairly large text), and instead is using some very small font size. (At the convention, it was siggusted that small type sizes work for the Mainstreeter, so they should work for the web site. When you can give me a 300dpi display, then and only then, can you use that argument). Anyhow, once I'm at the right page, there are a number of what appear to be navigation elements that I cannot read because they are a dark text color on a dark green background. Completely useless. And then (like much of the rest of the site), the page is just another step towards the real content, but it's hard to figure out what the content is supposed to be. Oh, finally, it's sort of likely that "Respond to this survey" is the link I need to actually FIND the survey in the first place [this survey on the top page implies that I am at a survey, instead of being in a set of navigation pages for a survey but not at the real content]. And every other survey or form that is designed usefully puts a submit button down at the end where you are when you're done with the survey, not a 'scroll to the top and "save and close"' message. This is a web browser based tool, and it should behave like other web browser based tools. It doesn't today.
 1 (3%) 
 
 Wow. Really well done, Gary and team.
 1 (3%) 
 
 It would be nice if I could use something other than the latest IE to access the site with
 1 (3%) 
 
 I model a wider range than you allow in the survey format, from 1938 - M Day. I suggest you allow for wider modeling interests in your next survey. Thanks for running this survey. I hope we get a good response.
 1 (3%) 
 
 Good luck. Keep up the good work. I worked for the Northern Pacific Ry and i liked my job. It was great work and I really liked working for the N P...Richard Fish (1951 to 1988)
 1 (3%) 
 
 I think the latest upgrade is great and I like the layout and content. Thnax to all those involved.
 1 (3%) 
 
 Black type on dark green hard to see.
 1 (3%) 
 
 All surveys are flawed. This one has its own weaknesses. It doesn't allow me to select multiple sclaes for modeling. It assumes no one models past March, 1970. I model in HO primarily, but also seriously in N and 1/32. In N scale I model equipment from the 60s. In HO I protofreelance model the NP from 1975 to 1985 as though the BN merger were disallowed. One other thing - please build the site so it atleast works with both M$ Explorer and Netscape.
 1 (3%) 
 
 I like the look of the website
 1 (3%) 
 
 Happy camper ever since I joined the NPRHA! I think the website is great, keep up the outstanding work!
 1 (3%) 
 
 It could be useful if the questionaires are designed better and allow more flexibility in answering. This one is too restrictive - what if I model 1950-1970; is that not a valid answer? It was also hard to figure out how to even find the survery; all I had was a blank page to start with. I had to click all over before I got the survery. What is the thinking behind that? Why not put save and close (or better yet- continue) at the bottom of the page where a person is when they finish the survery?
 1 (3%) 
 
 Don't really like to use the web for information. Would much rather have it available in hardcopy. Seems to be improved per list comments!
 1 (3%) 
 
 Navigating to the questionnaire was not as straightforward as it could have been.
 1 (3%) 
 
 I think any drawings ie... structures should be clear enough to read dim Example Call Box drawings are bad very hard to read.
 1 (3%) 
 
 The drawing, photo and information files would be best if "thumbnails" could be used along with a short description of conent and then a hot link to go to the detail level if desired. At that point the file should be available for download. The download might be limited to members only to try and create membership but probably best to label as copy righted or part of the NPRHA Archives and Research Library and for personal use only with a permission clause required for all other usages such as publication. Maybe just a note to say that if the info is used that it be recognized that is came from the NPRHA if not used in a "for sale" publication. Thanks for this survey. Don Hoffman
 1 (3%) 
 
 Very interesting, useful and nostalgic.
 1 (3%) 
 
 Not legacy browser friendly, so I rarely access the site (I do not like being forced to use IE). Dave Allen
 1 (3%) 
 
 I'm an SP&S fan, so I need NP Freight & Passenger cars.
 1 (3%) 
 
 With considerable effort I'm sure, you have created the framework for an invaluable historical resource on the Northern Pacific. Bob Sullivan in Yakima, Washington (grew up in Missoula 50 years ago)
 1 (3%) 
 
 Much of the research material on NPRHA web site should only be available to NPRHA members as a benefit of membership. Items from the company store should be available to members and non members.
 1 (3%) 
 
 more equipment photos AND colors of the equipment, especially of the lesser known equipment
 1 (3%) 
 
 As a returning member (after an 8 year hiatus), I am impressed with the increased amount and quality of information. I am looking forward to more in the future. I would like a more prominent (if any exists now) set of links to other websites w/ NP info, especially NPTellTales group on Yahoo and whstlpnk's website.
 1 (3%) 
 
Total: 30

15.

Now, to finish the survey and submit your answers, scroll to the top of the page and click on “Save and Close” next to the floppy disk icon.

 Thank you.
 108 (100%)  
Total: 108