In last month’s poll, we asked you to share which software review and discussion websites you trust. We received some great responses here on our blog and on our social media pages as well. Some of you listed sources like ZDNet, AlternativeTo and Software Advice but the majority had a very interesting view: you trust yourselves!
Simply put, while you might discover a software solution on a review website, you really don’t “consult” them for advice and direction. You prefer to put a solution to the test yourself, and see if it’s worth adding to your set of tools.
Many of you also prefer peer-to-peer discussions in forums or checking out blogs by recognized IT experts. This view was nicely summed up by Tommy Boucher, who wrote: “When I'm looking for a software solution, I start googling the idea, and then, I google the product I see, and then, I read blogs regarding the software. People are more real on their own blogs! This is my source of information.”
Are you listening, software vendors?
Hopefully, software vendors out there are paying attention and realizing that users are the ultimate authority in determining a solution’s value — not marketing departments or sales teams. And that reality is even more pronounced when the solution is designed for IT pros. After all, inexperienced end users can sometimes have a tough time distinguishing between an amazing software product and an awful product. But IT pros are an entirely different breed! They can tell within SECONDS whether something is worth their time. That’s why here at Devolutions, where we exist to serve IT pros, we always listen to our community. If we stop listening to you, we stop existing. It’s as simple as that.
And the winner is…
This month’s randomly-selected winners of a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate are Anjani Kumar and “Wannabegates”! Thank you both for participating. Please email me at jdupont@devolutions.net to claim your prize.
And thank you to everyone who participated. Please stay tuned for the September poll, which will be posted very shortly! It’s an interesting question that we think you’ll really enjoy.