Confidential Weather-Grower Survey (October 2003)

Dear 'Weather Grower,'

Please take a few moments to fill out this brief survey. Your comments are particularly useful. There is an option to include your name at the end, otherwise the survery is confidential.

Thank you very much for your cooperation. Any questions? clements@umext.umass.edu

1.) How easy (or difficult) was the weather station hardware to use?

It was easy to use

Intermediate (had a few problems)

Difficult (had major problems/issues keeping the unit running)

Comments:

2.) Did you have trouble downloading data (interfacing with your computer)?

No, it was easy

Intermediate (had a few problems)

Difficult (had major problems/frustrations downloading the data, including losing data)

Comments:

3.) Concerning the computer software in general, was that easy to use?

Easy

Intermediate (had a few problems understanding what was going on)

Difficult (had major problems/issues with the software, including losing data)

Comments:

4.) Uploading data to the website?

It was easy to do.

I had occassional problems, and it was somewhat inconvenient.

Difficult. (Had major problems/issues uploading data or was not able to do it)

Comments:

5.) Do you know of any other growers in your area that looked at your model data on the web site?

Yes .

No .

Comments:

6.) The apple scab model -- did it aid you in deciding when to spray for scab.

Yes, I used it to help make spray decisions and it either saved me unnecessary sprays or helped me from getting a scab infection..

I looked at it, and it may have helped confirm the need (or not need) to spray.

I really did not use it to make spray/no spray decisions.

Comments:

7.) Did you have an UNACCEPTABLE amount of scab in your orchard this year?

Yes .

No.

Comments:

8. ) Concerning SkyBit, did you find it useful?

Yes, it was very useful in helping me schedule orchard activities.

Intermediate -- I skimmed it daily.

No, it was information overload.

Comments:

9.) Given the choice between SkyBit or the Spectrum weather station/software models, which would you prefer to have? (Assuming the same cost or no cost)

Spectrum weather station.

SkyBit.

Comments:

10. Would you recommend the Spectrum weather station and/or Skybit to other apple growers?

Spectrum weather station only.

SkyBit only.

Spectrum weather station and SkyBit.

Neither.

Comments:

11.) Would you be interested in cooperating in a similar project next year, particularly uploading model data to the Mass Fruit Growers' web site?

Yes.

No .

Maybe.

Comments:

12. Name: (optional)

13. Final comments:

Thank you!