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When Fly Buys first came out, I had a discussion with a friend of mine as to whether they were worthwhile or not. Her argument was that it was an attempt to change people's shopping habits and my argument was that I got something for free, for doing what I always did. My shopping habits haven't changed and my Fly Buys main source is the same supermarket I have always shopped at (the one closest to my house)...not some shop I've driven across town to especially get points.

Fly Buys have been good to me over the years.....until tonight. Tonight I received an email inviting me to complete an online survey and get a massive 5 Fly Buy points free. But what surprised me was that the survey, being run by ACNielsen, told me I needed a PC to participate. We therefore welcome ACNielsen to the Mac Friendly Hall of Shame.

When the email arrived, I clicked the link to get started. My web browser (Safari) launched and the "Next" button on the page took me to a page where I was greeted with the following...

Thank you for your willingness to take part in this survey but unfortunately your computer may not show the images within the survey correctly. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and hope you will be able to participate in the future.

As system requirements have not been met the survey has automatically closed.

The following are the system requirements that allow this survey to run correctly, if you would like to adjust your setting or install the appropriate programs you are most welcome to try again. This will direct you to the start of the survey again.

Required software and progams
PC
JavaScript enabled
Macromedia Flash
Internet Explorer 5.0 with Windows 98 or above

There's so much about the above statement that staggers me. My browser/computer might have problems viewing images...did I read that right? Images that you say on a PC only require JavaScript, Flash and an operating system of Windows 98 or above?! Seriously...do you think my Mac can't handle that?

Now let's go back to that email I received. It stated...

ACNielsen, one of New Zealand's best known market research companies, is Fly Buys' agent in respect to this research, which is being conducted for Fly Buys and New World

Hmm...well did ACNielsen make it clear to you Fly Buys and New World that some of your intended audience (i.e., your customers) will be unable to complete the survey even if they want to? Simply on the basis of what type of computer they use? I'm hoping the answer is yes....or maybe no.

• Yes....because ACNielsen are "adherents to the ICC/ESOMAR International Code of Marketing and Social Research Practice (www.esomar.org)" and having a quick read of that code, I would suggest that they would have had to inform their clients (Fly Buys and New World) as to the limitations of their survey tool
• No...because if they did inform Fly Buys and New World that Mac users wouldn't be able to participate....well, then perhaps ACNielsen should be joined in the Hall of Shame by Fly Buys and New World as well!!??

Now, I'm no statistician...and I'm sure statisticians could have an argument all day over whether excluding Mac users from a survey will therefore provide a survey that fails to have true client representation....but this is ACNielsen! The ACNielsen! Experts in surveys and the like...and their system (and let's make it clear...the survey is organised by their NZ branch but the website I was directed to was international) excludes Mac users!!!!??

ACNielsen comments about their services (found on this page)....

Nielsen/NetRatings provides the industry’s global standard for Internet and digital media measurement and analysis, offering technology-driven Internet information solutions for media, advertising, ecommerce and financial companies which enable customers to make informed decisions regarding their Internet strategies.

Well..if their global standard for getting feedback requires a PC, IE 5.0+ and Windows 98 and above...I think they can keep their survey...and their meager 5 Fly Buy points!