From the Editor's Desk
Since the introduction of a reader "bulletin board" in May, 2002, the number of people visiting The First Shot has increased dramatically. In fact, in March, the odcmp.org site received 85,660 hits-a rate of over 2,700 hits per day. As a means of determining just who all these people are (and what they are looking for when they come to our site), we ran an on-line survey in the February-March issue.

508 readers responded to the survey. Their answers provided some important insights into how both the CMP main web site (odcmp.com) and on-line magazine/bulletin board (odcmp.org) have developed over time as communication tools.

Some background on the people who completed the survey:

79% are members of CMP-affiliated clubs

Although over 20% said they are retired, the occupations of readers covered an impressive range, from attorneys to truck drivers. They also visited from all points from across the United States

Over half (54%) are between the ages of 40 and 59. Over 30% are age 60 or older, including one respondent who simply listed himself as "old."

During the past month, 45% visited the bulletin board only once or twice. 25% visited the bulletin board five or more times. 9 respondents answered that they visited the site at least once a day.

86 of 508 respondents marked that they were not presently members of a CMP-affiliated club, and many of these non-members volunteered their e-mail addresses and state of residence. Of these 86 respondents, 73 (85%) were interested in purchasing historical firearms, 67 (78%) in having a reliable source for replacement parts and equipment, 49 (57%) in attending Small Arms Firing Schools and other instructional/firearm safety programs, and (52%) in competing in regional marksmanship events.

Only 131 of the 508 respondents (26%) marked that they are interested in junior marksmanship programs. The percentage interested in junior marksmanship programs goes up among respondents who have children (75 of 201, or 37%).

One of the things the bulletin board isn't apparently used for is contact with friends-of the 508 readers who completed the on-line survey, only 15 (3%) use it to make or keep "contact with friends." Based on survey results, readers have far more practical reasons for their usage-69% use the bulletin board as a source of "information on availability of collectible firearms," and 68% see it as a source of "maintenance and repair tips."

Mike Wallace is President of Spectrum Research & Consulting, and holds a PhD in Mass Communications from Florida State University. Dr. Wallace serves as editor of The First Shot. He can be reached at spectrumresearch@earthlink.net.