to streamline business processes; and (d) files and web sites were indexed. Connectivity needs were mainly: (a) connecting corporate networks to the Internet; (b) connecting individual users at remote locations to corporate networks; and (c) connecting offices at remote locations to corporate networks. Most of the network services and applications investigated were included in respondents’ information systems. ResultsRespondent CharacteristicsRespondents were solicited in two stages. During the first week of the three-week study period, notices of the study and its URL were posted on appropriate electronic, professional bulletin boards. Approximately 150 computer professionals completed the survey during the first week. During the second week of the study period, emails were sent to more than 20,000 addresses from a computer professional database maintained by Microsoft. Approximately 2,700 computer professionals responded to the survey during the second and third weeks. The final sample included 2,829 protocols .Because of the mobility of computer professionals and fluidity of email addresses, a precise assessment of the response rate for the survey cannot be made. As is revealed below, the size and diversity of respondents to this survey make it one of the most comprehensive examinations of the work characteristics of computer professionals ever reported.Completed surveys were received from 2,829 computer professionals. Respondents had been computer professionals for a median of 5 to 7 years; 67% were MCSEs and half of these were MCSE+Is. Forty-four percent of respondents worked for Microsoft Solution Providers and 54% worked most of the time in the United States. Respondents from outside the United States (46%) came from 85 countries around the world. Figure 2 presents the work location of all respondents.Computing Environment Answers to computing environment questions showed that respondents’ primary computing environm...
