Software Developers Prefer to "Keep It Real" in Latest Developer Relations Program Report

Business Wire, March 11, 2008

Virtual 3-D Communities Like Second Life Not a Big Draw -- Yet, Says Evans Data Survey

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- While virtual 3-D worlds where avatars do everything from interact socially to build entire communities is a passion for millions, it may not be the place to create your next developer relations event, according to the just-released Developer Relations Program report from Evans Data Corp. Some software vendors have used environments like Second Life, the popular 3-D digital world, to host developer relations events only to find attendance disappointing. According to the report:

* Only 10 percent of respondents have attended a Second Life developer event.

* A majority - 56 percent - say they have no plans to participate in any virtual developer events in the future.

There are many developers that are interested in the virtual 3-D world, as 34 percent of respondents said they would attend a future Second Life event, just not any time soon.

"Companies should focus on what works in terms of developer relations programs now," said John Andrews, president and CEO of Evans Data Corp. "While it's great to be creative and take advantage of the latest technology, such as 3D environments, the data shows that the market isn't quite there yet for serious training and events."

Other key facts brought out by report included information about paid developer program memberships:

* 47 percent of developers pay their own way

* 40 percent have their fees taken care of by the their employer

* 12 percent share the expense with a company subsidy

Certification - being certified in a specific software language, tool or environment - is also covered. Certification is slightly more important to independent software vendors than to systems integrators or VARs (63 to 58 percent). The breakdown varied among the developer segments (commercial, custom, OEM, etc.) and can be viewed in the report. See a summary of the 2008 Developer Relations Program report at the website, www.evansdata.com.

About Evans Data Corporation

Evans Data Corporation provides regularly updated IT industry market intelligence based on in-depth surveys of the global developer population. Evans' syndicated research includes surveys focused on developers in a wide variety of subjects.

Copyright 2008 Evans Data Corporation. All other company names, products and services mentioned in this document are the trademarks and property of their respective owners.