[tobiasSoftware]

Exactly. I'm starting a company soon, half of the software I plan to sell is software my mom asked for. I know the software I build is good because my mom likes it. However, the way my mom likes my software is she uses it to fix the problems she used to complain about. And if she sees something I need to add, she tells me.

I know what she thinks about the software is skewed because it was built by her son, but I also know she used to say, "I wish I could do this" and now she says "Hey I used your program again today, I'm so glad I don't have this problem anymore." The article is right that you can't use your mom for your typical survey, but she can have a more valuable place as a beta tester, someone you can actually watch use your program.

On the other hand the article does have a valid point. "My family says they like it" is not a confirmation your software is good. It reminds me of when I watched American Idol and the horrible singers would say "Well my family says I sing well."

[lorangb]

very good point on using your mom as a beta tester. if it's easy enough that your mom can use it, you've done your job.