Critically thinking about The Google Chrome OS Pilot Program: What could have been better?

Disclaimer:  The following commentary is simply my thoughts and opinions on how the CR-48s were distributed for the pilot program.  Even though I am going to be criticizing Google in this blog entry I firmly believe in the company.   I also recognize that the company is made of human beings and mistakes are known to be made.  I still love Google with all my heart!! 


First of all the basic premise of the pilot program is very sound. 60,000 free laptops with a beta OS on them for testing to  get all the bugs smoothed out by the end user is a great idea and I applaud Google for that.  However, there were several glaring holes in the application process which I believe might hurt Google in the end.

1. One test laptop per household-  In the beginning there was word of two or three people in the same house each individually receiving a laptop.  Since the laptop is made so that multiple people can use it they could haver fond a way to share.  This would have opened up more laptops to a more diverse group of testers.  The shared laptop would still get the feedback even if they had their own. However, even more people could test the laptop this way.
2. One application per person-  Do not get me wrong I understand why people were repeatedly applying.  I applied more than once myself.  However, there obviously were no checks in place to make sure that  the same individual was getting more than one.  Again that  brings us back to number 1.  Google should have put the info filled out on the applications into a  database.  Much like when you sign up for a new GMail account and your username is checked to prevent duplicates; the address, email, and phone number fields could have been checked along with the ip address to see if this person had applied before.  If any of those fields came back as a duplicate then when they submitted their application there simply would be a message stating "You or someone you live with has already applied to the program please give others a chance to join the program!"  This would not deter everyone from reapplying.  I suspect it would have reduced the amount considerably.
3. Date of Birth-  Clearly stated on the terms of service and on the rules for applying was that you had to be 18 years or older.  There were several cases that I know of for sure of people who managed to slip through the cracks and get one or more anyway  even though they were younger than 18.  There was no place on the application for Date of Birth.  That should have been added.  Yes some would have lied but enough honest people would have eliminated themselves to make up for that.
4. Better Communication-  There is a lot of speculation as to why Google never contacted anyone when they were accepted into the program but that could have been easily eliminated by using the system I described in 2.  Basically if certain people were chosen then  you mark them as chosen and then you send them an email automated of course just saying that they have been accepted and to expect to see a package in the coming weeks.  They do not have to tell them when they will get it.   It still would be a surprise and create lots of anticipation.  Now if selection was as random as it is now even with this system people would still not know when they would get the acceptance letter.  Plus Google still could have surprised the first set with out the acceptance letter.  In the same token if they still wanted to surprise people they could have also did rejection letters.  If someone's application was not acceptable then they should send a automated email saying that their application could not be accepted at this time but they were welcome to try again.  Then the application would be removed from the database so they could reapply.  I also believe Google should have had a automated email go to the person's inbox to acknowledge they  received the application to join the Pilot program much like when you apply for a job online.  These are the little touches that make your company look great!

In some ways Google really dropped the ball when it came to efficiency, organization and communication but I applaud them for their amazing ability to create a bunch of amazing  marketing for themselves without paying marketing costs.  

To those who got into the Pilot program Congrats to you and enjoy your Beta laptop!

To those like me who were not so lucky:  I know many of you are very disappointed and at times I am too but remember this we were never promised a free laptop we were just dreaming of one like everyone else.  I firmly believe there is a reason for everything.  This is a door that has closed for many of us but I think there is another one opening that will  bring cooler and more amazing things.  

Note:  Even though the application is closed now I suspect a few more might go out in the coming weeks but will not know for sure until  this coming week.  I will be watching on http://www.itweet.net the #cr48 and #cr-48 hash tags very carefully.  So for another week or so I still will hold a very tiny and remote hope that I might get one still.