"Jim H" wrote in message

ff123 in uk.rec.audio:

On Thu, 24 Jul 2003 19:34:13 +0000 (UTC), Jim H
wrote:

Have you considered that disclosing the encoders uesd may have a
subtle effect on the results? For example, open-source enthusiasts
might ignore vorbish artifacts.

It would be interesting to look at how user prejudices alter
perception of quality. For example, to see if Linux users (who know
the samples' format) vote WMA down.

That's why a blind testing utility is used:

http://ff123.net/abchr/abchr.html

ff123

For win32 users, yes. For users of other operating systems there is no
blind testing, that's why I specified Linux users, who are not tested
blindly but invited to comment on the quality of the files.

Actually there are blind testing programs for Linux and Mac users but they
don't exactly fit in with this particular test. Please see
http://www.pcabx.com/program/index.htm

I'd be nice to look if, say, 50% of blindly tested users preferred wma,
whereas the for non-blind Linux users the positive attitude towards
open standards lowered the perception of wma quality.

The reason why there's a ABC/hr testing utility for Windows is that a
private individual wrote one on his own nickel. I believe that the source
code is readily available. I've heard a rumor that there are Linux users who
are capable of writing programs or at least porting Windows source code to
Linux.