“What demographic data about you should I be trying to gather?”

Is Gullibility a demographic?

If not...

How about, "Have you purchased books or other merchandise from webcomics in the past?"

You could be checking on our willingness to pay extra for the book to be signed.

Not to be picky, but if you really need demographic information you could probably just put a poll on here and get tons of answers. But maybe your question doesn't really fit that format. Either way here's the people who read your comic:

50% people who want to laugh
50% know-it-all's that leave annoying comments

Today, I'm probably a little from column A and a little from column B. Sorry.

it doesnt matter, anyone that reads your comic is of the geek/nerd/fanboy demo, which isnt a real one that the census cares about

You should gather when we started reading. That way, we that have been following you a long time could say, "We knew you before all these other readers showed up."

In case I win the book, I'll be glad to also provide my home address as demographic data as well.

What are demographics and why should your mostly less educated male audience care? I like sparkly bright graphics, like on Tron, the original one not the sellout sequel which has NO TRON in it to speak of. Still bitter. O also i am bitter over Jurassic Park (any past the first) which had good graphics too. I like to ask my wife why they went back to the island in 2. Answer: for my $8.50. And for 3? Answer: for my $9.50. And for the upcoming 4**IN 3-D**? Answer: U AREN'T GETTING MY $14.00, see I learn eventually. Anyhow nice one today keep em coming.

Geographical location.

The Geneva Convention stipulates you can only ask for name, rank, and serial number.

But I'll volunteer shoe size (11.5 US), Hank (Hill, slightly ahead of Aaron), and cereal preference (Lucky Charms).

My shoe size is 10 and 1/2. I'm sure that will help you somehow.

You could count the number of MoonMen checking in on a daily basis.

Not in the 1%.

Favorite Food: M&Ms

Maybe how many of us are TMBG fans? Ah! You could gather what everyone's favorite TMBG song is, along with favorite episode of various sci-fi series you like. It wouldn't be amazingly helpful information, but it would be great for "See, I'm not the only one who likes this stuff" proof when people hassle you about liking obscure things.

Bowel Movements per day?

One of the previous posters suggesting asking for political affiliation and religious beliefs to liven things up. OK

I am a political atheist. Not that I am political about being atheist, but that I don't believe that politics exist in reality, or at least has not been shown to exist by meaningful data.

Show me one of those 'candidates'! Produce one in person! I bet you can't, so why should I believe they exist? All those pictures on the internet - just Photoshop. I can tell by the pixels.

Demographic: # of sexual partners

I think you should be asking me what is my favorite nut.

Or perhaps that should be who...

Well anyway; I guess "furthermore" is a word that a know-it-all wouldn't start a rhetorical question with...

Long time reader, first time commentator. I will hang up and listen to your answer on the radio. And furthermore . . . I guess that is all I have.

You could ask what mental quirks we all have such that we enjoy your humor so much?

P.S. More rick-bashing, please.

You could try to discover how many long-term lurkers post a first-time comment on the off chance of getting some sweet free stuff.... But I'm sure no one would do that.

Furthermore, in addition to education levels unlocked, you could ask for details about what one majored in in college.

I guess "Computer science/ application programming" folks might have a higher income than "19th century French poetry."

You should inquire to the amount of Semprini someone has.

demographic smemographic. knowing that we like free stuff should be enough. lol. you could probably offer a jar of toenail clippings and you'd still have a rather large group trying to win them.

Well, you could be looking in to whether males over 35 like your comic (I'm thinking about getting a book for my Dad for his birthday, possibly for Father's Day).

You should ask us why we read the comic. I do it for the laughs.

“What demographic data about you should I be trying to gather?”

Is your name Rick:

[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Unsure

Before actually gathering demographic information, it might be useful to ask your readers how many of them are willing to answer questions that you ask them.

Captain Crunch cereal hurts my mouth, you?

Demographics you should be collecting:
Where people live
how much their yearly income is (roughly)
when they expect to be on vacation
how much their burglar alarm costs

Shachar

Made me laugh out loud @ work, thanks!

You should gather IP addresses to map visitors of your comic.

Graph people's favourite colours.

What kind of "pants" readers prefer wearing. Using a definition of "pants" that includes any garment worn on the lower half of the body in order to not discriminate against skirts, kilts, pizza boxes or other alternative pantsing lifestyles.

You should ask about education/career. Then you can try to tailor the jokes to the majority.

Random demographic data: 19

Collect our IP addresses. Then use a geoip tool to know where we all come from. Then you can find the greatest concentration of Basic Instructions readers and you'll know where to . . . um . . . hold a book signing or something that isn't dropping a bomb on the city . . .

Percentage of readers who identify with the Masking Tape Mummy versus percentage of readers who identify with Duct Tape Dracula

Can I change my mind? The real most important demographic information is: Are you wearing clean underwear in case you get hit by a bus and knocked unconscious and they have to take you to the emergency room and cut your clothing off and you'd be embarrassed if you were wearing yesterday's underwear wouldn't you?
1) don't know.
2) No
3) yes
4) I have to look and see
5) want to look and see?
6) none of the above
7) all of the above but no Thorazine

I suppose the demographic info should cover the basics: Age, Gender, Marital Status, and Preferred Cheese Method: Spread, Squeeze-can, or Sliced.