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The NVIDIA Software Improvement Program

Overview

The NVIDIA Software Improvement Program (SIP) is an opt-in program aimed at helping us improve the software we build for you.  Understanding how you use the software – which features you use most, and what the most common usage patterns are - will help us make several key improvements:
 

1. Simplify common usage patterns. If a particular sequence of operations is frequently used, we can make it a single button or key press.
2. Extend popular features. A feature that is widely used will naturally inspire extensions.
3. Highlight underutilized powerful features. If a powerful new feature exists that is not being utilized, we can make it more accessible by emphasizing it in documentation and in the user interface.
4. Remove unwanted features. Sometimes, we have a feeling that a particular feature is not particularly useful. The SIP allows us to confirm this, and either remove the feature or build something better in its place.

Instant Feedback

In addition, the SIP offers a simple but powerful Instant Feedback mechanism, where you can send feedback directly to NVIDIA with a single keystroke.  This allows you to communicate with us at the very moment you have an idea or experience a problem – instead of having to wait until later, when the urgency and context is lost.  You have the option of making the communication identifiable, if you’d like us to follow up with you subsequently. Any personally identifiable information that you provide will only be used in a manner consistent with the NVIDIA Privacy Policy (http://www.nvidia.com/object/privacy_policy.html)

Privacy Information

The SIP does not track any personally identifiable data, nor does it transfer any information about specific data that our software is working with, such as shaders, textures, scripts, geometry, or other applications.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does NVIDIA guarantee my privacy?

We are legally bound to abide by the terms that you agree to when opting in to the SIP.  One of those terms specifically states that we will not record any user-identifiable data.

What data does the SIP send to NVIDIA?

The SIP sends commands and time stamps, but never any data that is being operated upon.  For example, it might note a “drag-and-drop from Shader Library onto scene” in FX Composer.  But it would never note data about the particular shader, nor the objects in the scene.  Please see below for a complete example of what SIP sends to NVIDIA.

What is the performance impact of opting in?

The SIP’s performance impact is negligible.  Data is only recorded for major events (such as mode changes) – and in each case, the event itself will take far longer than the recording of the data.  Also, data is only communicated upon application exit, so no time is lost to network traffic or communication while you’re using an application.

If SIP is not enabled, does the product lose functionality?

The only function that is not available is Instant Feedback, which is actually part of the SIP itself.  No core product functionality is lost.

Why can’t I send Instant Feedback if I don’t opt-in to the SIP?

Instant Feedback is a very powerful and convenient way of communicating directly with us. Both SIP and the Instant Feedback feature use the same base communication mechanism to send us information. Therefore, you must participate in the program to have access to this feature.

Can I see an example of what SIP sends back to NVIDIA?

Absolutely.  Here’s a sample log file for a run of FX Composer.  Please note that there are no references to user data, nor to any form of user ID.  

NVIDIA User Experience Log
The following information will be used to help NVIDIA provide better free tools for the graphics development community.
 
Application: FXComposer2
Start time: Thu Dec 06 14:56:28 2007
 
Class: Shader Library
Event: Drag and Drop
Time: Thu Dec 06 14:56:28 2007
Class: Shader Library
Event: Drag and Drop
Extra: SceneForm
Extra: 15
Time: Thu Dec 06 14:56:28 2007
Class: Shader Library
Event: Drag and Drop
Extra: SceneForm
Time: Thu Dec 06 14:56:28 2007
Attribute
          Class: Shader Library
          Event: Drag and Drop
          FileType: CgFX
Class: Asset Panel
Event: EffectWizard
Time: Thu Dec 06 14:56:28 2007
Attribute
          Class: Shader Library
          Event: Drag and Drop
          FileSize: 15632
Class: Asset Panel
Event: EffectWizard
Extra: HLSL
Time: Thu Dec 06 14:56:28 2007
Attribute
          Class: Asset Panel
          Event: EffectWizard
          FileType: HLSL
 
Total Session Duration: 192 sec.