56K users don't know what they're missing in terms of media, ie., trailers, indie movies, and of course, pornography :). There's a reason why when people make the swich to high speed, they seldom go back.

Posted by: Francis Wu on April 10, 2003 10:47 AM

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Helped a customer configure Outlook Express to download email from their provider. They use "Netvigator Broadband" (a broadband service provided by PCCW - HK Telecom) and we could not work out why the service kept on disconnecting after downloading the email in Outlook Express.

It turns out there is a setting in Outlook Express forcing a disconnect (which I guess is a hangover from the dial up days when you were charged by the hour).

Wonder how many other software features will change as people move towards broadband and "always on" scenarios.

Posted by: daniel szuc on April 10, 2003 11:09 AM

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It is probably a combination, including a 'resetting of one's internal clock' which gives faster anything an appeal. This would be an interesting topic I've only seen covered once, as everything from telephones (can you imagine waiting for the old rotary dial rotation between dialing numbers?) to orange juice packaging. Speed offers competitive product advantage, but is hard to articulate correctly before you've experienced it.

Posted by: on April 10, 2003 11:09 AM

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Although sometimes a gap in timing is required as part of the user experience. Cannot think of any examples at the moment ... webworders?

Posted by: daniel szuc on April 10, 2003 11:12 AM

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> 56K users don't know what they're missing in terms of media, ie., trailers, indie movies,

Bulky downloads are a compelling reason for a very small percentage of the population. I'm the only one I personally know who views trailers, video clips and plays Flash games. Everyone else is happy trading goofy 9k GIFs via e-mail.

Broadband is still too expensive for the payoff realized by most people.

The only reason I have broadband is because I'm involved with web development. I have a career/business reason for fast loading pages. If I changed careers I very likely would go back to 56k and save $30 a month. I imagine my shopping habits would change too - abandoning the slow-loading e-commerce sites.

Posted by: S. Gonzalez on April 10, 2003 05:30 PM

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I'm on a 2meg line at work, 56k modem at home. I could possibly get broadband but it'd be a hassle for my particular circumstances so I've not bothered so far, and I suppose it does help stop me becoming complacent about download time when developing sites.

Posted by: Matt Round on April 11, 2003 03:45 AM

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If I could get broadband, I probably would, even at the high rates, but I cannot get it through my line at home, and can't mount a satellite because I'm at an apartment. However, I know a lot of people who have 56k because they don't really need more, at least not anything worth $40-$50 more per month. They need that money for lattes!

Posted by: Lydia on April 11, 2003 08:32 PM

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56K users don't know what they're missing in terms of media, ie., trailers, indie movies,

Are you a broadband salesperson? ;)

I have a cable modem, and let's be blunt - online media still sucks. Yeah, I can listen to radio online while I work (really throws off the telemarketers who call and want to know which "local" radio station I listen to..) but c'mon. All told - between finding, downloading and watching video online I'd still rather go rent a VHS movie and watch it on my 10" screen down in the corner of the unfinished basement.

Posted by: on April 12, 2003 08:26 AM

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And besides, broadband has a habit of being narrowband at those crucial moments when you need the speed.

Posted by: Timmy on April 12, 2003 10:21 AM

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I love getting a good deal, and right now dial-up is a great deal. Broadband priced itself right out of the market for me. My strike price is about $35. I would like broadband best for freeing up the phone line, but I think I'll try V.92 for that instead.

Posted by: Ralph on April 15, 2003 07:10 AM

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