We, the lofty elite, are certain those who are offline are that way because of financial and educational drought. Is it impossible for people to scan the horizon and decide they can live without The Great Distraction?

I must have overlooked the bones of The Great Unwashed drying in the desert sun, staggered across the dunes, lying in testament to their tireless search for the Internet Oasis.

How arrogant.

Posted by: Snollygoster on September 28, 2003 12:04 PM

---

 

Have to agree. I've often wondered at the magical thinking some of those in the ivory tower apply to computers and the internet. (of course always with caps: Internet, Web, etc). I often wonder if they aren't on the wrong side of the divide.

If there is a divide, perhaps we should look into the one where people form a simple-minded dichotomy to explain the complex problems of the world, those who don't, and those who can count to three or higher.

Posted by: on September 28, 2003 03:58 PM

---

 

Wanted to get a feel of digital divde? Just try browsing a web site by operating the mouse using your left hand (if you are not lefty :-))or try a web site using only your keyboard. But that is only the tip of one of the biggest digital issues which we are about to face in comming years, atleast in the developing countries.

Posted by: Shaji Mathew on September 29, 2003 02:57 AM

---

 

Oh, OK, alrighty then. Let's teach these right-handed podunks to use the mouse with the correct hand, and for those without keyboards, let's get 'em keyboards. Why'd you all make a big deal out of such a simple issue?

Posted by: Snollygoster on September 29, 2003 11:28 AM

---

 

I agree with the first two posts above. The idea that somehow the usage of the Internet is making our life better may be nothing more than a fiction. I've got 4 siblings, only one of whom ever uses the Internet. They don't seem bothered and the joy in their lives seems no less?

Does the fact that I get better deals when buying books or CDs somehow cause them pain? Doesn't seem so. They seem to be getting along fine.

This whole idea that somehow we have to hook every school in the US up to the Internet seems as nothing more than some technology scam to increase investment in high tech companies.

My kids in elementary school are learning just fine using paper and pencil. The technology doesn't get in their way...

Posted by: Nevermind on September 29, 2003 01:23 PM

---

 

Trouble is *every* technology has been -- in its time -- that one which will revolutionize schooling. From the phonograph to television, each was going to do some pretty wonderous things.

Didn't happen.

Quite a tribute to the short collective attention span. Not so good for the knowledge work crowd.

Posted by: on September 29, 2003 02:53 PM

---

 

> I get better deals when buying books or CDs

Surely you are feeding us a facetious observation. I routinely beat web deals at physical stores. Suckers pay MSRP at mega malls. Plus, I'm not responsbile for dumping tons of extra, individualized shipping/packing material in our landfills every year. And I have the convenience of discovering precious items I would never find browsing a web site. My God, I don't have time to browse endless linked categories hoping by chance I see something interesting. But when walking through a bookstore, or wherever, I see all sorts of products that catch my interest. The web is too confined as a shopping medium.

For the major much-anticipated releases, like Harry Potter books and LOTR DVDs, I buy from Costco. Costco beats web prices and I can have the product in my hands long, long before UPS arrives. (Costco.com on the other hand is a nightmare. One interaction was enough for a lifetime.)

The only purchases I make online are for software and products not sold in local stores -- and only when I have a specific product in mind. For those rare occassions, offliners could use a public terminal to place an order, or simply find an appropriate store and ask for a special order.

Posted by: Snollygoster on September 29, 2003 07:40 PM

---

 

Snollygoster, perhaps you are right and I in my innocent niavete have assumed that I am getting the 'best of all possible deals' on the Internet. Fool that I am!

I too browse book stores occasionally, but don't often have the time, whereas I do have the time from my terminal (or should I say, my employer's terminal - shhhhh), or at home after hours (after the kids have gone to bed and after I've read Captain Underpants to my 7 year old for the 15th time).

However, a comparison of the items I've bought online recently with my casual observations at the book stores I usually go to satisfy me that I'm getting a pretty good deal online. And I do find the 'also read' items, at places like amazon, etc., to be interesting and useful at times.

Posted by: Nevermind on September 30, 2003 09:09 AM

---

 

Let's see....

Choice A. Get outside in the fresh air, walk or ride or drive to a book store with a friend or family, walk the isles, seeing all manner of wonderment, browsing books, deciding whether a book is worth my money before I buy it, maybe even having a fruit smoothy at the in-store cafe.

Choice B. Hardening my arteries and raising my blood pressure as I sit even longer in front of a computer screen, furthering my social introversion by interacting with a machine, and hastening my demise as I purchase products sight-unseen.

Yep, no question, I choose quick death.

Posted by: Snollygoster on September 30, 2003 11:29 AM

---

 

The internet is marvellous for some things and not so good for other things, as was promised during the internet boom. Certain things just dont work on the internet and people contact is an absolute necessity.

There are certain scenarios where going to or using the physical thing is better than the online experience no doubt. Examples of things I really enjoy about the internet include -Google, Google News, email, watching & listening to Australian rules football, basic banking, Instant Messaging with loved ones, listening to music from all over the world and of course Webword ;)

The next best thing to watch out for is voice/video over internet; when this becomes more integrated into desktop experience, we can probably expect major use. Some of these things were just not possible without the internet, but it doesnt necessarily mean we have to be rocket scientists to use or have access to these services.

Some of these 'killer apps' have a lot to do with social interaction, but not necessarily in the face to face stuff. But this will come ... and of couse a lot of this is to do with understanding the need for the service in the first place and yes designing/evaluating with your users. Thats why we are all here ;) I am a firm believer that the services that have flown well on the internet are the ones that have really thought about the people/user/customer experience.

Posted by: Daniel Szuc on September 30, 2003 08:40 PM

---