Are You A High Tech "Omnivore"?

Survey Shatters Assumptions On How People Use Technology

(CBS/AP)  John Horrigan, Pew's associate director, said he started the survey believing that the more gadgets people have, the more they are likely to embrace technology and use so-called Web 2.0 applications for generating and sharing content with the world.

"Once we got done, we were surprised to find the tensions within groups of users with information technology," Horrigan said.

Many longtime Internet users (the "lackluster veterans") remain stuck in the decade-old technologies they started with, Horrigan said. That a quarter of high-tech elites fall into this category, he said, shows untapped potential for companies that can design next-generation applications to pique this group's interest.

The "Middle-of-the-Road Tech Users" (weighing in at 20% of adults surveyed) were divided into two, less-satisfied camps:

• "Mobile Centrics," those who primarily use the cell phone for voice, text messaging and even games, and use the Internet less often; and
  
• "Connected But Hassled," those who have used technology but find connectivity intrusive and the amount of information available something of a burden.

Mobile companies, Horrigan said, can target the Mobile Centrics with premium services, especially once faster wireless networks become available.

Then there are the 49% classified as "Few Tech Assets" — people who feel modern gadgets are on the periphery of their daily lives. While some may have some use for it, others simply stick to land lines and TVs.

The Pew study found 15 percent of all Americans have neither a cell phone nor an Internet connection. Another 15 percent use some technology and are satisfied with what it currently does for them, while 11 percent use it intermittently and find connectivity annoying.

Eight percent — mostly women in the early 50s — occasionally use technology and might use more given more experience. They tend to still be on dial-up access and represent potential high-speed customers "with the right constellation of services offered," Horrigan said.

Income does not seem to be a deterministic factor in the levels of technology usage. While people with higher incomes generally have more devices and more opportunity to access the Internet easily, higher income households also make up a sizable share of some categories of mid- and low-tech users.

The telephone study of 4,001 U.S. adults, including 2,822 Internet users, was conducted Feb. 15 to April 6, 2006, and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

[michellem99-2009]

I found this story very interesting. I am an older computer user.I think it is worth it. I have no use for a cell phone. I like DSL also called broadband. We have a land line.I am the only one in the home on the computer so it is on DSL.I can be on line and we can talk on the phone. When my friend goes out, I tell him take your cell so when he is out we can talk on the phone while I am on the web .I keep in touch. His cell has GPS. It gives me peace of mind. I am grateful fot the tools we have to talk today,

[michellem99-2009]

I like the computer. I am just a home user. I don't see myself as high tech.

[michellem99-2009]

I like my computer. I like to read the news,use e mail, use the net, watch DVDs, play the games, and the like.I did not grow up with what the young today has.Years ago it was paper and pen.The young are lucky to have the tools as I call them. It has opened doors today for us visually impaired. I am an older person. My friend uses a cell to talk to me when he is out.I told he I would never use one cos I can't see to use it. I like the fact it has GPS as he is a heart/diabetes patent. So we can stay in touch .

[michellem99-2009]

I love my computer. I am 52. This is true that you children and young adults do know more about using the computer,cell,MP3,and the like than us older folks. In our day we used pen and paper. If the computer and I have a tizzy,I just put it to sleep and take a break. I think the computer is a blessing for us who are Legally blind and phy handicapped. My moom-mate who is 55 his cell p**** him. He hate the computer. I put together a homm computer library for my use.Thanks to my books I knew what I wanted computer to do before we ordered it and paid for it.I am happy. I had to battle with msn to get my e mail legally blind user frierdly. I think it cool that we have the tools today to talk and share. We were kids years ago and talked about today. It turned out differently than we talked about. Good and bad. I hate cassettes so I was happy when CDs came out.

[michellem99-2009]

I love my computer. I am 52. This is true that you children and young adults do know more about using the computer,cell,MP3,and the like than us older folks. In our day we used pen and paper. If the computer and I have a tizzy,I just put it to sleep and take a break. I think the computer is a blessing for us who are Legally blind and phy handicapped. My moom-mate who is 55 his cell p**** him. He hate the computer. I put together a homm computer library for my use.Thanks to my books I knew what I wanted computer to do before we ordered it and paid for it.I am happy. I had to battle with msn to get my e mail legally blind user frierdly. I think it cool that we have the tools today to talk and share. W

[acauble1]

Another survey should be taken:

What is the average blood pressure of the "omnivores" group?

It should be tracked over a period of a decade or more, against those who use technology infrequently.

Those who use technology infrequently aren't getting pissed off about something they purchase that isn't 'compatible' or needs updating/upgrading as soon as they get it home!

I'd be willing to bet that those who use technology infrequently, (only when the absolutely have to), are living longer and more enjoyable lives!

[ibzjem]

We Americans will spare no expense for communication and entertainment. Look at all the services we gladly pay for each month:

Cell Phone,
Land Line,
Internet service,
Cable/satellite TV
Satellite Radio
TiVo
Mobile internet/TV
gaming services/web site service
Netflix
the list goes on and on...

Some of which cost around $100/month. Add them up and see what you spend each year on communication.
Is it all worth it?