Govt Says: Internet Is Popular

michaeld writes "The U.S. Dept of Commerce reports that more than half of the nation is now online. In September 2001, 143 million Americans (54% of population) were using the Internet -- an increase of 26 million in thirteen months. 2 million more go online each month. Between August 2000 and September 2001, residential use of high-speed, broadband service doubled--from about 4 to 11 percent of all individuals, and from 11 to 20 percent of Internet users. ZDNet has commentary as does Reuters, while the government has the Full report."

Comments

50%+, soon to be 100%

[Ubergrendle]

Conclusive proof that the internet is becoming all pervasive. It would also be nice, now, if the government could help facilitate future growth via funded expansion of shared infrastructure. Broadband access is apparently become less readily available and more costly, right at a time when demand for access is increasing. Just as there is a federal highway system, it would be nice to see a federally funded mega-sized inter-state backbone that would ensure bandwidth needs are met in future. The auto industry was the bellweather of the american economy for 50-75 years, but that industry was not responsible for funding the deployment of roads and highways. Similarly, software companies and internet services would greatly benefit from a shared, open infrastructure that ensures all Americans have access. Of course, I'm a Canadian so what do I know? ;)

Re:Taking it to the next level...

[Sodium Attack]

In addition, 46% of Americans do not yet have access to the internet.

No, 46% of Americans do not use the internet. The report is about usage, not access.

1. Making internet access available to those in the remaining 46% who cannot afford but wish to have access.

I'd wager that a large portion of the 46% do have access to the internet, if they want it--many public libraries now offer free internet access for their patrons. For those who don't currently have access even at their local public libraries, the public library is an ideal place to get them access.

Perhaps a large campaign to recycle used computers and 56k modems and then donate them along with free monthly access to poor people would be a good start.

Donating them to public libraries which currently don't offer internet access would probably be a more efficient use.

Re:Taking it to the next level...

[Tenebrious1]

. In addition, 46% of Americans do not yet have access to the internet. While with most forms of technology, not everyone wants to get online, I'd wager that a fair portion of that 46% would like to learn how.

Look at the report before making comments. On Page 89 of the report, of those who do not have internet at home, 53% of those them "Don't Want It". 25% claimed "Too Expensive". Which comes down to about 12.5% of the US cannot afford the internet in their homes- 25% do not want it. That's a surprise to me.

Do not use Microsoft .doc and .xls formats as the basis for document interchange

Like it or not, they are the defacto standards for files. Forcing the masses to change is not going to happen. If you can't open .DOC and .XLS, .PDF, then you're in a pretty distinct minority, one that's vocal but seen as a bunch of raving fanatics by the general public.

Another point. Maybe you haven't looked at a default Windows installation, but users don't see file extensions. They only see "My Filename", not "My Filename.DOC". Telling them not to use .DOC files is futile because THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A .DOC FILE IS. Trying to get people to do a "Save As" and selecting "Rich Text Format" is so foreign to most Windows users it's never going to happen.

Yes, push open source where we have openings. But don't beat your head against the wall concerning .DOC and .PDF files. Just accept that battle as lost and put your energies to fight on a different front.