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Internet Use Grows to 69 Percent of US Adults

NickABusey writes "According to Harris Interactive, more than two-thirds, or 69 percent of American adults were internet users last year. This is up from only 56 percent in 1999 and a measley 9 percent in 1995. Perhaps more noteworthy is the increase in users with high-speed Internet connections. In 2001 is was 22 percent, now it is up to 37 percent."

17 of 245 comments (clear)

  1. Well Yeah... by BigDork1001 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Perhaps more noteworthy is the increase in users with high-speed Internet connections. In 2001 is was 22 percent, now it is up to 37 percent."

    Well yeah, looking at porn sucks with dial up.

    --
    "Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home" - Cicero
  2. Time to apply... by archeopterix · · Score: 4, Funny


    Norvig's Law !!!
    Any technology that surpasses 50% penetration
    will never double again
    (in any number of months).

    1. Re:Time to apply... by larry+bagina · · Score: 2, Funny

      penetration... 69... what kind of site is this?!?!

      --
      Do you even lift?

      These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.

  3. 69%? Someone has to say it by niom · · Score: 3, Funny

    Considering the nature of the most abundant content in the Internet, it's oddly appropriate.

    --
    -- Repeat with me: "There is no right to profits".
  4. Huh? by tuxette · · Score: 2, Funny

    I thought it was adults that pretended to be thirteen year old boys and girls...

    --
    People say I'm crazy, I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes...
  5. Re:Sounds good, right? Here's the problem... by AvantLegion · · Score: 4, Funny
    I can read the NY Times, Slashdot, live Associated Press feeds, and much more. I don't have to rely on biased news sources (FOX, anyone?)

    Right. Because the New York Times, fabricated stories and all, has no bias. *jerk-off motion with hand*

  6. In Other News . . . by Corbie · · Score: 5, Funny

    Percent of useful content on the internet continues to drop.

  7. high speed increases not dialup by bbowers · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yes I agree, and I'll also be one to admit, porn on dialup SUCKS... (not just people in the pictures :P) On a general college network/networks porn is a large issue... I'd say 90% of the bandwidth I use is outgoing on DC++ for people downloading some of my 30 or so gigs of porn. Music is another 5% to 10%... if you want proof have a look here.. http://www.tyrantanic.net/mrtg/aiwa/aiwa.tyrantani c.net_2.html (keep in mind thats a 10mbit connection to the rest of the network, just 100mbit local on the switch)

    Also if you take into account all those popup ads advertising porn, or increasing penis size or what have you, you'd bet that MOST internet traffic is download of some sort, I'd guess porn. However there are plenty of other useful things to waste your bandwidth on.. like uhhmm... ok lets see here. For example when you hmm.. nevermind. I can't think of anything.

    --
    Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day.
  8. Jokes by savagedome · · Score: 3, Funny

    Damn all of you quick fingered bastards typing out those 69 jokes in a jiffy. I thought I might be the first one to notice. Not even close. Damn all of you. No Funny for me. Damn all of you again.

  9. Re:More Statistics by Txiasaeia · · Score: 2, Funny

    # internet users / total country's population = percentage. You're welcome.

    --
    Condemnant quod non intellegunt.
  10. Adults versus Grown-Ups by handy_vandal · · Score: 4, Funny

    According to Harris Interactive, more than two-thirds, or 69 percent of American adults were internet users last year.

    Alas, only 63% of adults were grown-ups last year.

    -kgj

    --
    -kgj
  11. Wooo by Remlik · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yea go USA! My father in law is one of those 69%...just this weekend I spent about two hours removing 12 viruses/trojans and another 6 or so spyware programs from his computer. All gotten from some evil pr0n sites (well he is divorced and single..).

    Last month I installed a firewall and updated his anti-virus. I asked him why he had them both disabled, he said "My favorite web site requires me to have these turned off at all times."

    With my wife (his daughter) in the room I didn't really say anything, but before we left I explained to him in private that his favorite web site has been installing viruses and spyware on his PC...then I gave him a few tips on how to find reputable pr0n.

    I hope next year 99% of all US citizens are online, I'm going to be starting up a zombie network to punish evil terrorists and i'll need the boxen.

    --
    Apple free since 1990!
    1. Re:Wooo by Doctor+Faustus · · Score: 4, Funny

      With my wife (his daughter) in the room I didn't really say anything

      Was that to keep her in the dark about his porn habits, or yours?

  12. Grandma?! by relaying+denied · · Score: 2, Funny

    I must admit, I was in shock the day my 70 something year old grandmother started forwarding me dumb emails. Thanks for giving her my addy Mom! (grumble grumble)

    Not to mention when recently I discovered the guy almost beating me at a railgun level in Quake2 was 61!

    The internet isn't just for us darned bbs'ing kids to idle on irc and download warez anymore... *sigh*

  13. Oh, sweet merciful Lord by devphil · · Score: 2, Funny
    then I gave him a few tips on how to find reputable pr0n.

    I've never been married, but please for the love of God tell me that this is not something I'll ever be expected to explain to a father-in-law.

    It's the birds-and-bees conversation, gone horribly horribly wrong.

    --
    You cannot apply a technological solution to a sociological problem. (Edwards' Law)
  14. The thing they always leave out by slappyjack · · Score: 5, Funny
    of these numbers are the important ones. Of those 69% of adults that use the internet ....
    • < 1% have /. accounts
    • 1.15% have posted stuff on /. as an AC, then never cane back again
    • 4% actually care that Microsoft is dropping support for Win98
    • 15% understand the concept of an Email Client
    • 18% are using a machine 6+ years old, and spend 3 hours a week calling tech support complaining how "their stupid software doesnt work"
    • 29% have seen goatse.cx
    • 37% use high speed connections
    • 43% Call their kids to ask them "Did you get the email I just sent you?"
    • 45% have emailled a newsgroup and yelled at them for using filthy curse words
    • 48% don't understand the difference between "download" and "install"
      • 15% are pretty sure they've "downloaded the internet"
      • 65% Think they need to "install the internet"

    • 50% are afraid to use their credit cards online, but will gladly give it over the phone to someone they've never met
    • 57% Have searched for the Paris Hilton Sex Video
      • 3% Were actually capable of finding it

    • 68% "accidentally" got one of them porn-modem-dailer-trojans "through no fault of their own"
    • 72% have lists of over 100 people to whom they forward jokes to
      • 6% actually strip out all hte greater-than symbols and format the emails nicely
      • 18% send jokes multiple times a day
      • 88% have sent the "god kills kittens" picture
      • 97% do not understand why people are angered by this

    • 85% Think Outlook IS email, and MSIE IS the internet
    • 92% Send 4 Mb images to their friends that are still using modems
    • 95% Still Double-Click submit buttons
    • 98% are complete morons, and will never learn how to use their machines properly.

    Progress, baby!
  15. Re:MOD PARENT UP by proj_2501 · · Score: 2, Funny

    The plural of anecdote is not data.

    You didn't actually read my post, did you?