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Many Internet Users Happy With Dial-Up

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the keeping-it-screeeech dept.

prostoalex writes "With cable and DSL operators constantly pushing the values of broadband, and with the President of the United States himself announcing broadband access a priority, the New York Times reports (free reg. req.) that some people actually are perfectly satisfied with their 56K connection. In February 2003 Pew Internet conducted a survey, where they found out 60% of dial-up users weren't interested in switching, a year later in 2004 the percentage was roughly the same."

25 of 571 comments (clear)

  1. well. the logic is simple. by JVert · · Score: 5, Funny

    not everyone is interested in making first post.

    1. Re:well. the logic is simple. by spellraiser · · Score: 3, Funny

      In February 2003 Pew Internet conducted a survey, where they found out 60% of dial-up users weren't interested in switching, a year later in 2004 the percentage was roughly the same."

      Hmmm - wonder how a typical response went like ... I'm thinking something among these lines:

      2003:

      Q: Are you interested in switching to broadband?

      A: Broadband? Bah - in my day I used cans and a string to access the local bulletin board, and that was good enough for me! This fancy schmancy broadband is just marketing schmucks trying to peddle something new to the gadget-hungry masses. People just don't appreciate the value of the simpler things, blah blah blah ....

      2004:

      Q: Are you interested in switching to broadband?

      A: Broadband? Bah - in my day I used cans and a string to access the local bulletin board ... etc. etc.

      2005:

      See above.

      Etc.

      --
      I hear there's rumors on the Slashdots
    2. Re:well. the logic is simple. by ryanwright · · Score: 3, Funny

      I envison a new Onion article:

      Area man constantly mentioning he's happy with dial-up.

      NOWHERE, IL: Area resident Jimmy Jacobs does not have broadband, a fact he repeatedly points out to friends, family, and coworkers - as well as to his mailman, neighborhood convenience-store clerks, and the man who cleans the hallways in his apartment building.

      "I, personally, would rather spend my time doing something useful than reading web sites," Jacobs told a random woman Monday. Last week, there was a printout of Ellen Feiss tacked to the bulletin board at his office, and Jimmy announced, "I have no idea who this woman is. Ellen who? Am I supposed to have heard of her? I'm sorry, but I haven't."

      Tony Gerela, who lives in the apartment directly below Jacobs', is well aware of his neighbor's disdain for broadband.

      "About a week after I met him, we were talking, and I made some kind of Red vs. Blue reference," Gerela said. "He asked me what I was talking about, and when I told him it was a movie from the Internet, he just went off, saying how the last time he was on the Internet he sent some text to a friend, and even then he thinks it transmitted too quickly."

      --
      -Ryan, with the unoriginal sig
    3. Re:well. the logic is simple. by JPriest · · Score: 5, Funny
      Actually I think that is closer to:

      I don't want to spend $50 a month just so hackers can set my computer on fire, impregnate my wife, and steal my inner child.

      That and,
      I don't know what I would need the extra speed for, all I use is AIM and email.

      --
      Saying Java is nice because it works on all OS's is like saying that anal sex is nice because it works on all genders.
    4. Re:well. the logic is simple. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      and Slashdot apparently. ;)

    5. Re:well. the logic is simple. by necrognome · · Score: 4, Funny

      I just want your wife. You can keep your inner child.

      --


      Let's get drunk and delete production data!
  2. I understand... by Kenja · · Score: 4, Funny

    There's nothing like the shear deluge of porn available to broadband users to turn one of sex entirely.

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  3. SAVAGES! by gpinzone · · Score: 4, Funny

    I guess they're just not as smart as some of us.

  4. Say whaaaaaaat? by jwriney · · Score: 2, Funny

    In a related survey, 60% of dialup internet users were found to be smoking rocks.

    --riney

  5. Re:In other news.. by RetroGeek · · Score: 5, Funny

    Most people buy Hondas not Ferraries.

    Most people eat hamburger not fillet mignon.

    Most people buy at WalMart not Maceys.

    Most people....

    --

    - - - - - - - - - - -
    I am a programmer. I am paid to produce syntax not grammar. Deal with it.
  6. Dial-uppers don't know what they're missin' by xWeston · · Score: 3, Funny

    A majority of people on Dial Up dont realize how slow it is because they have never had the chance to use broadband on a daily basis. I have known people that were "Completely Satisfied" with their dialup connections, only until they got broadband and couldn't imagine using the internet without it.

    Text only pages, or ones with minimal images, are even much faster on broadband. They are still somewhat bearable with Dial Up, but anything with a decent image takes forever. Not to mention streaming legal videos, playing legal games, and downloading pr0....gressively more material.

  7. Re:silly people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I too am puzzled at these people. What in gods name would you want dialup for?

    These people probably don't even know what broadband is, as people who still use dialup are those who still run Windows 95. Dialup is a pain, broadband with a router (always on) is a dream!

    God I love broadband. I get to pirate poorly ripped music 24/7 (cept when I'm playing games) and watch crappy CAM movies in mono for free.

    w00t!

  8. Kind of like slow soda drinkers by The+I+Shing · · Score: 5, Funny

    Some people will happily drink soda or juice through what is, in fact, a coffee stirrer. Much smaller than a straw, but it acts enough like a straw to make it useful, even though the transfer rate is considerably slower.

    --
    You are in error. No-one is screaming. Thank you for your cooperation.
  9. Re:the good old days by AJWM · · Score: 2, Funny

    i remember in the good old days of the internet, we used 2 cans and some string

    You had string?! We used to dream of string. We had to do wi' avian carriers, and be glad of it.

    --
    -- Alastair
  10. It's quite strange... by fordboy0 · · Score: 5, Funny
    A couple of my friends are dial-up only and quite content. Actually, one of them is a JSP and Oracle guy, who works for the gov't. The really humorous part to me is that he has no knowledge of how computers *work*, but he is one hell of a programmer.

    I also seem to notice that the friends without broadband seem to accomplish more and lead happier lives. Their lawns are not 8" tall all the time, the cars are always clean and they seem to keep a more tidy abode. Coincidence? Hmm...

    Now where did I put that Slack ISO? Ahh, I'll just download it again. While I'm doing that, I might as well go check out Slashdot or Fark. My grass can wait 'til another day. Like I care what the neighbors think...

    Thank God for broadband.

    --
    Ligaguinggligagiggagoogoogwillgo
  11. Re:In other news.. by Adam9 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Most people spell it filet mignon, not fillet mignon.

    Most people spell it Wal-Mart, not Walmart.

    Most people spell it Macy*s, not Maceys.

    No malice intended ;)

  12. Re:Maybe... by 0x0000 · · Score: 4, Funny
    My logic is pretty simple: 1) I have high-speed at work for anything serious. 2) When at home, I really don't want to spend time on the Internet. I get to read, garden a little, talk to my wife, generally behave like a non-geek. 3) When I had high-speed internet, I would always be on. It's addicting.

    You wanker. Get a life ...

    --
    "The Internet is made of cats."
  13. Re:silly people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Smug superior git alert:

    "Yeah I don't feel the need for broadband either. I am happy with my 56k modem line Oh and that little internet connection I have at work that is 100x faster than most peoples DSL lines."

    Course you don't feel the need for broadband at home. If I was telepathic for 8 hours a day I would manage without a voice. I'd make do with post it notes.

  14. Re:In other news.. by nomadic · · Score: 2, Funny

    Most people spell it Macy*s, not Maceys.

    Nah, that's just you and the marketing department of Macy's...

  15. Try broadband? by skitzoid+(moomoo) · · Score: 2, Funny

    For joe blow I honestly doubt broadband will make any difference. After all, their computer's will still be filled with 5 trillion pieces of malware, spyware, trojans using the computer as a bandwidth zombie and so on. For the sake of the Internet thank bloody god we have a few hundred thousand less broadband users.

  16. You missed by donutello · · Score: 4, Funny

    Most people spell it Ferraris, not Ferraries.

    You could have had every line in the parent post but you blew it.

    --
    Mmmm.. Donuts
  17. Re:silly people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    At work: T3, DVD-Burner, USB Flash drive.

    At home: USB port, DVD-reader. 56k modem for emergencies.

     In unemployment line: Priceless.

  18. Real Response by Ieshan · · Score: 3, Funny

    Actually:

    Q: Are you interested in switching to broadband?

    A: Well, I haven't really considered it before. I mean, the costs are high, but it seems to be the rage these days, so I'd really be in-NO CARRIER

  19. Re:$30 a month for what? fast web pages? come on ! by Captain+Splendid · · Score: 2, Funny
    Now that i cant download mp3's, programs, and movies for free, whats the point in paying the $30+ a month?

    Didn't try very hard, did you? :)

    --
    Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
  20. Re:No they don't by maxwell+demon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Inndeed, itz aa seckurriti meashure, sinse sommone mite havve prottected tha corect speling oof ani wordt jou uuse aas theer inntelectual propperti.

    --
    The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.