CHAPTER 14 Computers in Society: Tomorrow
Whatever Can Go Online, Probably Will
There is clearly a trend to encourage people to go online to obtain information (it's much cheaper than having to mail an expensive brochure), to submit information online (electronic filing of federal taxes), or to do transactions online (buying a PC online). It makes good economic sense. Government agencies and companies are beginning to provide incentives for us to do more online. It simply costs less money when activities are moved online and paper, people, and other expenses are minimized. People who file their taxes electronically by personal computer will receive the $10 tax credit. The cost of manually handling a return is much higher than $10. If the IRS does not receive the kind of participation they want, the incentive may be increased. In the case of the IRS, Congress would like 80 percent of all returns to be filed electronically by 2007.
The TV Paradigm Applied to the Internet
Generally, we enjoy a breath of television programming because we accept commercial advertising as part of the deal. Will this approach catch on in the Internet? Already, free Internet access services, such as NetZero are taking market share from fee-based ISPs. The free Internet services, however, have one major difference with the TV model. That is, these free services collect personal data, too, which may be used to help target you as a potential consumer.