CHAPTER 7 Going Online: The Net, Information Services, and More
The Telewebber Within the year, the number of telewebbers in the United States is expected to be in excess of 50 million, according to Dataquest. The term telewebber was coined to recognize the growing population that routinely watches TV and surfs the Web at the same time. Half of telewebbers are under 34.
Netizen Profile Until a couple of years ago, most of Internet citizens, netizens, were male. Now that the Internet is part of our mainstream society, there are more women than men online. The fastest-growing segment is women over 55 years old, with almost double the percentage of a year ago. Teenagers are second, with almost an 80 percent increase over last year. As you might expect, the percentage of households having Internet access increases with income level.
Online Auction Controversy One of the many Internet phenomena is the online auction, which is redefining the way people sell and buy things. What is not yet resolved is the responsibility of the Web site administering the auction (for example, eBay). Unfortunately, what is a great convenience to millions of buyers and sellers is also an opportunity for fraud and scam. The online auction sites claim to be just middle people, hooking up the buyer and seller. Sites like eBay invite their patrons to report illicit activities and transactions. People occasionally bid on and pay for non-existent or fake merchandise. There are many scams. For example shill bidders drive up bids artificially. Much of the merchandise might be fake, especially sports memorabilia merchandise. Buyers and sellers, generally, would like online auctioneers to take more responsibility. On the other hand, auctioneers are reluctant to apply brick-and-mortar traditions to the online world.
Online Education Now an Army Enlistment Incentive Here is a marriage of two social dynamics that just might work. The United States Army is having trouble recruiting and retaining personnel. One of the major recruiting hurdles is that young people do not want to delay their education, and continuing education in the military service can be difficult because soldiers move so often. Online education is proving to be a viable distribution system for higher education, and it can be delivered no matter where the soldiers are stationed. The Army is committed to the idea and is providing soldiers with personal computers and tuition assistance. This is one more example of the incredible impact that online education is having on the way we learn.