Interactive

The advent of Web 2.0 – the ability of people to use a range of information and communication technology as a platform to express themselves online and participate in the commons of cyberspace – is often heralded as the next phase of the information society. Yet little is known about which segments of the population are inclined to make robust use of information technology and which aren’t.

With that in mind, the Pew Internet & American Life Project conducted a survey designed to classify Americans into different groups of technology users. We developed our typology along three dimensions of people’s relationship to information and communications technology (ICT)

I love to chat with people about our industry. Over the last few weeks, with all the news surrounding Google/Doubleclick and the rumors swirling about Microsoft/Yahoo, I found many chances to engage in intelligent discussions about the future of the Internet. With all those deep thoughts being exchanged, I felt this week’s column was a chance for a little levity.

Recently I heard that email as an industry is worth $10 billion. Not bad after only 10 years or so, if you buy into that number. As our industry approaches maturity, I believe we are on the verge of a new phase of evolution. Now is the time to get ready for it.

The majority of teens actively manage their online profiles to keep the information they believe is most sensitive away from the unwanted gaze of strangers, parents and other adults. While many teens post their first name and photos on their profiles, they rarely post information on public profiles they believe would help strangers actually locate them such as their full name, home phone number or cell phone number.

While dial-up access to the Internet continues its slow death globally, the number of Internet adults utilizing ‘wired’ broadband connections may also be peaking, according to results released from Ipsos Insight’s annual The Face of the Web study.