Computer and Web Articles

Pew/Internet (http://www.pewinternet.com) is a terrific resource where one can keep track of technology and internet use. Let’s take a look at some of the recent statistics offered there for 2006:

• 54 percent of American adults state that the internet played a major role as they helped another person cope with a major illness.
• 44 percent of cell phone owners say they fill in free time when traveling or waiting for someone by making phone calls.
• 43 percent of U.S. internet users (63 million people) are banking online
• 42 percent of internet users now have broadband connections in their homes (compared with just 29 percent in January 2005).
• 27 percent of Americans (about 36 million people) say they download either music or video files from the internet.
• 23 percent of American adults state that the internet played a major role when they bought a car.
• 14 percent of American adults state that the internet played a major role as they switched jobs.
• 9 percent of online Americans made donations on the internet to Katrina relief efforts.
• On a typical day, roughly 40 million Americans browse the web for fun or to pass time.