Who is Using What on the Internet? Helps Explain why ACDA continues to Work and Develop along Dual Lines

Comments

1. James D. Feiszli says

   August 23, 2011 at 4:20 pm

   Charles,

    

   The data that Tim provides is not his.  It is backed up by methodology (Pew Internet tells you how they gathered data).  http://pewinternet.org/

    

   I am not dismissing your opinion, but, it is simply that.  Your statements are based on anecdotal evidence.  Anecdotal evidence is often the beginning for research; but until you have actual facts, gleaned via surveys or other methods, it continues to be opinions.  The Pew Charitable Trusts are one of the few truly non-biased public interest groups left to us – devoid of the political leanings of many so-called non-profits.  I hate to look like a company guy (built ChoralNet from outside the privileged circle), but in this case, Tim's case is a lot stronger.

    

    

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2. Charles Chapman says

   August 23, 2011 at 7:33 am

   Like most surveys, this result may be correct, but may just reflect the biases of the persons doing the survey.  As a long-time editor and web site manager, I’ve found that there is NOT a symmetrical age correlation in internet use, nor the nature of the use of the internet. We live in a society in which we are overwhelmed with information. Professional societies, at least for the near future, must use EVERY channel of communication, rather than simply rely on the least expensive. 

    

   Concerning information about professional societies, most people presently use the internet only to obtain professional information which they MUST have for their own personal needs, such as applications and rules for honor choirs. They will casually read what is mailed to them, are attracted by color, but will not open electronic messages that do not seem to be of immediate interest. Advertisers should know this.  I question the validity of this Pew survey. I also question the move to electronic-only communication. My guess is that a simpler, and more accurate assessment of the situation would be that 50% of our members rely mostly on electronic information, 50% of our members rely on printed informtion, and there is, of course, some who combine the two. While there may be some skewing of these numbers related to age, it is NOTHING like the regular sequence this survey shows. It is MUST more complex that these results imply.

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