Comments on: We’re Still Digitally Divided http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2008/05/21/the-digital-divide-is-alive-well/ What's Hot & What's Cooking in Scholarly Publishing - from the Society for Scholarly Publishing Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:43:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Kent Anderson http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2008/05/21/the-digital-divide-is-alive-well/#comment-302 Kent Anderson Thu, 22 May 2008 18:47:05 +0000 http://scholarlykitchen.wordpress.com/?p=102#comment-302 I agree. The fact that the FCC is creating a nationwide text-message alerting system, and that many universities are going to do the same soon (in the wake of the tragic shootings of late) shows that people will at least be receiving text messages. One source states that 84% of the US population has a device capable of texting. That puts the adoption rate above computers. On a socioeconomic level, awareness and affodability of internet cafes and pay-as-you-go services remain divisive. I agree. The fact that the FCC is creating a nationwide text-message alerting system, and that many universities are going to do the same soon (in the wake of the tragic shootings of late) shows that people will at least be receiving text messages. One source states that 84% of the US population has a device capable of texting. That puts the adoption rate above computers.

On a socioeconomic level, awareness and affodability of internet cafes and pay-as-you-go services remain divisive.

]]> By: sittingpugs http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2008/05/21/the-digital-divide-is-alive-well/#comment-301 sittingpugs Thu, 22 May 2008 17:12:53 +0000 http://scholarlykitchen.wordpress.com/?p=102#comment-301 Kent, I'd guess that more Americans have and use cell phones regularly (whether or not they text or take pictures with them) than Americans who have regular (home) computer and internet access. Makell Bird, the catch 22 is certainly there with online job applications. Public libraries, internet cafes, and FedEx-Kinko stores would have to be sufficient until one gets a personal computer. Internet cafes may not be that widespread in the US, though. Kent, I’d guess that more Americans have and use cell phones regularly (whether or not they text or take pictures with them) than Americans who have regular (home) computer and internet access.

Makell Bird, the catch 22 is certainly there with online job applications. Public libraries, internet cafes, and FedEx-Kinko stores would have to be sufficient until one gets a personal computer. Internet cafes may not be that widespread in the US, though.

]]> By: Makell Bird http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2008/05/21/the-digital-divide-is-alive-well/#comment-300 Makell Bird Thu, 22 May 2008 15:41:13 +0000 http://scholarlykitchen.wordpress.com/?p=102#comment-300 Although I'm extremely computer savvy, I can agree that there are some aspects that are unfair. For example, most job applications have to be filled out on the company's website. So, these companies assume that everyone that wants to apply has a computer, which is a catch 22 if you ask me. Even the minimum wage jobs ask for online applications. Wouldn't one think that if someone was so destitute as to apply to a minimum wage job that they wouldn't be able to afford a PC let alone internet access??? makellbird.wordpress.com Although I’m extremely computer savvy, I can agree that there are some aspects that are unfair. For example, most job applications have to be filled out on the company’s website. So, these companies assume that everyone that wants to apply has a computer, which is a catch 22 if you ask me. Even the minimum wage jobs ask for online applications. Wouldn’t one think that if someone was so destitute as to apply to a minimum wage job that they wouldn’t be able to afford a PC let alone internet access???

makellbird.wordpress.com

]]> By: Kent Anderson http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2008/05/21/the-digital-divide-is-alive-well/#comment-299 Kent Anderson Thu, 22 May 2008 14:23:18 +0000 http://scholarlykitchen.wordpress.com/?p=102#comment-299 This is a very good point. I would bet that the proliferation of cell phones will ultimately make that platform more familiar (and its related toolset). I'll see if I can find anything on this. If anyone has research on this topic, please send it along! This is a very good point. I would bet that the proliferation of cell phones will ultimately make that platform more familiar (and its related toolset). I’ll see if I can find anything on this. If anyone has research on this topic, please send it along!

]]> By: sittingpugs http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2008/05/21/the-digital-divide-is-alive-well/#comment-298 sittingpugs Thu, 22 May 2008 12:44:30 +0000 http://scholarlykitchen.wordpress.com/?p=102#comment-298 What are the numbers for Americans who've never sent a text message on a cell phone? Americans who've never taken a picture with a cell phone? Would it be surprising if those numbers were greater than the percentages on Americans and computer/internet use? What are the numbers for Americans who’ve never sent a text message on a cell phone? Americans who’ve never taken a picture with a cell phone?

Would it be surprising if those numbers were greater than the percentages on Americans and computer/internet use?

]]> By: Roger Osburne http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2008/05/21/the-digital-divide-is-alive-well/#comment-297 Roger Osburne Wed, 21 May 2008 18:10:28 +0000 http://scholarlykitchen.wordpress.com/?p=102#comment-297 Bridging the Digital Divide is more important now than ever. The Communications Workers Of America are working on this problem thru their project Speed Matters. The goal is affordable high speed Internet access for all Americans. Check out the website at www.speedmatters.org Bridging the Digital Divide is more important now than ever. The Communications Workers Of America are working on this problem thru their project Speed Matters. The goal is affordable high speed Internet access for all Americans. Check out the website at http://www.speedmatters.org

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