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G4EBT > THENET 01.08.07 18:44l 166 Lines 5408 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : C96091G4EBT
Read: GUEST
Subj: Internet, VK2TV GM7HUD
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DF0ANN<DB0MRW<DB0ERF<DB0FBB<DB0IUZ<DB0GOS<DB0RES<DK0WUE<
GB7FCR
Sent: 070801/1244Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:39371 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:C96091G4
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : THENET@WW
Ray, VK2TV wrote, in response to Andy, GM7HUD:-
Regarding Internet:
> Absolutely! From sourcing information on a wealth of topics, to
> downloading files, and even complete iso images, it's hard to imagine
> going back to a life before the internet. There's something for
> everyone.
True.
I find it odd that some amateurs - supposedly "communicators" -
(bizarrely, even some who use internet for packet access), eschew the use
of internet to a ludicrous extent, almost seeing it as a badge of honour
to denigrate internet, but they're becoming fewer in number.
In 2005, MORI - a respected independent market research organisation,
carried out a statistically robust survey of UK amateurs on behalf of
the UK Regulator, Ofcom.
The survey told us what we already knew in part:
Amateur radio is very much an old mans' pastime, with three-quarters aged
over 45, a quarter over 65, and despite the foundation licence and RSGB's
targeting of the young, only four in a hundred below the age of 21.
That said, the survey looked at internet usage by amateurs, and even two
years ago, despite the advanced age of many in the hobby, the extent of
internet usage was probably higher than the population as a whole.
Thus, many older amateurs have indeed embraced the internet.
The survey established the following data:
Gender of UK amateurs: 93% Male, 7% female.
Age:
Under 21 4%
21-44 21%
45-64 48%
65+ 26%
Number of UK amateurs:
59,926
Type of licence held:
Full - 84%
Foundation 11%
Intermediate 5%
Use of internet:
Total - 86%
At home 82%
At work 38%
At place of study 10%
Not at all 13%
Not stated 1%
As can be seen, a high proportion have internet access at home.
Those who don't use internet are very much in the minority - just 13%, and
the above data is two years out of date. Many amateurs spend little time
on air - perhaps due to spending more time on internet:
Q: How often, it at all, do you communicate using amateur radio?
A:
Once a week or more - 60%
Once a month or more - 12%
once a year or more - 11%
less than once a year - 6%
No longer use radio - 9%
Not stated - 2%
It seems odd to me that people who would have a collection of books
(perhaps encyclopaedias, dictionaries, amateur radio books etc) and
magazines at home, and who would go to a reference library (to look up
a statutory instrument say), seem to think that if you go to a website -
Home Office, Ofcom, ACMA, HREOC, CIA, United Nations, ITU, ECHR, or
wherever, that it somehow doesn't count.
It's even more bizarre when some of those who adopt that stance actually
have internet access, and presumably at least an elementary knowledge of
how to use search engines.
There's a huge amount of amateur radio stuff to be had via internet - QRP,
homebrew, antennas, military radio, circuits, old radio magazine archives,
test gear projects - the list is endless.
For all its faults, wikipedia often comes up with all sorts of useful info
and links to other sources. I find "Nationmaster" a useful source - it's a
massive central data source and a handy way to graphically compare
nations.
It has a vast compilation of data from such sources as the CIA World
Factbook, UN, and OECD. You can generate maps and graphs on all kinds
of statistics with ease.
You can view profiles of individual countries including their maps and
flags, and a fully integrated encyclopaedia with over one million
articles.
http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php
I use internet for finding poetry, song lyrics, biographies, economic
political and social history references and timelines. Within seconds
you can have the American Constitution on the screen in front of you,
the UDHR, the Magna Carta - whatever.
You can track down an out-of-print book, a hard to find component,
book flights, hotels, shop on line, compare prices - the list is
endless.
For my main hobby of woodturning I can get endless tips and advice, can
view galleries of woodturners creations to get ideas and inspiration,
can use friendly forums to exchange views and ideas.
For vintage radio restoration I can get help, advice, circuits and track
down almost anything I need, often from people working from home who
couldn't otherwise have made the world aware of their existence.
Where would they advertise such services, even if they could afford to?
I can listen to radio stations and watch TV around the world
on internet, and can access archived broadcasts.
I haven't even mentioned skype or e-mail!
And for the umpteenth time of saying, there's' nothing *on* internet -
everything is *via* internet. It's a is a portal - an "open sesame" to
an almost limitless cornucopia of information, inspiration and advice.
And all at the click of a mouse button!
Sure, there's tons of rubbish, downright filth and every type of mixed
up perverted weirdo in chatrooms to be had via internet, but that is by
choice.
Denigrating internet isn't going to bring packet alive.
Quote of the day:
"Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?".
(Tony Hancock, berating his fellow jurors in Twelve Angry Men")
(16 Oct 1959)
Best wishes
David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
Message timed: 21:38 on 2007-Jul-31
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