>From the BBC <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10/1022/computers.shtml>
Almost half of the population of Britain fear they are being
left behind in the information technology revolution, according
to a new survey. It suggests only 38% use a personal computer
regularly and only 11% have frequent access to the Internet.
The report was carried out by Mori for technology company
Motorola, with interviews of more than 1,000 adults.
It also said:
* Seven out of 10 people knew little or nothing about digital
television, and one third had not heard of it at all. Of
those who had, the main attraction was better picture quality
and more channels, rather than interactive services
* Nine out of 10 parents felt under pressure to provide their
children with a home computer. Three-quarters were worried that
children would rather play computer games than get some exercise
* Most people were happy with the idea of using smart cards as
driving licences, passports or even cash.
* Only a fifth of respondents (21%) used the Internet regularly.
Of those who did not, 42% said it was because they did not have
computer access, while another 29% said they were simply not
interested.
* 45% said they feared being left behind as technology advanced.
The survey even uncovered a North-South divide for information
technology. In London and the South-East, 43% of households owned
a home computer, compared to about 11% in the rest of the country.
"This survey recognises that there is still a gap between the IT
haves and have-nots on our society," said Motorola chairman
David Brown.
-- Regards brd +-------------------------+ |Bernard Robertson-Dunn | |Canberra Australia | |brd@netinfo.com.au | +-------------------------+