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Internet bamboozles people in Belfast

Sunday, 26 April 2009

Belfast people have a bit of a blank spot when it comes to understanding the internet, it was revealed today.

Indeed they are so baffled and bamboozled by broadband that they came at the bottom of a list of UK towns and cities when knowledge was tested by a supplier. Only the people of Birmingham did worse.

Knowledge was so weak Belfast is a front runner for a "Broadband School " which Virgin Media said it was planning.

The study of over 3,000 internet users, commissioned by the media company during April, found many people are still puzzled by broadband jargon and there is confusion around topics such as security and speed.

Even when it comes to getting started, some people are confused by the basic language associated with broadband.

Looking at Belfast the study found:

57% of all internet users are left in the dark by the word 'mega-bit'.
50% plus of users did not know they don't have to have a telephone land line to access the internet.
29% will not download due to security worries.
13% don't know what broadband is and many think 'Blu-ray' is a type of broadband.

Perhaps not so surprisingly 63% were left scratching their head by the term 'dongle', but more worryingly 45% of users were not sure what an 'internet browser' is.

To help tackle the confusion Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson announced plans to trial Broadband Schools starting with cities with the least broadband knowledge.

He said: "As many of you know I've never been terribly technical and I'm not at all ashamed to say that I'm probably a prime candidate for a Broadband School.

"I'm not alone, there are thousands of people in the same boat, and the only way they will ever learn is if things are kept simple.

"W want everyone to feel comfortable asking questions, no matter how silly they think they are, so that they can get the most out of their internet service and enjoy everything the internet has to offer."

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Former chairman of the US senate committee on regulating the internet, Ted Stevens, can explain everything you need to know about the internet tubes. Please see:

www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-gfga4bFIUoc/ted_stevens_tubes/

Posted by Sed Tevens | 05.05.09, 05:45 GMT

The Internet is not something that you just dump something on. It's not a big truck. It's a series of tubes. And if you don't understand, those tubes can be filled and if they are filled, when you put your message in, it gets in line and it's going to be delayed by anyone that puts into that tube enormous amounts of material, enormous amounts of material.

Posted by Ted Stevens, Alaska | 05.05.09, 05:38 GMT

A cheap publicity stunt. You would find that well over half of people in Belfast dont understand Cars if you ask them what a carbureter, split differential or shocks.

Posted by MERITOCRACY | 04.05.09, 16:44 GMT

The internet - thon's dangerous. I heard that the "World Wide Web" is even worse though. Them uns can watch you through your computer screen.

A mate told me that you can buy stuff on the internet, but I can't work out where you're supposed to put your money in.

Posted by Pete | 28.04.09, 15:20 GMT

If Belfast can't understand internet jargon, it's because the writer or speaker is not being clear!!

It is not the fault of the listener, if they can't understand something. It is up to the professionals to make themselves easily understood.

Posted by Dawn Baird | 28.04.09, 09:55 GMT

The internet is easily explained: It's like a farm.....many fences, many animals, cacophony often. Some of the fences have weak spots, some significantly large. Some of the animals are not as sharp as others. Some are feathered and not easily befriended. The woolly ones are inclined to follow a perceived leader, often at or near the fence. The porky ones are not to be trusted. All leave behind material which may be of future use. Often not.

Posted by Rod | 27.04.09, 19:53 GMT