B.E. readers are cyber-ready

Black Enterprise, Dec, 1996 by Tariq K. Muhammad

The results of BLACK ENTERPRISE's first ever Reader Technology Survey are in. The answer to our question, "Are you on the Infobahn?" was a resounding Yes! This informal survey was designed to help BE provide the kind of technology coverage that will make a difference in both your professional and personal lives. Your responses have been illuminating, and we thank those of you - more than 1,000 - who completed it, both over the Internet and through snail mail.

However informal, this survey gauges the degree to which African Americans use technology in a manner that hasn't been done to date. Consequently, many of you expressed an interest in finding out just how we stack up technology-wise, compared with one another and the world.

We're happy to report that most of our readers are preparing - if not already prepared - for the technological revolution. Three-quarters of our respondents feel that computers have enhanced both their home and work lives. The majority of the responses came from the electronic version of the survey posted on our Web site. Interestingly, the overall responses were similar regardless of the medium by which they were sent. Here are some of the most revealing responses. (For complete results, check out our Web site, Techwatch section).

Respondents were most interested in reading articles about the Internet in BE. Sixty-four percent requested more coverage of the Internet, while small office/home office computing was the second most requested story topic. Articles on software came in third. Educational applications, computer upgrades and new developments in computing technology rounded out the top six categories of interest.

Eighty-eight percent of the survey respondents rated their familiarity with computers between intermediate and expert, and 64% spent at least $1,500 on current PCs. Home productivity, entrepreneurial endeavors and education were most likely to be the primary reasons for computer purchases.

Respondents also reported an eagerness to upgrade and/or purchase computers and peripherals. Over 70% said they plan to spend upwards of $ 500 on these items within the next year. Printers, modems and CD-ROMs are the most popular peripherals currently owned by those answering the survey.

Overall, 88% used a computer at home and/or at work. IBMs are the model of choice, with 79% choosing them for the home and 84% for work. Meanwhile, 18% used Macs at work and 13% at home.

Our survey also revealed that we've embraced the Internet with no great trepidation. That 95% of our respondents who completed the electronic version of the survey have at least some degree of familiarity with the Internet - ranging from novice to expert - was no surprise. However, among the snail mail respondents, a rousing 78% revealed a similar knowledge of the Net.

Seventy-one percent of our respondents have Internet access at home, and 69% can tap into it at work. Most spend between one and five hours online per week on the Net, primarily conducting research. E-mail, educational and newsgroup activities follow closely behind research as the most popular online activities.

Although many people still have reservations about the security of the Internet for commerce (including almost 60% of our respondents), those misgivings don't seem to inhibit Internet shopping. Forty-two percent of those who completed the survey electronically noted that they have made a purchase on the Net.

This survey proves that African Americans are more technologically savvy than we're generally given credit for. And, BE will continue to provide ever-expanding coverage on technology - as you requested. Our goal is to provide you with the information to help you achieve your professional and personal goals using technology to the best advantage.