Rula’s Blog #1 : What User Type Are You?

According to the Pew Internet Technology User Type Quiz and the Horrigan (2009) report I am a Desktop Veteran user. In fact, the Desktop Veteran type did not describe me very well. It is true that I use the internet several times a day and actively for information fathering and to stay in touch with others and enhance my day-to-day productivity, but I use my laptop more often. So it is not the matter of not being able to get used to using the laptop to replace the desktop, but for me, it is the matter of the availability.  So whatever is available for me I would use it without having any problem or favoring one over the other.

The other point is using the cell phone. The Desktop Veteran type assumes that the users are not heavily oriented toward the cell phone or venture into non-voice applications on their mobile devices. This point is also not true in my case because I usually use my cell phone more than the desktop or laptop for almost everything ;such as, work, entertainment, shopping, texting, and to Skype with my family members from all over the world.

The last point that states “Most of Desktop group are avid TV watchers” is not true at all. I rarely watch TV unless one of my kids invited me to watch a movie in their choice. Over all, the report did not describe me accurately, and that’s normal, because each person is different and can have different traits from each type of users. Therefore, I see myself more as a Roving Nodes type who they are mostly women, late 30s, well educated, and use their email or texting to arrange their busy lives and enhancing personal productivity; or as the Drifting Surfers users who they may skip a day of using internet without worry; or I might be like the Information Encumbered who they feel overloaded by information. We all have different feelings toward things in different situations which could affect our choices and decisions.

In the end, it is very important to learn about the other types of technology users so people from different places, languages, generations, and education can communicate  more effectively and with full of understanding and respect.

5 thoughts on “Rula’s Blog #1 : What User Type Are You?

  1. Wow, I’m surprised again at how many Stationary Media types we have in the class. It’s definitely not a bad thing. I just would have guessed that most would have been in the Motivated by Mobility group.

    Do you feel that the two main categories adequately group users based on their use of CMC? What about the sub-categories within the two baskets?

    From my personal observations, it seems that heavy users of CMC watch less of traditional television. Which is not the case for me. Part of that has to do with the fact that I’m a sports guy. So I have to watch the game while I search Twitter on my phone to see what others are saying about the game while it’s happening.

  2. I also use both a desktop and a laptop, depending on what is more convenient for my task and location. Many people I know view desktops as dated, but I really appreciate my large monitor and the robustness it gives me for editing weddings. You seem to have a great balance in your technology usage, and that can really pay off when you’re a busy person!

  3. I enjoyed reading your post. Like you, I had some issues with the “label” I received. It was refreshing to read that someone besides me has a tendency toward the “drifting surfer” category as well. I fully agree with your last statement that we have to learn more about people who speak different languages, possess various educational levels, etc… This is true in order for us to make the world, with or without technological communication, a better place to live.

  4. When I have homework to do, I usually use a desktop because I either go to the library or a computer lab so that I’m able to focus better. When I’m just leisurely on the computer, I typically use my laptop. I like that both are readily available for me so that I can use them both to be as productive as I want to be. My type had some things off about me too; I think it’s difficult to place people in just one category. Our technology needs change constantly which causes us to fall into different types at any given time.

  5. I like the fact that you see yourself fitting into so many different categories. I think that the categories for technology users, like technology itself, are evolving at a very past pace. Whereas three years ago, someone might have fit into just one or two categories, now they can fit into a multitude of different ones. Someone can very much be a Roving Node five days a week and then Information Encumbered for the remaining two. It very much depends on the the situation and the person. You are absolutely correct about that!

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