According to the Pew Internet & American Life Tech User Quiz I am a “Roving Node.” According to Horrigan (2009), Roving Nodes use “ICTs as a way to do their jobs, connect with family and friends, and generally be more productive in their lives.” I believe this is a very accurate description of me. I am constantly receiving and sending text messages, mainly to my family and friends. My siblings and I live in many different areas of the country. We are a very connected, though, and spend a lot of time during the week texting, emailing, calling one another and even Face Timing. I value my phone as a tool to help me stay in touch with my family. In addition to using my iPhone and internet access to communicate with my family, I also rely heavily on my phone to help me manage my life. I am an avid user of productivity applications, such as iCal, Notes and Reminders. My phone is my electronic day planner, only its better because it makes noises when I need to remember to do something. Another accurate description of me from Horrigan (2009) is that Roving Nodes “consume a lot of digital content for the purpose of passing it along to others.” This is extremely true of myself. I don’t have a Facebook page, I don’t blog and I’ve only ever created a website as part of a school project. I am uncomfortable putting too much information onto the internet. I do, however, pass along interesting articles that I stumble across on the internet. I also do quite a bit of online shopping, which is a characteristic of the Roving Node. Overall, I feel that the quiz was a truthful description of myself.

Hello Everyone. I am Laura Delcambre, and I am a senior communications major. After a few potholes, I will be (knock on wood) graduating this May! I work at the Apple Store, so I am surrounded by technology and avid technology users all day long. I find the influence of technology on our lives and communication habits to be fascinating. I thought this class would be very interesting and informative, both for my personal and academic life. I am looking forward to spending this semester with everyone!

According to the Pew Internet Technology User Type Quiz, I fit into the 7% of adults who “use online access to seek out information nuggets, and these nuggets make their way through these users’ social networks via desktop and mobile access”. This group is known as Media Movers.  Media Movers have lots of online and mobile routines. According to the Pew Internet Technology User Type Quiz description of groups, I am most likely to pass on certain information nuggets or pictures I find on the internet that are interesting to me. These social exchanges are central to my use of information and communication technology. For me, Cyberspace as a path to personal productivity or an outlet for creativity is less important (Pew Internet).

My type describes me fairly well. I thoroughly enjoy the “rush” of finding information I think will interest or entertain others. Once that happens, I cannot resist the desire to share. I admit, however, that I share characteristics from other user types. Other types that fit me slightly are Ambivalent Networker and Roving Node. I do have an online routine which involves checking Facebook and Twitter and then moving on to watching either Netflix/Hulu or doing homework eventually if I have some due.

Discussing different types of technology users awakens in the participants of the discussion an awareness of how different people use and communicate through technology. This knowledge allows people to become more effective in communicating with others. Furthermore, it allows people to get information to others more efficiently as they become more aware of society’s technological practices.

I have always enjoyed taking tests where I can find out more about myself and how I relate to others. My result for this technology test is that I am an “Ambivalent Networker.” 7% of adults are this, and most are male. The advanced description says that I have seamlessly integrated technological resources into my every day life, but that I am sometimes tired of how often the phone rings (Horrigan 8). It says that I am relieved to take a break from using the internet (Horrigan 38).

I actually believe this description fits me perfectly. Since I am a small business owner, I have learned how to use technology to my advantage, and I really have integrated it into everything I do. Technology allows me to get more done in a smaller amount of time, and I enjoy finding new ways to be more productive. On the other hand, it can be very frustrating to be focused on a project and get interrupted by a text, phone call, or Facebook post. Because I have so many devices, getting a mention on Twitter can cause many different beeps, chimes, and other alarms to go off. I do enjoy taking a break from technology, setting my auto-response, and being able to disconnect from the busyness I find online. However, I am also very thankful for the good things technology has done for my career and productivity.

Honestly, because “Ambivalent Networker” fits me so well, I had a hard time relating to the other user types. I do feel that it is very important to learn about how people use technology. It has become such a large part of our lives, and businesses need to know exactly how we filter this new information. With the large variety of ways corporations can market to individuals (texting, Facebook, online news, brand websites, etc.), it is vital that business professionals study the differences in how people view these avenues. Even in our personal lives, I believe that knowing the differences between ourselves and others allows us to have a better understanding of how to best communicate with them.

Horrigan, John. The Mobile Experience. Rep. Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2009. Print.

According to Horrigan (2009), I’m “Motivated by Mobility” and sub-catagorized as a “Digital Collaborator”. While I do admit that the descriptors given for this group do fairly describe my content sharing habits and use of ICTs in my daily life, the demographic facts are questionable at best. I’m certainly not male, I’m a solid ten years younger than described and while I do consider myself to have obtained a good education, I am not economically well off. Maybe the demographic information was more accurate in 2009, but I believe it would be better to describe those of us in this category as late 30s and under. With the in depth description of a digital collaborator, it could just as easily describe most of the 16-25 year olds of my acquaintance. I can’t think of a single person I know in that age group that doesn’t have a smartphone and/or tablet they use to share content online.

As Horrigan (2009) describes, I am always present, always plugged into the network (p. 8). My home has wireless and you can usually find me on my sofa, surfing on my iPad, texting or emailing on my phone, all while watching streaming television through my Roku box. Even the iPhone is placed on the nightstand at night, so the only time I’m ever offline is while sleeping. It would be sad if I didn’t feel that it helped me be so much more productive as an employee and a student. This belief that the internet makes me more productive was part of what lead me to be placed in this category to begin with, going back to that Pew Internet quiz, question 13. I think the sense of and act of production is an appropriate marker for identifying my type of user, since one of the prevailing attitudes of this category is the value that we put on using ICTs to share our content (p.29).

In the broader category of those of us who are “Motivated by Mobility”, Horrigan argues that “mobile and wireless access tools have a symbiotic relationship” (p.4). This has been true in my own life. As described before, when at home I can be found using up to three internet enabled devices at a time. At work, its a minimum of two devices at once. My devices (save my Roku for television watching, although I think even that is bound to change soon) all communicate with each other, complimenting each other’s uses.

The internet has been a daily presence in my life since at least age 12 and therefore feels to me to be something as part of my natural landscape. For a person like me, each new step forward in internet technology has seemed to be a natural progression, especially the explosion of smartphone/mobile adoption around 2004. However, these have been radical changes for many in our society and around the world. In particular, those who lived in remote areas and may not have been able to get broadband, can now have wireless access pretty easily. Like every other technology that has been adopted in our daily lives (radio and television for example), there are those who will take up the new technology with gusto, and those who will resist with paranoia. Categorizing people into sub-sections of defined user types is useful to those making new developments in the field. They will better understand what is valued by the majority of users, and where the needs are not being met. It is important to chart how attitudes of these groups change over time. There is a tendency to belief that those of us who are superusers are the norm. These studies confirm that we are the outliers and many subgroups exists where the internet plays varying roles in their lives.

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Tech User quiz I am a drifting surfer. The quiz states that “drifting surfers are infrequent online users.”  According to Horrigan drifting surfers consist of 14% of the general population.  “Drifting Surfers have a fair amount of tech resources at hand. They will skip a day of using the internet without worry. And are likely to be emailing or checking news headlines when they do log on” (p. 74).  I totally agree with the quiz that I am a drifting surfer this fits me. I really do not have time to be on the internet and I have all the devices to do so. I believe I’m only on the internet due to taking online classes. I do not do social networks and really do not have to keep up with the latest news due to my co-workers always keeping me updated. However, I do disagree with the Horrigan’s statement that “drifting surfer is slightly below average when it comes to online experience” (p. 74). This is definite not me I have plenty of experience I just choose not to get online unless I have to because I have other things to do. I think that some people need to detox form the internet because they cannot function without it.

Another type that would fit me would be the information encumbered. Horrigan states this group is well armed for the information age and thinks it is good to take a break from time to time (p. 82). I agree with this group and I have internet connect in my home, on cell phone, Ipad etc. I think I am a mixture of drifting surfer and information encumbered because I have qualities from both of them.

It is good to discuss other types of technology users because it allows you to define yourself as well as others. People find it hard to find themselves in different things but easy to point out someone else. The knowledge of the different types of technology users also helps with communication because provide an insight of what topics and type of language you could use while speaking with someone. For example, digital collaborators would be more likely to talk using text language (lol) than information encumbered.

Hi Everyone! My name is Stephanie Price and I am a senior Communication major. I plan to graduate in May. I and married and just celebrated my 5th year anniversary on Saturday. I have three beautiful children two boys and a girl and I work full time so my life is extremely business. I look forward to having a wonderful semester with each of you. Please let me know if there is anything I could do to help. Good luck this semester :).

According to the results of the technology quiz I took, the user type that best describes me is a digital collaborator. Digital collaborators consist of 8% of the general population. I do not feel this is an accurate title for me. While I do have all of the assets listed on page 26 of Horrigan’s manuscript, I am not a member of the 39% who is “motivated by mobility”, (p. 6). Aside from using the internet to complete on-line courses, I never share creations with others. Additionally, neither the remaining “what you need to know about them” nor the “key demographic facts” on the chart on page 6 would accurately describe my user type or me.

Even though my family and I have a lot of technology in our home, we do not use every last part of it on a daily basis. In fact, it may be weeks or even months between usages of one or more forms of technology. While digital collaborators do not require any assistance with technology, I need assistance setting up new technology. A user type that would describe me more accurately would most likely be a drifting surfer. Like them, I scan the internet for recreational purposes, but could give it up easily.

I think it is valuable to discuss the different types of technology users. For example, with Horrigan’s notation about the increasing cell phone use for making digital photos, it would likely be unwise for me to open a traditional camera shop. Likewise, Horrigan’s discussion of the increased reliance on e-mails would correlate to the financial woes of the U.S. Post Office. It is a valuable concept to understand how other people value and/or use technology, as this has a large bearing upon interpersonal relationships, the economy, and media influence.

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Tech User Quiz I am a Digital collaborator. This results is spot on I use technology in many ways and many times per day. The only part I do not agree with is that it states that this type of user is mostly male. I am a woman! In reading the other types of users I feel that I do also have traits of Ambivalent Networker, I do majority of my socializing thru Facebook and Instagram. From tome to time I get on twitter, but not that interested in it for networking/socializing. I use my cellphone for talk/text/and social media thru apps.

The second category I feel I have traits in would be a Media Mover, I do put lots of digital photos on line and often share other photos with quotes, scenery, and food.

It is important to discuss other type of different technology users because you have to know the best way to connect with your friends, co workers, business partners, and any other social relationships. For example, you do not want to text someone who does not have text feature on their mobile phone. There are levels of technology users as we can see with all the potential types in this quiz. If you are not aware of the diversity you limit your chances to connect or communicate effectively.

Hi everyone! I’m Clarissa Sidhom, and I have a wonderful husband and an adorable child (our kitten named Bo). I love experimenting with Pinterest crafts, attempting new recipes (that’s definitely hit or miss!), and finding awesome little treasures in thrift stores. I am a senior communication major, and I’m very excited about this class because I spend a large amount of my time online. I am a wedding and proposal photographer, and the internet is important not just for my personal relationships, but also for marketing and brainstorming new ideas.

I’m very excited to read your thoughts and get to know you all! :)