Your Technlogy Pages

Not everyone on-line today has a broadband provider. It has become somewhat assumed that the majority of internet users have a high-speed connection. While this is clearly the goal, as internet access is saturating many countries, there are still those for whom a visit to the information highway means a walk and not a high-speed chase. Hard as it may be for some to believe, there are still people using a dial-up connection.

This is sometimes overlooked in areas such as website development. Everyone tends to think in terms of what browser a user might choose in order to access a particular website. Less thought is given to their type of internet connection. While it is a popular position to assume that everyone "should" have high-speed, it's quite simply a fact that a broadband provider is not readily available to every home or family.

For instance, those in rural and outlying areas might like to pop open their browser in the blink of an eye - but they may not be able to do so. In fact, without a broadband provider, visiting popular websites can be an exercise in extreme patience and even futility. Choosing a browser is the least of the concerns.

It's true that website developers must use metrics and must create for the majority. It's fine to assume that people "should" have high-speed internet access and, if they don't, then they somehow "deserve" to be left behind in the cobwebs and dust. Unfortunately, some people who wish to use the internet are unable to choose their connection. I have personally had the experience of living in an area where only dial-up access was possible - and it was horrible access even on a good day.

For those who use the internet purely for entertainment, it is possible to exist quite happily without a broadband connection. However, if the intention is to work, to shop, to bank and to conduct other matters of daily business, a slow connection is both frustrating and inefficient. There are cases where internet access will even contribute to the decision to buy a home or live in a particular area. Being on-line has permeated all aspects of our daily lives and having ready access to broadband may contribute to many important decisions.