In a message dated 11/25/01 3:45:51 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> "One hindrance slowing digital down, is that it's closely associated with > computers. Not everyone wants or cares about them." Precisely my point. > high percentage of people who buy digital cameras, > also have computers. The rest, also a significant number, don't care and > will continue using film cameras." Um-hm. > hink it's only a matter of time before digital imaging becomes the rule, > as opposed to the new-fangled exception." I would add, as you proposed above, "for those who have computers." At what point computers stop their penetration into the American home is not known, but the saturation point is near, with a huge percentage of "new" computers being replacements as opposed to being bought by those who don't already own at least one computer***. ***I own four computers: 3 dead and 1 (this one) working. As the sales of "new owner" PCs steadily decline, fewer and fewer devices used by computers will be sold. One thing forgotten in the debate is most PDML members are well educated, with steady, good paying jobs and with a good degree of disposable income, a factor always considered when buying a computer. But PDML members probably represent PC/MAC owners more than they represent "average" or lower middle class Americans, the "Joe Six-packs." As a class, PDML members have monies to indulge many of their whims, "hobby" photography, the Internet and digital imaging being a few. But it is outrageous for the few of us to believe we somehow know how non-computer, non-digital camera owners feel or will do in the future. In this debate, we have imperiously superimposed our own various indulgences on the American public, the vast majority of whom do ~not~ own computers or digital anything. As America's massive layoffs continue, even fewer PCs/digital cameras/handheld devices will be sold. **America's youth, formerly the prime candidates for new desk/laptops, have chosen instead to go handheld "wireless", with no or limited need for a computer for their basic communications, including Email, note taking, class/date/test scheduling, all tasks previously done with computers now being performed by wireless devices. *Some handheld wireless devices have digital imaging add-ons. Even there, it is a matter of economics and the availability of repeaters for wireless devices. As long as computers require electricity and ISPs who demand more and more of people's disposable dollars** for their services, computers will penetrate so far and no more. *A $899 1 GIG computer is no bargain for the indigent family. There are growing concerns among American educators who see their poorer students using computers at school but are students who do not have access to computers at home for whatever reason. As the story goes: "Aye, there's the rub." **I pay $7.99 a month for my AT&T ISP/long distance service, nearly one-hundred dollars a year that many of our poor simply don't have. There's a catch there also. You need phone service to a known (fixed) street address to have an ISP. Too many Americans still don't have regular telephone service. > I'm STILL going to go down, belly on the ground, pounding my fists and > kicking my feet." > Mafud [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
