GEN-EDITOR-L Archives

Archiver > GEN-EDITOR > 1998-03 > 0891290918


From: JusMeJim <>
Subject: Re: Publishing ideas, Web Page Vs. Newsletter
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 15:48:38 EST


In a message dated 98-03-30 10:38:50 EST, you write:

<< I did suggest to a couple of people recently
that a web page might be better than a newsletter for their purposes.
The biggest advantage is that it's free -- no printing, no postage. >>

The biggest drawback of having a web page instead of a newsletter would be
that only about 12% of all Americans have access to the internet. Those of us
on the "net" tend to think many more persons are on the net than really are.
I would venture to guess that the 12% is probably made up of younger persons.

I think a web page might be a GREAT addition to a newsletter, but think you
would severely be limiting who you reach. I'm very computer literate, and in
fact do web page design for a living. I have been "on the net" for years, and
I've been trying to get my parents "on the net" for all those years. They are
both 69 and want no part of it.

I tend to think my parents are no exception. Most people in their age range
are just not that interested in learning to use a computer. From my own
experience with past reunions and genealogical research the ones that are most
interested are the older ones.

Twenty years from now when the "younger ones" are the "older ones" and the
internet is much more widely available, then the web page might replace the
old fashioned "printed newsletter".

Just my opinion, Jim Hughes

This thread: