Post by: Texas Mac Man on January 26, 2007, 08:43:10 PM
Conducted by independent research firm Kelton Research, the "Cyber Stress" study confirmed consumers' growing relationship with technology in their everyday lives. In fact, more than 8 out of 10 Americans (84%) say they are more dependent on their home computer now than they were just three years ago.
Like any relationship, the test comes not when things are going well but when times are tough. And unfortunately in the case of their computers, things aren't going so well for Americans.
-- The average consumer has experienced computer troubles eight times about every four months - over the last three years.
-- The average American is wasting 12 hours per month - the equivalent of half a weekend - due to problems with their home computer.
-- A majority of Americans (52%) describe their most recent experience with a computer problem as one of anger, sadness or alienation.
"We empathize with consumers about the emotional nature of dealing with computer problems. As the leader in computer problem resolution for nearly 10 years, we have a distinct advantage in helping consumers quickly and conveniently solve their frustrating computer problems," said Josh Pickus, CEO of SupportSoft. "For these reasons, we will be launching support.com, a service that speaks to consumers without talking down to them and uses proven, patented technology to resolve their frustrating computer problems - guaranteed."
Considering the large role computers play in people's lives today, experts agree that computer problems can sometimes cause significant emotional distress, similar to what happens when a problem occurs between spouses.
"As computers become increasingly pervasive in our lives, our relationships with them can begin to seem almost as important as a relationship with a significant other. When problems then occur with the computer, it often leaves people feeling frustrated or helpless," says Dr. Robi Ludwig, renowned psychotherapist and host of TLC's reality series "One
Week to Save a Marriage." "On my show, I teach couples that they don't have to be an expert in resolving tough marital problems, they simply have to know whom to turn to for support. With the introduction of support.com, consumers can have a trusted advisor to turn to for technology relief when they experience frustrating technology problems."
SupportSoft's "Cyber Stress" study was conducted between December 2006 and January 2007 and involved 1001 nationally representative Americans age 18 and older with PCs and broadband Internet access. The survey results indicate a margin of error of +/- 3.1% at a 95% confidence level.
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My comment - The results about problems/hours must be totally related to PCs & not Mac users. If some Mac users were surveyd, it improved the overall results.
Post by: gunug on January 26, 2007, 08:49:06 PM
http://www.techsurvivors.net/forums/index....showtopic=14898
Post by: Xairbusdriver on January 27, 2007, 09:59:31 AM
Post by: gunug on January 27, 2007, 10:13:18 AM
Post by: Gregg on January 27, 2007, 09:56:16 PM
Post by: tacit on January 29, 2007, 04:31:47 PM
Post by: gunug on January 30, 2007, 08:23:33 AM
I knew several graduate student couples that tried to keep relationships going long distance (when one got a fellowship or whatever somewhere else) and things didn't seem to pan out for them!
Post by: Gregg on January 30, 2007, 12:08:54 PM
QUOTE(gunug @ Jan 30 2007, 08:23 AM) [snapback]117417[/snapback]
I knew several graduate student couples that tried to keep relationships going long distance (when one got a fellowship or whatever somewhere else) and things didn't seem to pan out for them!
No gold on them thar fingers, eh?
Post by: tacit on January 30, 2007, 12:24:16 PM
QUOTE(gunug @ Jan 30 2007, 02:23 PM) [snapback]117417[/snapback]
I may be old-fashioned (as well as old) but I just can't get all hot and bothered by the idea of a virtual relationship! It takes something a little closer to home to make me happy!
I knew several graduate student couples that tried to keep relationships going long distance (when one got a fellowship or whatever somewhere else) and things didn't seem to pan out for them!
I knew several graduate student couples that tried to keep relationships going long distance (when one got a fellowship or whatever somewhere else) and things didn't seem to pan out for them!
I'm not a big fan of long-distance relationships either; the only thing that makes this worthwhile is the fact that it's temporary. Shelly and I lived together for years, until my company moved up here to Atlanta, and since er intention was to transfer to grad school in Georgia Tech anyway (it's one of only four universities in the world that offers the doctorate she's going for), we just need to get through the next tree semesters apart.