Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 4, 2008 4:21:00 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Late Adopters Send Message to Tech Industry

Posted Mar 12, 08 3:32 PM CDT in Technology 

(Newser) – Netscape Navigator is still the browser of choice for 0.14% of Internet users, which doesn’t sound like a lot, until you realize that’s over a million people. They, and other late adopters like them, are becoming a rare breed in today’s world of automatic updates, but they play a key role for the tech industry they spurn, the New York Times reports.

“Laggards have a bad rap,” explains one Silicon Valley prognosticator, but “innovation requires the push of early adopters and the pull of laypeople asking whether something really works.” To win over this cautious breed, companies need impressive upgrades that drastically improve functionality. Of course, even that won’t win over the most ardent laggards. “I am not rational about these things,” admitted one CompuServe user. 

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
Interviews show that until the tool or software fails to meet the expected needs of the user, late adopters tend not to upgrade, preferring the familiar over the improved.   (Shutterstock.com)
Interviews show that until the tool or software fails to meet the expected needs of the user, late adopters tend not to upgrade, preferring the familiar over the improved.   (Shutterstock.com)
Interviews show that until the tool or software fails to meet the expected needs of the user, late adopters tend not to upgrade, preferring the familiar over the improved.   (Shutterstock.com)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

technology • AOL • innovation • Netscape • dial-up Internet • upgrades


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Technology Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »