This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by BAKARDJIEVA, M. Articles by SMITH, R. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Internet in Everyday Life

Computer Networking from the Standpoint of the Domestic User

University of Calgary, Canada

RICHARD SMITH

Simon Fraser University, Canada

This article reports the findings of an ethnographic study of internet use conducted in Vancouver, Canada. Our goal was to examine how non-professional users interpret, `domesticate' (Silverstone, 1994) and creatively appropriate (Feenberg, 1999) the internet in order to integrate it into the relevance structures and activities of their everyday lives. We identify new cultural practices emerging on this basis and reflect on what these practices mean for the social shaping of the internet as a communication medium. The methods of data collection included ethnographic interviews, and `tours' of the home and computer space of 30 domestic users of the internet in different socio-biographical situations.

Key Words: domestic space • ethnography • internet • social shaping

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Lee The Impact of Young People's Internet Use on Class Boundaries and Life Trajectories Sociology, February 1, 2008; 42(1): 137 - 153. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. Bouwman and P. V. Der Duin Futures research, communication and the use of information and communication technology in households in 2010: a reassessment New Media Society, June 1, 2007; 9(3): 379 - 399. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. D'Haenens, J. Koeman, and F. Saeys Digital citizenship among ethnic minority youths in the Netherlands and Flanders New Media Society, April 1, 2007; 9(2): 278 - 299. [Abstract] [PDF]

				W. Wu, S. Fore, X. Wang, and P. S. Y. Ho Beyond Virtual Carnival and Masquerade: In-Game Marriage on the Chinese Internet Games and Culture, January 1, 2007; 2(1): 59 - 89. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Lee Young people and the Internet: From theory to practice Young, November 1, 2005; 13(4): 315 - 326. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Wyatt, F. Henwood, A. Hart, and J. Smith The digital divide, health information and everyday life New Media Society, April 1, 2005; 7(2): 199 - 218. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. R. Dorsey, H. L. Steeves, and L. E. Porras Advertising ecotourism on the internet: commodifying environment and culture New Media Society, December 1, 2004; 6(6): 753 - 779. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. Wilson, A. Hamzah, and U. Khattab The 'Cultural Technology of Clicking' in the Hypertext Era: Electronic Journalism Reception in Malaysia New Media Society, December 1, 2003; 5(4): 523 - 545. [Abstract] [PDF]