PEDC Technology Survey Results Summary

A Portsmouth Economic Development Committee (PEDC) Web survey on the use of technology was active for three months, with 43 respondents completing it. The results of this survey are summarized here and the complete survey data will soon be posted on the PEDC Web site, www.portsmouthriedc.com

A total of 97% of respondents were Portsmouth residents and most (95%) used PC’s and laptops at home. A total of 25 of the 43 respondents (58%) also used smartphones or iPods at home and at the office. A total of 25% frequently or occasionally used the free computers at the , while 75% did not. Most used the Internet several times a day (42%), while almost 30% indicated that they were never disconnected from the Internet.

The most popular uses of the Internet were researching and gathering information (81%), making purchases online (77%), and keeping in touch with friends and family (77%), followed by getting news and information (74%), and downloading music, videos and audio or e-books (44%). A total of 40% followed Town Council meetings on the Internet via videos or blogs.

A total of 88% checked their e-mails frequently – at least several times a day, while 16% did so only a few times a day. Many respondents had three or more e-mail accounts (43%), although comments indicated that only one was usually the primary account.

Almost three quarters of the respondents (73%) used Facebook, while 25% used Twitter and Google Connect and Google Plus. A total of 51% used Skype for audio/video calling and 46% used Linkedin, a business networking site.

The vast majority of respondents (84%) had WI-FI setups in their home, while 9% had wired connections only. A total of 48% occasionally used free WI-FI available at some local establishments, while 52% did not. Most considered themselves knowledgable or expert computer users (78%).

Exactly 55% had either taken some of the free computer training courses at the Portsmouth Free Library or were interested in learning more about them, while 45% indicated that they had no interest in these courses. Comments indicated that this was a valuable service for Portsmouth residents.

The final two questions related to Portsmouth town government’s use of communications technology. The response clearly indicated that these residents wanted their town to expand its use of communications technology.

Eactly 65% wanted the town’s Web site updated more frequently. A total of 60% wanted to be able to make tax and other payments online, 68% wanted to be able to complete and file license (such as dog licenses) and other forms online, while 45% wanted the town to use social media and other Internet tools to communicate more effectively with residents. This was especially true of emergency management – 70% want the town to establish a town emergency management Web site or page to provide emergency information, and 66% indicated that they would subscribe to a Town of Portsmouth Facebook page to receive emergency and other important information.

While those responding to this survey were already using communications technology (it was an Internet-based survey), these results also show that technologically savvy Portsmouth residents recognize that there are many different ways in which the town of Portsmouth could better use such technology to make it easier for residents to interact with town government, to complete forms/applications and make payments, get emergency and other important information and provide a means for recording and responding to resident questions and comments.