As shown in Table 5.1, at the outset of the pilot program, individuals were primarily interested in basic skills training (Internet, computers, search for jobs, word processing), while the functional and content related on-line activities were of marginal or almost no interest. This largely reversed once basic skills had been learned. While some ongoing skills training continued to be important to these new users, they became more interested in ways they could benefit from, communicate and interact with the technololgy.

As shown in Table 5.2, the search for relevant information exceeded the initial expectations of new users conducting this activity. Participants had a broad range of information interests. The most sought after information tended to be related to personal benefit or social service in nature.