Adoption policy Sir: The difference between young early adopters and
old ones is that young folks often adopt things (Facebook, for example, or iTunes) because it is currently fashionable whereas oldies like myself adopt things if and when they see a use for them (Meet the wired retired', 4 August). For instance, I and a lot of people I know carry a mobile essentially for emergencies, usually not even switched on except by arrangement, as our existing domestic phones plus answer machine, caller identification, ringback and address book facilities do everything we want, and not everyone wants to be interrupted by phone calls when shopping or out to dinner.
I adopted email early and enthusiastically because it is a wonderful tool for sending information cheaply to everyone in the family, multiple members of clubs or party invitees. On the other hand, having collected large numbers of vinyl records, cassette tapes and CDs, I know perfectly well that I would use iTunes about as often as I once used my Walkman — that is, hardly ever.
Hilary Potts London W13
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