LONDON, - November 13, 1998 – Adult Web usage has increased from 5.9 million (13% of the UK adult population) to 7 million (15%) in the last six months, according to the internetTrak survey. The second wave of this ongoing study, commissioned by Ziff-Davis, Yahoo! and Dell, also looked for the first time at patterns of usage amongst 14-17 year olds. This group accounts for a further one million users, taking penetration amongst the population over 14 to 17%. Web usage in the 14-17 age group is likely to be bolstered over the coming months as initiatives such as the Government’s National Grid for Learning programme encourage a deeper penetration of Internet access within the education sector.

The internetTrak survey was conducted for Ziff-Davis, Yahoo! and Dell Computer Corporation by NOP in the third quarter of 1998. The telephone survey was undertaken simultaneously in France and Germany as well as the UK. Over 9,000 European interviews took place to find out about usage of the World Wide Web. In the UK 3,010 interviews were completed. The respondents were selected by random digit dialling and each was asked demographic and lifestyle questions. The information was used to assemble nationally representative data that could be projected across the UK.

As highlighted in the first wave of the survey, the proportion of women joining the Web continues to increase. A mere 14% of those who first used the Web two years ago are women, while 40% of users who started using the Web in the last three months are female. This shift towards women is further reflected by 14-17 year old users, where 47% are female, and in the number of respondents planning to use the Web in the next six months - of 1.8 million expressing this intention, 57% are women.

internetTrak also reveals how different demographic groups are using the Net, reflecting the diversity of content and services available online. Amongst the younger age groups, chat, games, news, music, and sport content are popular whilst the older age groups spend most time finding information on news, stocks and shares, and personal finance. Researching information on clothing and to help with homework are important to the 14-17 year old group. Those in the 18-54 age range most frequently use the Web to help with their jobs and to find information about computers, software, and travel.

Shelaine Green, European Marketing Director, Yahoo! comments: “The large increase in the number of users in the last six months clearly demonstrates that the Web is rapidly becoming a day-to-day information source in the UK. Overall the survey confirms that using the Web has broad appeal, but it also provides detailed information on the natural demographic patterns that are emerging. Whilst teenagers are checking out the latest fashions online, their grandparents are making the most of their personal finances, for example.”

Looking at some Web usage comparisons in other key markets, Lisbet Sherlock, European Marketing Services Director, Ziff-Davis adds: “Ziff-Davis research in the US shows that in the six months internetTrak has been monitoring Web usage in Europe, the UK has been experiencing growth rates comparable to growth rates in the US. With 15% of the UK adult population having ever accessed the Web, penetration in the UK is at the same level now as in the US two years ago. The UK’s Web penetration is growing at a faster rate than the other two European countries in the internetTrak survey, with France and Germany currently standing at 8% and 10% of all adults respectively.”

Online shopping continues to grow in popularity. The convenience of 24 hour, year- round shopping is attracting many to use the Web to purchase goods. The number of people gathering information on selected products prior to purchasing online and offline has risen from 2 million to 3.3 million in the last six months. Popular merchandise purchased on the Internet range from computers and related products through to software, music CDs and travel services.

Barry Collins, Internet Business Manager with Dell Computer Corporation, comments: "Many direct suppliers providing Web-based services can operate with lower structural costs which can then be passed back to customers as lower prices. Pre- and post-sale support can also be heightened making the products eminently more attractive. When added to the convenience and ease-of-use, the no-pressure sell via the Net is fuelling the acceptance of online purchasing."

The internetTrak survey will continue to regularly track Web usage in the UK, France and Germany, using robust methodologies and proven data collection analysis, to act as an important piece of pan-European research on Web usage available. It aims to identify the emerging commercial model spanning both consumer and business purchasing, as well as information gathering and use of traditional media.

Note to Editors

For internetTrak, NOP interviewed 9,026 people aged 14 and over across France, Germany and the UK. Fieldwork was conducted by telephone between 1st and 28th September 1998 during which time 3,010 interviews in the UK, 3,012 interviews in France and 3,004 interviews in Germany were completed. Standard extrapolation methods have been used to provide a nationally representative sample for the UK analysis.

About Dell Computer Corporation

Ranked No. 125 among the Fortune 500® companies and No. 363 in the Fortune Global 500, Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $15.2 billion for the past four quarters. Dell designs, manufactures and customises products and services to customer requirements and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained by contacting the Press Office on 01344 723045 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web site at www.dell.com/uk. Dell is a registered trademark of Dell Computer Corporation. Fortune 500 is a registered trademark of The Time Inc. Magazine Company. Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

About Yahoo!

Yahoo! UK & Ireland (www.yahoo.co.uk), part of the Yahoo! global network, the most intuitive and comprehensive guide to the Internet, is ranked the most popular navigational guide in the UK. At Yahoo! UK & Ireland, users will find UK & Irish Web sites listed first by category, with full access to relevant worldwide sites appearing next. Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) is a global Internet media company and is one of the most recognised brands associated with the Internet. Yahoo! Inc. offers a network of branded Web programming serving millions of users daily and provides the targeted Internet resources and communications services for a broad range of audiences based on demographic, key-subject and geographic interests. As the first online navigational guide to the Web, www.yahoo.com is the single largest guide in terms of traffic, advertising, household and business user reach. The Yahoo! international network includes 14 properties around the world, with Yahoo! France, Yahoo! Germany, Yahoo! Italy, Yahoo! Norway, Yahoo! Sweden, Yahoo! Denmark as well as Yahoo! UK & Ireland in Europe.

About Ziff-Davis

Ziff-Davis (NYSE: ZD) is a leading integrated media and marketing company focused on Internet- related technology, with principal platforms in print publishing, trade shows and conferences, online content, market research, and education. The company provides global technology companies with marketing strategies for reaching key decision-makers. In the UK Ziff-Davis publishes PC Magazine, IT Week, PC Direct, PC Gaming World, ZDNet UK (www.zdnet.co.uk) and GameSpot UK (www.gamespot.co.uk).

internetTrak Wave 2

internetTrak Wave 1

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Dell Computer Corporation
Annette Condon
01344 723573
annette_condon@dell.com

Yahoo!
Fiona Murphy/Joe Public Relations
0181 237 4002
fionam@joepublicrelations.co.uk

Ziff-Davis
Belinda Raynes
0171 903 6810
belinda_raynes@zd.com