You are invited to participate in a study of Internet metaphors and their effect on the perception, use and application to the Internet as a communication and information platform.

Metaphors are figures of speech often used to describe the unfamiliar in terms of the familiar. To say that "He is a rock of Gibraltar" or "The Turnpike is moving slowly this morning" provides an additional level of descriptive qualification.

Theories suggest that the language we use to describe things affects the way we perceive them which in turn affects the way we use them. Since the Internet is becoming a more common resource and is unfamiliar to many people it is important to understand how we describe it so that it can be used more effectively.

LESS EXPERIENCED AND NOVICE INTERNET USERS ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED!!

Comments? Send e-mail to: Lee Ratzan. To join the study, click: Metaphors Be With You!

To see summary results published in Information Research, October 2000: Making Sense Of The Web