More consumers using Internet during holidays

Whether it’s for socializing, shopping or planning religious activities, more than three-quarters of Americans used the Internet for holiday-related activities. Overall, 78 percent of Internet users were online holiday participants this season, up from 70 percent a year ago, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

The study also found that:

• 48 percent of e-mail users communicated with family members about holiday events and plans and 45 percent did so with friends.
• 27 percent exchanged holiday cars and letters using e-mail.
• 28 percent of Internet users bought gifts online.
• 30 percent found spiritual and religious information.
• 11 percent used the Internet for travel plans and reservations.

Pew based its findings on a telephone survey of 1,220 Internet users.

Technology: Life sciences industry focus of dinner meeting

The Lawrence Technology Assn.’s 2003 annual meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hereford House, Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive.

William Duncan, president of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, will be the guest speaker. Duncan will speak on the vision for the future of life science-related business and technology in Lawrence and Kansas City. He will offer his insight into how Lawrence and Kansas City should work together to promote the life sciences.

A reception will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with cash bar. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. Cost of the meal is $30 per person for members and member guests and $40 per person for nonmembers. Reservations can be made by calling Peggy Williams at 864-7354 or faxing her at 864-7789. She also may be e-mailed at pwilliams@ittc.ukans.edu.

Motley Fool: Name that company

My $35 billion business stems from the mammal mus musculus, cousin of Speedy, Mighty, Jerry, Danger, Fievel, Itchy and Motor. My founder once tried to build an ideal city, an “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.” Near it today is my current version of an ideal city, Celebration, Fla. Many people, especially small ones, think I’m supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I have a big park scheduled to open in Hong Kong by 2006. My first one opened in 1955. I’m the second-biggest media conglomerate in the world, and my TV network is easy as 1-2-3. Who am I?