I'm trying to get an idea of the demographic for Squishy for when this year's South By Southwest Interactive rolls around.

You can use squishy@pamie.com for the e-mail address if you'd like to remain anonymous, but could you answer the following questions:

Are you male or female?
What state/country do you live?
How long have you been in the net?
Would you buy products that were advertised in Squishy? Have you ever bought a book I recommended? Thanks, guys.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Answers

(Looking down.) Male.

The USA, fortunately, Tennessee, unfortunately.

Six years.

Depending on the product, I might. As of yet, I haven't bought a book you recomended, but I get most of my books from the library anyway. (With three kids, and reading four books a week, I'll pauper myself if I buy every book I read.)

--Al Nova Notes

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Male, Kentucky, at least four years, never bought anything advertised in Squishy...but then again, I think Billy is evil. :)

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

I'm Female

Live in Michigan

I've been on for 4 years

I bought into the Tae Bo thing, but I prefer the results I get at the gym.

I have looked into the books you recommend, but I haven't bought one.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female, Washington State USA, five years, and no, I haven't bought anything you recommended, because I'm cheap. But, I did buy a cheap Billy knock-off tape at Walmart! I gotta find someone who owns it to copy...

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

I'm female, living in northern California. I moved here about 6 months ago from Wisconsin, where I was born and raised. :)

I've been on the net for about.....*counts*....about 5 years, not counting a brief encounter with 300-baud modems and BBS's in 1993.

I don't know about the products thing, I'm pretty brand-loyal and don't like advertising much. Though, I admit, I *did* buy the Billy Blanks tapes after reading some of your Tae-Bo entries. *blush* :)

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female, Pennsylvania, 4 years. I haven't bought anything specifically because you suggested it, although I have been doing Tae Bo for the past year. I also look at your book suggestions to see if I would enjoy them.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

female. north carolina. 6 years. depends on the products. i probably will buy books, just haven't yet. (i'm broke)

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Dearest Pamie,

Uh, are you sure you're not trying to kick-start some sort of dating service or something?

Male, New Jersey, since 1996, maybe 1995, but I always forget.

Well, thanks to you, I bought a pack of Marlboro Lights the other day because I had been up for 3 days straight and had to survive one last night. Does that count? Oh, and of course, the Tae Bo.

-rich http://www.inferiority.com

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

And my answers are: (drumroll)

Female (double checking). Yup, definitely female. Los Angeles (we all know L.A. is an entity unto itself, kinda like N.Y.C.). Just about 3 years. Don't think I have yet, but who knows what the future will bring?

Oh, and I'm 33 and I like reading and dancing and... Wait, this isn't a personal ad? Never mind.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female, Texas, 4 years, probably not, and no I haven't ....

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Male, the beautiful Austin Texas, eight years, I probably wouldn't buy products, but I would check out books recommended and I would purchase Squishy memorabilia if it were available.

o.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

I am female.

I live in Atlanta, GA (or close enough to Atlanta anyway - who's ever heard of McDonough?)

Been in the net about 4 years now.

Haven't bought anything you have recommended yet, but I do pay attention whenever you say something is particularly awesome. When I see pop-up ads and things like that on other sites, I pay no attention at all - it's only first-hand testimonials that make me consider trying something new.

Hope that information helps you!

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Male.

Kansas (but really, it's just the slightly wheatier suburban area of Kansas City, Missouri, which is, believe it or not, relatively metropolitan. Honest.)

Only about 3 years on the net. But quickly immersing myself in the digital sea...

Never bought, sold, or processed anything from Squishy. But I enjoy it daily just the same.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Male Kansas About four years now Possibly, no. :)

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

-female -bc/canada 2 years yes/no

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

• Male
• California
• 8 years
• I do buy products on-line, but only if its something that I want/need and only if the price is right. ...so would I buy something from www.squishy.com? ...maybe

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female, California, 6 years, depends on what it was although I usually ignore ads on principle, and no, I haven't, because usually I'm either reading what you recommend at the time you recommend it, or I've already read it.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Male Washington D.C. (actually Alexandria, Va., but it's within spitting distance of the District). Been on the net for about five years. I've definitely been known to order things off the net, and would have no problems buying products advertised here if I thought they were useful. I haven't yet bought a book specifically because you recommended it, but I own a bunch of them already so that could be why.

--Mike

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

female; texas; about 2 years; advertisements often make me *not* want to buy things; might buy a book you recommend but haven't yet

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Male. NY. 6 years.

Advertisement, unlikely. I'm a luddite as far as purchasing stuff goes. I like to hold, test it out, see if I really like the thing before I buy something. Deciding to buy something seems like such a big decision that I just can't do it online.

Books. No, but I'd more likely to buy a book online than just about any other product.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

1. female 2. california 3. 4 years 4. a. maybe depending on the product 4. b. no, i manage to buy enough books i'll never get around to reading on my own

hez

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female Illinois/Indiana (Yes, I live in two states) 4 years I might if they were endorsed by you. Not just from some random advertisement, but something you really liked. Never bought a book, but looked into a few of them. Christmas is coming - I'm making a list.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

female. california. six years. I might buy something if it appeared in a banner ad, but i'd be suspicious if you started pushing things in your entries. Although, I did run out and get a Mach3 after reading that entry... and will never go back to my old razor.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female/ Dallas, TX/ 5 years/ probably/ I have usually already read your recommended books but I always read that page to see what you are recommending, so maybe.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

female

SF, CA (but moving to Charlottesville, VA in 2 mo.)

5.5 years

i bought Bridget Jones' Diary on your recommendation, and i'd say i've probably read half of the books on your list, and i'd probably buy more books based on your recommendation

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Male.

New Mexico.

Three or four years.

Sorry, no.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female - lovely sunny CT - three years this month - and I don't have enough money to buy much of anything...

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female, Boston, 4 years, and no ads please! As for the last, I never buy books, only check books out from the library. I read Bridget Jones, but I can't remember if I read your endorsement or somebody else's review first.

MZ----->

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female Colorado Six years (off and on) Probably (I already bought a Tae-Bo tape because of you) Not yet

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female; Ontario Canada; 3 years. Please pamie -- don't sell out! No ads! I would be disappointed if I felt you were suddenly praising things, not from your sheer enjoyment of the product, but because you were selling/promoting something. I feel that would really violate the trust/respect aspect of this site and forum.

I did buy the Mach 3 because of your entry, although I was already tempted. It really rocks! I bought it because I feel you're my friend and you recommended it; as I would with any other friend whose judgement I trust.

I keep meaning to buy some of your recommended books, but I have to remember to print the list out before I go to the bookstore ;-)

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

I am female but you already knew that because no self-respecting(straight, at least) male would name himself Glitterbeam.
I live in Texas.
I have been on the net for almost 5 years.
I would love to buy books you recommend, Pamie, but alas, I am poor and must restrain myself to buying books that are on sale at Hastings.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female

Oklahoma

4 years

maybe and no, not yet

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

• M
• CA/US
• 3 years
• For buying creative works, it usually depends on if I'm interested in the creative process of the artist involved, as opposed to the character development Pamie looks for her reading material. The 2 fiction books I bought this year were Harry Potter books by Rowling. 2 of the last 4 CDs I bought were Elvis Costello. 3 of the last 5 comic books I bought were Cerebus by Dave Sim.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

female. minnesota 8 months of the year, maryland 4 months. almost 5 years. and yes, maybe. depends on the state of my credit card at the time.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

female seattle/washington uummm... 4 years? or more? would depend. i've tried to remember, or write cool sounding stuff down - then i lose the scrap of paper or forget which entry it was in or... whatever. so i'd probably *want* to i'd just never get around to it.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

female, London/England, been on the net about 3 years... Would I buy products advertised in Squishy? Banner ad products, probably not. Haven't bought any books, but I would buy Tae-Bo videos if they were available over here.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

female

olympia, washington, usa

4+ years

probably not

and finally, no, i have too much other stuff to read for school to have *fun* reading. ;)

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female

Oakland, CA, USA

6 years, if you count MUDs and stuff like that

Perhaps, if I really wanted them.

No, I don't think I've bought any books recommended in Squishy, but I could be wrong.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female.

Chicago, IL, USA

5 or 6 years on the internet.

I probably wouldn't buy products advertised in Squishy, no.
I work at a bookstore, so I don't buy too many books. I just borrow them from the store. :)

glitter

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

i'm female, i live in massachusetts, i've been on the net for about five years, but haven't really done anything with it until two years ago, when i became addicted. i haven't bought anything recommended, but mostly it's because i already have it, or am planning on getting it, or don't want it. um, and i'm 19, in case that would be helpful, too. :)

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Male - 29 yrs

From Michigan

On the net for 5 years

I guess my buying anything you advertised would depend on what it is. If you could find some x-ray specs that work or sea monkeys that actually build little castles and wear crowns.... that would be SO cool...;)

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female, Louisiana (USA), about 4 years, not sure, no but I had already read quite a few of them.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female, Pennsylvania, 5 years, not necessarily advertised products, but maybe products that you recommend. No

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

Female, 37, Sydney Australia, I don't buy Tampax *snicker* but I quite often buy books or music that are recommended by journal writers I enjoy on the basis that taste is something that becomes obvious fairly quickly. I rarely buy things merely because of advertisements, particularly on the web.

Anna

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

i am female, woo!
i live in alberta, canada. actually, in calgary. we have the stampede every year. we are cool.
i have been on the net for, hmm... five or six years (and i have a journal, plug plug, at accentuate i don't buy online much because online prices are usually in US dollars, and that sucks for me because it means i get all happy about a 20 dollar something that turns into a 40 dollar something by the time it gets from me. eww. i work in a bookstore, i can special order and get 35.7% off, why would i use amazon?


-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

hope that fixes the bold thing...

I'm a female. (But don't ask me my gender, that's much more complicated.)

NY, NY, USA.

Pamie, I love that you phrase this "in the net," like we're caught. Seven years.

Not sure how I feel about advertising in Squishy, though I *did* buy Modge Podge because I heard about it on Disgruntled Housewife, because I love crafty stuff.

I haven't yet bought a book you recommended, but I might, because we seem to have similar tastes. I'm considering "The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing," because I learned only from Squishy that it's short stories, rather than an actual hunting guide. That was never really clear for me, from seeing the massive displays in the bookstore.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

Male. Boston, MA. On the 'net about 6 years? BBS's before that. Don't make this a crass commercial site, please!

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

Female Ireland About 3 years Probably not No

There!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

Male.

Washington, USA

On the net 8 years, on the *web* 4.

Maybe and no, though I have almost bought books and music I read about on Squishy.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

Male.....Prince Edward Island, Canada.....5 years.....Probably not.....Havent bought a book you recomended.....but picked up a few cd's according to yours and some other readers posts.....

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

Female Sweden 4 years I thought about Tae Bo but am too lazy..., no books either.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

Male, I think. [checks] Yep, male. I live in Toronto, Canada. Uhm.. Lesse.. [counts on fingers] 'Bout 7 years. Just enough time to tell the young'uns "Back in my day..." stories about the net before AOL... Only found this site today, tho. I tend to only buy things online if they're not conveniently available another way. I've basically only bought a UserFriendly mug and a Sluggy T-shirt.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

Female, Kansas, 4 years, if ir were squishy themed i might buy something.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

Male 56

Rhode Island

In the net? Used Internet for e-mail and stuff like that since back in early 80's but if you mean graphical browser www stuff I guess about six years (started surfing at work back in '93, signed up for AOL that same year), built my first personal webpage in '96... I recently switched from dial-up ISP to cable Internet. Wheee!

I use the web a lot for shopping (amazon.com, 800.com, landsend.com, etc.) and find it is very convenient but I can't think offhand of anytime I've bought something because of a web advertisement.

I've read (and even bought) a number of the books that are on your book list but some of that (Thompson, Vonnegut, Steinbeck, Kafka, etc.) was reading that was probably done before you were born. Never clicked thru to amazon.com to buy a book from your list, but then I must confess that, although I've been reading (and posting to) Squishy for months, this afternoon was the first time I've read your book page. I have bought books that I've read about other places on the web.

My kids are big anime fans so I've thought of picking up a copy of the one featuring your voice. I'd probably buy a tape of your stand-up routine.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

female, Florida, aprroximately 3 years, probably not

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

I'm Female, and just turned 30. I know you didnt ask our ages, but God. I just turned thirty. I'm trying to get used to it, and saying it out loud without cringing is part of my therapy. So bear with me. I'm thirty. *sigh*

I live in British Columbia, Canada. Canadian Girls kick ass.

I have been "in the net" since I started working with the BC provincial government in 1994. I have no computer at home. I am not the person to dispell the stereotype about government employees. Oh well.

I am easily influenced, and love to buy stuff. Especially books. I can't ever have enough book recommendations. So yeah, if something was deemed pretty cool by Pamie, I just may be interested enough to try to find it.

~Shelagh

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

M, New York City, 15 years on net, generally ignore ads but I like your book recommendations.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

 I'm female.  I split my time between Florida & New York.  I've been on the 'net since 1989 or 90.  I'm okay with crass commercialism, but I don't know if I'd actually buy anything.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

I'm female. I live in Rochester, NY. I've been "in" the net for 10 years, or 13 if you count a dial-up BBS. I might buy products advertised in squishy, but if you add advertising banners to your journal entries, I'll be p/o'd. (I did want to buy that sponge Xeney uses to clean cat hair off her furniture...) When people recommend books, I mostly get them out of the library.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

female.

california, usa.

on the net for about five years.

i have not yet purchased any pamieproducts, but that isn't to say that i would not.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1999

female 26 Southern California almost 4years probably not. i am not a fan of internet ads i have read most of the books you've recommended mostly because our tastes are rather similar

sabrina

-- Anonymous, October 30, 1999

W. Mass. 29. On the net for 5 years. I've bought stuff from Amazon, but that was mostly for the thrill of it. I'm over it now, but sometimes I check prices against what I've found elsewhere. I don't know that shopping online is something I'll ever switch to unless I'm trapped at home, but you never know. Mostly I ignore the banner ads and buttons.

-- Anonymous, October 31, 1999

Yes, by all means, let's talk about ME!

Female West Virginia Five years? Six? Maybe. Haven't bought any books, although not to say I wouldn't--but probably locally rather than from amazon.

-- Anonymous, October 31, 1999

 female  Australia; Sydney  3 years of being online (i.e. 3 yrs of wasting company time, woo-hoo!).  I can't remember who said it but I also would buy things in relation to your comedy standup routine (vieo etc). I can't say I've ever bought any books you recommended but that's probably got to do more with lack of time and credit cards. I would however make the time to buy a squishy book.....

-- Anonymous, October 31, 1999

Female Scotland, UK 3 years Might buy stuff but haven't so far. I have stolen my husband's Mach3 if that counts.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 1999

Female. California. About 6 years. Maybe. No.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 1999

Male.

Queens, New York City.

On the 'net proper for about five years. BBSes and CompuServe before then.

I haven't bought any books recommended here. Well, no, wait; I did pick up Atlas Shrugged at a library book sale, come to think of it. I suppose that might count.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 1999

Female. (Hence "Chicken GRRL.")

Dallas, Texas.

About 5 years. Although I've been on AOL this whole freaking time, so I haven't learned a damn thing about The Internet, i.e., java, FTP, HTML, anything like that! (I could maybe tell you what the acronyms stand for, but have no idea what they are or what they do.)

I've never bought a book you've recommended. I take that back -- I have read several books you've recommended, but noticed that you recommended them after I read them. Make sense? I've never actually gone to your books link to get a recommendation; no offense -- I just already have too many books piled up that I haven't read yet! However, we do have very similar taste in books. Except for maybe my Jane Austen fetish.

I might by something advertised on Squishy, if it weren't on one of those bloody advertising banners. If you're talking about selling ad space on Squishy: PLEASE DON'T DO IT! I buy stuff on the Internet all the time, but I've NEVER EVER clicked on one of those things. I think they are the work of Satan.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 1999

M Massachusetts I was reading Usenet newsgroups in 1989 Probably wouldn't buy products just because they were advertised in Squishy? No, I'm so far behind in my reading...But a book you wrote, that would be a different story.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 1999

1. Female 2. home: McLean, VA (9 mi. from DC) 3. Net Life -- about 6 years 4. Have bought "Billy" and loved it til I got bored but that's about it. Have not bought any recommended books but may/could in the future and certainly a video of your act -- you rock!

-- Anonymous, November 02, 1999

Female, NY

I've been online since 1992ish, so that's 7 years.

I would wade through countless ads if need be, because I think Pamie deserves to get paid for all the joy she brings into my life each weekday. Banner ads, whatever. Don't care. I might buy a book you recommended, but so far I've already read the ones on your list.

-- Anonymous, November 02, 1999

Are you male or female? - female.

What state/country do you live? - Colorado.

How long have you been in the net? - about 6 years

Would you buy products that were advertised in Squishy? - maybe, if I had use for them and they came highly recommended... I did buy Tae-Bo because of you.

Have you ever bought a book I recommended? - not yet :)

-- Anonymous, November 03, 1999

male, North Carolina, 3 years, I would buy Squishy merchandise or a video of your show (why don't you have Eric tape it and make copies yourself? I bet you could unload a bundle of them. Put me down for one.) I haven't bought any books you've recommended yet, but someday when I get some time, I might.

-- Anonymous, November 04, 1999

Update on the One Person Show tape:

I'm still trying to get a copy of the last tape made. Right now it lives in the HBO offices in L.A., so it may be some time, and it might not happen.

I'll let you know, though.

maybe i'll do a command performance and get it on tape...

-- Anonymous, November 04, 1999

i'm a male living in juneau, alaska i've been hooked to this beautiful damned timewaster for five years now. depends what sort of thing were advertised. archie mcphee reviews of items? sure, probably so. books, not because of your specific recommendations, but i have read a lot of the same ones.

-- Anonymous, November 04, 1999

Are you male or female?

---> Female

What state/country do you live?

---> Atlanta, Georgia, USA

How long have you been in the net?

---> Since 1991 or 1992, and it was (*tumbleweed goes by*) a little quieter then...

Would you buy products that were advertised in Squishy? Have you ever bought a book I recommended?

---> I generally resist online advertising and only buy online if I initiate a search for an item myself. On the other hand, if I were sufficiently intrigued by a description, I might wander into a real bookstore and flip through a book...but I'd buy it there, not online.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2000

Female

Texas/USA

Online since '92 (muds and email only). Webhead since '95

Yep, I'd shop through Squishy. Anything with the Squishy Seal of Approval would have to be worth it. But, ah, I haven't bought any books yet....

-- Anonymous, February 18, 2000

Male. Minnesota. 4 years. Would not, have not, from the net.

-- Anonymous, February 18, 2000