"AJL" <5@fakeaddress.com> wrote:
> Sometimes it is not a *need* but a *want*. Many people rush to be the
> first to have something new. New Ipod, new Palm, and a new OS. I
> remember the news coverage of people waiting in line at midnight just
> so that they could buy a copy of W95 when it was released. Not me
> though, I generally wait at least a week... ;)

Early adapters have their social value by creating buzz around gadgets
that speeds their wider acceptance by the public. That in turn helps the
industry and reduces the per-unit cost eventually.
pj