The concept of a new global culture is part of a report done by IDC Canada and commissioned by Nortel in which 2,400 working adults in 17 nations were asked about the technology they use.

The report provides a glimpse of a new kind of person, who crosses all borders and all cultures and is driven by tech.

Sixteen per cent fall into the super-connected category. These people use at least seven devices - i.e., a laptop, cell phone, desktop computer, GPS unit - and they use at least nine applications, such as Facebook, Skype, Second Life, blogs or Twitter.

Is this sounding like your life?

Another 36 per cent are just a few steps behind the super connected. For over a year now, Nortel has taken the marketing position that the world is moving to hyper connectivity. They wanted IDC to do some research and John Roese, Nortel's CTO, says the results show it's happening even faster than expected.

Most of the super connected are in China, with high numbers also found in the U.S. and Russia. Canada - which likes to think of itself as a wired nation - tied for last place with the United Arab Emirates in terms of how much we actually use the technology.

Most of the super users are under the age of 35 and the study says that as the next generation - one that grew up with tech - enters the workplace, they'll want all the tools they know and love.

Thirty-five per cent of those questioned feel technology helps them balance work and home life; 21 per cent said it makes the balance more difficult.

Overall, the study concluded that the technology is blurring the line between work and home. IDC senior VP Vito Marbrucco told me there is no indication that we have reached the limit on how much technology we can handle.

What this means for employers is that they have to look hard at implementing the latest telecomm tech or they may find potential new employees looking elsewhere.

Is this just marketing hype? IDC stands by the credibility of the study, but the survey certainly plays to Nortel's strengths. The report goes as far as suggesting companies need to buy what Nortel is offering in order to be successful.

At the same time the report is a quick and direct summary of many of the key issues now swirling in the tech world, for both users and for companies.

Web site of the Week: 

www.dipity.com. This site allows you to build timelines of events in your life, complete with images, video and text. The newest wrinkle, timelines combined with You Tube videos.

This Sunday one of the stories on TECH NOW will be from India where they are dealing with the rising cost of doing business.

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