Ross Gittins article on the subject:

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/internets-ability-to-disrupt-and-benefit-has-only-just-begun-20110802-1i9nv.html

A study commissioned by Google can probably be taken with salt but interesting reading anyway.

I know it save me lots of time - spent an hour looking for a new waterproof camera last night. Looks like they don't import the one I'm thinking of to Australia so started looking overseas on fleabay. Couldn't have done that a few years ago.

Its a major shake up for the retail sector.
I notice "MR HARVEY NORMAN" is complaining.

Why would he...... he has made his million from placing 70 percent markup on everything and ripping of consumers.
Consumers can no longer "afford" to pay for outrageous overpriced marked up goods

Proceed with caution in this day and age when purchasing a retail business also.
Forecast looks sketchy.

Looks like the bustling metropolis of Geraldton gets the new Fibre optic first.
pRoN never looked so sweet.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9963748/wa-to-get-nbn-by-end-of-year/