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Mukwonago, WI - Gladys Pulaski, 62-year-old
homemaker and online enthusiast, stated that she "strongly prefers" the
World Wide Web to the Internet.
 "Just about everything online these days starts with 'www,'
which stands for World Wide Web," she said. "I hear talk
about Internet-this and Internet-that, but everything I need is right
here on the Web. I even use Web mail because it's free. Can the same
be said about Internet mail? I doubt it."
Ubiquity and ease of use are not the only reasons for Mrs. Pulaski's
preference. She claims that online pornography, often referred to
as "Internet porn" is one of the main reasons she eschews
the Internet for the Web. "I've had some questionable things
pop up on the Web after [husband] Earl's used it, but when I asked
him he said it must be coming over from the Internet somehow," she
said. “I don't subscribe to the Internet, so I don't see how
it could've gotten there, but he was an engineer, so I guess he would
know."
"I've explained this to her ad nauseam but it never sinks in," said
systems analyst Rick Pulaski, Gladys' oldest son. "I'm like,
'Mom, the World Wide Web and the Internet are not competing products.
The Web rides on the infrastructure of the Internet.' She just laughs,
as if I am trying to trick her or something and says she 'doesn't
know anyone who uses the Internet.' I might as well speak Portuguese."
Mrs. Pulaski's preference for the Web grew even stronger recently
when she decided to visit www.Internet.com and "see what all
the hype was about."
She was underwhelmed.
"You'd think the Internet would have some fancy Web site. It's
nice, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't make me want to run out
and get a subscription to it. I didn't even see any 'Subscribe to
the Internet' banner ads, which seemed strange. Maybe the Internet
got hit by the recession and they can't advertise as much."
Samantha Bryant, Pulaski's daughter, feels that her mother's enthusiasm
is harmless, albeit misdirected. "She drives Rick crazy, but
I see no reason to steal her thunder. A few weeks ago, Rick got into
it with her at Dad's birthday party and at one point, she tells everyone
to be quiet and says, ‘Everyone who likes the Internet better
than the World Wide Web raise their hands!' Of course, everyone was
trying either not to laugh or to figure out what the hell she was
saying, but she just stuck out her tongue at Rick and said, 'Case
closed.' He looked like he wanted to strangle her."
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