You can not make a conclusion on the network from only one aspect. the internet is advertising. training, shopping, reaearch, and more. Each one of these have both pro and cons to them, In relation to the new generation, they are for the most part totally instant gratification driven, and serviced by the internet. They have less need for personal contact. If they have to,,, they will do a formal class to get beyond an OW card but it ends there for too many. Unless they HAVE TO have personal further training they will not do it. In most cases they do not have to do it because the industries economics is based on no furtuer than OW training. that's not a rant .... it is just a case of,,,,,, those are the facts. LDS's have shut down because of the internet. Its pure business outcome. The cheaper guy gets the market. Much like Padi is the most popular organization for trainers,,,, not because of any degree of being best , but because they can operate independantly out side of a shop. Perhaps another view of it is that you do not need a cert to dive any more than you need a license to drive. They are both nothing more than a cert documenting training that should better your chances of survival. The old folks here know this to be true. Many dove with out any prior training, and are all here to tell about it. So yes basic diving is that simple.
your reply and im quoting you as you stated its not a rant...IS a rant....
you think there are negatives to the internet that outweigh finding great dive destinations and great deals....and that it kills local dive shops.
Ill call b.s. on your theory right now. Vehemently but with friendship in mind towards you personally as another diver....albeit misinformed.
Why am I taking an opposing view to you? im older....im pre internet....
but
You are missing the point....local dive shops have all the power. IF they have a good business model.
I buy things online for scuba yes. small things...but in the last year ive spent about 8 grand at my local dive shop. because they are BETTER than the internet...how is that? how can my dive shop sell me a Teric for 800 bucks? How can they also fill my scuba tanks to within two tenths of a percent on nitrox fills?
how can they organize cool local weekend dives?
I dont get it kws....how are they BEATING THE INTERNET???
EVERYONE loves the ease of the internet but EVERYONE also loves the human touch. I have a guy at one of my two dive shops that totally rips me every time i come by....suggests all kinds of things.... i love this man....hes got personality....the internet doesnt have that!!!
this shop has been around forever as has the other one....they are both AWESOME....do i buy online? yes when its black and white, hey im poor i save where i can but when i make a large purchase i buy in person with people i like alot.
is the internet killing local dive centers? HA!!!!
you want to see a great online business model? Look at lake hickory scuba....those guys are badazz. youtube, scubaboard, website....they kill it....a local dive shop where??? not in ANY exotic location
the internet does not kill local business...it HELPS local business....but the weak ones yes you are correct....will fail more often now
survival of the fittest.
the internet is a double edged sword. it may kill some but those places deserve to die....or change and grow to survive....
by the way....you say your nearest local dive center is 100 miles away....
dont want to be rude but who puts up an icecream stand in the middle of a desert with no local traffic.....
you want to see a lot of dive centers then live near scuba areas..... dont use an excuse to say scuba is failing.