The Internet-based survey methodology and semi-automated analysis were both found to be robust and reliable.

This column documents the results of a semi-automated analysis of comments left by Website visitors while they were downloading the AIDA software, before they had a chance to use the program. Since its launch in 1996 over 300,000 visits have been logged at the main AIDA Website-over 60,000 copies of the AIDA program have been downloaded free-of-charge. It has been made freely available, without charge, on the Internet as a noncommercial contribution to continuing diabetes education. AIDA permits the interactive simulation of plasma insulin and blood glucose profiles for teaching, demonstration, self-learning, and research purposes. The purpose of this column is to overview a proof-of-concept semi-automated analysis about why people are downloading the latest version of the AIDA educational diabetes program. In previous 'Diabetes Information Technology & WebWatch' columns various indicators of usage of the AIDA program have been reviewed, and various comments from users of the software have been documented. The software is intended to serve as an educational support tool and can be used by anyone who has an interest in diabetes, whether they be patients, relatives, health-care professionals, or students. AIDA is a diabetes-computing program freely available at on the Web.

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