For those interested in this "controversial" subject, the Funredes Foundation maintains an observatory of languages and culture on the Internet http://funredes.org/lc/index.html It developed an original measurement methodology and was a major contributor to the recent UNESCO study that was mentioned in an earlier message
Furthermore, you might want to look at the following UNESCO report on measuring Linguistic Diversity on the Internet: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=20804&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTI... As to quote of Prof. Crystal mentioned by Alex Kuskis "Every significant cultural innovation of modern times - from the invention of the radio, to the Internet, to air traffic control - began in an English-speaking country or was immediately facilitated by an English-speaking country. It really is amazing." it is sort of ... hum, symptomatic of the kind of cultural chauvinism human kind would be well inspired to keep away from. Note the absence of a mention of television and a few other things.
Michel Menou -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.2.6/288 - Release Date: 22/03/2006