Hearteningly, our black readers were the most optimistic of the lot, despite the fact that at present four in ten black readers reported their income as under £5,000. They are much more likely to be women, asylum seekers, or both, but also clearly believe that 'things can only get better'.

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You've definitely caught up with the computer age. Nearly five-sixths have internet access - that's up from a half in 1999.
Many of you have bought health and beauty products after reading about them - Aloe Dent toothpaste, Innocent smoothies and Butt-for-You padded pants to name a few. Several people mentioned seeking out specific complementary therapies or products. Despite lower incomes than the general population, you do respond to adverts and spend money on certain things, especially health and beauty products, and travel.
You travel a lot. In fact, forty-five per cent of positive male readers had been abroad

more than six times in the last five years. Contrary to expectation, positive readers were no less likely to travel than HIV negative ones - so it's not all professionals jetting off to conferences.
Who are you?

We have a total of about 40,000 readers. Two-