As I write this post, I feel I am addressing the entire world out there. At the same time I feel like I am throwing words out into the empty space and they are just staring back at me. I feel empowered and free as I can express my opinion about anything under the sun. And yet it makes me feel humble, makes me feel like I am a spec on the vast canvas of the World Wide Web.
Lack of privacy, theft of confidential information, bomb hoax, hate mail, system failures, rumour mongering and so much more has been attributed to the internet. And yet I think I must thank the internet. I don't know what I would have done without it.
The first time I realised the power of the internet was when I opened my email account with Yahoo in 1998. I got in touch with my school friends after a period of 10 years. I became a part of Yahoo Groups which was as popular as Face Book then. I joined a study group online to prepare for an international accounting exam. I used to download study materials online. It was amazing how much I could do just sitting at home, in front of the computer. It is all thanks to the those scientists who thought of the "world wide web", Sir Tim Berners Lee and Robert Cailliau back in the late eighties.
Coming to the present, there are so many things you can do online that our entire lifestyle has changed in the last ten years. When my daughter comes to me for some help with her school project, all I have to do is 'google' for the information first. Life has become simpler after Google.
Following are some things that I don't do anymore, thanks to the internet. This list is not exhaustive.
Having said all this, I don't think I will ever stop buying books or DVDs. I think I enjoy them too much to sacrifice them to the virtual world. I still like visiting a book shop or library to ordering stuff online. I still prefer to visit or call a friend to chatting online. I just am not into chatting. I do not like checking my emails or Face Book while I am on vacation.
I like to take a break every once in a while and come back to look at the bulk of emails that are waiting for me. I like to think that the whole world was paused while I was on vacation. Wow, now wouldn't that be great.
Lack of privacy, theft of confidential information, bomb hoax, hate mail, system failures, rumour mongering and so much more has been attributed to the internet. And yet I think I must thank the internet. I don't know what I would have done without it.
The first time I realised the power of the internet was when I opened my email account with Yahoo in 1998. I got in touch with my school friends after a period of 10 years. I became a part of Yahoo Groups which was as popular as Face Book then. I joined a study group online to prepare for an international accounting exam. I used to download study materials online. It was amazing how much I could do just sitting at home, in front of the computer. It is all thanks to the those scientists who thought of the "world wide web", Sir Tim Berners Lee and Robert Cailliau back in the late eighties.
Coming to the present, there are so many things you can do online that our entire lifestyle has changed in the last ten years. When my daughter comes to me for some help with her school project, all I have to do is 'google' for the information first. Life has become simpler after Google.
Following are some things that I don't do anymore, thanks to the internet. This list is not exhaustive.
- Buy recipe books. I used to be a compulsive buyer of these books, whether I tried all the recipes or not.
- Look at the phone book for telephone numbers or addresses
- Write personal letters (well, it is sad indeed)
- Call long distance (international calls especially)
- Buy movie guides for the latest movie reviews
- Buy music CDs
- Employ a guide for sightseeing
- Stand in line for train tickets
- Call my bank for my account status
Having said all this, I don't think I will ever stop buying books or DVDs. I think I enjoy them too much to sacrifice them to the virtual world. I still like visiting a book shop or library to ordering stuff online. I still prefer to visit or call a friend to chatting online. I just am not into chatting. I do not like checking my emails or Face Book while I am on vacation.
I like to take a break every once in a while and come back to look at the bulk of emails that are waiting for me. I like to think that the whole world was paused while I was on vacation. Wow, now wouldn't that be great.
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I would love to know your thoughts on this ... Thank you for taking the time.