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Do you ever reflect on the extraordinary value of the internet? I remember in the early 90s having a discussion with some colleagues about the potential of the world wide web. Linking computers together, sharing information, worldwide. It was mind blowing then. As it is now.
I retired in 1995. Oh, how I wish I had the tools available today during the last few years of my career. But then what a difference the internet has made to my retirement. Over the past few years I have studied a wide range of subjects and come to understand how to use the internet to enhance the pleasure and effectiveness of my daily life. I remain puzzled why so many of my friends have failed to grasp the opportunities made possible by the internet. A lot of them are bright people, but they still don't grasp how much more they would get out of life by just using the internet for a relatively short time each day. It is a bit of an age thing, but there are growing numbers of older people who are embracing new technology now.
The point of this post is to stimulate discussion about ideas for further use of the internet which may not have occurred to us.
Perhaps we might highlight particularly useful websites or little tricks we have found that have helped our internet use. Or tips to make us more streetwise about the dangers we all face by being too open with information.
Here's some advice for discussion. Always assume that anything you say on the internet can be traced back to the real you. There is nowhere to hide. So to say things you would regret being traced back to you is at best, risky. The internet is full of forums in which people say stupid and outlandish things to each other. The world is a dangerous place and there are a lot of weird people out there. So the internet culture is anonymity. People think they are safe to say what they like. They are not. Because if someone really wants to find you, they will. So when I am on the internet I behave as the real me. I bite my tongue when I have to, just like in real life. I don't make remarks that I would not like my friends and family to hear. That's the way I play it, and it will stay that way.
As for useful websites. This is one of them. And it's friendly. I like that. Not like Saga. It can be vicious there.
I retired in 1995. Oh, how I wish I had the tools available today during the last few years of my career. But then what a difference the internet has made to my retirement. Over the past few years I have studied a wide range of subjects and come to understand how to use the internet to enhance the pleasure and effectiveness of my daily life. I remain puzzled why so many of my friends have failed to grasp the opportunities made possible by the internet. A lot of them are bright people, but they still don't grasp how much more they would get out of life by just using the internet for a relatively short time each day. It is a bit of an age thing, but there are growing numbers of older people who are embracing new technology now.
The point of this post is to stimulate discussion about ideas for further use of the internet which may not have occurred to us.
Perhaps we might highlight particularly useful websites or little tricks we have found that have helped our internet use. Or tips to make us more streetwise about the dangers we all face by being too open with information.
Here's some advice for discussion. Always assume that anything you say on the internet can be traced back to the real you. There is nowhere to hide. So to say things you would regret being traced back to you is at best, risky. The internet is full of forums in which people say stupid and outlandish things to each other. The world is a dangerous place and there are a lot of weird people out there. So the internet culture is anonymity. People think they are safe to say what they like. They are not. Because if someone really wants to find you, they will. So when I am on the internet I behave as the real me. I bite my tongue when I have to, just like in real life. I don't make remarks that I would not like my friends and family to hear. That's the way I play it, and it will stay that way.
As for useful websites. This is one of them. And it's friendly. I like that. Not like Saga. It can be vicious there.