Job Discussion Forums

Guest

I don't know about you guys, but the Internet totall changed my life.

If it was not for the Internet, I would not be in China etc. etc.

I can remember what it was like living in Adelaide (South Australia) BEFORE television for heavens sake!

I would be interested in your stories of how the Internet has change your life. Especially you younger ones, who take it for granted.

Thanks

leby26 · Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 68

I use the Internet A LOT, its crazy! But I find it invaluable in so many regards, mainly for research really - its just handy; you have a question you type it in and do a search and you got it. I've been using it a lot over the past few months though to research my options after I get my undergrad here (which school to go to, which degree? or, which EFL course, which country; job opportunities - what's out there if I decide to make bead-necklaces for a living, etc) It is very very useful in that way - and the choice I make with the help of all my research will undoubtedly change my life!

Also, my university has started to use it as an official method of communication, so you almost have to use it here.
I also tend to use it for times like right now when I'm supposed to be finishing an essay that was due today but I keep trying to avoid it!

One of the greatest things is being able to keep in touch with people far away through instant messaging or emails - great friends I'd hate to lose touch with
It actually scares me sometimes how dependant I can be of the Internet! When it goes down at times, I really start to see how much I 'need' it - it's addictive I tell ya, addictive!!
I'm not even going to attempt to list all of the important things that the Internet has done - it really opens doors; oh, and ofcourse there's always the wonderful pop-ups and porn! jk

good post Rhonda Place, it'll be interesting to see the responses from everyone!

Laura

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I was just starting undergrad when the internet and email were becoming so popular. I resisted it for about a year, refusing to get an email address (I've got a wee bit of technophone in me) because it didn't seem like "real" communication. I don't remember what it was that finally got hooked, but now what would I ever do without it?!?!

Sometimes I think back even farther to life before computers, or even typewriters--back when people actually had to write by hand!!! (gasp)

d

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I came to China despite the fact there was NO Internet at that time (or known to me to exist).

I am not sure it is such a blessing.
It makes people even more superficial and unreliable.

Just like the cellphone - those who rely on it (the majority of Chinese now) don't like to commit themselves to any appointment. Some keep asking people to remind them by phone so they can remain updated on what other options there might be.

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

Rhonda, like you I spent my younger years without TV. Even though I worked in IT (mainframe) for decades, it was hard to get into the net. Now I find it hard to get along without. In summer when I go to the family cottage, I quit cold turkey. It's hard.

In China, it provides a link to MY real world. I don't know how I'd cope without it.

It makes me wonder how brutal it was for my ancestors who not only couldn't afford to return home to Scotland but had to wait months for return post.

We live in wonderful times!

khmerhit · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:50 am Post subject:

I saw my old high school English teacher at the library tonite, not for the first time... He was old and burnt out when he taught me more than twenty years ago. He grew up in northern Ireland before there was tv; radio was the thing: The Goon show, Dylan Thomas, It's That Man Again. Vera Lynn. Doing the Lambeth Walk...

Anyway, there he was, entranced, surfing the net. Cool

James_T_Kirk · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 357 Location: Ten Forward

I'll never forget my first experience with the internet. It was 1996, and I was in college in Florida at the time. My friend from Nova Scotia, who used the internet to primarily communicate with his family, introduced me to the wonderful cyberworld...I was immediately hooked! He and some other guys went out while I stayed glued to his computer....for 12 CONSECUTIVE HOURS! Back then, the World Wide Web was a magical thing in my mind. I don't think I could have lived overseas without it. I loved it when I was first exposed to it, and I still love it now.

Cheers,
Kirk

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

I recall going to libraries and looking information up in the books. We talked on the phone and write letters by hand to people. We sent cards and packages rather than ecards and cute forwards.

I miss getting letters, but I love that the internet lets me be close to my family and friends while I am here in HK.

Without it, I imagine I would still be in Canada...reading a book and writing a letter to someone.

Guest · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 6:31 am Post subject:

Yes, I agree, it opens up the world to us in a way that is hard for me to believe.

You young people take this technology in your stride, I know my 23 year ols Son does, but for me it is slightly different. I did not actually search the Net until February last year but I have rarely been off of it for a day since that time.

YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS!!!

stevenabroad · Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 34

I would hazard to guess the current demand for learning english would not be what it is without the internet boom

Snoopy · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 185

Unfortunately, I am old enough to remember Banda and Gestetner duplicators and bashing away in the evenings on a second-hand ancient office tripewriter to produce teaching materials. My mother (83) knows how to get her racing tips and place bets on the net and I get the occasional email.

ChadwickKent · Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 55

Was there life before the internet?

I can not seem to recall that and I am past 60, (not 60 mph) but I am not telling how far past.

Lanza-Armonia · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:43 pm Post subject:

Well, seeing that I am younger than most (possibly all) of you, I cannot remember a time without the internet. Although I would be interesting in learning about a time when people used an intervention called a 'pen'. Geez, I'd rather use my mobile, laptop, PDA, mp3, DVD, VRK so, GPRS, WAP, iPOD and Apple anyday before this so called 'pen'.

LA

Snoopy · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 185

. . . and having worked in two of the rich Gulf states, I found communication very difficult. In my Saudi years, there was no possibility of internet connection. In Qatar, the company blocked emails because they were not work-related. They were, because people were applying for jobs elsewhere. One had to resort to Internet cafes. And why am I applying to go back to the Middle East?