Its like learning how to ride a bike

The first time I used the internet it was in middle school. I was in the library talking to my friend Mandy who was on the computer. The librarian told me I either had to get on the computer or leave. Since Mandy was my best friend I wanted to stay. I wheeled my chair next to Mandy and stared at it blankly. Mandy had asked if I knew my log-in information, I just shrugged not knowing if I had to talk to the school to get one or if I already had one and didn't know it. She let me use her log-in name and password, I was so excited to be using this new contraption. So I'm logged in and had no clue what to do. Feeling stupid I asked Mandy what I should do, I didn't even know how to pull up the internet window. She pulled up the window and I started looking for pictures of animals just to pass the time. Other than that no one really taught me how to use the computer so most of my computer knowledge is self taught. Even now when I get pop up's asking for directions I just click an option and hope for the best.

 

Looking back on that moment I can't help but laugh. I got my first laptop in 2005 and I've been on it every day since. When I first moved out on my own and got an internet hook up I spent hours on You Tube looking up random music videos for hours and thought it was better than TV. I don't watch much TV but when I do its either music videos, documentaries or some sort of news program. I think the internet is wonderful and everyone should have access to it. I don't have cable but who needs cable now when there are sites like hulu and nextflix. With sites like facebook it seams no one E-mails any more because everyone is using Facebook to communicate. Facebook has allowed me to keep in-contact with family and friends out of state or even different countries.

I think that with the growth of technology people are not as personal as they used to be and their spelling has suffered with all of the short hand terms and abbreviations like “lol”, “bff” and “omg”. This year was the first time I did the vast majority of Christmas shopping online. It was so covenant to not have to have to deal with the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping at the stores. Or, worst yet the mall. I work nights so I sleep during the day and by the time I wake up a lot of places are closing for the day. I also pay most of my bills online. I work full time and go to school full time so the internet with out a doubt has made my life a lot less stressful. Now I wouldn't know where I would be without it.