A lesson in energy efficiency (Internet Surfing)

Member Name: The Duke

Product:	Internet Surfing
Date:	08/06/01 (61 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun, Free (ish)

Disadvantages: Time consuming, Requires some computer experience

For those of you who have read my profile, you'll see I'm a student. For those of you who have gotten to know me better, you'll know I'm a lazy student. For those of you who actually know me in real life, you'll know I'm a lazy, drunken student (is there any other kind?). Ah the life of a student! What could possibly be more laid back that turning up to a few classes every week, kicking back, swigging beer and generally doing nothing in particular? Well, if there is actually something that is more laid back, let me know, and I'll be doing that come Monday morning – but only if it pays better than being a student! I do have my standards, you know!

So, as a lazy student, how can I stay lazy and yet still get things done? Well, the answer, if you haven't already guessed, is the Internet! The Internet is more than just browsing the web, and although this is probably the most well known aspect of it, there is more to the Internet than just "surfing". Some of which you are no doubt aware, and some which you might not have considered before! So, exactly how much enjoyment can you get sitting in front of a computer, and what benefits do you get from being online?

**World Wide Web**
Everyone knows about the World Wide Web, after all, it's what you're using to look at this site and this opinion! Now, with the advent of cheaper Internet call charges and secure e-commerce aspects, there's not a lot you can't do with the World Wide Web. Your weekly shopping can be obtained online from the likes of Tesco (www.tesco.com) and Iceland (www.iceland.co.uk) who have online presences, for a small charge, of course. You can play games on the web as well! Shockwave (www.shockwave.com) is a small browser add-on that enables you to play some animations and games, and can be fun. They say that you can find the answer to almost any question you care to ask on the World Wide Web, and it's just a matter of
knowing where to look. There are loads of information based sites out there ranging from consumer reviews (www.dooyoo.co.uk as if you hadn't guessed) to computer information/problem solving sites (www.crashproofpc.com) to health information (www.patient.co.uk), and now even online banking with practically every bank offering some sort of online facility. You can even (and I'm shocked that I'm even going to suggest this...) hunt for jobs online (www.monster.co.uk) although that somewhat defeats the purpose of being lazy in front of the computer, doesn't it? Are you sick and tired of sitting in front of your computer, and want to sit somewhere else? Take a holiday (www.thomascook.co.uk) and soak up some sun. So far, so good. All this information at my fingertips and the most energetic thing I've done is type! Ah, I can feel those pounds piling on already due my large junk food intake (www.dominos.co.uk) and lack of exercise!

**Chatting with other people**
There are loads of ways to communicate with other people while you're online. The most popular ways are by IRC (Internet Relay Chat) and IM (Instant Messaging). I use both – for IRC, I use a program called mIRC (www.mirc.co.uk) which is easy to use, and can have you chatting in minutes and your choice of IM software depends purely on what your friends are using (they are not cross compatible) so you'll have to go to the likes of www.icq.com , www.microsoft.com or even www.yahoo.com for their IM software. The main difference between the two of them is that IRC is a "room" based chat i.e. loads of people all having a public conversation, but with the ability to talk one-on-one in private, whereas IM is simply one-on-one messaging. I should point out that there are some scare stories regarding online chat, but a simple dose of common sense while chatting (i.e. don't give out personal details to anyone you don't know) can improve safety, and increase enjoy
ment. Another method of communicating with other people is VOIP (Voice over IP) and what this technical sounding thing simply means is that you use your computer (complete with soundcard, speakers and microphone) as a telephone and some software (www.tucows.com is a good source for internet related software) and the person you wish to talk to, does not necessarily have to have an online computer – in some cases, you can "dial" their phone!

**E-mail**
Ah the staple of every office worker and university student who wishes to waste time by sending crap jokes, amusing pictures and other pieces of useless information. Email can also (you'll be shocked by this one...) be used to write letters of family and friends all over the world, or even just down the street, if they have access to an email account! Shocking, isn't it? The uses for email are almost as many as the web sites on the World Wide Web – staying in contact with family and friends, applying for jobs, playing games with other people (chess, for example). The list goes on. You can either use your own ISP (Internet Service Provider) email account, or go to one of the free web based accounts (www.hotmail.com, www.yahoo.com, www.lycos.co.uk) to set up an account.

**Gaming**
Bored playing with yourself? (Wipe that smile off your face!) I'm sure you must have one or two games stashed away! Nearly all games released today have some sort of Internet multiplayer capability enabling you to test your skills not against pre-programmed enemies/opponents, but against real live (and as lazy as you) people. The most popular form of online gaming is the first person shooter where you generally try and "kill" many people, although there are lots of other different types of games for you to enjoy like sports (FIFA etc.), flight simulators and all manner of role playing games. While dialling in through a dedicated gaming server (www.barrysworld.com or www.gamepl
ay.com) is not strictly necessary, visiting one of these web sites should at least give you an idea of what's going on, and how you can get started.

**File sharing**
A biggie in the news recently with the much-publicised Napster (www.napster.com) being hounded by the record companies for illegal distribution of mp3 (music) files across the world and subsequent loss of profits for them and their artists. Napster enables only the swapping of mp3 files, which can prove to be very limited – especially as it is now on its' last legs. Other methods for transferring files across the internet include FTP (file transfer protocol – look at www.tucows.com for ftp programs) which enables you to log onto a remote server (i.e. someone else's computer) and download files, or with other file sharing software – specifically peer-to-peer software that lets you hunt down specific types of files (sound, video, programs etc.) from millions of online users world wide. The Gnutella system (www.gnotella.com will provide you with a program to use this system) is one example out of many who are all aiming to become the next Napster.

Well, there you have it – just a few ways that I use the Internet. Not bad, eh? I've been using the Internet myself for over 4 years now, and I'm still constantly amazed by what new helpful and fun stuff springs up regularly. I hope that this has been of some help or interest because, being lazy, I don't want to think that all the energy I used typing this up and posting it was wasted. It could have been put to better use, like pressing buttons on the remote control of the telly, or revising for my exams!

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