Where do you want to go today?.... (Internet Surfing)

Member Name: Blurbubble

Product:	Internet Surfing
Date:	22/09/01 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The possibilites are endless!

Disadvantages: Can be addictive and expensive.

...used to be the key line on the Microsoft/Windows TV advertisements some time ago and seems just as apt these days as the internet has really taken off and most people, if they want to, have access to it either at home, work or the numerous internet cafes to be found in many towns and cities.

So surfing the internet as a hobby? Do many people see it as a hobby? It is, I guess, to start with, but for many, many people it is also more than that. A source of information for students and others seeking knowledge, a source of entertainment, a ways of meeting new people, communication and so much more.

I always vowed I never wanted a computer in my home having had trials and tribulations with these temperamental machines at work! That is, until I discovered the joys of email and found I had many friends with email facilities as well as being able to use it for personal business and correspondenc - and so, I had to admit, I now wanted a computer and one with a modem at that! The internet beckoned soon after...

Then it happened! Christmas 1999 and my new friend arrived - a new computer complete with all those much desired facilities - not the highest specification machine but it did what I wanted it to do. At first I just went email crazy with my friends and family but I soon branched out as I was shown how to search the net for things of interest to me and, from there, I discovered the joy of impulsive surfing as various sites led to various other sites and so on.

It was not long before I discovered, through Yahoo initially, how to set up my own clubs/forums, chat to people, use an instant messenger, put my photos on the web and so much more. The possibilities seemed literally endless!! I had big ideas for my new, very time-consuming hobby!

Then it set in, the addiction, the novelty hadn't worn off and I was spending hours on the internet - chatting to new-found friends, visiting clubs, signing up for anything and everyt
hing, joining sites of interest (such as Dooyoo and Ciao!) and entering prize draws and competitions. Afternoons and evenings flew by in a haze of ever-changing screens as I discovered more and more and got hooked and hooked and it became my ONLY hobby - everything else went out the window!

Luckily these days I'm not quite so obsessive and don't spend so many hours online in one go though I still have my addictions - I love these consumer writing sites and can stay on them for hours, I have clubs I run and maintain and of course new friends to email and chat too, but I don't go off on surfing sprees as much as I used to unless there is something in particular I want to find or research, but at least it's all there at my fingertips if I want it. I must say, in my case, having a computer and access to the internet has been a great lifeline for me this last 18 months or so since I have been stuck at home with a long-term illness and unable to get out and about much. I have met some of my trusted online friends in "real life", even made my first trip abroad through that channel. I've saved on postage costs by being able to email instead of send a letter and by being able to show people photos on free net sites rather than put them in the mail too.

OK, so there are risks and disadvantages involved to the internet, let's not be naïve about it, but I think they are far fewer than the advantages. The internet can be a risky business for unsupervised young children aimlessly surfing or going into chat rooms. Even adults can be prey to unscrupulous people in chat rooms or sign up for things only to find their details have been passed on and then you are plagued with unwanted spam mail or porn.

Depending on the nature of a site on the net they can attract all sorts of people, even Dooyoo has its cheats and abusers but it is a matter of common sense and being able to read between the lines to make your internet us
e safe and enjoyable.

It's a hobby to be savoured and enjoyed whether you use it for a few minutes each day or spend hours online every week, just remember not to let it take over your life.

It's an infinite world out there!

Summary: