How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

It must have been around 1980 or so, when a sales rep came to my place of emplyment to offer a "network of computers". He alluded to the concept that one day everyone would want and own a personal computer. My reaction was HUH? WHAT FOR?

Anyway, we all know the rest of the story!

For my 60th birthday present to myself ..... I retired and my retirement present to myself was my first home pc. That brought the whole world wide web into my home and it's been a learning experience since then.

How has the internet impacted your life? This topic could be serious or fun, however you want to play it ;D

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

CIB,
I absolutely love my computer..........as a young girl, I discovered the local Brooklyn library and spent hours there. This is a global library at my fingertips............I don't know how I ever got along without a computer. I read, research and YES...SHOP. I interact with my grandchildren (they live in other states). This has given them a easy way to stay in touch. I do all my banking online, download music, and best of all I have met many TOTV'ers here.

Shirleevee

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

"How has the internet changed your life, huh?"

Well, the first answer that popped into my head was, "What life?"

Not really the case. But my answer of first pop is often smart :edit: ed.

I love having a world of information just a click away. But there are days when this puppy can sure get the best of me.

I know I come on here and whine around that this computer is in my kitchen. And how it's too accessible and yaddayadda I should move it. Whine. Whine. Oh woe is me.

But do I ever move it. (rhetorical question there)

For instance, at this very moment in my life (real) life, I have two big projects I am working on. But they are projects on which I have to answer only to myself. The best/worst kind of projects. At this point in my life, I am the boss of me.

So I came into the kitchen just now. A girl has got to eat you know. And I thought I would just check my email. And on my email was my daughter. Also having a late lunch. And what is she doing? She is shooting through cyberspace to her mother, pictures of dresses from Nordstrom's online shopping.

Some of you may remember that over the past few weeks and days, I have been telling you, in the fem forum, all about my shopping. I threw myself upon the mercy of kind strangers out there in TOTVland. And you helped me. Yes you did.

And in that thread, those of you who were shopping with me, well, you know, I think we went out for a gossipy lunch, too. We talked about a bunch of other stuff. And it was fun along with being helpful.

And when you think about all that, it is pretty darned amazing -- and a little odd for an old baby boomer to think about.

So anyway, I helped my daughter make a decision about her dress -- for the same wedding I have been talking about with some of you, in that dress thread.

So when I should be working on my projects, I am sitting here talking(?) with my daughter about her dress. And I am typing words like "ruched." I did not even know I knew such words.

Her shopping is so easy. You see, my daughter is a lovely stickwoman so she looks wonderful in everything. (mirrormirroronthewallwho'sthefairestofthemall) -- No! No! Please do not be horrified! I am just kidding about that part. Just messing around. As I am wont to do. When I do not want to work on projects.

And I am the one who told her about Nordstrom's online in the first place. And I talked to some other people about it. We are emailing monsters now. Shopping together. It is madness.

So anyway, after checking email and then the stock market, I decided, "Just One Look" at TOTV. And then I saw this question. And. . ."That's all it took."

And now I have once again begun to speak in song lyrics. So I know it is time to get back to those projects. But I just wanted to let you know how the internet has changed my life.

Boomer

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

wow, where to begin! Our home away from TV is a small town, 45 minutes to Carrabbas! Or any other quality eatery as far as that goes, I love the fact that I can shop on line, check the weather, look at the web cams at SS and LSL when I am there or here, in Georgia.
But, the greatest thing to me, being profoundly deaf and unable to use the phone..is email and instant messaging and being able to "talk" to my children and other family members and freinds, who are miles away.
I am so thankful for this computer for many reasons!
It's been a real life changer for me!

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

When our daughter was 8 (she is now 21), she had to write a report for school that included two internet references in her bibliography. We knew at that time we would need to have a home computer so that she would be able to compete in the job market once her education was done. We now can keep in touch with her through the computer. We both have webcams, so we can also see each other while we talk. (So much like the Jetsons!!!)

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

I got hooked on computers back in the 80's when they plopped an old PC on my desk at work (without any software) and no instruction. I acquired some software and learned dos which has helped me along my computer highway.

I've replaced all kinds of hardware in various computers and all but rebuilt a couple of them.

Anyway, to me the internet is the greatest. I do all my banking, pay bills, buy presents (and stuff for myself). It's so useful for researching before you shop, too.

My grandkids and I keep in touch by email. It's even a good way to keep in daily touch with the ones who live close. They get a kick out of getting email from grandmom.

I email my three kids almost daily, and it's great when we're traveling.

And, of course, there are the BB's like TOTV. What a wealth of information on the Villages!

We panic if something goes wrong with the computer. That's why we got a laptop.
We were in Florida for 2 months this past Jan/Feb and the monitor in the house we were renting died. They replaced it, but before they did, we went out and bought a laptop.

My husband's doctor's office even emailed info he needed about his meds while we were there.

Can't be without my 'puter.

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

I retired at age 60 as a symbolic birthday present to myself, and aside from the horrible working conditions (another story) I was in physical pain. Several months earlier, I tore the meniscus of my knee(s) and I could barely walk and was in pain from the inflammation. I refused to take NSAIDs or have the arthroscopy procedure.

Anyway, I purchased my first pc and it became my best friend at home! I was obsessed with finding out information on knees, inflammation, arthritis, etc. I visited every health related message board and asked.... "will a torn meniscus ever heal itself without the surgery ??? ". I never did get an answer.

To make a long story short, my home pc became my invaluable tool for inspiration regarding natural health remedies. I managed the knee inflammation through nutrition and exercise (arthritis also). Today I'm pain free, although limited in my ability to run, skip, jump or walk very fast. Through the 'puter I learned how to reduce my high cholesterol without taking drugs. Participating on community, forums such as this one, maintains the few writing skills I have left and the wonderful opportunity to make friends.... all as a result of the internet ;D

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

It's really become an integral part of my life. I use it all day and night to do little things. The wealth of data out there is just amazing. From finding phone numbers, services and directions to watching the grandkids on the web cams it's as much a part of my everyday life as the phone, television, car etc. If it's not working I feel like something important is missing.
I've had a PC since they came out in the early 80's. I now can't remember what I did with it before it became wired to the internet in the mid-90's. The change was gradual - from dialing up AOL to now having a permanent broad-band connection in the house with as much band width as some very large corporations had a few years ago.
It's an amazing tool that I can't live without.

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

024 Oh, wow – where to begin.

I was working at the time the first computers hit the market, I believe 1979 or 1980. The large company I was with immediately installed them and trained us on the job and paid for us to attend classes. Initially, it was just a challenge and necessary, but as it rapidly added bells and whistlesbeyond what I ever could have imagined. I am hooked and have had a home PC since IBM came out with them in the early 80’s. I was paid well at to type manuscripts for university professors to supplement my income because not that many people were into computers at that time. Now there is outsourcing. How times and technology have changed!!

Now, everything is so quick with a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips. I will actually go to google and ask such things as, “how to clean a silk lampshade” , “how to grow dill” ??? Because of email, I find I do not make as many phone calls or write as many letters which I really don't think is all that good, but oh so convenient. However, it is wonderful talking with my 3 children and seeing them on the webcam as we talk. Downside is looking over my shoulder for the bad boys: hackers, spammers, etc.
I now read newspapers online of which I was a subscriber(except The Sun) .

I spend way too much time on the PC -- Learning, researching, exchanging photos, chatting with friends, and best of all, being on TOTV. What did I ever do without it? I am totally lost if it goes down.
Going a day without a PC is like, say, going without drinking a glass of water or having that first beautiful cup of coffee in the morning and, more importantly, not being able to log onto TOTV.
And how would we have met each other without our PC's. :clap2:

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

I have mentioned before that way back in 1970, I worked at a high rise bank that had a whole floor for the computer. It was monstrous, had to be cooled and dust free. I keypunched information (data) onto the cards of an IBM 129 for the computer to read and then reconciled the rolls of data paper that emerged from the computer. I learned way back then that the information you get from a computer is only as good as what info it was given by a human. I was at 99.1 percent accuracy. Now I am self employed and the computer is an integral part of that work. Without a PC my work would be impossible. My daughter has an ebay business. Ladies, Girls like Coach? BEBE? Guess? go see what victoriapaige25 has on ebay right now!! She is a shopiholic and decided to shop for others!! I email friends and family, play games, and spend most time here at TOTV! TOTV is a big part of my life and my portal to meeting the NICEST people here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

Hi Rhonda -

How exciting to know someone who keypunched!!
I did also for two summers when I was in college in the 50's in the home office of the corporation where my dad worked. The monster machine punched out cards a little longer than index cards of where CSX trains traveled and the loads their freight cars carried. At that time, the machine produced cards, nothing into a computer. There was a large noisy room of keypunchers and at the end of the day, I felt "punchy"!

I too learned about accuracy and it followed me during my work experience.
It's exciting about your daughter's business - smart gal! I will check it out.

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

One day just after I went and bought a computer I saw something about overseas schools. I went to school at Clark AB the Philippines 8th thru 11th grade. Came to the US and lost track of everyone I knew there. I clicked on the site and there it was Wurtsmith Schools. On it were a couple people I knew but only a couple. I believe this was 1995 or 1996. There were only 700 people registered on the site. We started seaching for more. In 1997 we had a reunion in Charleston SC. Just about everyone from the classes of 58 and 59 were there. I was class of 61 but knew all the older kids. There were a few from 60 and 61. It was like the Twilight Zone having all them together. We continue to find more people and have reunons every year or two. BTW there are 6000+ registered on the site now. Classes range from 1946 thru 1996. This is the neatest thing to happen. Tonight I am going to a party in Orlando. There will b a group there who were in the PI. We were there different years but have much in common.

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

The ability to research anything in seconds is just amazing to me. I can't live without my computer. Paying bills, keeping in touch with friends and family, TOTV, SS and LSL webcams, etc. etc. But the biggest change happened when I met a man named Bill online back in January of 2006 and we got married in November of 2007. Best thing that ever happened to me.

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

Don't know how I would survive without my puter........My only problem is its very slow......I am now saving my allowance to buy a new one....I want an ELECTRIC one, This one is GAS..........

Modern fumar

Re: How has the INTERNET changed your life?
 

It was at the beginning of this millennium that I purchased a computer for myself and started traveling the information highway.

I can't believe how I ever got along without it.

I too was a early library user and now the worlds library is at my fingertips.

I love that my grandchildren and my childhood friend that I talk to everyday is as near as this keyboard.


OH FUMAR. I see what you posted. You had better not let the "Green" people hear that you have been using a gas computer!