I have used the web as a social venue right from the beginning. I didn't care about surfing the web for research when I got the internet in middle school; my primary concern was AIM and my yahoo email account. As I have gotten old I can definitely say things have only gotten worse. Land line phones seem almost bizarre now and the internet has turned in to a social beacon for college students and young adults. Looking into the future, I sense things will only progress in this direction. Below are a few of my primary social hot spots on the web and dealing with technology.
American Online
As my first internet provider AOL is still my primary email address, search engine, and news feed. This internet mogul was first introduced as dial up ( which is still in place at my house almost ten years later due to the fact I like in the middle of no where, New York.) but is now also available for dial-up, and a new free email account provider. AOL has anything necessary and desired for web users. They target all age groups with music, headings, information and web access.
Instant Messanger
AOL instant messenger has become link with the internet almost simultaneously these days. This program has been accentuating and ruining my life since I was first introduced to it in 7th grade. I don't think I could count the number of hours I spend on AIM daily and over the span of my internet lifetime. Not only are the hours at such a large number but it is almost embarrassing how much time I spend and waste on this! In it's defense I will applaud it's phenomenal easy to use set up and it's ability to link people all over the world in seconds. I began using it to talk to my school friend and cousins in other states and cities. Today I would be lost with out it because I am so far away from so many people that I want and need to talk to. AIM makes people far more accessible than through telephones and even emails. Since I have gone to college my father and mother have gotten AIM screen names and I talk to them frequently on this. Spread out family members and home friends are much easier to keep in touch with because it is so easy to Instant Message (IM) them. Some downfalls are the language AIM has spawned. It is such an informal atmosphere that people acquired slang for IMing that has over flowed into daily lives. Teachers are quite vocal now at pointing out people using very improper grammar and made-up words, all originating from the wide spread use of AIM. This program is also a procrastinator's worst nightmare. There are countless hours I should have been sleeping, doing homework, cleaning, or doing something productive that were spent aimlessly chatting away...OPS!
My Cell Phone History
I got my first cell phone in 8th grade and have been dependant on a cell phone ever since. I thought (like any and every other kid that gets their first cell phone) that I was so cool with my multi colored track phone. This pay by month cell phone lasted for two years and as technology advanced I got another phone. This new Nokia version Sprint came out with was my new favorite toy. With more ring tones and changeable face plates I turned into cell phone junkie. I did however learn about the limitations of talking when I got yelled at for the first time about going over my limit rate. Flip phones emerged and I soon "had to have one”, text messaging became the conversation of choice and land lines became a thing of the past. Today I won't be found without my cell phone, and still long for the newest, smallest, and most high tech cell phone manufacturers keep producing!
One social network on the web I swore I would never join was Facebook. I thought this stalkeresque website was ridiculous, time consuming and unnecessary. The spring of my Junior year of college three of my best friends locked me out of my bedroom and set up an account under my name...I have been addicted to it ever sense. I will admit the site is interesting in terms of taking a peek into other people’s lives, more in-depth than some will reveal with Webshots or through AIM. A social However, as I see the advancements Facebook is starting to make ( News Feeds, opening the network up to the general public instead of just college students) I am reminding myself, and friends why I was leery about this site.