In the past, I didn't quite connect my offline problems with online solutions right away. There were times that I would still think about going to the library, calling someone, or looking at one of my old books on a shelf to get answers. I had to keep reminding myself, "Just go on the web..." I don't quite remember when I went from saying web to the Internet, but as times change so do we. This might be something that some of you readers still do. You forget about the Internet or talk yourself out of going online in the hopes that you can solve a problem without need of it. Then before long, minutes or hours have gone by and you end up going online anyway.
As I became more experienced using the computer and Internet, I was often surprised by the new activities that seemed to pop up over night. During my early Internet experiences, online banking was one of the best features to make life so much simpler when it came to paying bills. We online bill payers learned to set and forget. However, if one wasn't too careful and your paycheck was not consistent, you just might overdraft or some weird thing once in awhile would occur where one needed to check with his or her bank. Despite the hiccups, even now, I still love the convenience and not having to worry if my check made it to a company or individual while wondering when he or she plans to cash it (sigh).
When photo uploading and downloading came along, I enjoyed this so much too. I could share photos with my social networks that they hadn't seen in years. Some viewers cried with happiness while others complained about the way they looked in the images. I was so happy to be able to download photos from online photo albums and social networking sites that I would have never been able to get had I visited relatives' homes. When I made my first photo printer purchase I was ecstatic, because I could print out what I wanted when I wanted and send to whomever. That is until I started noticing how quickly the cost of buying ink cartridges added up. Prices have come down somewhat, depending on your printer, but I don't print like I used to. For many photos, it is just better to select your photos, upload online and then go to the local photo development center in your neighborhood to pick up. You will find in this guide many things you can do creatively.
When blogging came on the scene, I was in my heaven. Being a writer that participated in contests, published newsletters, and wrote diary entries, this was just the outlet I needed. I also liked some interesting features like being able to type on a black screen rather than a white one online. I soon discovered that I could play free music online while I wrote or listened to audio books without having to work my computer's CD drive. Funny, CDs are a thing of the past as I write. They are like audio tapes, 8 tracks, vinyl records, as well as other recording products, although the items are dated and not considered the best and the greatest. But anyone who likes to save money doesn't want to keep buying media over and over again, so you tend to keep your players around.
Those days of renting VHS and DVD movies at the local Blockbuster had stopped for all of us previous members when we started choosing to watch movies online rather than leave home during the mid-2000s. Documentaries were readily available on video sharing websites as well. I couldn't imagine having to stand in line ever again to rent a movie (that is if I am at a theater or library).
I realized the benefits of using the Internet mentally, physically and spiritually more so when I started having children. The Internet was my escape from boredom at home, fussy babies who would eventually fall asleep, and a place to go to ease my mind when I needed to know something. For instance, I couldn't always get out to the doctor and oftentimes there wasn't anything so bad occurring with me or my children that required a doctor's visit, so I can't tell you how much money I saved just looking up symptoms on WebMd and other similar sites.
When I discovered there were videos and pictures I could view online related to symptoms, I felt so relieved. In addition, when the children needed certain items, I didn't hesitate to look online for a coupon, once again saving more money. Then I found sites that could help with reducing medical expenses and save on prescription costs. I also learned about alternatives to prescription medicines that worked just as good depending on the health ailment. Not all old school remedies were outdated and ineffective and I learned this after spending time reading many comments about different products in forums and websites where products were being advertising. So from this example, you can see how one task started a chain reaction to other tasks I could perform on the Internet. This is what you will find throughout this guide.
The Internet was also a life saver when I worked on certain tasks on jobs. I could simply look up whatever I needed or collaborate with others online. If I didn't know something and even still to date, I learn about it and work with the available programs right online.
When I started learning to drive, I used the Internet to take quizzes and watched videos to help understand road rules. I found useful information about what cars were considered the safest to drive, cost less money to insure, and had the best features for me. Some sites offered many images and videos to help with making a choice. I chatted online with sales representatives who were eager to meet with me.
My Internet experiences I shared with you was just a small fraction of the many things I have done and still do online, but the book you are about to read will get into some more ways to best use the Internet and get the most out of each task you create for yourself and it all starts with good research! Tips are also presented in this guide.
When seated in front of your computer, browsing from one site to the next, you might sometimes feel like you are missing out on something, because you are stuck in routines, and you are. Every time you sit in front of your computer screen, you need to have some idea what you want to learn about, how long you are going to be online finding out about it, but also you have to have the discipline to know when to leave too. Don't overlook any opportunity online or off that might make your life a little less stressful. I sincerely hope this book, What Else Can I Do on the Internet by Nicholl McGuire, helps you get even more out of your Internet experiences!
Nicholl McGuire has written other books including: When Mothers Cry, Too Much Too Soon Internet Dating Blues, Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate, Say Goodbye to Dad, and other non-fiction books.
