What did we do before the Internet?
Jul 7th, 2007 by Lynne
I’ve used online systems of one sort or another since I first got to Georgia Tech in 1983, so you’d think the “Wow!” factor would be pretty much gone for me by now. But every once in a while, I just have to stop and marvel at what an INSANE amount of information is available a mere Google click away. Earlier today, an idea for a very promising story popped into my head, and I suddenly had to know what kind of vehicles were likely to be used for taxis in a certain part of the world. Three minutes later, I had all the information I needed.
When I’m at work and I need to resolve a problem I may not have encountered before, Google is my friend there, too. I’ve lost count of how many techie mysteries I have been able to solve quickly because I had such a wealth of information available to me.
I read today about a poll to determine the seven wonders of the world, the results of which are to be announced today. People were allowed to vote using the Internet and cell phone text messages. It occurs to me that the wonder of the world most likely to make a massive difference for centuries yet to come is the very one they used to cast their votes. And it wasn’t even in the running!
I agree, it’s miraculous. I can’t even imagine what it will be like twenty years from now.
Cellphones, too. How many years ago was it that NOBODY had them, and now they’re attached to half the people you meet at the ear? All the time? Because NONE of that information can wait until they get home?
I know what you mean, Jude! I’ve had DSL for almost five years now, and it’s hard to remember what it was like to be on dial-up. Downloading a whole game over the Internet used to be unthinkable, but now it happens all the time!
I remember back in the 80s how expensive it was to have a cell phone. At the company where I worked then, only the top executives had them. I got my first one in the mid-90s, and it was huge, clunky, and expensive.
I hear they’ve even got a special Intarweb service where you can order out for husbands.
Happy MANniversary, babe.
LOL, John! And Happy FLANniversary to you!
I am scared of a FLANniversary.
LOL, Jody! I wondered who’d notice that. :-)