The internet...I am thankful!

[Deleted]

I got to thinking about how the internet has changed our lives.

This past week, I pulled an old junk motorcycle out of a barn. It is NOT a desirable model, and I was at a real loss of what to do with it. Scrap it, or offer it for sale?

I also had a few mechanical problems that was keeping me from moving it, like a stuck caliper. I was miles from the nearest computer, and had no time to got look the information up. I was in a jam!

Using my iphone, I found a Facebook group about vintage Jap bikes, posted a pic and my questions, and within a minute, I was getting the most helpful replies!!!

I am old enough to remember the days before the internet. Back then, if you needed to know something, you had to find a friend who knew someone who was knowledgeable about the problem, and if you could find someone, you were at their total mercy. If they wanted to help, you were in luck, but most of the time, you were subject to the whims of their moods, etc., and calling a dealer for help would have definitely ended with no help at all, unless you wanted to open your wallet.

I am forever thankful to all the people in the world that are deeply knowledgeable and offer free help, just for the sake of helping others.

I have saved THOUSANDS of dollars in my life, and unbelievable time and frustration, on forums like this.

So, if you are reading this, and have helped someone through a problem, let me thank you for your help!

How has the internet changed your life?

 

[Deleted]

FWIW, the internet, especially ebay, has had a tremendous impact on our lives.

I had a serious health issue many years ago, and through ebay, I was able to make a pretty good living, and stay at home with my little one. I didn't get rich, but for the time and effort, ebay paid off very well.

[beowoulf90]

I can say from my experience it has helped also.
I've been able to find new homes for some of the scrap that I get, such as vintage Singer sewing machines. I've been able to sell some of the parts and machines to those who fix them or use the parts to fix others machines. I've taken old Amps to music stores and got paid for them instead of scraping it. I've also found enough "old tools" to work with that if I break a tool, I just go to the drawer and get another and scrap the broken one.

Most of this "scrap" has come from an auction house. If it didn't sell it was given to me to haul away if I wanted it. Saved the company money on their trash bill.

I've sold large bird cages, wringer washers etc, all through the use of the internet. I've also been able to find info on many items that I thought would be valuable, only to find out they had no real value..

[jassytoo]

It's certainly made my life a lot nicer. I have relatives scattered all over the country and the world and it's so nice to be able to chat with them when ever I please via facebook or email. I'm able to send gifts directly to them at Christmas which saves me a ton of money. I can find things that I want which I'd have a hard time finding in this little town. I hate shopping anyway so I love Amazon. Having a whole world of information at your fingertips is amazing.

[sss3]

Me too.

[bellad]

I both love and sometimes hate the internet! LOL It has so many conveniences to it that I love. I have reconnected with cousins and long lost friends. I've also wasted time on it. But, there's always a balance to life!

[Deleted]

I love the internet and don't know what I'd do without it. We shop online for just about everything. Our whole alternative energy system information and components came from the internet. I have been writing and connecting with people since 2002 online. Facebook allowed me to connect with my cousins on a daily basis. As well as my old classmates from the schools I went to in FL, and who I always wondered about, but never thought I'd speak to them again! I am in constant contact with my brother and my son, (who is disabled) without having to run to their houses. How much information I have learned about gardening, cooking, my family tree, writing and just about anything else that catches my fancy, I have gained from internet access. Plus, I sell eBooks, publish blogs with affiliate links and sell on Amazon and eBay to make money, so I can live out here in the middle of the forest. Socialization for me is coming to this forum or some of the Facebook groups I belong to. I am very thankful for the internet too.

[Deleted]

I preferred the early days,before the commercialization.
As well as the clutter,anymore a search will turn up a few hundred pages that
are all the same,because they stole the content.

But other then that if you get search engine savy, you can cut through a lot of
it.

My favorite is youtube, as well as sites like instructables,
And Forums.

I watch and see so much stuff on youtube.
Maybe too much.

[horseyrider]

About thirty-five years ago, when my DH was in grad school, the first PCs were being marketed. DH went to one of the first Apple stores and bought an Apple II. Serial number was 857. It was just 32K and the only thing we got for our $2000 was the motherboard in a box with keys on it. We had to use a black and white TV for a monitor, and a cassette player because floppy discs and drives had not been invented yet.

Something he said at the time really stuck with me. He said that personal computers would change our culture. It would create new classes of people-- the Information Rich, and the Information Poor. It was truly a revolution.

Sometimes I run across people who don't use computers. It's certainly their right to live as they do. But I can't help but think of what DH said about the Information Poor. There is so much information available, with such incredibly fast and easy access, it's hard to believe that anyone would choose to say no to it. Perhaps they're intimidated. Perhaps they find life more peaceful and less stressful without it. For me though, now that the genie is out of the bottle, I could never go back.

[beowoulf90]

Apr 29, 2015 23:56:06 GMT horseyrider said:

About thirty-five years ago, when my DH was in grad school, the first PCs were being marketed. DH went to one of the first Apple stores and bought an Apple II. Serial number was 857. It was just 32K and the only thing we got for our $2000 was the motherboard in a box with keys on it. We had to use a black and white TV for a monitor, and a cassette player because floppy discs and drives had not been invented yet.

Something he said at the time really stuck with me. He said that personal computers would change our culture. It would create new classes of people-- the Information Rich, and the Information Poor. It was truly a revolution.

Sometimes I run across people who don't use computers. It's certainly their right to live as they do. But I can't help but think of what DH said about the Information Poor. There is so much information available, with such incredibly fast and easy access, it's hard to believe that anyone would choose to say no to it. Perhaps they're intimidated. Perhaps they find life more peaceful and less stressful without it. For me though, now that the genie is out of the bottle, I could never go back.

I remember those old Apple II's. We had a old Commodore 64 and I learned simple programing on an Apple IIC. I do still have an early/old IBM "portable" computer (portable is a relative term, it is in a large suitcase) I will have to get it out and take some pictures.. Who knows it may have some "antique" value now, like the Commodore do..

[kawaiitimes]

The internet has brought me many things. It brought me a best friend who lived thousands of miles away, a husband (and the information I needed to get divorced), helped me & my current husband launch several small businesses, has given me the ability to follow trends and make educated decisions in real time. Plus, it brought me to all of you beautiful people!

[amylou]

I love the internet. I can learn how to do anything with just a few keystrokes.

[woodwind77]

I love the internet and computers waaaaay too much ! When I look back, I wonder how we ever did without them ? I couldn't even begin to list all the ways they've helped me, and how much enjoyment I've had using them. I have mobility issues, and just being able to shop, pay bills and bank online has been a great help to me.

[Deleted]

I wish somebody would pay me for all the hours I spend on line, but all my hours are spent on gardening-homesteading-cooking or youtube .

My bank moved out of my town, so on-line banking is so helpful.

I do a little bit of swagbucks, but not much. I'm always thinking of something more interesting I could watch.

I love to talk to other canners, and learn new recipes.

[Deleted]

My wife let me get Internet Service so I could visit with people.

Times I wasn't careful as I should have been. Caused a lot of trouble, not so much for me.

My wife uses it in her Business and has couple Sites she takes care of.

The second Computer I had was Custom made cost me $1,500, now using Lap Top, IPad and IPhone at a fraction of the cost.

Rockpile 

[bergere]

About the only way I can keep in touch with family and friends now a days. Everyone is so busy... and most do not have the time to write letters and they live all over the world.

Also sell my Art, in, online Galleries... won't sell anything were I live, now.

So yes, is wonderful to have the internet!

[hermitjohn]

I for sure dont understand popularity of "social media", no more than a modern version of old school telephone 'party line' in my opinion. Both are too annoying for solitary critter like me. I dont really care about other's personal info and usually I sure dont care to share my info to any great degree.

What I see internet useful for is researching ideas and technical info, and tracking down rare oddball parts for stuff. I can find more info on topic and more up to date info than I ever could before web when limit of search was physical search at local library, even using interlibrary loans. Or tracking down some local 'expert'.

[Deleted]

I am a relative newcomer to the Internet, as I first had it available in 2000. Before that I was living in an area that did not have access. I do rely on it more and more now, especially since an accident left me with limited vision and an inability to drive, so 99% of what little socializing I do is through email or FB pages, where I keep in contact with old friends plus people interested in the same things I'm interested in.

I am an avid reader and the Internet has made my very limited trips to town to the library much more bearable via downloads to my Kindle from both the library service and from Amazon. Many products I use are not available locally and except for grocery shopping, I'd say that 90% of my purchases are probably through online sources now as well and if you are careful, it is sometimes even less expensive to buy on line, have it delivered to my door than it is to buy at a local store. An example, I use a particular supplement for my horses. A 5# container at the local tractor supply is $29.00. I found the same supplement on line in a 12# container for $56 and because it was over their $ minimum, there were no shipping charges.

[Deleted]

May 5, 2015 19:13:52 GMT hermitjohn said:

I for sure dont understand popularity of "social media", no more than a modern version of old school telephone 'party line' in my opinion. Both are too annoying for solitary critter like me. I dont really care about other's personal info and usually I sure dont care to share my info to any great degree.

What I see internet useful for is researching ideas and technical info, and tracking down rare oddball parts for stuff. I can find more info on topic and more up to date info than I ever could before web when limit of search was physical search at local library, even using interlibrary loans. Or tracking down some local 'expert'.

I totally agree. 

There was a time that I would complain about Facebook at the drop of a hat. It is cool to see your friend's kids picks, but some people are WAAAAAAY out of line with what they post. Is posting about a chicken salad sandwich really necessary? 49 pictures of your baby, every day of the week??? Get a life...

OTOH, I love FB groups. I am into WWII history, and belong to a large number of groups. I have learned so much that it makes my head spin, and I love every moment of it.

I am researching a single B-17 crew and their last bomb mission, with hopes of writing a book about it. It is AMAZING the number of people who have come out of the woodwork, and from around the world, with help on finding information. Just yesterday, a guy helped me find the sole remaining descendant of one of my crew...living in Memphis, TN.