Computers and the Internet--drug of choice?

I don't know about any of you and if when you first got a computer and the internet-if this happened to you or not? it sure did to me ;-))

Ever since I got hooked up with the rest of this ball of mud and water that we live on-due to being hugely involved on several sites, I find that at least 1/3 or more of my waking time-is spent on the internet-most days that is.

Not only do I post here on a daily basis, but on four other sites. I do research for people, I also am working on two VERY huge projects on two sites-which is taking up a good portion of my time. Then there is the answering the 3-40 emails I get daily-on five different email accounts. When I need to unwind a bit-I plop in a game from Age of Empires or Mah Jong Tiles. When I get tired of non history stuff, I cruise various Militaria sites-just to help clean out my "system" and to help get things back into a focused direction ;-))

Now that Scott has his "dog" business, I suspect he will be arare visitor here-with good reason. Jason, has a bunch of books he needs to read-so he will not be here often. Skipper and his collecting fever-is dilligently trying to get his home ""Museum"" fillled with all-kinds of great stuff for us to look at and learn about. Erich is busy with book stuff and contacting Vets. Julio is busy writing to WWII Vets, Paul is too bust to come here these days because of his business as well as being a Moderator on another site. Will, 36th VA, and so many others-are pretty busy buying up all the militaria on the net ;-)) Jaeger, pretty busy with professional and private life in the land of my Ancestors, both Andys busy with collecting and one Andy with research on some of his really magnificent family members-including Generals ;-)) Michelle, Kai and the rest buys with stuff they are doing. Anyway, nobody is left out on purpose-just a slight rundown on things and just my curiosity in wondering, if the computer and the internet-are holding you "hostage;" like it is me? ;-))

 

At times i felt like a "slave" to the internet. Nowadays its just there and i use it to fill time when needed. But you definantly feel a bit attached when you first get hooked up you kinda have to unplug yourself at times and then step in at like the doorway i dont know how that description is but glad you have a use for it

 

At 70 years old, to me the internet is a wonderful thing.

It keeps my mind active and the ability to type a couple of words and get a zillion leads to information is amazing.

I love it!



John.

 

Greetings FG, John, Heh heh, and I thought I was the only one who could get addicted to having the world at my fingertips ;-))

FG, so far i have not been able to reach the stage your at yet. I wonder how long it will take to do so? ;-)) Answer" probably not anytime soon ;-))

Hi John, it is a wonderful tool though. One of the first things I did when we got connected-was to try the New York Time Crossword Puzzle-needless to say, I did not finish it-but it was challenging to get what I did get done ;-))

Take care--C.

 

C. Took me a long time to get here heh.

 

It really does make us all wonder just what this world will be like after we are gone.

Looking forward say 20/30/50/100 years, it will be like a cave man coming back to the year 2000.

As we say over here, "Ya wouldn't be dead for quids".



John.

 

I started using computers at work must be 20 years ago to control lathes. Now its just for leisure. Hooked up the internet about 10/12 years ago but it is only in the last few years that I have used forums. I retired early to spend more time with my disabled partner , if she is not feeling well I be on the web while keeping an I on her. My wife and I both have a laptop and I have steamer of a desktop in my study/hideaway/bolt hole.

Both computers and the web have changed a great deal in that time. Nerds are now out numbered by ordinary users with a host of interests and a great stash of knowledge and information.I like it that I can interact with people who for whatever reason view life and history from a different angle from the way I see it. My main interest is Modern History, we are in danger of loosing huge chunks of it because we are a throw away,whats old is rubbish,must have the latest society.

Its a good job there are some of us who care and have an interest in our recent past.

 

Hi FG, John,

FG, and glad you did finally land here. As for me, I think I was born posting on this site ;-))

John, heh he, I kinda wondered what the internet and computer life might be many years down the road--something akin to Total Recall??? or Demolition Man in the least? I wonder if by that time, if there will still be people living who are self-proclaimed worlds worst computer dummies? Back when I was in College and I was taking mostly computer classes-things were much different than now. Almost as soon as I graduated-what I was tought there was obsolete. I remember when the Macintosh was the only computers with these icons to click on while the IBM and other big kids on the block-you had to type in all-kinds of gobbeldy-gook into them to get anything to work. Back then I couldn't fathom why they didn't have the easier way to do things like on the Mac.

On the oder Macs-I could do anything a person might want or need to o on them. Nowdays-im lucky to log onto websites and make postings.

 

About 20 years ago I was talking to a man in the barbers as we waited for service. I had just been introduced to computers and was talking to him about it. I think the old beast the Bank gave me to play with was an old 286 thing. It had I think 2 Meg of HD.

The man I was talking to had installed the first computer at Melbourne University some years before. It had a HD of about 64 KB!!!!!

Where will it all end? (never probably)


John.

 

I remember when I first signed up for an email account. The first thing I had asked the Librarian was: what was Email? meaning I understoood what it was but didn't know anything about it. The Lady was nice enough to spend about 20 minute with me going through all the stuff involved with it. My first account-as well as the next two-and all I still use including two more) I had no idea why I even decided to sign up for it? I didn't know wanyone else who used the internet and figured i'd never use my email. Well, after the initial signing p for email, I forgot about having the account for at least a month and decided to slide by the library and check it-and had two mails-both from Hotmail.

Well, I then started to blindly stumble my way and eventually found a few sites of interest. I was one of the first members on several sites that are very huge these days. I was amazed at how easy it was to meet people with the same and or similar interests as I had. Some of those people I met circa-1997-1998-I am still in contact with. However, for at least 2-3 or so years after I first got onto the net-my bi-monthly visits to the library to check things out-were no more than maybe 10-15 minuts visits and even then, I had to struggle to stay that long. Now?--8 hours can go by-and I am still not through doing what I need to do.

Also, recently I purchased a few of those $10 games you can get at stores like WM-and when I don't feel like doing any serious thinking and posting-I put on of those in and a few hours can easily slide by without notice. I only notice it when the behind starts hurting from sitting too long ;-))

 

I am terrible for being diverted from the original thread of investigation and keep finding things that appear perhaps more interesting. I really admire people who have the self discipline to stick to the subject they are researching but I suspect I am not alone in being a Nomad of the web. I start booking a hotel room and end reading about life on Britains waterways. Just dont ask how it happens , it just does ( but I admit its fun) and I can fritter away hours at a time.

 

Computers where would we be without them as Carl says we all seem busy at the moment and I always end up coming on the Forum then getting sidetracked by Ebay them books also have a look at WW2Talk and Facebook.But I seem to spend more time looking than posting but while im looking I am also learning, and that helps me when I do post especially the posts where us rogues get a little testy having said all that if we never had computers I would never of found this place and all you intresting people.

 

Hi guys, ze samezing ehr on my end (my poor French accent attempt). Had it not been for the internet-I never would have met ten of the 12 or so at that time, living crewmembers of U 181-as well as my favorite RKT/vet friend at the time-and his wife at that ;-)) I don't get tired of this place either-theres always something to argue about ;-))

 

Hello Carl,

if sometimes I look at my girlfriends face (not too much due to internet) I don't really feel comfortable. Maybee I should ..hmm...??

Excuse me for some minutes... and I will be right back with you guys for a couple of hours.

Regards
Kruska

 

I am one of those that used the internet for everything. Pay bills, book trips, entertainment (movies, music, tv) harassing my local politicians, writing letters to the editor of the newspapers I read (online...Cheb. Tribune, Knoxnews Sentinel, Atlanta-Constitution Journal) research, ebay for work and play, games, etc. I was first introduced to the 'net in probabl 97-98 and have used it almost every day since. I hope Al Gore doesn't decide he wants it all for himself or I'll not know how to survive in society. Gasp!

 

I love the Internet because of the speed with which I can find answers to questions.

I find this to be especially rewarding if I am having a "discussion" with some obnoxious, outspoken "know it all" that always has to be right. You cannot use verbal reasoning with this type of a person and a quick visit to the Internet usually stops them dead in their tracks.

However, you must be very careful regarding what you read and especially, what you commit to memory. Never, never read or take seriously anything without an authorship noted. And if there is an authorship noted, be careful.

I make sure that I stay only with reputable sites such as this forum. Forums are great because they are automatically self correcting. If someone makes an absurd or erroneous claim, it is quickly brought to everybodys attention.

As far as information is concerned, I rarely pay any attention to email that presumes to inform me unless I have and know the source.

These are a few of my ramblings regarding the Internet and believe me when I say that I could ramble on for quite a while on this subject.

Thanks for listening,

Bob Guercio

 

Carl, get a blackberry or Nokia N97....then you dont get held hostage...you run round in open air and logon....Everyone...Much better than a pc.....I had one of those....no good on train....plug kept falling out when we left station....the extension reel to the power plug at home wasnt long enough..

 

My days at work are much consumed with interest and learning on the internet... I can't get enough of it! So yes Carl, the internet bug is in my system I have maintained a healthy balance between being online at work and my days off... my days off are spent with my kiddos, and retreating to the mountains for some fresh air. I would like to think I keep my priorities in order. The internet is a wonderful tool that I use quite frequently, and it's possibilities remain endless... very cool.

Mark

 

I have no complaints. To Start with I have found people who enjoy WW2 history like I do, also I can do my work alot faster by getting the articles and treatment procedures either from special sites or by e-mail from friends, something I had to do myself in the library 10 years ago. Think just how long it took to find the books, copy them, and get back home....Personally I feel I can do and achieve a whole lot more every day....

 

Just don't dissappear for too long and don't wear your Grandfathers Pichelhaube Helmet :-D