This is my first blog. I find it ironic that I worked for Hewlett Packard for nearly 20 years. In most folks mind they would consider HP to be a high tech company that specializes in computers. They may also think that if you work for a high tech company that specializes in computers you must know the internet. Well I am here to tell you that is not necessarily correct. Personally I feel there is a whole world that exists through the internet that I have never seen or been exposed to in my life. I must log on more than a dozen times a day. My homepage is set to Google, yet I consider myself internet challenged.
I am creating this blog as a part of my last project for my Media and Society class. The requirement for the project was to create a blog and select an item to discuss. My choice is the internet. I realized I was not internet savvy on the first day of class, when the forum question was what are the social networks you use? The list included things like MySpace, face book, and twitter. I felt like I had been living under a rock when my answer was limited to “LinkedIn” and I really wouldn’t say I use it socially, but at that point, I was happy to have something.
Aside from feeling like the oldest person on campus, I also feel like I am the most internet challenged. The social networks are one thing, but what about websites? It seems that everyone but me has made at least one website. I know we have one for our business, but my husband made it. Blogging is another thing that seems to be very common and widely used, yet this is my first. I can’t even begin to comment on the gaming side of things, they are well beyond my interest and my skills. The only thing I can say I have mastered on the internet is searching ……… Thanks to Google!
My Media and Society class has opened my eyes and introduced me to much more of the world within the internet. One of the required readings for the class is “What Would Google Do?” The book is written by Jeff Jarvis. I absolutely love it. I have to force myself not to read it all at once, in fear that I would forget what was discussed in particular section before the weekly test. Well we are 6 weeks into the course and I have finished the book. Who would have known I would enjoy going back and reading parts of a book that my instructor uses as required reading. I like it so much I just can’t call it a “text book.” The book really highlights how the internet is a necessity for business. I already knew this because of our personal business, but what I didn’t know was how a website is really just one small tool the internet has to offer.
I would love to hear from fellow HP’ers, friends, family, classmates, or anyone who may share my experiences or would like to offer me advice.
I have typically thought of Social networks as a huge waste of time and energy...Until my mother was unexpectedly hospitalized. It was great to point people to a single source of updates on her condition and feel as though I was not leaving anyone out. It is surprising how many people checked in and left encouraging words. Thanks for the invite to comment. I have to say, my favorite Communication class at OSU (20 years ago) was called Coercive Persuasion. Not particularly useful, but really interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think that social networks are great for the older (as in people who remember life before internet) generation to quickly keep in touch and give or get updates on eachothers lives, however I also believe that social networks and texting has brought about a generation of social retards. retarded in the way of not having the face to face interactions with people to read body language or know how to act properly in a face to face setting. This also may have something to do with what is considered socially acceptable these days as well. There are definetely some pro with the social networks and texting but there are some HUGE cons as well! thanks for the invite to blog!
ReplyDeleteI recently joined Facebook, well actually my husband got tired of me looking over his shoulder and asking "is my old friend so-and-so on there?" He signed me up for an account and said "look yourself." At first I was very excited to see what friends from 20+ years ago and several states away were up to. It has gotten old quickly. It is nice to reconnect, but I tire quickly of people blurting their every move and thought to the world. Frankly, I have find it a little obnoxious and have mostly given up on having a actual conversation with anyone. When I first heard about Twitter I thought is was the dumbest thing I'd ever heard of. I have to admit that I haven't looked very closely at it, but who REALLY needs or wants to know that much about anyone?
ReplyDeleteRita, an interesting blog which brings out mixed emotions. Yes, there is another world on the internet, but the question of what the true impact to our society is remains to be seen. I'm in school with a great number of less than 20 year olds who spend their days "secretly" texting since phones are banned. Is this the communication of the next generation? Where are social skills, interpersonal relationships? Those are not strong points in my class. I love Facebook, post photos, keep larger numbers of people who care on how/what I'm doing but I try to not let it be a substitute for "real life", just a supplement.
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