From the beginning of high school until now the internet has changed greatly. Websites that I reference everyday and that I rely on for research didn't exist, and I couldn't keep in touch with my friends with peer networking sites. During freshman year I relied solely on AIM and email to keep in contact with old friends, but now thanks to Facebook and Myspace, I know pretty much everything about people who I otherwise would have lost touch with. Similar to peer networking sites keeping friends in touch, Craig's List has made local events and want ads so much easier. Thanks to them, the Penny Saver is nearly obsolete! Likewise, Wikipedia wasn't a prominent website yet. It's hard to imagine a time without Wiki, and as much as teachers dislike students using it, it's still a nice starting point for a topic. Lastly, newer video technology has made television available online, even for free on the network and cable station sites. I can watch an episode of Hero's on my laptop if I miss it. Additionally, I can order movies on Netflix and have them sent right to my house (very convenient if you don't have a car!). Because of all these websites, its easier to connect with friends, research, and entertain. However, for every great website that gets developed, there is always a not so great one to counter act it.
Though there have been many wonderful developments on the internet to make my life easier and better, sometimes these can make things a little worse. Thanks to Myspace and Facebook I talk mostly to my distant friends though a computer screen. It would be nice to write a letter but now this form of communication is archaic! Also, Myspace and Facebook are open, so everyone can see anything I post. I've received a lot of unwanted spam websites, "friend" requests from people who I'll never meet, and general junk mail because of networking sites. Easier ways to shop online or on Craig's list have made it so tempting to buy unnecessary things, and not being able to see what you're buying until it's too late has been risky. Having TV readily available at any hour of the day has it's drawbacks as well. It's hard to get homework done knowing that all the episodes of shows I watched as a kid are online (besides I can't see Are you Afraid of the Dark on TV anyway!). Though these are minor inconveniences and temptations for me, the pro's of the internet outweigh the con's.
