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Cyber 911 Tiplines The Internet
When you are new online
When you're new online, things can be confusing. You need to understand Netiquette, and Smileys. Emoticons convey a sense of what the writer means online. Online chatting is more like talking than writing...and the inflection of our voices make a huge difference in making sure we're not misunderstood. Emoticons do that. I've included information about them in Ms. Parry's Guide to Netiquette.
Everyone seems to "talk" in shortcut terms, and everything is an acronym ( three letter shorthand terms that geeks invented to confuse the rest of us). Many of us are "typing-challenged" and URLs (universal resource locators) don't work when we type them wrong.
So...why bother? If it weren't because of all the wonderful people and sites online, it wouldn't be worth it. But, before you know it, you'll be the veteran and you can make fun of all the newbies who don't understand your smileys, netiquette or acronyms...
Most Newbies have Several Things in CommonThey are overwhelmed
No wonder! Most of us can't walk into Home Depot to buy a hammer either without a St. Bernard dog to guide us back out...the world is building bigger places that store more and more things. The Internet has millions users, Web sites and separate documents. No wonder you're overwhelmed...everyone is at first!
Some services are easier to use than others. Newbies often find that it's easier to use AOL, than a standard ISP. But, don't worry...you'll learn far faster than you ever thought you could!
They are shy about admitting how little they know
Everyone's shy about admitting inexperience. And with everyone talking about the Internet, you may feel that you are the only living person on earth who doesn't web surf. But, you're in the majority. Less than half the people in the United States have ever used the Internet. But, the faster you learn, the faster you can enjoy all the Internet provides.
They're generally not sure why they're bothering to learn about the Internet anyway
When I bought my first microwave, in the prehistoric times of the 1980's, I was very excited that I could now pop popcorn in it, and bake a potato. For a couple years, that's all I ever used it for. Now, I use it a gazillion times a day to do a gazillion different things.
That's exactly how it works with the Internet...you start by using it for one thing...and end up using it for a gazillion things!
There are many sites that lots of people love...from sports, to games, to shopping, to news...as a friend for their favorite site..then click on anything that turns into a hand when you pass your mouse point over it...that's called a hyperlink. It will whisk you away to somewhere else...follow hyperlink to hyperlink and you'll be websurfing with the best of them...
They generally push the wrong buttons and hit the wrong keys
I wish I could promise you that this will change, but if you use me as an example, forget it...you'll always push the wrong buttons and hit the wrong keys. The best thing about the Internet, however, is that no matter how hard you try, you can't break it. It was designed to avoid any breaks...I wish I could say the same for my computer, though.
People around them are always using words and terms they don't understand
Don't people always do that? RBIs, IPOs, DWIs, DUIs, when "bad" means "good," and when "hot" is "cool" (or "kewl" in computer slang). It's how the insiders make sure the newcomers know they're the insiders...Cyberspace is no different. These are called acronyms.
When they finally find a site they like, they have no idea how to ever find it again
Isn't that always the way? You find a restaurant you love, an incredible view, a great antique store...and can never get back...recollections of Hansel and Gretel's trail of breadcrumbs come to mind. Luckily, the people who designed our Web browsers (Netscape and Internet Explorer, among others) get lost too...so they built in a "bookmark" or "favorite" option. When you find a place you like, click on the appropriate topic on your toolbar (that bar that runs across the top of the window) and click on "add to..." You don't even have to type it in. Now, when you want to find this place again, open your bookmarks and click on "go to..." Voila!! Now, if I could only remember where that cute little restaurant is...(for more about bookmarks, visit our bookmarking page.)
And...when they finally get the knack of it...they love it!
You'll see...
And, next thing you know...you'll be using words and terms with others that newbies don't understand. But, remember not to give the newbies such a tough time...you were a newbie once too!