It was on this day 12 years ago that I first used the “Internet” that has completely changed the world. I remember that evening when my dad was more excited than us (brother and I) about having a new computer at home. Dad came home early and was busy giving directions to the computer guy to reach our home.
After the computer guy finally reached home, plugged in all the components and switched ON the computer. We all saw the then famous Windows 95 logo boot up and presented us a blank desktop. Then came the testing of the “Internet”. Telephone line plugged into the D-link dialup modem (maximum speed of 33.6Kbps), modem drivers configured and dialed the VSNL number to connect. We were welcomed with a tone that sounded more like a phone line gone bad. The computer guy configured the Outlook Express for dad and then said “Its all ready now Sir”.
I was not so impressed with the computer after finding there was no action packed games in them. Later that night, Dad sat next to me and explained what is email and how to use it. The first “website” that I accessed was Yahoo and there was no looking back.
It is not a secret anymore that Internet addiction is real for most of us and there is hardly anything that comes close it. Also, there is no doubt the Internet will have much longer life though the way it will be accessed and for what purposes will change quite rapidly.