A little chat on the net.

I have a friend who is not someone I would call particularly nerdy, in terms of knowing computers and the internet in depths outside those of the average user, but she always knows the “right” website. She never ceases to amaze me with newly found content. I constantly see her posting interesting articles and bits of trivia on her Facebook and I am amazed at her depth of navigation through the Internet. She seems to know not only how to look but also where to look for things that interest her.

I think I’d have to spend ions doing research she can do in three to five minutes. So I’m going to question her about these things. I’m going to get to the secret of productive web surfing, in the hope of one day having someone ask me where he or she should look for things.

Hi E.,

Hi!

So what kind of stuff do you like doing E. you know, in your spare time?

I explore! Everything: Internet, cities, shops, buildings, websites, people's minds, their photos, music - everything. There always seems to be something interesting to find out about or someone to learn about or meet or something or to see or look at.


To plan for doing recreational things do you use the Internet?

All the time. I look at Street press and posters and any other bits of floating ephemera I might find in shops or magazines during my explorations but it's almost always supplemented by, if not preceded by, some sort of information, ad or article I've seen on the net somewhere for an event, exhibition, gig or what not.

What else do you use it for?

I use the internet for 'official ' research, as in focused and dedicated information searches for my work, day-to-day living; house searching, specific shopping, reading the news, looking up environmental and political info that I've heard about, bill payments! or other jobs that I'll take on (writing projects etc.).


In the end, unless it's actual shopping, it's all researching and information gathering I guess but that sort of thing does feel very different to the 'exploring' I described above. A focused search requires a fair amount of willpower to not go off on just any interesting sounding tidbit or lead which contains that enticing possibility of finding some random gem of information! It's much more of a 'narrow' perspective as such; I really have to focus on not getting distracted by anything and everything!


Oh, I use the internet for some social interaction I suppose – Skype, Facebook or emails - but really, aside from exploring and sharing whatever’s cool (to me!), I'm a total luddite. I can't stand the concept of socialising or active interactions via the web. I like to talk too much!!


Oh, I watch old music video clips and some mash-up previews on Youtube too. In fact, Youtube probably constitutes the bulk of the 'dead' time I may spend on the internet ;) But it's fun! And there are some amazing video clips out there.


Would you call yourself proficient when using the Internet? If not what level would you give yourself in the knowledge and navigation through the web?

Um.................no. I can't even download music! I'd love to be able to build websites or design them but other than gleaning information from all the stuff I look at, see or sign up for - I'm no computer person. It's just like a big, glorified, bright, jumpy, exciting and constantly updated encyclopaedia for me. Which contains things that I can occasionally also afford to buy or implore others to!

How often do you stumble on things of interest simply by going on a tangent?

All the time. In fact, this is my general method. Just follow your nose – I say.

Would you say it’s a main source of information for you regarding news, events or your personal interest?

Yes, for me, it's a main source of information on all three. Even if you don't go to the events you find - I sign up for updates on everything, even seminars in New York –you find out about really interesting speakers on anything; environment, design, the arts, science, sometimes even economics!


What advice would you give a high school kid about the dangers of the Internet?

Do whatever you feel you want or need to, just don't have photographic evidence of it!

Seriously though, that's the truth. What you do is your business, no one else's so share whatever you want with friends on sites like Facebook and Myspace etc but just remember that anybody else can see what you're posting, that literally means ANYBODY. Out of the six billion people out there in the world (or however many of them have internet) some are good, and some are really, really bad. You should try to trust that'll you'll meet the good ones in life, that being said you should always be careful in giving details over the net where you may pick up some really, really bad people as well. It’s common-net-sense.

If you had to pick one would you say the Internet is “good,” “bad” or “ugly”?

All three depending on how you use it. I think if it's viewed as a tool which allows you to explore the world and human culture and whatever that produces (science, art, anything), it's awesome!

And finally can you share a couple of sites that you find particularly interesting or entertaining?

Ah, there's so many! Especially depending on your interests. I love design and weird, cool things that I'll probably never know how to use properly – so for that I'd have to say www.swiss-miss.com - it's a design blog by a Swiss designer, www.thecoolhunter.com.au - it's fun and often funny, this is for the Melbournian in the know - www.threethousand.com.au, www.thedesignfiles.net - this is a cool Melbourne designer, who shares some inspirational ideas online.
Also this business ideas site, is strange but I like it - www.springwise.com and just like it bosts "For weekly inspiration" - www.lostateminor.com Both of those definitely rate a mention!

Thanks E. see you on Facebook :)