What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Tuesday 4 The Internet Age

From Annie our hostess: "Welcome weather weary friends to another episode of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we challenge you to answer 4 questions on different subjects each week.
Maybe we could talk about the internet this week?
It's all I could come up with as my mind is on hiatus right now."

I think we can all relate to the "mind is on hiatus right now" statement. My mind comes and goes at will. I sometimes wonder if it ever will come back to where it used to be! Probably not. Hard to teach an old mind new tricks, but at least we keep trying to stay in the game.  So here goes another Tuesday 4 post...read on...




1. When did the home internet age enter your life? How much impact has it had?
I am not certain when the "home internet age" entered our lives, but I do remember when we finally got a real computer and not just a word processor thingy that was basically a glorified typewriter.  My husband was working on his Doctorate at Seminary.  He had to write a doctoral dissertation...a book of at least 100 pages.  We did not have a computer. I had a typewriter with correction ribbon, but that's about worthless when you are typing a dissertation. We would type a whole chapter and submit it to his mentor professor for evaluation, and he would send it back with a few "suggestions" and "corrections" , which meant that not only did I have to type that page over, but every page after that because it would change the headings and line up of words and pages...and so basically for every word corrected or changed I would end up typing everything over again. There was no such thing as cut and paste.  Finally, once he completed his dissertation and received his degree we were able to purchase a computer. (This was in the late 1980's, so you can imagine how basic and rudimentary that computer was)  Once I found out how much simpler it was to type a document using a computer, I said I wished we could go back and do his dissertation all over again...NOT!  LOL. It sure would have made my life a lot simpler for sure!  

This was a very happy day...the day hubby received his Doctor of Ministry Degree, pre internet.  I'm not sure which one of us is happier...him or me...and oh! That 80's hairdo... So happy to have our sweet three sons there for the occasion as well...

Hubby's parents were very proud of their "boy"...   (sorry for the poor quality of photo...this is looking through a glass so there are reflections).  It was a happy day for everyone.

The internet didn't really have that much of an impact on us for several more years, and actually our sons pretty much got all the way through school without the internet as well.  We all had to learn how to study the old fashioned way...using a library and encyclopedias that were still in books.  Obviously, the internet has made research much easier for everyone, but I think it makes things too easy and we have gotten lazy in our study habits.

2. How powerful an influence is your phone? For instance, do you feel guilty not answering when you are busy? Do you text back immediately? Does the phone own you? Do you friends feel they should be able to monopolize your time by demanding to know where you were when you didn't answer? Is it intrusive or welcome?

I can remember when we only had a house phone and having an answering machine was a big deal. We would check our messages as soon as we walked in the door of the house to see if anyone important had called.  Now we can't walk out the door (or go to the bathroom hardly) without taking our phones with us.  I know I do feel strange if I forget my phone when I go to the store or anywhere.  However, when I am at church or in any kind of meeting, I mute the sound so I can't be disturbed. No, I don't feel guilty for not answering when I am busy. I still have a personal life and I don't want the phone or social media to control my whole life. I will respond to messages in a reasonable amount of time.  If anyone "demands" to know where I was, etc., they probably really aren't a good friend. Friends respect each other's privacy and time. Oh, and they also respect the time of day they are sending that text or message on Messenger (although I no longer have an audible notification for Messenger...I'd never get any sleep if I did).  I learned the hard way that responding to a message or text in the wee hours of the morning or night can be annoying for others as well...especially if they are in a different time zone than we are! Things to consider and be considerate of others.

3. What places do you frequent on the net and by phone or PC etc.? (pc.. personal computer , laptop, etc.)
Well, obviously I "frequent" blogger, either to write, or to read what others have written, and to comment or reply to comments.  I also frequent  my email, Facebook and Messenger, but only when I have time. I try to be disciplined about the amount of time I spend on social media. Family and home and in person activities have to come first.

I will say that I am thankful for the ability to look up directions/maps, etc., when traveling or looking for addresses to businesses, new doctors, restaurants, etc. That is a real plus and I do use that feature frequently.  I also do some online shopping, which is very convenient...but I still prefer to see things that I am buying in person. I hate to have to figure out how to return something that I ordered online. 



4. Wikipedia is editable and biased because anyone can edit the articles. Algorithms also determine what you can and cannot find on the internet. So, how much stock do you place in it's information?

I try to read several different resources when I am doing any kind of research because not everything you read on the internet is accurate, obviously.  I've learned the hard way about quoting something and thinking it to be true and then finding out later it was a scam or "fake news".  Therefore I tend to stay away from a lot of "news", "politics", etc. on the internet.  

My favorite Bible verse regarding what to read or watch on the internet or TV is Philippians 4:8  

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, 
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, 
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
 if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—
meditate on these things."


Thank you, Annie, for coming up with these 4 questions each week. You can go check out what others are writing or join in by clicking HERE.  I do appreciate the ability to communicate with each of you via the internet. I've enjoyed making so many wonderful friends here, people I would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.  So there are many pros and cons to using the internet. I prefer to major in the "pros" and not the "cons".  Have a wonderful day!

20 comments:

  1. Hi Pamela, I very much enjoyed your answers today. I was really feeling for you when I read about your husband's dissertation and how one small change could change everything. A computer or laptop sure would have been helpful then! You reminded me that I forgot to mention I use the internet for a lot of online shopping and for making friends too! You are so right that we would never meet certain people were it not for the internet and I certainly would want to look you up if ever I'm in your neighbourhood and I know you would want to do the same should you ever be in mine. The scripture you selected is very appropriate for today's topic too. In fact, it's one of my favourite verses.

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  2. I guess what I like the most is texting…my family and friends can keep in touch…and email…I do not do any social media except blogging…teaching showed me what social media can do to others. I enjoy your blog. Our first computer was in our Hallmark store making those special dated cards.

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  3. What a wonderful photo of your hubby's graduation. Yes, typing was a different animal back in the day. I was a secretary for a while in summer during high school for a chemical company and had to type up columns and figures. Whatsoever things are true.. noble.. yup and it does have a great impact on the heart and the mind. A mind mired in ugly cannot function well I think. Thanks for joining in Pam!!

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  4. What an interesting read, Pam. I can remember using the typewriter and, long before correction tape was available, having to retype a whole page because of one word. lol. I had a boss that was a stickler and would not allow an erasure on a page. Good thing I was a accurate fast typist and I could also take shorthand...lol....not many people remember THAT!

    Great old pictures and kinda love the hair! xo Diana

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  5. That verse guides my thoughts about the Internet and phones and technology and all the stuff these days. I do love the blogs best of all. It is like really seeing what is going on out there rather than being told what is going on.
    We entered the world of technology a little early. We bought an Apple II c way back in 1984. That school teacher in me. Remember the dot matrix printers. A teacher over in Gulf Breeze designed a floppy disk grade book program which was way ahead of its time. Even when the school district got a county wide program in the early 2000s I didn't want to give up my floppy disk program. It was that good. That is one of my teaching memories I kept:) I still have that floppy disk. I am sure it would work if I could find and old Apple computer. The Internet certainly changed the world. I think we all have to wonder if for good or bad, but like everything else in life we have to navigate the good and the bad wisely.

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  6. I do love the computer for so many of the same reasons you do, Pamela. I can't imagine typing out an entire doctorate paper without being able to save and edit only what needed to be edited. I'm pretty sure my mother would have typed my father's dissertation back in the day; he had a Ph.D in botany. I imagine she got fed up with the corrections, too.
    Like you, I don't want to feel "owned" by the internet or my phone. I get to things when I get to them - lol!
    Blessings!

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  7. I adore that first picture of your family ... what a glorious day! While I never had to type a 100-page dissertation, I recall when typing lengthy papers was par for the course. With carbon paper between ... remember? Sometimes I have to pinch myself at what magic exists. (They call it technology, but I believe it's magic.) Good point on muting the Messenger app. We've a couple older ladies in Bible study who are up 'til the early morning hours -- or rise before the sun, phones in hand. Ugh!

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  8. That verse is excellent for choosing what to see on the internet.

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  9. Pam: In answer to your questions, (#1) Hubby asked me in 2001 in early March if I would like a computer. It was an early birthday present. Before that I had an electronic typewriter that some time was not my friend. I also wrote in a 3-ring loose leaf binder. (#2) I have a love-hate relationship with my cell phone. Some of the features do not work for me. But I was able to set up a conference call between myself and two of my friends today. I was elated that I could do that, and it worked.
    (#3) I frequent Blogspot, Facebook. a forum called Christian Writers.com, an online website that I contribute to: LiveAsIf.org. (#4) When I worked in a library, I learned that librarians discourage the use of Wikipedia because,"4th graders" can post and edit on there. Your chosen scripture is very appropriate for us to rely on as we face different difficulties in today's world. Peace and blessings to you and yours.

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  10. You have a doctorate of theology, too, if you were doing all that typing and retyping. Sounds like a nightmare!

    I may gripe from time to time about the www, but it is an important part of my life.

    Interesting post!

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  11. I love that scripture at the end - one of my favorites! I also love those pictures of your family when your husband graduated with his Doctor of Ministry degree. Wonderful memories - and you haven't changed much at all, except maybe your hair isn't as big. Love that 80s "big hair." I do remember the days of those old "dinosaur computers." I hope you are having a good week. See you again soon!

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  12. The picture when hubby got his Doctor of Ministry Degree is such a happy one. Just looking at it made me smile. Enjoyed reading your answers today, hoping you having a very happy and blessed day.

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  13. Hi Pamela, I enjoyed your post today. I remember trying out term papers. I even printed a 10 page report and my professor said that because mine was so legible, he would accept it. Those pictures of your husband and you from the 80's is great! That is one of my favorite verses too! The best thing about the internet is meeting woman like you!

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  14. What a wonderful post! Loved the photos. I had the same hairdo. LOL!
    I remember dreading the typing and typing, so my solution was to cut the paper and tape the corrections in between. As I was pregnant, my professor agreed he would read the final state that way and with the final permission I would type the whole lot another time. By the we had a computer, which we trusted, and a baby, which took a lot of time and energy. But I managed to get everything typed the day before the deadline. We only needed to print it. We started priting and everything wwent well, but we had to redo it as the pagenumbers were not right. With the help of a friend we solved the problem and started to print again. At 4 in the night the printer refused... We solved that, I fed the baby, and waited until it was ready. That was just in time. My then husband took the book and I called the university to tell them to please accept it as it would be just in time or a few minutes late. Well, he was in time.
    What a time!!
    No wonder students have plenty of time to be on social media.

    Have a great day!

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  15. I enjoyed your answers, Pam!! We are of 'the same' generation when it comes to computers!! I really loved the pictures of John's graduation. You looked so cute and didn't we all have that 80s hair?!! Fun seeing the boys so young! Hugs!

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  16. Thank you for this post. Love you friend. Regine

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  17. Just came over to say I loved your comment on my blog post, the one with the cool guy playing "Oh, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus." 😊 As I said over there, I would LOVE to hear you sing it! Actually, I said "see" you sing it. What a modern way to say it. We see songs these days!

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  18. What a sweet photo of you and your young family back then. I can see how happy you all were.

    Our first computer was a IBM DOS that IBM sent to my son Michael after the community wrote to them about my son. Texas Instruments also sent out a printer as well. Michael was about 8 or 9 years old at the time. It was 1985. A man in our neighborhood came and taught Michael how to use the computer. IT was amazing back then. We lived in the heart of the Silicon Valley so when the internet came, everyone had it. It was the late 80's. WE then bought a Apple computer - much easier than the DOS.
    I've always enjoyed the computer and the internet. It's just a tool. It can be used for good or evil. I can't complain too much about the internet - I met my husband on the internet (not on a dating site) on a message board for Jews. And we started emailing back and forth and well, one thing led to another. He was living in Florida at the time.

    So all good. I enjoyed this post. I keep thinking that maybe I should do these ...but I don't know where to sign up. So I just don't.

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    1. Hey Debbie, I love the story about the computer for your son. That was really wonderful. Regarding joining this Tuesday 4 meme, if you click on the link I usually post in this post (in the last paragraph where it says "HERE"), you can join in. Also then you can follow the Tuesday 4 weekly blogpost page so you will see the questions ahead of time. Our friend Annie from Cottage by the Sea does the hosting of this and she usually posts the questions a few days early, like on Sunday. But you can join in anytime during the week. We'd love to have you join in!

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  19. It is so nice to read this. Nice old time, nice old photos, Pam.

    There are times my smartphone drives me crazy and I even get anxious. It's convenient, but something things go wrong and I feel like throwing it out the window. But I know I just need to take a break and restart the device, then it works fine again


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