More Americans live their lives online

[Dover]

More Americans live their lives online
It's not that we have to live online, it's that we can if we want to or need to.
By Tom Regan

My friend, Reedy Kream, is a mother of three young children. Any parent can tell you that three children can eat a lot of food in a week. But Reedy hasn't been to a supermarket in two years. Instead, she turns on her computer every week and orders all of her groceries online.

In my house, my wife and I buy most of our clothes online. The special spices that my wife likes to cook with are bought on the Internet. And I can't remember the last time I visited a travel agent to book a flight or a hotel.

I go online to do my banking, buy music, share photos with my family, and make international calls via Skype (an Internet phone system).

I also work online. When I contact co-workers – or even my mother back in Nova Scotia – a lot of our conversations are done via instant messaging.

And I'm far from being alone.

A few years ago, most people would've thought only genuine computer geeks would spend so much time online. But as technology improved and businesses realized the enormous cost savings that comes from using the Internet to reach customers (and allow customers to reach them), more and more "nongeeks" are living their lives online. ...>

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0221/p16s01-cogn.html

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New help available for e-mail addicts

Twelve-step program aims to manage, cure messaging obsession
• Could you disconnect for a week?

Updated: 4:17 p.m. CT Feb 20, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - Alcoholics have one, and so do drug abusers. Now people addicted to e-mail also have a 12-step program designed to tackle their obsession.

An executive coach in Pennsylvania has devised a plan to teach people how to manage the electronic tool, which some users say can be as much an intrusive waste of time as it is fast-paced and efficient.

Developed for cases such as a golfer who checked his BlackBerry after every shot, and lost a potential client who wanted nothing to do with his obsession, Marsha Egan’s plan taps into deepening concern that e-mail misuse can cost businesses millions of dollars in lost productivity...>

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17238875/

[Demeter]

1. Preaching to the Choir, Baby! Preaching to the Choir!

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Lotsa people around here with an obvious internet addiction.

Not me, of course. I just do it socially. I can quit anytime I want. I've proved that. I've quit thousands of times.

[Porcupine]

4. There's some folk in the lounge.....

you wonder if they EVER sleep. I have to say I am one of the most notorious DU hangers on but some people.....damn..... how do you get to 30K posts anyway?

I have to go outside...if i can find the front door.


shit that's the closet.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I live online too.