Faster Than A Speeding Bullet These Days
Published on September 14, 2011 By KFC Kickin For Christ In Internet

My three boys graduated HS between 2000-04. Really not that long ago.  

We didn't have internet access until the youngest was like a junior/senior so we're talking maybe 2003. I was told that my kids would be behind.  They would be computer illiterates.  Today they've not only caught up but I would venture a guess they know more than most.  In fact my youngest son is a computer genius in my eyes for all that he knows and does.  He gets paid pretty big bucks today for what he does and it's all computer oriented.  He's in marketing, sets up websites, helps businesses do better business etc, all with computer software programs that he's designing. Recently, to his own amazement, he had two corporations fighting over him with what started out to be just a job offer from a competing company familiar with his work.  In the end he wound up making 20K more a year because one outbid the other for his employment.  

 At the time they were in HS I was leery about the whole kids on the net stuff so we opted not to bring the internet into the house.  We had heard lots of rumors about the fact that being on the net was kin to dropping your kids off in the middle of NY City and letting them go with no supervision.  

At the time it was just beginning to be a tool for research in the school systems.  They had computer access in school if they needed to do any research but it had not been a real problem up until then. It was more of an optional thing for the most part.   Today it would be impossible, it seems, just in these few short years to NOT be on the net.   In fact I read recently some school systems, in an effort to save money, are requiring students to take at least one online HS class before they graduate.  I have a feeling that's where we're going.  If that's the case, what will we do with all these huge school buildings that were built in the last so many years?  

Our kids didn't do FB or My Space.   They didn't have any online friends. Neither did I.  Their friends were tangible. They could see the expressions on their faces as they talked with them and they could hear the tone of their voices as they spoke with them over the phone.    How in the world did we survive with no internet?  Hard to imagine now isn't it?  Does anyone talk on the phone anymore?  I mean really talk?  Seems like it's more about texting or emailing or face booking these days.  

Makes me wonder what else is coming in the near future for our grandchildren?  


Comments (Page 2)
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on Sep 16, 2011

think it might have something to do with "keeping up with the Jones's" or some other silly marketing concept???

on Sep 16, 2011

DrJBHL
Does anyone talk on the phone anymore? I mean really talk? Seems like it's more about texting or emailing or face booking these days.

I do with my mother and one sister!  Both have internet, but never use it.

Lantec
Asimov's Solaria....but probably more crowded.

That is scary!  But remember Daneel's successor came from Solaria.

*****************

As for how things change, I remember when your sons graduated from College.  I do not think you joined JU before they were all out of HS (HC brought you here, right?).  I rarely speak to my kids - it is call internet.

But one thing to remember.  The people who built the computers, programs and the internet for the most part did not grow up with it (and no, not even Algore grew up with his creation).  So I do not think your sons were hampered.  Probably, they had the best of all worlds.

on Sep 16, 2011

David was a sophomore in college when I joined JU.  He's the one who got me started by making me have this blog.  He did all the signing me up including coming up with my name.   Do you remember you were friendly with him first?  Then he kind of dropped off.  Last I knew his blog was still up.  He graduated HS in 04 and college in 08.  

Time flies.  That's for sure.  

I speak to my kids 50/50 on the phone and internet.  David is almost all phone tho.  He called today.  

I remember the comments about how they wouldn't be up to snuff when we didn't run right out and get a computer.  But I was told that was the case when I didn't put them in physical activities when they were like 4-5 as well.   In HS not only did they excell in their sports but they were named Captains in their perspective sports and at least one of them was named most athletic at graduation.  So we need not give in to peer pressure but do what's right for ourselves and our families first and foremost even if it means not going along with the flow.    

on Dec 03, 2011

Kicken For Christ, I think you must be an awesome father to those kids   God Bless ya !!!    

 

hugs and have a wonderful ChristX

on Dec 07, 2011

Thanks boldyloxx.. but make that mom! 

 

May you also have a very blessed Christmas!   

on Dec 07, 2011




Quoting DrJBHL,
reply 1
Do people eat together anymore? Do families interact? Do they tell stories?


Do androids dream of electric sheep?

 

 

 

 

So many questions.......
Bladerunner.......HSTL

on Dec 14, 2011

I am fortunate to follow Stardock since the end of the 90s. It's amazing that this company changed a lot and gets so little credit for what they have achieved on the net.

 

I consider Brad Wardell to be the pioneer of what we call today "community building". As far as I can see he was doing that since the mid 90s using Usenet and later with forums and IRC. Brad didn't invent blogs, but he sure was blogging in the days of Usenet about development, politics, his products or whatever topic he was interested in. He had a simple variation of what later would be Impulse. In the early versions there was even a facility to chat online with other users, the devs and the support people. He also connected the various forums and made simple forums into tools that allowed easy access to their content. The difference between blogs and forums disappeared, while at the same time adding more functionality to those blogs. It's hard to find any better blogging sites than Joe User. And that all has to do with the fact that Brad loves to discuss and has little time, so easy access served him well too. Another reason is that Stardock believes that devs should be in touch with their customers. I don't think he requires that devs have a look on the forums, but I am sure that everyone at Stardock knows that it is implied. Stardock also has a fairly open policy. If there are new ideas they will be discussed in public in no time. So having a good tool for that is important as well.

 

I am not sure whether Stardock was the first with that approach, but I can't remember other companies doing the same at the time.

 

Of course there were some bumps on the road, but I am glad I was part of it.

on Dec 14, 2011

MadIce
In the early versions there was even a facility to chat online with other users, the devs and the support people.

I'm still using SDC, Matthijs...

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