In celebration of [tag]One Web Day[/tag] on September 22, , I am going to list down “about the ways the web has changed your world.” Having been online since 1995, a lot of changes has happened in my life. Janet Toral started with her entry, How the Internet changed my world
Here is my list:
1. The [tag]internet[/tag] brought me business opportunties , such as e-commerce and problogging.
2. With my affordable webhosting packages for the Philippine market, I am able to help small and medium businesses promote their products or services 24/7 . This gives me such a rewarding feeling.
3. Because of reason no. 1, my online business brings flexible working hours. In fact I don’t need a physical office since a virtual office will do. I can bring my work through my macbook in any part of the world as long as there is internet connection.
4. Initiated a grief support group , The Compassionate Friends Philippines to help bereaved families cope with the death of their child or sibling. When grief support was unavailable in the Philippines in the yar 2000, I found grief resources which provided me with great comfort.
5. Instant messaging keeps me in touch with loved ones. Even if my kids are in their dorm, I can still chat with them through Google Talk or Yahoo Instant messenger. I can also give advice in homework or relationship problem. “MOOOOOOOOOMMMMM” is the most frequent word in my chat box, followed by “You there, mom?” Sometimes, I also “poke” my husband when I see him online, checking if he’s stressed or not from work or just exchanging love notes.
6. Paying bills online via BPI Express Online is very convenient. It beats going to the bank and filling up a deposit slip then falling in line which can reach up to one hour if the bank is full of depositors. When the kids need money, I just transfer funds online. No waiting time.
7. I can still see and chat with my siblings in the states using the webcam or skype. Of course, email and instant messaging forms part of our daily chitchat. My siblings often get jealous when I show myself on the cam eating ube ice cream or some other Filipino food not available in their grocery. My bad!
8. Through the magical powers of google, the internet reconnected me with old friends who I haven’t seen in years. Hi Betty. Hi Bing.
9. It paved the way for new hobbies: amateur photography and web development . These hobbies kept my sanity intact during my grief journey.
10. Lastly, a memorial site for my son, angel-luijoe.net was one way to unleash my grief into something creative. Through this memorial site, it brought some comfort to other griveing parents with similar situation as mine. The only help a parent can find when they are grieving the loss of a child, is in the company of another who fully understands that loss.
What about you? How has the internet changed your world? How do you intend to celebrate One Web Day?
Here’s what you can do to celebrate One Web Day
What you can do to celebrate
On OneWebDay, take one web-related action that helps someone else. Suggestions:
-teach someone to use an application (blog, wiki, Flickr) that is new to them
-start a group blog about an issue you care about
-help a grandparent get in touch with a grandchild online
-help a young student find a new educational resource online
-start a story online that other people add to
-go to a local senior center and volunteer to help people get online
-go to a local school and volunteer to help get better equipment in place
-talk to your town about getting free wireless access in place
-post a tribute to a friend online – interview him/her about his/her life
-have a contest with a friend to collect and display the five most amazing things you can find online
-go to a public wireless place and strike up a conversation about the web with someone near you
-send a recipe to a friend and then make dinner together
I will let you know how I celebrated One Web Day on September 22,2006.
At the end of the day, internet is a beautiful thing :).
Hi Noemi. Thank you very much for sharing your story. I hope you can join us as we celebrate One Internet Day on September 19! (Sent you e-mail)
@dexie- internet is a beautiful thing if used wisely
@Janette- Thanks for the invite.Am going.
You are one of the most successful Filipino internet users to this day and helped many people along the way. Keep up the good work!
I visit your blog everyday but I know you know that. I hope to meet you and the rest of the bloggers from the Globe-Innove just to say I am proud of you and to declare my envy of you guys.
A couple of years back, I donated my old computer hardware and a few books to a charitable organization spearheaded by a high school mate of mine. You gave an idea of what to do on Internet day. Thanks!
The internet is indeed a wonderful and versatile tool – wide and ever expanding. It’s up to us how we maximize its potential. Out of your 10 points, I could totally relate to 4. But then again, the list could go on. 🙂
Yes, I agree with Naz … you have got to be the most successful Netrepreneur I have had the honor of meeting, though online, but in person soon, I’m sure.
Keep up the good work, Noemi!
@naz- I hoped I was able to help others in the years I have been online
@ralphot- some of us have similar ways the internet changed our lives especially in communications made easier and faster
@eric- I don’t know how success is measured. It’s relative but I am having fun and earning at the same time, Turning a hobby to financial returns is a success to me. I am not earning in hundreds of thousands yet but it helps pay the bills. Thanks for the encouragement.
Today, my wife and I, participated in a community clean-up as part of the City of Antioch’s “Save the Earth Day.” We picked up trash along the Sacramento river banks. It is really a good-satisfying feeling to perform community service. I am pretty sure you know the feeling.
@naz- that’s great! community work is quite fulfilling. I try to do my share based on my God given talents because that is where I can contribute more