How did we do it before the internet?

[suespud]

Mr Google has a lot to answer for..
I am as guilty as the next person whenever I am buying something/anything...be it an iron..lobster tails..(aldi came out best at christmas)
I review and research most stuff.
Holidays/restaurants/hotels OH YES...keyboard is hot!!!

Internet has its uses.. but sometimes it is used for not so nice stuff...
It can be used as a means for people to steal others identities.. for whatever sad reasons.(as some of us know only too well)

I just at times wonder how on earth we managed before it came along!!!

[Dark Knight]

well the mummy and daddy who really loved each other, went into their bedroom and........




used the yellow pages and directory enquiries

[suespud]

lololol yeah....too true.

you know I'v not looked at a yellow pages for years now, are they still around..in paper form?

[GillD46]

I can't possibly imagine life without the internet, yet I was very unsure it would be of use to me in the early days - famous last words!

I do know I probably spent my time more productively then, as I spend FAR too long on my iPad now.

[Stephen]

lololol yeah....too true.

you know I'v not looked at a yellow pages for years now, are they still around..in paper form?

Yep, they are also half the size they use to be which is how they manage to shove one every year through our letter box, which in turn gets put straight into the recycle box.

[Stephen]

The Internet is like the mobile phone, an addictive time waster. But we all use them.

Going by the amount of people walking about these days continuesly tapping away on their mobiles as though their life depended on it I can see them requiring the services of the orthopaedic specialist in the not so distant future

[Silver_Shiney]

lololol yeah....too true.

you know I'v not looked at a yellow pages for years now, are they still around..in paper form?

Yep, they are also half the size they use to be which is how they manage to shove one every year through our letter box, which in turn gets put straight into the recycle box.

Despite registering with them a few years ago AND a prominent notice by my letterbox saying "NO telephone or other directories", BT still shoved one through my door yesterday. A directory is a printed database. Databases are tightly controlled by the Data Protection Act. They are basically giving me the names, addresses and phone numbers of thousands of strangers, the details of which I have no business being in possession of. Is the issue of this book something that the Data Protection Commissioner should be looking at?

[Mervyn and Trish]

I guess we have a choice.

It's a long time ago since we took out our phone contract and we opted not to be in the directory because I worked in the media at the time and we would have been the only people with our name in the book. I didn't want listeners to the radio station phoning me at home at midnight to make a complaint or ask me to play Abba tomorrow.

But if one opts to be in the directory surely that is ok in terms of data protection? Not an expert but that's my view.

[Dark Knight]

Merv
that explains why my requests were never played on your programme, given ,via the licence fee, I effectively paid your wages, I think it is a pretty poor show that you are were not available 24 hours a day

[david63]

Is the issue of this book something that the Data Protection Commissioner should be looking at?

No because it does not contain "personal data".

[Boris+]

It might sound a like a bit of a slating but ..... we had standards, virtually non-existent spell checker, more people were employed and just as much if not more got done.

Research was done the tried and tested way with books and reports - much pen and paper, and stuff had to be transported either courtesy of good friends or a special delivery system, or by using the Royal Mail.

I think that the old days (as we now call them) had a hint of romance and a demand for accuracy and a much better work ethic.

I often wish that the digital revolution hadn't happened, but then sometimes it's tolerable.

Em

[suespud]

Some of us still have standards.
As for being tolerable...it makes things a lot easier.
Up to date research has never been so good.
Boris..you wouldnt have been able to find out so much about passports..cruising...and all of the other things you like to research, as do the rest of us..without the internet.
You admit you like to really look into things..so internet must make things easier for you.

I am amazed how much detail about any subject I get by using Mr Google.
Its all out there....
Sometimes its misleading...example;
If you type my name in....It says I own a fish and chip shop...But I dont !!!!
lololol Its just someone with the same name...who happens to live a few miles away from me.
I didnt know this until someone from here told me...lolol

Gill< I spend far too much time on my iPad too.
Stops me from picking up my knitting...
ohhh and I use it for that too...to look for new patterns and yarn!!!

[Meg 50]

If you do nothing else - google your name, your email address, your forum name and see how much is public knowledge, then see how much you can hide by changing settings

[Boris+]

Hi Sue,

I know that many people still have standards - but standards have changed, and sometimes beyond recognition.
Easier isn't always better in my good; anything worth achieving is worth striving for.
Up to date research nowadays provides too many opportunities for plagiarism.

You mentioned the passport thing - well in the 'old days' there wouldn't have been a problem as I would simply have gone to a passport office or nearby suitable government office and have a simple renewal stamp.

I would never dream of relying on Mr Google - and yes, there is so much which is misleading it's unbelievable.

Oh well - I wouldn't waste money on any Apple product - we are eons apart you and I.

Nevermind - it's differences that make the world go around.

Em

[suespud]

Boris....my iPad was a gift.
I have a laptop as well..but much prefer the iPad.

Eons apart...oh yeah most definitely.....

[Meg 50]

I wouldn't dream of relying on Google (or Bing, or whatever other search engines there are (or wikipedia...))
they are a starter in research.
Their intelligent use is a Godsend, but not for following willy nilly

[oldbluefox]

Internet shopping must have been a boon for those who live in more remote places or are unable to get into town. I buy quite a few things on the internet, mainly because I can't get them locally.

[suespud]

I wouldn't dream of relying on Google (or Bing, or whatever other search engines there are (or wikipedia...))
they are a starter in research.
Their intelligent use is a Godsend, but not for following willy nilly

I never actually mentioned relying on Mr Google.. or Mrs Bing...or Ask Jeeves...
whatever happened to Jeeves....is he still around? Maybe a butler on a cruise ship now...
but as you said...they all starters in research.



BTW Boris...didn't you use an iPad on your cruises?
So its ok to use an Apple product as long as you haven't wasted money on it?

[suespud]

Internet shopping must have been a boon for those who live in more remote places or are unable to get into town. I buy quite a few things on the internet, mainly because I can't get them locally.

Absolutely!!!
iv just ordered three items on Amazon, I cant get in shops..or not easily anyway.

Bags for my new fancy bin in the kitchen.
Nespresso pods.
An over the kitchen drawer little vegetable peel collector.

[GillD46]

That reminds me, I need to order some Nespresso pods - thanks Sue.

[suespud]

That reminds me, I need to order some Nespresso pods - thanks Sue.

you are very welcome.

[david63]

Internet shopping must have been a boon for those who live in more remote places or are unable to get into town. I buy quite a few things on the internet, mainly because I can't get them locally.

It is also brilliant for finding those items that you never see in shops, or for spare parts for things when they break.

[oldbluefox]

Very true David. One of the wheels on our suitcase 'collapsed'. We can even buy a replacement wheel on the internet although at a price I am not prepared to pay!!

Talking of Nespresso pods we have just come back from London and went into the Nespresso shop on Regent Street, near Piccadilly Circus. I cannot believe how they have managed to sex up what is essentially coffee in a handy little tub. It was all very attractive but the price for plastic boxes to hold the pods and any other 'essentials' was eye-watering. Very clever presentation, beautiful eye-catching colours with clever lighting and shop design. I was very impressed but prefer my coffee maker otherwise I could have easily been enticed.

Back to the internet.................... Considering what we can do and find out, internet has been a godsend. My whole week in London was planned through the internet, from researching, pricing and booking the hotel, finding a good price for rail tickets and booking online, booking shows, researching museums and getting all the opening times and prices for everywhere we wanted to visit. None of this was possible pre-internet.

[Boris+]

No, Sue - I didn't use an iPad onboard. There was one provided in various suites, and I think my husband glanced at it whilst I was busy using our laptop (for things more personal and more interesting); but I most certainly never used one.

And now it's going to be ttfn.

Em

[suespud]

No, Sue - I didn't use an iPad onboard. There was one provided in various suites, and I think my husband glanced at it whilst I was busy using our laptop (for things more personal and more interesting); but I most certainly never used one.

And now it's going to be ttfn.

Em

Ahhhh sorry... I thought you said "we use it to read the news"
and you saying you put it to one side to be replaced by a fully charged one.... maybe I was mistaken..my memory is not so good