Archive for February 6th, 2009

I often marvel at the power of the Internet and ponder what my life was like before it.  In my writing and research, I use the Internet daily.  In my personal life, I use the Internet daily.

Many of us are so used to this tool that we don’t realize how much we do online.  I decided to make a list.  Here goes:

1. Check e-mail
2. Connect with friends through social networking
3. Connect with colleagues through social networking
4. Find new freelance opportunities
5. Research article ideas
6. Research article sources
7. Research issues my family encounters
8. Look up recipes
9. Read daily devotionals
10. Purchase photos
11. Purchase other items (gifts, books, photo books, clothing, etc.)
12. Sell items (hello, eBay!)
13. Download clip art
14. Chat with my husband
15. Check the weather
16. Check the traffic report
17. Look up directions to and from places
18. Calculate mileage for my business expenses
19. Write in my blog
20. Update my Web site

I’m sure I’m forgetting some things, but it’s still much more than I expected.  What do you do online?

I confess: I have a few grammar pet peeves.  Perhaps I am a bit of a grammar stickler, but poor grammar hurts communication, even when you are just sending an e-mail.  Here are  couple of my pet peeves to watch out for:

• Misusing the word “literally.”  A television commercial is on regularly that tells me how money is literally flying out my door.  In fact, my money is in my wallet.  It’s no where near the door.
• Confusing idea with ideal.  An idea is a thought or plan of action.  An ideal is “a conception of perfection,” according to dictionary.com.
• Interchanging affect and effect.  Affect is a verb (The change is affecting her greatly) while effect is a noun (The effect of the change impacted her life).