Chris Pirillo » Internet

Would You Go to an Internet Cafe?

Chris Pirillo — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:29:37 +0000

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I was recently asked if I thought Internet cafes are a thing of the past. I really hate when people go around declaring something is going to die or become obsolete. You may not see a need for a particular thing or place any longer, but does that mean it doesn’t serve a purpose for others?

Just when someone comes along and declares something as dead, it doesn’t really die. What are the chances we will never need to socialize with another human being? Granted, I don’t often go outside and interact with people that way. Thank God for social media outlets.

I don’t think Internet cafes, as such, are going to die out. People are always going to want to use an Internet connection. Perhaps their connection at home will go out (God forbid!!). Maybe they don’t have a connection of their own at all. What if their computer breaks? Why not go and get a cuppa Joe at an Internet cafe?

Seriously, folks. Stop trying to push your own thoughts off on the rest of us by trying to declare something as dead.

Would You Go to an Internet Cafe?

Do You Love Broadband?

Chris Pirillo — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 01:29:56 +0000

Do You Love Broadband?

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Ars Technica reported that 23% of U.S. households don’t have Internet anywhere in the house? Why not? many people just don’t see the need for this “Internet” thing at all. Really? Lamarr thinks broadband should just be something in the house like electricity, water, and heat service so that it’s just normal to have.

The largest reason is listed as a lack of interest in the Internet, with cost being second. Stop spending so much money on dinners out and get yourself online instead. Broadband should be a required utility in the house like water or heat.

How can someone not want to be connected to the Internet? The world is out there. You can find everything online. Don’t you want to expand your mind and your opportunities?

Do you think these 23% are living in the dark ages, are ignorant, or are they on to something? Maybe the Internet causes more problems than it’s worth. I’m just playing Devil’s Advocate here; leave a comment below.

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Do You Love Broadband?

What is the Purpose of the Internet?

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 02:26:06 +0000

What is the Purpose of the Internet?

Avenue Q is a wildly popular show which has run all over the world. It is the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Poor Princeton quickly finds out that the only place he can afford to live is on Avenue Q. The neighbors seem harmless enough, so why not take a chance? Brian is an out-of-work comedian engaged to therapist Christmas Eve. Nicky is a complete slacker with a big heart who is roomies with Republican investment banker Rod. Trekkie is addicted to the Internet… and porn. Kate, the Kindergarten teaching assistant, is sweet and naive. Princeton and the gang sail through the entire show struggling to find jobs, dates and their purpose in life.

JobbeJoe created a fantastic music video to go along with this fun song, and included many characters and backdrops from World of Warcraft. It’s very well put together – nearly seamless. However, I didn’t only embed this particular video for the laughs it is sure to bring. If you really listen to what is being said, you’ll see how true it really is.

The Internet is not “for porn” as Trekkie claims. Many older people who do not use the ‘net regularly actually assume that connecting to a website will result in being faced with all sorts of dirty things. Yes… there is porn online. Yes… it can be found quite easily. However, WE all know that’s not what it’s all about.

The Internet is a gateway to information. You can find anything your heart desires online, from health care reform to taxation and politics… to porn. I’m not sure where the hell I was going with that though. No matter what I say, all of you will jump to remind me that “The Internet is for Porn!”

Enjoy the video.

What is the Purpose of the Internet?

Gogo Inflight Problem

Chris Pirillo — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:36:18 +0000

Gogo Inflight Problem

The other day, I was on an Alaska Airlines flight to Dallas, TX (on my way to speak at OpenCamp). My dendrites were quite thrilled to discover that the plane was WiFi-enabled. Yay! I realize that some people refuse to pay for in-flight Internet, but… the alternative is to “bored” the plane. Get it?! Anyway…

I fired open my Web browser on the iPhone and was greeted with a simple fee structure for the day:

Okay, $7.95 sounds quite doable. I was expecting it to be a bit more, to tell you the truth. Then, I wondered if I should just sign up on my iPad (since I’d be able to browse the Web easier with a substantially larger screen). That’s when I was smacked with this:

Wait a second. It’s the same Internet, it’s the same access point, it’s the same time of day, it’s the same flight – and somehow, Gogo Inflight wants to charge me $3 less on the iPad versus the iPhone? Something smells fishy – and it’s not the fish from First Class.

Yes, this “pointless” price discrepancy really pissed me off. Most people would use one device over another, never thinking of using both – and, certainly, they’d expect to see a quick explanation of the limitations of either usage model. I wondered, then, if Gogo Inflight was profiling (!) me – thinking that since I was an iPhone owner, I could afford to pay more – versus the iPad, which was seemingly being detected as a laptop?

Then again, can’t a laptop “do more” than an iPhone? Why charge more for one over the other? It made absolutely no sense to me – but before sharing my extreme disappointment with the world (via this blog, since I initially tweeted my concerns), I waited to hear from one of their representatives, who kindly explained:

I’m Caitlin, I work on Gogo Inflight Internet and I saw your tweets about the issue that you had with pricing yesterday. I’ve copied Mike on this email, who works directly with our customer care team. We’re both genuinely sorry that you had a frustrating experience, and wanted to take the time to try to explain what happened.

Our prices are based on both device type and flight time, as our team communicated on Twitter. You can see the basic pricing structure here. However, if flight data is not available, as sometimes happens on our equipment, we automatically default to the lowest price available for that device. It sounds like what happened with you yesterday was that the mobile site (which your iPhone would see) was able to give you the correct price based on flight time. However, your iPad, which runs on our laptop site, didn’t get that data and automatically gave you the lowest possible price. We try to always err on the side that benefits the customer, so you got a lower price since we couldn’t find the specific flight data.

Additionally, purchasing on a laptop, netbook, or iPad actually allows you to switch back and forth between that device and any mobile device, although you can’t use both devices at once.

Sorry, guys – but I don’t buy it. In fact, I’m even more confused now.

Why is Gogo Inflight charging less to allow the user to do more?! That’s Caitlin’s assertion: if you buy access from the iPad (“laptop”) for $4.95, you can switch between devices in-flight, but if you buy access on your iPhone for $7.95, you’re stuck with one device?

Dude. Seriously. Gogo Inflight needs a serious altitude adjustment.

Every person should pay the same amount for a flight, regardless of device. Once access has been paid for (once), let the user flip between devices so long as only one of them is on the network at any given time – lest they pay extra for a second device.

Anything less than that is just… devicist.

Gogo Inflight Problem

The Future of the Internet

Chris Pirillo — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:14:01 +0000

The Future of the Internet

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Over on Lockergnome, Slick asked what our thoughts are on the future of the Internet. With speeds and capabilities ever-increasing, it can boggle the mind to think of what we’ll have available to us in 20 years or so. It will be funny to look back to the year 2010 and think about how SLOW we thought the connections we have now were.

It’s interesting that this question came up when it did. I learned today that Australia is going to be giving all of their citizens fiber-optic connections in their homes. Finland recently said that citizens have the RIGHT to broadband connections. How many other countries will soon realize that the only way to bring their land and their citizens into the future with free and easy access to the Internet?

We already know that the Internet is much more important than eating, drinking, sleeping or having somewhere nice to live, right? Maybe it’s not AS important as those other needs. However, I do think that it’s pretty high up on the list. Wherever you are, you need information. Getting info from the library isn’t practical these days. They’re great, yes, for certain things.

We have knowledge. How are we going to turn that knowledge into wisdom? The future of Internet connections is omnipresent. Anywhere you go and any device you have should be able to quickly connect to the Internet at any given moment of the day, without muss or fuss.

What are your thoughts? What do you think we’ll see in the future as far as the Internet and its connections and speeds go?

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The Future of the Internet

Could Comcast Become Extreme?

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 27 May 2010 05:01:49 +0000

Could Comcast Become Extreme?

Extreme Internet speeds from Comcast will apparently come at an extreme price. To those of us who work from home and rely on fast (and reliable) connections, no price is too high to pay for awesome download speeds. Well, in my case I need superb upload speeds. However, I digress…

Comcast has quietly unveiled an entirely new level of service that will become available in just a few days. Extreme 105 Cable service will offer download speeds of 105 Mbps, and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. Ohhh yeah baby! I can live with those, can’t you? However, as I said, something this extreme doesn’t come cheap. The cost for installation will run $249.00 and monthly service weighs in at $199.95 per month (plus modem rental cost).

There weren’t any official announcements about this service that I have come across. A customer noticed a small advertisement on his recent Comcast bill and called the company to find out more information. The notices on the bills you’re receiving this week aren’t a hoax. Comcast Extreme 105 really IS coming June 1st! Are you going to attempt to upgrade?

Boost your computer speeds with software found on our software site.

Could Comcast Become Extreme?

Why Do You Need Social Media?

Chris Pirillo — Wed, 05 May 2010 02:16:01 +0000

Why Do You Need Social Media?

I had a great time in Hawaii last week. I was there to be a presenter at the Next Level Hawaii conference. Kelly Mitchell and her team did a fantastic job of putting this event together.

The team at Believe and Succeed stopped me to talk about the power of social media and the Internet in general.

People need to know that they’re missing out if they’re not participating. Sometimes, participation can mean just looking and listening. Most of the participation that happens in social media is passive via lurking and watching what’s happening. Ignoring it, however, is only done at your own peril.

There’s a lot that can be gained by watching, reading and exploring. Social media isn’t as “technical” and difficult as some would make it out to be. These tools being used by Geeks can honestly be used by anyone.

Social media as a suite of tools is dynamic and always changing. Twitter may not be around when I hit 80 years old. We don’t know where these tools will go in the future, but they can still help us on a personal and professional level.

Don’t cut yourself off. I have heard a few people say that they don’t feel they need an Internet connection. That’s frightening to me in this age of information and online tools and consumption.

If your business isn’t making use of these tools, you’re wasting time and money. Don’t miss out. Take advantage of what’s out there to help you to succeed.

I have to thank Bruce and his team at Hawaii Aloha for helping me once again make the trip down to paradise.

Why Do You Need Social Media?

Internet Society

Chris Pirillo — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:26:04 +0000

Internet Society

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What kind of impact has the Internet had on you (personally or professionally)? Do you remember what life was like before the Internet? Could you imagine your life without the Internet? Could you imagine a world without the Internet?

Michael sent an email to me. He’s a high school student, doing some research on the Internet. Specifically, he’s writing about how the Internet has changed the World. He claims that I am pretty knowledgable about this particular topic. I beg to differ, but will do my best to help him out! He has a few questions he wanted me to answer.

In your opinion, what is the best benefit the Internet has given us as a society? – To me, it’s all about information access. When I was in high school, the Internet didn’t exist the way we know it now. It was a true eye-opener the day I realized what type of information I would have at my fingertips thanks to the ‘Net. Information is power, and the global community has become a lot more powerful, and a lot more aware. We are easily able to discover a lot more than we were previously able to.
In what ways has the Internet negatively affected the way we interact? – Chances are, you could go to the page where you found this video, and see people leaving idiotic and rude comments. They do this simply because they can hide behind the anonymity of the Internet. Many people feel that they can lose all social graces when they are online, and treat people like utter crap. I, however, always try to treat people online the same way I do in my physical life… with respect.
If someone who doesn’t know anything about the Internet asked you what the main purpose is of the Internet, how would you respond? – Connection… either to information, or to people. The Internet is a lot like a screwdriver. It’s a tool, which can be used for good – or bad. If you’re not using the right tool for any particular job, you won’t get very far. The results won’t be what you expected them to be. If you don’t respect and understand that this tool that connects you to information and other people, it could have disastrous results for you. The Internet is empowering.

If you are doing any type of research project that I may be able to help with, feel free to shoot me an email with your questions. Also, I’m interested in hearing what YOUR answers are to the above questions. Feel free to leave me a comment here, and let us know your thoughts.

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Internet Society

How Do Kids Under the Age of 12 Use the Web?

Chris Pirillo — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:38:17 +0000

How Do Kids Under the Age of 12 Use the Web?

There’s an interesting survey going on right now, via ReadWriteWeb. They are attempting to gather data on how a child under the age of twelve might use the Web, and how much of it they really understand.

The survey is designed to have parents along for the ride. Children will draw their responses to specific questions, and then the parents will upload them to the survey response center. They are even being cautious with anonymity. There’s no need whatsoever to reveal a child’s identity, nor any identifying information. A parent can make up a first name (or nickname) for their child when beginning the survey.

The survey aims to discover how children use and understand Web technology, the environmental factors that contribute to these understandings, and the extent to which children can think ‘innovatively’ about web technology. The study also intends to deduce real-world applications from the drawings that the kids create.

If you are a parent of a child in this age group, I urge you to consider taking this survey with them. It will not only help gather important research information, it can also help you understand your child’s level of knowledge when it comes to the Internet. Talk with them about what they know, and set specific rules and boundaries for their online time. This will benefit both of you in the end.

How Do Kids Under the Age of 12 Use the Web?

What Will the Internet Look Like in Ten Years?

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:32:22 +0000

What Will the Internet Look Like in Ten Years?

I came across an interesting question on Lockergnome earlier this morning: What will the Internet look like in ten years?. The author states:

… the idea of adverse changes, in my mind, is anything that would change the complete freedom that we have to do just about anything. Certainly crime should not be allowed, but anything that is not criminal should be fully allowed.

That’s an interesting thought. Sure, I agree that crime shouldn’t be allowed on the Internet. However, how the heck are we ever going to stop it? Thousands upon thousands of people fight hard every day to try and curb the growth of crime online. Sadly, for every criminal they take down, more are waiting in the wings to step up.

The author states at the end of the article:

The internet policy is something almost as important as health care, and no matter where you stand on health care, you can see that much twisting of the truth is coming from all parties. How much like that will the fight over the progress of the internet be?

Chilling to think about, for sure. It’s also likely very true. Everyone wants to control the Internet. How ugly do you think that fight for control will get? What direction do you see the Web going in over the next ten years? I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.

This wasn’t the only great article I read today. If you have something you want to share that I haven’t already highlighted here, please pass it along. I’m always looking for something interesting, funny or thought-provoking to read.

In our downloads center, you’ll find tons of great software and applications for anything and everything you could possibly imagine. Keep your eye on what’s new, what’s hot, what’s on sale, and what may be completely free.

What Will the Internet Look Like in Ten Years?

What is Your Favorite Technology?

Chris Pirillo — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:25:41 +0000

What is Your Favorite Technology?

While I was in Hawaii last week, I had the opportunity to record a “Question of the Day” video with Traci Toguchi. I decided to ask the question: What is your favorite piece of technology?.

Traci stated that there’s no way she could live without her cell phone. Not only is it used for calls, she also relies on it heavily to be able to check her emails and take care of her various online duties while she’s on the go. Today’s technology trend is pushing ever closer to being “all” mobile. We are busy, and we need our gadgets and gizmos to help keep us connected while we’re running around.

My answer was simply the Internet. The Internet has changed my life, and that of many others. We can do anything there, from research to connecting with people. I’ve been online since 1992, which is quite awhile now I know.

The world of the Internet has exploded since I’ve been online. In the future, it will become even faster and easier to access. It will also be more ubiquitous. It’s evolutionary, and there isn’t a question as to whether the Internet will continue to “be there” in the future. It’s going to be a huge part of our daily lives in years and decades to come.

Let’s turn it to all of YOU now. What one piece of technology could you not live without – and why?

How long have you been living with it?

What would make it better?

Do you consider yourself a tech addict?

Challenge a friend to answer the question, too:

What is Your Favorite Technology?

What is Digital Culture?

Chris Pirillo — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:47:33 +0000

What is Digital Culture?

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I may not look it, but I am 35 years old. This means I grew up with things like Merlin, Speak n’ Spell, and Atari! I surround myself with toys even to this day, including on the Internet. There are people my age, however, who don’t use mobile devices or even the Internet. In this day and age, that’s unheard of!

We are now living in a digital age – the age of information. I’ve been online since 1992, and doing so professionally for 12 years now. This IS my life. I received an email from a guy named Chris, who is taking a course named Digital Culture. They are learning about how digital culture is changing every arena of human experience. For their final project, they were creating a website devoted to digital culture and its influence. One component of the site features thoughts of people like myself, who are immersed in the digital lifestyle. They wanted to know what exactly digital culture means to me.

I think that digital culture is pervasive technology. What I mean by that is just assuming a solution is going to be there. Back in the days of dial up when I would travel, I would have to carry with me some type of telephone cable. I had to dial in to the Internet, and usually pay for the time I used that line. These days, you take it for granted. If you go to a hotel, you expect you can get online. It’s a given, right? You know it’s there!

Could you sit in front of a computer today and use it without an Internet connection? You could – but what would you do? The Internet unlocks so many experiences. It’s there, and it’s pervasive. It actually helps with the flow of things. Imagine not having email, or knowing someone who doesn’t have it. It’s frustrating. You’ve potentially grown up with it, and you’re just used to the convenience of it!

When I think of digital culture, I think of it as a part of ourselves, and an extension of society. What it means to me is a step in mental evolution, and social responsibility. The phrase that explains the idea that technology connects us as humans which I coined is “Human Circuitry” – which is now the theme of my Gnomedex conference.

Digital culture is amazing to me today as it was back when I first began my journey. It gives rise to a different kind of relationship between people – and it’s one that I treasure.

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What is Digital Culture?

Is DSL Really Broadband?

Chris Pirillo — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:35:39 +0000

Is DSL Really Broadband?

troy_w_banther: Not all of are fortunate enough to have anything better than DSL. :-P

about 54 minutes ago

Wed Mar 04 19:38:54 +0000 2009

Paradigms: the Linux distro or the communications technology?

about 4 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 16:03:48 +0000 2009

BenjaminPrice: I wasn't either until I got fed up with Comcast metering broadband, so DSL is it now

about 13 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 06:49:02 +0000 2009

Foxxchasser1: i had cable internet and loved the fast upload speed but the company kept blocking ports on my service so i had to go to DSL

about 13 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 06:46:26 +0000 2009

identityTBA: Same here

about 15 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 05:21:25 +0000 2009

wwejason: Don't like DSL, huh? 50,000 times better that cable. Don't believe me? Listen to Leo: www.twit.tv/ttg539

about 16 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:58:46 +0000 2009

kpslover007: I have DSL at the moment. Do you recommend getting broadband/cable internet back?

about 16 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:52:55 +0000 2009

CodyMcGrew: why not beats dial up

about 16 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:34:16 +0000 2009

gmaendel: How about truck stop WiFi?

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:29:28 +0000 2009

htnguyen: what!?!?!? DSL > Cable!

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:22:30 +0000 2009

adamfield: some of us have no options. It's not unbearable.

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:19:28 +0000 2009

tadrow: It'd be nice if all the fiber that was supposed to be carrying our calls actually was here. “We don't care. We don't have to.”

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:17:18 +0000 2009

jptacek: Can you explain Microsoft's M for us?

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:17:12 +0000 2009

TreyRust: dialup FTW!

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:15:52 +0000 2009

tadrow: I wish we had options. My mom can't even *get* DSL yet, and my aunt can barely get phone service, much less dialup.

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:15:25 +0000 2009

Joshrath: Found the link for the CNN video, Check your email.

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:13:34 +0000 2009

morontown: who is? No srously

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:11:51 +0000 2009

drmacpro: Damn slow Linux?

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:10:13 +0000 2009

lemasney: how are you on Fiber to the Home? I'm a fan.

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:09:22 +0000 2009

garrigus: Why not? What do you use… cable? Do you think that's better? Much more expensive though, right?

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:08:28 +0000 2009

ktoddstorch: understatement of the year?

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:07:21 +0000 2009

Tofur: DSL as in the broadband connection or DSL as in broad's d sucking lips?

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:06:44 +0000 2009

Darkfalz01: I loved my DSL (beat Charter Cable) but they just couldnt compete (speed or price) and we have only those 2 choices here :{

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:06:41 +0000 2009

millettepc: Dryloop DSL is awsome.. no silly phone company to deal with!

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:06:41 +0000 2009

thattalldude: I might be, but I'd have to experience it with more than 3Mbps theoretical top speed. Only choice here though, no competition.

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:06:18 +0000 2009

1only: I don't think there are a lot of DSL fans anymore, I could be wrong.

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:06:03 +0000 2009

StephenCraig: me neither, but we get it for free, my mom works from home :)

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:05:56 +0000 2009

Memoriestolast: you're kidding- seriously? Film?

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:05:48 +0000 2009

KerwinStewart: What about Fios?

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:05:36 +0000 2009

AnoxiA425: No one is ever a fan of DSL

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:05:23 +0000 2009

MikeKukielka: U-Verse by AT&T is better.

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:05:21 +0000 2009

chrispirillo: I'm just not a huge fan of DSL.

about 17 hours ago

Wed Mar 04 03:04:22 +0000 2009

Is DSL Really Broadband?

How to Use Chat Room Etiquette

coupons — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:35:17 +0000

How to Use Chat Room Etiquette

This is Ashryne’s submission for the HP Magic Giveaway. Feel free to leave comments for this article as you see fit – your feedback is certainly welcomed! If you’d like to submit your own how-to, what-is, or top-five list, you can send it to me. Views and opinions of this writer are not necessarily my own:

The chat room is a wonderful place where people can unite and maybe even help one another. With everything that is good, bad follows closely behind. This guide will explain proper chat room etiquette and provide examples.

Excessive Exclamation or Question Marks – One of the common problems in a chat room is the need to emphasize certain questions, or statements by included 2 billion question marks, or exclamation marks. As an example, Johnny has a question for Chris. Johnny asks Chris “oh no my pet monkey stuck a banana in my PC and now it is broken!!!!????? Help !!!” What would be the proper way for Johnny to ask this question? Well, Johnny could try to ask the question in a much calmer, more relaxed manner. The real question is how did Johnny’s pet monkey get the banana in the PC? Instead, Johnny should ask Chris “my pet monkey stuck a banana into the computers fan and broke my PC. Can you help me?” As we can see by the proper method, Johnny is much calmer and actually explains how the monkey got the banana into the PC.
Foul Language – The second problem that comes up in a chat room discussion is the need to compensate for a lack of who knows what by excessive swearing. Excessive swearing not only causes the chat member to look foolish, but can also be quite annoying. For example, the chat at live.pirillio.com censors filter words and replaces them with (censored) so anyone who swears has that word replaced. This example will be using (censored). Johnny is now angry at Chris because Chris has not responded to his question within 2 seconds. Johnny tells Chris “(censored) your teeth (censored) because you are so cool (censored) my (censored) hug.” Obviously Johnny has a lot to compensate for in this example. By this point in time, an op or halfop would have already removed the issue at hand. Johnny could have kept his cool and used proper chat room etiquette to have addressed the problem. I guess now Johnny will not know why his monkey likes to stick bananas in fans. The proper way to do this would be for Johnny to wait a minimum of ten minutes for a response before speaking and say something like “Chris my good fellow, is there an email address at which I can send you my question in case you were unable to view it in the chat?” As we can see by the proper method, the attitude of Johnny is still a calm and relaxed one.
EXCESSIVE CAPS – The last situation I will address is that of caps lock. Caps lock is a button that makes all your letters appear uppercase. Caps lock can be considered rude, and yelling. For example, Johnny says “MY PET MONKEY TOTALLY ROCKS.” Okay Johnny, I think we get the idea. You have just yelled on the internet, how sad. The proper way to say this would be “My pet monkey totally rocks”. This method gets exactly the same point across, without you getting kicked from the chat.

Remember, always use proper chat etiquette.

How to Use Chat Room Etiquette

Internet Karate – Defending Your PC Against Malware

Chris Pirillo — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:30:31 +0000

Internet Karate – Defending Your PC Against Malware

This is Matt Wilkinson’s submission for the HP Magic Giveaway. Feel free to leave comments for this article as you see fit – your feedback is certainly welcomed! If you’d like to submit your own how-to, what-is, or top-five list, you can send it to me. Views and opinions of this writer are not necessarily my own:

Several years ago, I thought it might be a fun project to develop a presentation that could be delivered to non-technical PC users about the basics of PC security. I’m not talking about a simple “Dumbing-Down” of a very complicated topic, but rather an approach that would allow the average PC user to gain a better understanding of the everyday threats their PC faces. In other words, give them a fighting chance at keeping malware at bay.

The catch phrase “Internet Karate” quickly came to mind, combining the famous Martial Art with using the Internet. Karate is a means to defend yourself in the physical world — Internet Karate is a way to defend your PC from the never ending parade of bad guys that would otherwise attack and overwhelm it.

So I set out to develop a presentation that met these criteria:

It can be delivered in less than two hours, which leaves plenty of time for Q and A.
Keep it as non-technical as possible, while still keeping it as informative and engaging as possible to the target audience.
Make it as interactive and fun as possible; get people interested in a topic that would normally bore them to tears.
Not to push any specific security products or brands; warn people about the many fake security products out there.

Like most people, speaking in front of an audience is a personal phobia, and I freely admit that I am using this project as a means to overcome that phobia. But more importantly, I am doing this as my little contribution to combating malware. My philosophy is that the more educated people are about PC security, the more likely they are to stay on top of it. I have personally profited from malware — though not in the way that malware developers themselves do — but rather by earning cash from rebuilding PCs that have been gutted by malware. I like to think of it as my own little way of giving back (I don’t charge anything to present the material, but I don’t turn down lunch if offered).

I’ve delivered the Internet Karate Presentation to several groups since I first developed the material, and it’s been very well received. Keep in mind, if you are a registered user on geeks.pirillo.com, the material is anything but earth shattering. Nor is it particularly hard for anybody with web access to find out on their own (remember one of my goals is to get people interested in it) . I am not claiming to present anything revolutionary with Internet Karate, just to package a complex (and dry) topic in a way normal people can understand. If I could, I’d cultivate a small army of like-minded IT professionals that would offer similar presentations to small audiences in their particular neck of the woods (think “Dojo”).

If you’ve been in the IT game anywhere near as long as I have, I’m willing to bet that people often turn to you for advice on all things technology and computer related. This is your audience calling you. As far as groups go, there are PTA’s, professional organizations, church groups, community colleges, public library programs, the possibilities are endless.

Now, without further adieu, I bring you Internet Karate. (Requires Google Account)

Internet Karate – Defending Your PC Against Malware