A look at new ways to communicate
Since its original conception the landline telephone has been an increasingly used form of communication, providing the ability to talk instantly with someone any distance away, making it far superior to mail or telegram. Cost was, however, always a limiting factor when it came to long time, or long distance calls, and so the phone was chiefly used only for more local communication
INTERNET
The telephone, however, led to the creation of the internet, which is steadily replacing the landline phone at an increasing rate, as the chief form of communication around the globe. Relatively cheap and unhindered by long distance, the World Wide Web provides great opportunities for easy communication to anywhere in the world. A form of 'asynchronous communication', it allows a person to email someone a message instantly, so that, even if they're not around at the moment, they can pick it up whenever they next have access to a computer, and reply just as quickly, and for only the cost of their internet connection, regardless of the distance involved.
BROADBAND
With the gradual integration of broadband, now available in Burntisland for around two years and recently made available throughout all of Fife, the internet has become faster, cheaper and even more versatile, and for those without a computer, there is even internet access available at the local library. Email has been quickly adopted by many adults, who are adapting to the newly available technology, and almost all the younger generation, who have grown up along-side it.
INSTANT MESSAGING
Email is not the only form of communication provided by the internet, however. The younger generation in particular also make great use of 'instant messaging.' It is similar to email only it requires both participants to be online at one time, messages are instantly sent back and forth through chat rooms or readily available programs such as "MSN Messenger". It's possible for users to have windows open with large numbers of people, or, more commonly, several one-to-one windows with various different people, allowing them to communicate independently with a large social group simultaneously, or, when necessary, involve all in the same conversation, particularly useful when attempting to arrange a meeting for example. MSN is constantly evolving, to the extent that it is now possible for users to send pictures and music to each other, something they take great advantage of, and even have live audio and/or video conversations using a webcam. This allows people to communicate on a whole new level across any distance and has completely changed the way people socialise. When separated by the internet, users are allowed much greater time to think of a suitable reply or phrase things correctly without feeling pressurised in any way.
SAFE COMMUNICATION
Though there is a strong impression among many that the internet is hazardous and full of dangerous characters, and indeed this is true, in many ways it is safer than other possible forms of contact. If for example, someone finds themselves talking to an unsavoury character it's very easy for them simply to leave, with or without an excuse and many feel more comfortable for this very reason. The web allows for almost complete control on the part of the user, and eliminates any look-based stereotypes so that people are judged by personality and words alone.
SOCIAL ASPECT
Many parents worry that their children spend too much time on the internet and therefore cannot have a healthy social life. Though online socialising is not enough and real contact is required for a balanced social life, often talking online helps more introvert people to open up, whether it is to someone that you would normally talk to every day in person or an online friend who doesn't even know your real name. This means that teenagers are now being far more open with their peers, and indeed people of all ages; sharing their problems with those who can understand and help. Indeed, when not at the computer they will often leave messages stating "away in the shower" or "I'm watching tele" simply so others know what they are doing. The internet encourages all kinds of sharing: people share their tastes in music, art, humour, or even their diaries in the form of an online 'blog' (Examples include www.artpad.com , www.ctrl-alt-del.com and www.livejournal.com ).
TEXTING
Similar in many respects to instant messaging is the growing use of 'texting' by mobile phone. Far cheaper than a quick phone call, texts are a cheap and easy way to ask someone a quick question or send them a reminder. There are also many people who will use their mobile more for 'texting' than phoning, where conversations are had much like an email conversation via the internet. Three to five billion texts are sent across the world every day. In fact texting has become such a huge phenomenon that the word 'text' has gained an entirely new meaning in our vocabulary.
WI-FI
The two technologies of phone and internet are now becoming even more integrated, with increasing numbers of mobile phones being able to access the internet through wireless radio signals or 'Wi-Fi'. In fact there are some areas in both the UK and America in which Wi-Fi transmitters provide cheap broadband access to anyone within their range, on a mobile or any computer with Wi-Fi capabilities, even when on the move. Philadelphia has become the world's first wireless city with blanket coverage provided by Earthlink, an American internet provider, and the UK could eventually follow suit.
The internet has opened up a whole new world of communication and possibilities, and young and old alike have embraced it; it has become a key part of teenage culture, whether it's used for revision, passing the time or talking to people from across the world.
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