[Fizz]

Yes because without it PC Review Forum would not exist, Yes !

[OA_]

Originally Posted by MrBen

Most things designed by man can be used for both good and evil. An example is the man who desgned the AK47 Carbine, he never for one moment though this automatic rifle would become the most widely used weapon in the world.

I believe it was Mikhail Kalashnikov who designed the AK47 - some would say he is a Marxist visionary.
Cheap to manufacture, weapon of the people for the uprising of the proletariat in the class struggle
across the world - "the working mans gun".

Sincerely, why would a person design a gun if not to be sold and used?

Quote: Mikhail Kalashnikov,"The AK47 is a tool"

Cheers

[OA_]

Originally Posted by Ian Cunningham

Is the Internet a great way to spread information, promote free speech and communicate with people from all over the world...

...Or a commercialised web of spam and pornography that is making everyone lazy and recede from the real world?

Both.

Firstly, I believe the internet should be free and available to all citizens of the world.
Knowledge has been relabeled 'information' to create a commercial product that can be 'sold' - and thus many citizens of this fine planet are hindered in their ability to share this 'knowledge' due to lack of funds etcetera.

If knowledge was completely, freely shared, both on the internet, and off, by all, I wonder how much more enlightened, prosperous and progressive human beings would be as a whole?

There is definitely the 'recluse' factor - quite enjoy that myself. It has opened many a door for many people whom are not able to leave their residences (for whatever reason) - and helped them explore, grow, learn, teach and at times feel accepted, appreciated and valued.

Pornography and the like seems no more available here to me, than on the street in the Adult store down on the corner - or the prostitutes a few blocks away selling their wares each day/night. It doesn't stop pedophilia, nor do I think does it encourage it.
Certainly some information is more easily/quickly accessed via data transfer on the internet, rather than snail mail - yet the outcome in that respect may not really be that different?
If anyone has any stats on this - please share - I'd love to know.

Cheers

[PaperMoon2]

Originally Posted by Ian Cunningham

Is the Internet a great way to spread information, promote free speech and communicate with people from all over the world...

...Or a commercialised web of spam and pornography that is making everyone lazy and recede from the real world?

Yes, the internet is good. Sure some people may try to use this technology for bad things but that's with anything that's been invented. Anything can be used for bad as well as good. Look at cars and how they are good but some people can use them for bad when driving drunk or recklessly, planes can be used for bad like in the WTC attacks, even books can be used for bad if poeple write books that promote the wrong thing, plants can be used for bad to make illegal addictive drugs as well as medicine to heal people. You can name any and everything and it can be used for bad but it doesn't negate the good that can come from it too.

[PaperMoon2]

Originally Posted by michael 118

yeah i think its good and bad, a love-hate thing going on. But what discaurages people most about pc's and the internet is probably the money involved. i also think that viruses are generally over-rated

I think a lot of people who don't know much about the internet hear too much about the bad things and not enough about the good things. Some people think all there is is chat rooms where perverts try to pick up little girls, and pornographic websites. LOL! Some think it's nothing but all bad. I think the internet does a lot more good than bad especially with the spreading of information that some might never see if it wasn't for the internet. It takes peopel out of their little area and makes people think broader and realize that everyone doesn't think or feel like your little town does. It's a big world out there!

[PaperMoon2]

Originally Posted by OA_

Both.

Firstly, I believe the internet should be free and available to all citizens of the world.
Knowledge has been relabeled 'information' to create a commercial product that can be 'sold' - and thus many citizens of this fine planet are hindered in their ability to share this 'knowledge' due to lack of funds etcetera.

If knowledge was completely, freely shared, both on the internet, and off, by all, I wonder how much more enlightened, prosperous and progressive human beings would be as a whole?

There is definitely the 'recluse' factor - quite enjoy that myself. It has opened many a door for many people whom are not able to leave their residences (for whatever reason) - and helped them explore, grow, learn, teach and at times feel accepted, appreciated and valued.

Pornography and the like seems no more available here to me, than on the street in the Adult store down on the corner - or the prostitutes a few blocks away selling their wares each day/night. It doesn't stop pedophilia, nor do I think does it encourage it.
Certainly some information is more easily/quickly accessed via data transfer on the internet, rather than snail mail - yet the outcome in that respect may not really be that different?
If anyone has any stats on this - please share - I'd love to know.

Cheers

Good post, well said! So true about those who may not be able to get out much for whatever reason, housewife with kids, or someone recuperating, or whatever the reason, it gives them stimulation for their minds to keep them going. I think the bad parts of the internet are overpushed when there's a lot more good that can come from the internet.

[OA_]

Originally Posted by PaperMoon2

Good post, well said! So true about those who may not be able to get out much for whatever reason, housewife with kids, or someone recuperating, or whatever the reason, it gives them stimulation for their minds to keep them going. I think the bad parts of the internet are overpushed when there's a lot more good that can come from the internet.

Couldn't agree more - so much good has come from it - people from all over the world can communicate, and, as you so eloquently put it, 'it gives them stimulation for their minds to keep them going'.

Cheers

[PaperMoon2]

Originally Posted by OA_

Couldn't agree more - so much good has come from it - people from all over the world can communicate, and, as you so eloquently put it, 'it gives them stimulation for their minds to keep them going'.

Cheers

Thanks! Cheers!

[historian]

Hi.
I agree with the above. The internet is both a good thing and a bad thing,it depends on what you are looking for.
It was the same when books were being printed for the first time.The church in Europe were horrified to think that the common man could read the bible in their mother tongue,and not take the word of an "educated" priest.Books have been with us for years.Think of all the knowledge that has gone around the world via books.Some books are good,but others are evil you take your pick.And it`s the same with the internet you take your pick,you have a free choice.
All the best.
historian

[wizkid]

Yes