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One of our favorite Authors is
Jim Edwards. He is a syndicated newspaper
columnist who recently
published this article discussing Online Survival
as
one of his regular newspaper columns.
(http://www.TheNetReporter.com)
This is what he wrote:
Can You Survive in an Online
World?
-
by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
Do you have the skills to make it in a computer driven,
increasingly online world?
Your immediate, knee-jerk reaction may be "Yes! Of course I
have the skills."
"I know how to send and receive email and surf the web."
"I can even download and install files."
Well, three or four years ago, email, Web surfing and
downloading files qualified you as "electronically literate,"
but not any more! Computer and online survival skills now
encompass much more than that.
Surviving in an online world involves maintaining a high
degree of "electronic literacy," which means focusing on and
developing skills in the following areas:
** Personal Computer skills **
In the old days of 1998, the ability to use a computer,
keyboard and mouse rated anyone as computer-literate.
In fact, you were a real pro if you could burn a CD, scan
documents and manipulate digital pictures.
Fast forward to today and "personal computer skills" carries a
whole new meaning. You must know how to maintain and update
not only anti-virus, but "anti-spyware," and firewall software
too.
You also need to understand how operating with Windows ME, or
2000, or XP will affect your ability to use certain software
along with specific security precautions to avoid trouble from
hackers.
** Internet Skills **
In the bygone era of 1998, friends considered you an online
genius if you possessed basic surfing and navigation skills.
They watched in awe as you used search engines like
InfoSeek.com (a long-defunct search engine) to find and
download programs, pictures, and information on specific
topics.
Now electronic literacy means the ability to set up, upload,
and maintain basic web pages and blogs.
It also means understanding terms such as "RSS" and "news
aggregator" because that's the next generation of how
information will get disseminated online (and it arrives for
the masses this year).
** Email Skills **
Perhaps the most deceptively simple of all the areas of
electronic literacy, email actually presents the most
challenges for keeping up with the times.
Previously, clicking the "send and receive" button meant you
were proficient at using email.
Now, because of spam, viruses and "phishing scams" (identity
theft schemes delivered through email), email requires a whole
new set of skills, "street smarts" and software just to
survive.
You must understand how to use an email "preview" program such
as MailWasher.net to eliminate spam and virus email messages
before they ever reach your computer.
You also must learn to protect your identity and avoid
"phishing scams" by learning to recognize and defend against
online con-artist tactics.
(See sidebar)
** Buy or Borrow Expertise **
Though you should constantly upgrade your skills through
personal education, nobody can do or know it all (except maybe
your know-it-all bother in law).
The good news is that you can always buy or borrow someone
else's expertise to solve any online challenge.
A prime example of outsourcing in the consumer market is all
the little stores popping up in strip malls to help you sell
your stuff on eBay.
Through outsourcing, online survival skills can also mean
taking what was previously the exclusive realm of computer
geeks and making it as easy as dropping off the dry cleaning.
Article published March 2005
__________________________________
-- Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist
(http://www.TheNetReporter.com) and is the author of
several best-selling ebooks, information products and
software
programs.
He is
co-author of an impressive new ebook that will
teach you how to use free articles to quickly drive thousands
of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links...(See
SideBar for more information)
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SIDE BAR Comments |
Many
travelers keep up to date with their email and favorite websites by using
laptop or notebook computers and visiting Computer Cafes while on the road.
Get valuable tips on maintaining your Online Security when traveling.
Click to read our interview with world traveler, Victor K. Pryles at
"Online Security while
Traveling in the United States and Abroad"
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More Helpful Books by Jim Edwards |
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Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links?
"Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving
Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate
links... without spending a dime on advertising!
Click Here> to
Turn your Words into Traffic
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________
"How to Write and Publish Your Own eBook...in
as little as 7 days"
(even if you can't write, can't type and failed High School English Class)
Use this link to get your own copy
Click On>
7 day ebook
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