The internet is shit.

[TyBO]

Here's a link I came across when I was Googling a Sonic the Hedgehog wiki site, that's ironically called SH*T (Sonic the Hedgehog Internet Something or another).

http://www.internetisshit.org/

It makes a great point, and that is that people are always praising the internet to be such a wonderful, information filled place when it's often the exact opposite.

Some of the things said struck me as important. One being that even the most underfunded library in the world can give you loads more facinating information than perpetual web browsing can.

Another thing is this:

If we remember that the medium isn't the message then maybe we'll stop aimlessly surfing for something amusing when we could actually be doing something fun.

The internet really did something to me, that caused me to stop having as much fun as I used to. Instead of hanging out with friends on the weekends, I chose to rot in front of a computer monitor looking for something new and exciting to occur on a favorite website of mine, but I rarely find anything. The sad part is, I can often browse like this for many hours a day, every day of the week.

Obviously this isn't new information. We all know the internet isn't the ultimate place for information and entertainment, but we always seem to forget that, don't you think? Does anyone else agree that being here is often an utter waste of time?

[butters]

When used properly, the Internet is the most valuable research tool on the planet. When used foolishly, the Internet is the most abhorrent tool imaginable. Like anything else, use the right tool for the job and everything is fine.

[TyBO]

When used properly, the Internet is the most valuable research tool on the planet. When used foolishly, the Internet is the most abhorrent tool imaginable. Like anything else, use the right tool for the job and everything is fine.

I agree and disagree.

I think a public library is far more valuable as a research tool than the internet ever could be, but then again, there are some things on the internet that you could never read about in a library (like the Dreamcast homebrew scene). I guess then, in a way, it's useful for researching obscure hobbies and things that a book won't tell you about, but that's about it.

[Lartrak]

When used properly, the Internet is the most valuable research tool on the planet. When used foolishly, the Internet is the most abhorrent tool imaginable. Like anything else, use the right tool for the job and everything is fine.

I agree and disagree.

I think a public library is far more valuable as a research tool than the internet ever could be

EVER COULD BE? I disagree. Right now the library is better for almost anything academic or scientific, but that could easily change. Probably won't anytime soon... But someday, ya know?

[butters]

I don't know about you, but I know how to access the works of many libraries through the Internet. I can use VPN to have access every electronic article in a research university library (last time I checked that was in the ten-thousands). I can use encyclopedias and dictionaries, read entire books and hear entire works, all through the Internet.

[ASCIIN]

everyone knows the internet is for downloading porn

[ace]

Lately I have found myself thinking the same, TyBo. When I was a university freshman, I wrote an article for the paper praising the internet (communication, discovery, etc). This year, I've been toying with writing the "anti" to that.

[Veggita2099]

I have found since I first got to see the internet back around 1996ish is that its getting worse. Used to a website plastered with banner adds was about the worst thing you got when searching for stuff (ok mainly porn). Now you get adware, spyware, never ending popups, etc. Also you used to be able to easily find all sorts of FREE stuff on the internet as where now more and more of those things are becoming member only pay per month crap (Windrivers.com, yahoo auctions, paypal, etc) are just a few that come to mind.

[Specially Cork]

From a research point of view, regardless of whether the internet has provided you with good information or not, most Universities will look down upon heavy reference to websites anyway because they carry such little creditibility.

Generally when it comes to academic study I will use books/journals/articles for the majoirty of my research, and the internet will only come into play for things like recent statistics from a government website or something like that.

[ASCIIN]

im sick of all the emo kids posting pics of there stupid anime fetishes all over the internet..........

[Wagh]

im sick of all the emo kids posting pics of there stupid anime fetishes all over the internet..........

Please just leave.

[Tall Israeli]

im sick of all the emo kids posting pics of there stupid anime fetishes all over the internet..........

hahaha

[|darc|]

im sick of all the emo kids posting pics of there stupid anime fetishes all over the internet..........

That site was talking about you.







Anyway, I disagree with the public library statement. I credit the internet for who I am today. I spent hours upon hours continuously browsing when I first got access. I know things from experience on the internet.

Google is good for finding a direction to go in, but I don't use it for research often. I use Wikipedia for that. And if I do use Google for it, I make sure my sources end in .edu, not geocities.com. I would trust the my internet browsing style much more than my town's public library. Libraries are outdated. I remember doing research there before I had internet access. Finding the information I wanted was a pain in the ass even with electronic card cataloging.

[toastman]

http://www.internetisshit.org/print.html

Instead of having to do that shitty clicking through 50 links to read the goddamned article.

But really. This point of view is just as bad as the point of view he is condemning. The internet is useful. It does have a lot of information and uses besides HTTP.
That's his blindside really. A lot of people's blindside. They think internet, they think HTTP. Right now, from my house. I can VPN/Remote Desktop into the office where I work and do 75% of my job from right here. We use FTP to move files to our client sites. Email is the way we pass along information. If necessary we can all fire up AIM or hop on IRC and hold an improptu meeting, no matter where we are.
And speaking of HTTP alone. I can find manuals to equipment and devices from the manufacturer that have been misplaced. I can purchase items that our local stores might not carry.
I can discuss things with like-minded individuals.

No, the internet is not perfect, and it is not the end-all/be-all, but neither is it the rotting cesspit of malcontent the author would have you believe.
It is what you make of it.

[|darc|]

Exactly. I think he focused way too much on the value of the net as an information resource rather and he completely ignore the usefulness of the internet as a tool, communication method, data transfer method, et cetera.

[Dreamcast4life]

I like the internet for 3 reasons

1.)for us losers who can't get laid (i.e me) there is porn, you don't have to pay a dime on some sites and some have tons of ad and spy ware also Viruses. However porn IS good and us losers need it so we can get our "Fix" in life.

2.The Internet offers So much info needed to either know something that you didn't know before or prove someone wrong (he he). Also you can look up history of stuff that doesn't exits anymore like the store Childrens palace or Child world (memories). Since i have a fetish for the 80's I can find more info on that THEN ANYWHERE ELSE. Internet is informative and a great entertaiment tool. hey its better then staring at the screen dead to the world (Damn couch potatos).

3. Great and easy way to meet people. Since I am a very Anti-Social person, the internet is a great way to meet people without confronting them in person. When you get to know a person However, you can choose to meet them if they in your area. I think the internet is wonder for that.

So I totally 100% Disagree with the statement that "Internet is shit" if you don't like the internet there is a simple solution......DON"T USE IT. You will use it though because regardless of what people say, they use it and they love it. Internet is great.

[TyBO]

Yay, my thread R teh popul4r!!!!111

EVER COULD BE? I disagree. Right now the library is better for almost anything academic or scientific, but that could easily change. Probably won't anytime soon... But someday, ya know?

Yeah, I do know what you mean, but I think as long as things like freedom of speech exist, you can never be sure that you're getting credible information.

Anyway, I disagree with the public library statement. I credit the internet for who I am today. I spent hours upon hours continuously browsing when I first got access. I know things from experience on the internet.

Google is good for finding a direction to go in, but I don't use it for research often. I use Wikipedia for that. And if I do use Google for it, I make sure my sources end in .edu, not geocities.com. I would trust the my internet browsing style much more than my town's public library. Libraries are outdated. I remember doing research there before I had internet access. Finding the information I wanted was a pain in the ass even with electronic card cataloging.

Wikipedia is an OK resource, but it's really lacking compared to the alternatives. For example, I'm reading a book about the life of Woody Guthrie right now. Out of curiousity, I paid a visit to Wikipedia and checked out the Woody Guthrie article, and it's amazing how much the article left out. I've learned 100 times more about the man by reading a book, then through Wikipedia, and I'm only about a fourth of the way through the book.

http://www.internetisshit.org/print.html

Instead of having to do that crappy clicking through 50 links to read the goddamned article.

But really. This point of view is just as bad as the point of view he is condemning. The internet is useful. It does have a lot of information and uses besides HTTP.
That's his blindside really. A lot of people's blindside. They think internet, they think HTTP. Right now, from my house. I can VPN/Remote Desktop into the office where I work and do 75% of my job from right here. We use FTP to move files to our client sites. Email is the way we pass along information. If necessary we can all fire up AIM or hop on IRC and hold an improptu meeting, no matter where we are.
And speaking of HTTP alone. I can find manuals to equipment and devices from the manufacturer that have been misplaced. I can purchase items that our local stores might not carry.
I can discuss things with like-minded individuals.

No, the internet is not perfect, and it is not the end-all/be-all, but neither is it the rotting cesspit of malcontent the author would have you believe.
It is what you make of it.

I'm not going to deny, that you make some good points. The internet can be really useful for relaying information fast, like through email or AIM, but it also doesn't have the same sort of effect human interaction does. You're going to leave a much better impression on a customer of yours if you stay in contact via phone calls or actual encounters, then if you just send an email every so often.

Sorry I can't respond to everyones arguments, but I need to be writing a research paper right now, instead of browsing the internet.

[Specially Cork]

Dreamcast4Life's reasons for why the internet is great, are exactly the same my reasons why the internet sucks:

1) Its full to the brim with porn. It would be alright if it was proper porn, but most of it is shitty ads, low quality everything and "give me moneyz!!!111"

2) The internet is full of information, infact far too much information. Lots of it bullshit, and people using it and abusing it.

3) It is full of antisocial freaks. Get out of the house and stop being so unhealthy and strange

As for the research and information side of things. I think anybody who relies heavily on the internet for all their material must certainly not be in somewhere like University. Things like Wikipedia will never be enough, and you need to rely on books so you can namedrop famous authors on your subject, and you need to refer to heavily-document theories and ideas rather than definite facts.

Apart from standard subjects, that just isnt enough of that available on the internet at the moment, and you'll find much better material by exploring the caverns of your library...

[|darc|]

Wikipedia is an OK resource, but it's really lacking compared to the alternatives. For example, I'm reading a book about the life of Woody Guthrie right now. Out of curiousity, I paid a visit to Wikipedia and checked out the Woody Guthrie article, and it's amazing how much the article left out. I've learned 100 times more about the man by reading a book, then through Wikipedia, and I'm only about a fourth of the way through the book.

You're comparing apples to oranges there. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia. If you want to compare it to something at the library, compare it to Encylopaedia Britannica or something. Wikipedia isn't as respected or credible as a whole than Encyclopedia Britannica is, but it has a lot more information than it. How do you expect an article to incorporate all the information in an entire book?

By the way, that book is most probably available electronically anyway.

[Luriden]

AIM is priceless for me. I moved away a few years ago from all my friends and I like to talk to them everyday, but phone cards are expensive (most of the time). So we just go on AIM and talk there.

Not to mention.......warez.