Australia Up Close

Web is changing relationships: IMHO

By Chelsea McLean

New communication technologies, like the Internet, are changing the way people live by offering them new opportunities that were never before thought possible.

Recently I was drinking a Diet Coke and the label suggested I visit www.liveal ittle.com.au. This Internet site introduced me to a whole new world of possibilities. It invites you to download the Coca-Cola logo to your mobile phone simply by typing in your phone number. Within a minute I received the logo on my phone. One of my friends also introduced me to the site www.blueskyfrog.com where visitors can download their choice of graphic icons and ring tones for their mobile phones.

This reinforced for me how quickly technology is developing. Today most people type text messages to each other on mobile phones. We can pay bills over the Internet, order groceries, download music, go shopping, read the news and book holidays. Embracing these new technologies is crucial because the alternative is being left behind.

Australia's largest telecommunications provider, Telstra, recently changed its telephone directory assistance service. Instead of calling and explaining to the operator what number you want to find, a computer-operated voice answers and prompts you to speak to it by asking for the name you want. When the service changed earlier this year, many people I know were shocked and felt uncomfortable speaking to a computer because it was unfamiliar. Change frustrates some, and challenges and inspires others.

When Sony developed a robotic dog called AIBO, it was news in Australia. In Sydney, I visited the Sony store where they had the dog on display. AIBO learns new verbal commands and movements as it grows older, has its own emotions and can touch, hear, see and balance. Soon you will be able to talk to your car and ask it for directions to the closest Italian restaurant or department store.

New technology affects our lifestyles and relationships with other people. Social behavior patterns are shifting. Many people are meeting their partners and starting relationships over the Internet through ICQ and chat rooms. ICQ is short for "I seek you" and people use this service online to meet and interact with others.

Listening to the radio, I heard an advertisement for the site www.rsvp.com.au where people can go to meet a new partner. "Everyone's using it. Just ask your friends," was the catch line of the ad, so I asked around to see who I know is using the Internet to meet people.

The other day, a male friend, Tony, said he met a wonderful woman online and they have been dating for a few weeks. Many people are finding compatible people to form new relationships with online. At www.rsvp.com.au/testimo nials there are plenty of examples of people who have found romance and love through the computer.

My flatmate, Tammy, moved to the Gold Coast from Victoria recently and found ICQ helped her to meet new people. Tammy uses the Internet for communication because, she says, it is more convenient.

"Unlike the telephone you don't have to be there at the same time to talk and you can also send pictures. It's just like sending a letter instantly, instead of waiting for 'snail mail' to deliver it for you."

"The down side is people don't have to be genuine and can be someone who they are not, so you have to be careful about what information you give out," said Tammy.

Whereas ICQ is more of a one-on-one communication method, chat rooms allow people to talk in groups. When I joined one chat room located at www.talkcity.com , I was sent a welcome e-mail inviting me to check out the 'new2chat' room where people who are learning how to chat can go to meet others who are also new to the world of Internet interaction.

To be prepared, I located a page of e-mail and online chat acronyms which a net user must know. AFK is short for "away from keyboard"; HF is "have fun"; ASL asks "age, sex, location?"; BBL is "be back later"; BC means "be cool"; EAK is "eating at keyboard"; F2F is for "face to face"; G2G says "got to go"; IMHO is "in my humble opinion"; and W8 is "wait".

Emoticons are also essential to communicate how you are feeling. There is =) happy, =D really happy, =P frustrated, =Q smoker, %) crazy, ;) winking and even @=) Elvis.

A new social world exists and you don't even need traditional social skills to be part of it. So if you choose, hop online and HF — don't W8! BC . . . G2G.

Shukan ST: May 11, 2001

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