I HAVEN’T been able to use the computer at home for the past one week now, since the central processing unit (CPU) conked out and was sent for repairs. This means I can’t do any surfing and a host of other stuff on the computer, from home. So, I guess it’s back to watching more TV programmes to kill time over the weekends.

Like others who have allowed the Internet to weave itself into everyday life, being disconnected for even a day can make life, well, not quite “normal” for me. When you are used to having a high-speed Internet connection at your fingertips, the days seem longer when it is down.

For better or worse, the Internet has reached into, and, in some cases, reshaped just about every important realm of modern life. It has changed the way we do things, be it work and entertain, or shop, bank, and stay in touch.

More people socialise and make new friends over the Internet these days. Along with it, online romance becomes a trend. Web blogs and bloggers are growing. I envy those who makes tonnes of money from doing business online.

Politics have also gone into cyberspace – election campaigners and vote seekers are leveraging on the Internet for wider reach. The list goes on.

Yes, you can live without the Internet. But not many, given the opportunity, will want to live without it. Not many will want to be on the wrong side of the so-called digital divide. In an increasingly globalised world, providing Internet access to the entire community has been top on the agenda of many governments.

Popular usage of the Internet has largely contributed to the advancement of society across the globe. More people are now getting on to cyberspace to have a more efficient and productive lifestyle where the maximum number of tasks can be achieved every day.

Having said that, some may argue that people are becoming too reliant on the Internet and its spin-offs. Others worry about the negative influence it brings and the impact, particularly, on younger users.

Well, I’d like to look on the brighter side of things. Sure, there are issues in the virtual world. But just like the real world that we are living in, problems and challenges are a norm.

What’s important is to face and address these issues, and move on.