I remember when I first heard of the net, I swore I'd never use it, but as it grew, so did my curiousity, so I got it. Computers were fascinating and scary at the same time. I knew they had great potential for good, and for harm.<br /><br />Since 1995 sometime in the fall, I surfed the net, made a few friends, and moved to another state many years later, because of someone I met online. It didn't work out well and the person I was supposed to help caused me deep trauma, but some good things did happen, and for that, I am thankful. Listening to various programs, chatting with people from all over the world; doing things I never dreamed possible. The net had become a part of me. I learned many things from the internet.
One of the greatest features of the net is sites like this. The availability of products and services that always within access, has changed the world as we know it. Unfortunately, what's also changed is the level of maliciousness. I've been hacked before, and swore I'd never get oline again. Well, I went against my better judgment again and got back on, thinking I'd be ok if I had better security programs.. I was always careful where I went, what I opened, etc.. FALSE HOPE AGAIN. But there were so many advantages! It was too enticing. Most times, life online was managable, but as the years went by, the power of the nasty programmers got more intense and dangerous. Now, even if someone isn't online, their lives can still be disrupted because their records are stored, guess where?
To save on resources and make life more efficient, everything is being put online. Easy access and less physical paper have replaced the privacy of citizens and their personal information. Then there's the data miners and their selling of information, regardless how sensitive it may be. Added to that the struggle for privacy, free speech, the righ tto parody, the rights of fair use, and the threat of infringement, the threat of prying eyes and unauthorized use, as well as legitimate companies being allowed to track us wherever we go- it's all too much.
People say life is a compromise, but that's only because they have accepted it as such, without question, so they give up some rights for a false sense of security. Well I have had it with all of that...<br /><br /> />For disabled people who can't get out much, the internet has been a liberating tool- their computer has become like a car, taking them anywhere they want to go, without leaving their homes. But with this awesome freedom has come a LOT of aggravation, just trying to stay ahead of the bad users and their foolish games. Sometimes I think isolation is the better of the two choices, and I should know.<br /><br />Isolation is a horrible way to live; sadly I know it well, but I can no longer deal with the stress of worryng about being able to stay secure enough so I can enjoy the wonderful things the net has to offer. With lack of patience and problems processing information, I am unable to handle the technical challenges I keep running into.
The net has been a blessing and a curse. Well now it's time to retreat back to my little corner of the world.
I don't expect any replies to this, especially since I've asked for help with my browser and gotten NOTHING, since april, so I reposted, but still no response. OK I give up.

A few people have been very kind to me. I must say though that while at GeekU, one of my teachers was not very patient, told me I did wrong but did NOT tell me how to fix it. THAT is why I dropped out.
So in 5 months, maybe less, I will be leaving every group I'm in, shutting down all my accounts, and retiring from the net for good.. There are some things I will miss dearly, but that's how it goes for me. The stress is just unbearable.
For those of you who are able to deal with the stress, worry, and hassles of this cyberlife, good for you.

I hope you also have a real life, a family, decent health, friends, and people who love you. Please take care of your health and try not to get too dependent on ANYONE.
Edited by blueblue, 25 July 2012 - 03:35 PM.