The Internet. Its designed and built by people for people. People from all over our huge planet have had some input into it. It has been and will continue to be built by millions of people from different countries, religions, timezones, attitudes, ages, occupations, languages, origins, cultures, etc. They may be professional or amateur.
They may have commissioned the pages to be made or made them themselves. They may be working from a makeshift office in their home or they may be part of a global corporation. They may have technical qualifications or they may have been self taught. They may do it full-time or part-time. They may be paid, they may be unpaid. It doesnt matter. What matters is that they have all had some input into the collective thing we call the Internet. They have worked to make it what it is today.
We all use it to do surprisingly similar things: browse, buy, get and share information, communicate with others, etc. We can do everything from finding out whats on TV tonight to finding a life partner and millions of things in-between. In fact, its pretty difficult to think of anything that cant be done, at least in part, over the Internet these days.
Many of the estimated 350 million people online have built a website or had one built for them. They have put the effort into starting a business or providing information to help others or starting a community or some other useful activity. Like me, you probably have sites that you use regularly, sites that you trust and respect. You may even feel you know something personally about the person or organisation behind the site.
There are literally millions of these people out there who are contributing to the Internet regularly. They are building the Internet step by step, bit by bit. In computer terms a ‘bit’ is a unit of information that the computer can process. Websites and pages and links are therefore ultimately made up of these bits. So literally, bit by bit people are building a bigger and hopefully better Internet every single second. Billions of bits have probably been added or updated just since you started reading this article. Those bits now make up a web page, website, or clickable link on the Internet.
We use these websites often. They provide something for us and we happily take it from them. How often have you returned the favour and given them something back? How often have you taken the time to send them a quick message to say, well ‘done, i really love your site. It does (fill in the blank) so well?’ Or for that matter when did you last say, ‘i love your site. I think i can help you improve it if you just do (fill in the blank)?’ I’m sure you get the idea here. Its time to give something back to all those people who put time and effort into the Internet, all those people who are building the Internet of the future right now. Anyone can do it. Everyone should do it. All it takes is a short message from you.
Help them build a better Internet. This is your chance to have your say and participate in building YOUR future Internet. The Internet YOU will use and benefit from. The Internet that future generations will benefit from.
The Internet, its a people thing. Are you going to be part of it?
Good luck!
Peter Simmons is editor of the DYNAMIQ EZINE. GET MORE SALES FROM YOUR WEBSITE STARTING RIGHT NOW at http://www.dynamiq.co.uk/ezine or email me anytime to find out how i can help you at peter@dynamiq.co.uk