We have let the Internet simply become embedded in our everyday lives. The Internet affects the ways in which we behave offline as well as online. It has established the universal connection in the social world and our ideologies. Because of its importance to our society, our work and non-work lives. The Internet has become something that would be extremely difficult not to have.

The Internet has changed us into a networked society where the interpersonal formalities have somewhat dissolved, and we turn towards living in a network. The internet has affected and changed our individualism.

Most would believe that the Internet has not decreased users' social contacts but that is a falsehood. People use the computer for a variety of reasons such as pleasure, gratification, relief from stress, neglecting work and school and/or or family obligations.
Internet use can become very addicting and web-sites such as MySpace where there is an outlet for social networking rather than formal communication, doesn’t help. You can say it is like a “cyber drug,” and for some people the web provides a series of outlets for them to “pick their poison” to reach their “fix.”

This continuation of Internet activities affects family life and community involvement. You may have to look at these specific effects of the Internet on a gender scale since in some of the previous readings it was noted that males outnumber females significantly as users on the web. Then we must look at a scale for demographics of who is able to obtain usage of the web and then you can really see the main factors and distinguishing effects from the internet.

From a democratic view, the effects lie with the selectivity of the information that is consistent with the user's predispositions and beliefs. I firmly believe the information will not broaden users' beliefs but rather narrow them. Users will fall into/find a homogenous community which will be created, grow and form the ideologies of those who share this common view. I think the Pew article can back up my opinion up, as many users delve into politics through the internet for political news and commentary. The internet is very much a contributor to a vast audience of political views. The article states that, “commentators have expressed concern that growing use of the internet would be harmful to democratic deliberation” as far as users’ expressive common interest and intentions rather than the exchange of views for this year’s election. I will end with the key point that “they are worried that citizens would use the internet to seek information that reinforces their political preference and avoid material that challenges their views” (http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/141/report_display.asp)

Weighing a Switch to a Mac by Thomas J. Fitzgerald and The ultimate smackdown: Mac versus PC by Gene Steinberg shared a commonality as far as which system was better. The switch to MAC varied depending on who was willing to leave the WINDOWS world. MAC introduces new applications that present a good argument for a user to at least try it for two weeks. It seems the biggest conflict was the familiarity with the new platform, but users, and customers were somewhat satisfied.

In conclusion, there are pros and cons of the effects of the internet. Today society has enhanced its growth through thinking, analyzing, criticizing authenticating, and composing their thoughts towards the web.