15 Ways to Use the Internet
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The internet can be a vast and exciting place, easily causing one to go down the rabbit hole and burrow in a ground of anxiety.
I don’t know about you, but I find it tough to fully understand the concept of the internet as it is not exactly something that we can see and touch.
While I might not FULLY understand it, I’ve come along way. I know enough how to get to “it” (the internet) on my computer.
When I am connected and online, I know how to do basic tasks. All and all, I feel that I am up to date enough when it comes to using the tools I need for planning and organizing my life.
Assuming there may be others in the same burrow, I am going to unpack the basics of using the internet.
Specifically, I am going to highlight 15 tools that can help you slay your life information into a tamed and adorable little beast.
1). Cloud Storage
The cloud is another technology concept that I don’t totally understand. For instance, I can’t perform the ‘sniff test’ on it.
But, I roll with it anyways, as the more I learn about and use it, the more it starts to make sense to me.
Many people, including myself, have had hesitation when it comes to placing personal data on the internet in a document management system.
- Is it really safe from hackers?
- Can you share and collaborate with other users?
- Is it guaranteed to be backed up?
- What if the data gets deleted – will it be gone forever?
The answer is that no one completely knows and can guarantee either way. I know…I’m sorry!
I have soooo much to say about Cloud Storage that I have decided to end this topic here, and create an entire post dedicated to Cloud Storage. Read Get Comfy with your Files in the Cloud.
In Summary – Storing Your Files in the Cloud
As a Digital Professional Organizer, I can help you explore the pros and cons of storing your files in the cloud.
In particular, I will help you choose the best online document management system to use for your personal life information.
As a result, you can get your head out of the anxiety cloud, and instead, place your data in the online cloud.
Ultimately, we will get your information backed up and secure.
2). Online Dating Websites
Corona Virus has put quite the kibosh on meeting new people in person for a potential love connection. As if dating wasn’t anxiety provoking enough! At least singles seeking singles can continue to find each other online.
Sites like OkCupid, eHarmony and Tinder each have their own niche and connect like-minded people hoping to find connection.
Using online dating websites has become the modern go to method for connecting busy individuals using various algorithms to make a positive match.
Even prior to Covid 19, according to Stanford sociologist, Michael Rosenfeld, in 2019, “Meeting online has become the most popular way U.S. couples connect.”
In Summary – Online Dating Apps
Time will tell if love can be still found in person in an elevator, or if online only platforms will be the #1 way for hearts to meet.
3). Online Discussion Groups
Online Discussion Groups provide a sense of community for people who share a common interest and who seek to obtain and share information.
Even within the various platforms, you will most likely find opposing opinions to challenge your beliefs and views, offering an opportunity to see all sides to a topic.
Like many, I’ve joined various groups on social media to find other people that I have certain things in common with. These groups have connected me with local and global contacts, making the world feel a little bit smaller.
Through Facebook, Pinterest and The Mighty, I’ve found my various tribes. I’ve discovered individuals who, like me, love organizing, self-care, Pinterest, or poodles.
I seek these groups out as I want to read other stories of victories and struggles that others are going through. In addition, I want to contribute my own knowledge and experience to the discussion.
Essentially, I want to know that I am not alone. I want others to know that they are not alone. I want, CONNECTION.
4). Downloads and Uploads
We often download files from the internet when someone sends us an email with an attachment in it. For instance, a photo, or a word document.
Conversely, we upload files to an email, or to a website, mostly as a function of sharing information.
Another real life example of uploading and downloading is how we can access and purchase new music files through App stores.
In these digital online app stores, we can download an album from an artist we like, like jazz/pop vocalist Kat Reinhert. Downloading provides instant listening gratification with the ability to have new music instantly at our fingertips.
5). Online Education
Online classes are conducted across various educational platforms. Applications and sites like Microsoft Teams and Zoom connect students with their teacher and classmates.
Online learning has made it possible those who might not otherwise be able to access their education in person.
For some, remote learning is a godsend, but for others, it is an anxiety inducing nightmare. There are definitely both pros and cons to learning remotely.
No one size fits all here unfortunately, but these applications do provide an option, especially in these restricted in person learning times. What sucks is that not everyone can equitably access these options, for a variety of reasons.
I’m curious to read your thoughts on the pros and cons of remote learning and specifically how this is going for you and your family.
6). Email
Gone (mostly) are the days of letters and post cards sent by snail mail. In place are electronic messages, most commonly referred to as emails. Emails send near instant communication back and forth from one computer to another with an internet connection.
Both businesses and individuals rely on having dedicated email addresses that reach a user’s inbox to relay or receive a message.
Email is one of the most highly effective methods of communication. But at the same time, it is one of the most unruly types of information that, when not organized, can be a beast.
As a result, it can cause a huge sense of overwhelm, and make you feel like you are in an endless ocean of communication waves.
Working with me, a Digital Professional Organizer, can help alleviate these massive waves. Together we will determine your style for receiving digital messages, and put a plan in place to organize your inbox.
7). File Transfer Protocol
File Transfer Protocol, commonly known as FTP, is an internet protocol used to securely transfer large files from one computer network to another. Imagine that the individual letters “F”, “T”, and “P” each hold massive amounts of data and they are the bridge between one computer’s network to another computer’s network.
An FTP usually has a specific address and instructions to access information off of the FTP site.
In my experience, an FTP site is mostly used in an office environment to give external users outside of the company access to files that live internally on the company’s network.
In your personal life, you will mostly be transferring and sharing information using systems like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive.
8). Online Games and Apps
There are a multitude of games that are available on the various App Stores. These addicting games can be purchased and downloaded to any device instantly.
Cue the anxiety!
If you are anything like me, one app after the other will start to make its way to your devices, gobbling up storage and eating away at your personal time. As a result, setting up a cycle of mindless purchasing, monthly subscriptions, apps downloaded you don’t even remember downloading, and on and on it goes.
AHAHAHAHAHA…
I am not perfect by any means in this area, but I do get to the point where it starts to feel like apps and games are running the show on my devices. However, their power does start to lose effect as through being inundated, I almost become numb and stop noticing them all together after awhile. Interesting…
9). Job Search Websites
Before the days of the internet, if I needed to find a job, I would go to the library to look at the job boards. Or, I would scan the Sunday edition of the Seattle Times newspaper.
Nowadays, I don’t know how anyone survives the dreaded job search without the use of online job search sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and Career Builder.
These effective job search web sites are customized to meet the needs of employers seeking candidates and candidates seeking jobs and employers. Additionally, the platforms are used to share job postings, descriptions, resumes, reviews and applications.
10). The News
While I still love and prefer the smell and feel of an actual newspaper, I take my news in both audio and visual digital forms online.
News can be accessed through preferred individual news channels like Google News, CNN News, and Fox News.
Additionally, there are general news feed applications that focus on articles from all available news channels with the latest news around the topics that you value the most.
11). Research
When you want to know something, instead of talking to a person, or going to the library and opening an encyclopedia, you can now “Google” it for a quick fix.
Through Google research, there are endless amount of sites where you can read, take what you need, and then go back to your task at hand with more knowledge than before. Endless site options with endless information, digging the perfect rabbit hole to go down, forgetting why you came there in the first place…
I also do a majority of my research using Pinterest, another search engine, giving me visual inspiration for projects I am planning for the future. You can be on any website, and if you like something, you can “pin it” and it will automatically go to one of your Pinterest boards, organizing your plans and projects visually.
Check out some of my boards here and follow me so we can exchange common ideas and share research.
12). File Sharing
Users can upload files and send files, through online electronic document management systems like Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive.
For instance, these systems store the information in the cloud, and allow us to upload, and share our information.
Depending on the document management software, you can even collaborate in real time with other online users.
13). Online Shopping
Shopping online connects us customers to the products we need and delivers them directly to our doors, saving us the time it would take to travel to a store, search and find the product, wait in line to check out, and travel home.
Online shopping websites Amazon, Instacart, Seamless, and Wayfair are my top three apps on my phone that I use for shopping.
These sites are “smart” and know my reoccurring items that I regularly shop online. They intelligently suggest similar items that they know I might like based off my profile and buying history. I used to find this smart feature annoying, but now I find it saves me time and is quite helpful.
14). Social Networking
Social networking connects you and me on various social media sites and brings breaking news and marketed products that are of specific interest.
My current favorite social networking sites include Facebook and LinkedIn as I can quickly connect with contacts in both my personal and professional world.
In addition, while this is more of a visual search engine, Pinterest is my top place to share with, and learn from, other people. As Pinterest advances, I expect to see more of a built in social network for others to comment and collaborate with each other on created boards and pins.
15). Online Applications
Below is an affiliate link to HomeZada. This means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through the link.
HomeZada
An example of an online application that I heavily use as a Digital Professional Organizer, is HomeZada. This is an online and mobile digital hub for all of the information related to your home.
HomeZada organizes and securely stores info in regards to home maintenance, improvements and finances. It can even be used as a value add marketing tool when it comes to selling.
Home Inventory
My favorite feature on HomeZada is the ability to create a robust digital home inventory that captures the quantity and current value of home assets. It provides a contents list for insurance claims that is printable and sharable.
Plan ahead NOW, to avoid massive stress and anxiety later. My recommended solution is to create a house inventory before if/when this type of trouble occurs.
Read my post on Organizing Your Life to Expect the Unexpected planning today for specific unexpected life events that could occur tomorrow.
Seattle Home Inventory Service
As your Digital Professional Organizer, I can do a home inventory as a service done entirely for you using HomeZada.
Along with estate planning, I think this is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and your loved ones.
Using the Internet – Conclusion
I hope you have enjoyed this walkthrough of 15 ways to use the internet. My goal today was to get you out of your head and anxiety burrow. Use these tools as digital allies to proactively PLAN AND ORGANIZE your life.
By being aware of the various ways to use the internet, I hope to empower us all to utilize the amazing websites and services the internet has to offer. When used safely and responsibly, it can further our productivity and lessen our anxiety.
Please let me know if you would like explore any of these ways further. Book a complimentary consultation today with me, Alyssa Castro, Digital Professional Organizer, at Life Planned and Organized, LLC to discuss any digital LIFE planning and organizing needs.
Organize Your Life to Expect the Unexpected
