the darker side of cyberspace
[but there are also a few stars in the galaxies]
Three years has gone by.I have good and bad experience in roaming the cyberspace.It all started when I first registered with JARING on 24th July,1995.At that time,only a few thousand Malaysians were online.(By now,I was made to understand at least three millions Malaysians have online access).The online community was mainly dominated by academicians and techies.And only very few ordinary users especially in my age group (mid-40's) are online;representing only 6% of my age group.I chose to explore this new frontier as a matter of personal interest.You can read my two years experience in cyberspace and also I recommend you to read a book entitled "Deeper" by John Seabrook.
Internet is one of the best technology that happens at the end of this 20th century.It took the world by the storm in the last five years.A few young men become millionares and billionaire by creating Internet business in USA.I am happy to note that I took part as an active user.Along the way,I came across new things-both good and bad.
The rumour about riot by Indonesian workers that started last week is a point of grave concern.It has caused a lot of anxiety to many people.Personally,I do received a phone call from a concerned friend who cares about me.However,I am not that gullible to believe such a hoax.I know a lot of people felt the same way,but to some, it is better to be safe than sorry.I don't blame them.With Internet access and phones available to all of us,any rumours of that nature will spread within a few hours especially within the Klang Valley.This is a damned 'good' example of misuse of technology and irresponsible postings.Personally,I feel those responsible should be made accountable and be punished ccordingly. There is a limit to freedom of speech in any medium,especially online medium like Internet where news/rumours travel at the speed of light!!!
Of late,I observe a lot of bad and nasty writings on the Jaring newsgroups i.e -soc.culture.malaysia and jaring.general.There are a lot of bad/dirty language about racial and religious issues that would make ordinary persons like you and me get very,very angry.I'll not hesitate to punch the writers if it was said to me in person.You would do the same!Just browse the newsgroups and see them for yourself.These writers use nicknames and use many cunning ways to hide their real identities.
I do hope the media and the public do not misconstrued that the Internet is bad.As a superuser(?) of this medium(with monthly average of 150 hrs online),I can personally vouched that there is nothing wrong with the medium.It is always the human factor and *not* the technology.You can just name anything-from a simple knife to a nuclear technology.The technology can be used for good or evil-it is the our choice.
Another misuse is the unsolicited emails that come to our mailboxes. Personally,I did receive pornographic URLs from people I know and also unknown senders(the bloody spammers).In addition to that,I also have received email articles in Bahasa Melayu about anti-hadith writings.I think JAKIM should be monitoring these issues on the Internet.Personally,I do subscribe to the noble principle that Internet should not be censored, however I have second thoughts about it.As a multi-racial and multi- religious nation,I think our Internet medium should be monitored(not censored) and immediate actions be taken to counteract misuse in all areas of Internet.We are quite advanced in the use of communication technology, however our behaviour is very much backward.Just think of people using their handphones in the cinemas.How inconsiderate can one be!!That is another side of ugly Malaysians!
Another aspect of Internet is IRC.This
online chat facility is quite popular among our youngsters.When I visit
a few cybercafes in KL ,Alor Setar and in Kajang,most kids are either on
IRC channels or play games.I know a lot of my friends will disagree with
me,however I do allow my teenage sons to play games and chat on IRC channels.Kids
will be kids and boys will be boys.I do allow my kids online,but I also
supervise them.However,we also need to supervise cybercafes because some
owners are turning them into entertainment centres-computers are placed
for shows only.In fact, our cybercafes should be used as a fun learning
centres-getting information and knowledge from the webpages ,learning programming
and exchanges of views and experience.May be we have to educate our people
on how to use and benefit from the technology-the DO's and the DON'T's.
The whole world is going global everyday.Either we join them or being left behind.Getting wired to the Internet is our only choice.According to the famous writer Alvin Toffler who was in KL this week,the world of computers and network communication are here to stay.It is only when and how we use them.Now,there is e-commerce;it is there,either we use it or we don't.Personally,I have benefitted a lot in using emails and the web for personal and business purposes.I think we have to learn and use this communication technology in order to survive in the next two decades at least.All my kids are being exposed at quite an early age.In fact,everyone of them has email address.At my office of ten persons,all our pcs are networked and we are running a pc with leased line to our manufacturer, where all orders and invoices can be done online.Even though we are small,we do have intranet and extranet.On top of it,two of our pcs are connected to Internet to facilitate business communication with our customers and principals.The latest addition to my obsession with technology is palmpilot(Palm III)-a connected personal organiser.It is not only a powerful and cute PIM,but also it can be connected to a handphone to receive and send email via a modem.The next wave that may pose a serious threat to pcs is the coming of WIDs-the wireless information devices.They will be cheaper and please keep a watch on Psion collaboration with Motorola and Nokia.Yes,it does cost money to have and use these gizmos,however the benefits far outweighed the cost.
For details,please contact me by email.Or you can read two write-up by clicking the hyperlinks in this article.(experience and wired).