Objectives: Select an Appropriate Outline which allows listeners to easily follow and understand your speech. Make your message clear, with supporting material directly contributing to that message, Use appropriate transitions when moving from one idea to another. Create a strong opening and conclusion.

There is no question that the Internet is now a mainstream in our society in which people, organizations and institutions are connected between different networks. It is even part of your Utilities Bill. Because of its convenience as a communications tool, it makes the world smaller. However, with the paradigm shift to this technology in some ways, the norm in human behavior had been affected. Internet has been a major source of leisure where more users tend to abandon the traditional and old-fashioned activities, such as watching TV in the favor of the Internet.

Mr. Toastmaster, Fellow toastmasters, honored guests would you like to know …WHO’S ONLINE?

As per Morgan Stanley Analysis

22 % – Communications
16 % – Social Connections
14% – Entertainment and Leisure
8 % – Shopping and travel
6 % – Work, Business and Education
35 % – All Other

1. Communications – Sending Email

2. Social Connections – This replaced the traditional Pen Pal writing. Face book, My Space, Linked-in and other social networking sites like dating sites

3. Entertainment/Leisure – People spend more time in watching or downloading movies, videos, audios, Playing Online Games, Gambling than playing scrabble or chess anymore.

4. Shopping and Travel –People go to the stores directly to buy stuff or see a travel agent when booking a trip, now you can shop online looking for best deals in order to save.

5. Work Business/Education- Before we go to the library to do our research or physically attend school to study or come to work but the internet makes us do research online, work at home by logging into to company’s web-site and take courses online.

6. All Other – anything from Surfing, going to Chat rooms, using search engines, creating websites, blogging, doing online business and lots more.

I would like to emphasize on No.6 “ All Other” which is however, besides these common things these are the reasons why people are always hooked up to the internet

1. Surfing the web

People surf the Internet to search for topics of interest using search engines. Using the power of the search engines you can type a word or two about the topic into the search box of your browser and you will find numerous websites with information for you to pursue.

2. Chat rooms
A website where visitors can exchange messages by typing them onscreen and a conversation develops with other user in the same chat room.
Ex. Yahoo chat room. Once logged in into Yahoo, you can see people in your address book that are logged in and you can start chatting with them.

3. Instant Message

Don’t get confused with chat rooms and instant messaging. It can be a bit similar but this is a fun way to interact online. It’s the internet version of talking on the phone.
Ex. Yahoo IM, ICQ, AOL IM, MSN IM. etc

You have to download IM Software, add a contact, and type your message into the pop up box and your conversation will be displayed. You can plug a webcam to see each other online. While webcam is attached there is a talk feature where you can hear each other on the other end. You can chat to more than one contact at the same time

3. Writing Blog

Blog is an expression about anything you wanted to say on certain topic that seemed like a diary. It is collaborative and you need to write stuff on an ongoing basis.

Create Blog using free blog sites online or you can have it hosted for a fee. You can upload images and photos as long as your web space allows. Most of them are very user friendly with easy to follow instructions. People like me who have a passion for blogging loves to write blogs and in which the unlimited imaginations will be tested. The popular blog software that are commonly used are WordPress and Blogger.
4. Creating website

Websites can be for personal or for business purposes. Although to some this may sound complicated if you don’t have html lessons, but there are free websites online that offer free hosting as well. Website can also be similar to blog sites.

5. Message boards

Who among you here ever joined a message board? They are also called forums. People who joined this board share common interests in a certain topic. The topic of discussion is presented and the members send their own opinions, comments and ideas that will benefit others. It is a great way to interact with other people if you have questions that needs solutions. The thread goes on and on and messages are sent back ad forth until a closure to the topic is established. It can be moderated or non-moderated sometimes.

As you can see, Internet has many uses. You can find information on any subject; promote your niche through blogs and websites, meet new friends, participate in online discussions or message boards, chat rooms, stay in touch with friends and family, and much more. However, some people tend to overdo their online activities than it should be.

Sitting for more than 4 hours straight without standing can cause back pains and aches on the body, posture issues, or it could be some carpal tunnel, tendinitis, or even blood clot, you name it.

It is advisable that while doing some online activity on your pc;

1. Sit properly in a good chair comfortably without hunching in front of the keyboard.

2. Stand up every half an hour to stretch or walk around. Stretch your neck, flex your head forward/backward, side to side and look right and left. Never roll your head around your neck. This could cause damage to the joints of the neck.

3. To help prevent blood clots from developing in your legs, stretch your calves. Blood clots are very common among middle-aged computer users.

4. Roll your wrists regularly (this will help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome if you spend a lot of time typing)

5. Roll your ankles regularly, this helps improve blood circulation (and that tingling feeling you can get when blood circulation is cut off, also known as “Pins and Needles”).

6. Contract your abdominal and gluteal muscles, hold them there for a few seconds, then release. Repeat this for every few minutes all day long while you are working at your desk.

7. While sitting, Stretch your arms, legs, neck and torso while sitting to help prevent you from feeling stiff.

8. Take a few deep breaths. If possible, get some fresh air in your lungs.

9. Have a bottle of water by your side and make a habit of drinking some every half hour. If you do this consistently you will begin to feel more alert and in the long run you will get thinner.

Thank you for listening to my Internet Facts and Online tips. If you are one of those who believe that Internet is something that you can’t live without, then practice good habits and still keep at pace with your traditional activities that can create balance in your life. Regardless you are newbie or a pro to the internet; there’s always something for everyone.
The internet is a very useful tool. Make the most of it and enjoy!