Chris Heisel

Editors note: This is one of several columns that I wrote for the Columbia Missourian. They were originally called Your Digital World

The Internet.

It’s arguably the biggest innovation in computing and society in recent history. But some people have different perceptions of what it is. For instance, many people confuse the Internet with the World Wide Web.

If the Web isn’t the Internet, then what is it?
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Editors note: This is one of several columns that I wrote for the Columbia Missourian. They were originally called Your Digital World

Bulletin board systems and e-mail groups are a great way to get involved in communities on the Internet.

People looking to take their involvement to a new level should consider the two best interactive ways to connect with people.

Chat rooms — Imagine all of the chatters as being at a great big electronic cocktail party. You mill about looking for interesting people and conversations. At a party, people talking about the same topic tend to cluster together; online they make up a chat room.
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Editors note: This is one of several columns that I wrote for the Columbia Missourian. They were originally called Your Digital World

Every morning, I boot up Gina, (that’s what my fiancée has named my PC), and I surf the news sites. But before I leave my apartment in the morning I absolutely have to check for any new messages on the Bulletin Board System I read.

It’s just one of several ways people can use the Internet to communicate with each other. With all the talk about e-tailing and e-commerce it’s easy to forget that people do the point and clicking.

So what are some ways to interact with real people on the Internet? This week, let’s talk about BBSs, e-mail groups and newsgroups.
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Editors note: This is one of several columns that I wrote for the Columbia Missourian. They were originally called Your Digital World

Have you taken care of your computer’s health lately? Viruses can inflict varying degrees of damage from sending out annoying e-mails to wiping data off your hard drive.

Most viruses fall into one of the following three categories:
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Editors note: This is one of several columns that I wrote for the Columbia Missourian. They were originally called Your Digital World

In a little less than a month’s time, two new versions of operating systems will have been released. Apple shipped OS 10.1 on Sept. 29, and Microsoft is expected to launch Windows XP on Oct. 25.

Anytime there is a substantial new operating system released, or a new piece of technology put on the market, many people ask themselves, “Do I need to upgrade?”

If you ask people in the industry, they’ll tell you yes.

Of course they will, just like I’d tell you to subscribe to the Columbia Missourian. They and I have a vested interest in getting you to buy our products.

So what’s the best answer? It’s up to you.

The decision about whether to upgrade will depend on whether your system is performing the way you want it to.

Take, for example, my parents.
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