View Full Version : internet- luxury/neccessity?
FearlessLeader
08-09-2011, 17:10
since the threas closed before i put in my 10c worth :p
I think it's an absolute neccessity. Sure you can go to the library to use the internet. I work in a public library and every day i see people using the internet because they don't have it at home. They get 1 hour a day, and if you don't get done what you need to do, bad luck. And an hour is a very short time if you have a toddler or two running around the library, while you try to keep them in check and ignore the filthy looks you're getting for 'not supervising your child'. if you're a single mum, you HAVE to take your kids with you, you can't pay bills once they're asleep or quietly playing. There are SO many things that require you to go online now, life is almost impossible if you don't have the internet or are computer illiterate.
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 17:11
Luxury.
Most of the time.
just her chameleon
08-09-2011, 17:13
Necessity - welcome to the 21st century people!
Absolute necessity. I could not do any of my study without it, as well as online banking, paying bills, etc.
I often work from home with the internet - necessity. DP is a web developer - necessity.
When I was a single mum it was an absolute necessity. It was the ONLY way (short of selling my body) I could earn any decent money from home without having to pay for child care etc.
In this day and age, necessity
emzluvbub
08-09-2011, 17:19
I would call it a Necessary Luxury :D
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 17:20
I dont think its necessary for everyone. If you use it for work and study then yeah I can see how it is required but just for posting on facebook/twitter/BH etc...nah.
sweetseven
08-09-2011, 17:22
Also, the Internet can be relatively inexpensive. I could have minimal home broadband for as little as $30/month or unlimited slow broadband for $40/month. Instead I am paying $50/month for a decent quota.
I also purchased a USB internet stick for my daughter to use for her laptop, at school and on the train. I paid $50 (on a half price special) for one that lasts six months. You can get wireless internet from most carriers (not Telstra) for $130-$150 per year - so that is $2.50-$3 per week, so not very expensive at all.
Now I'm sure you wouldn't begrudge someone spending $5pf on an iced coffee at a mums-n-bubs get together. So isn't it reasonable for someone to forgo that $5 iced coffee per fortnight to have minimal internet usage instead?
Yes people can pay more. As I said, I am paying $50pm, but if I couldn't afford it I wouldn't cancel it completely, I would instead go for a cheaper option - $5pf sounds much cheaper to me.
---------------
I think Internet is as much a necessity as a car.
Sure, people can get by without a car but the majority of people consider it a necessity.
BlissedOut
08-09-2011, 17:23
Luxury.
It's called a 'Library'. Go visit one and use their internet.
I dont think its necessary for everyone. If you use it for work and study then yeah I can see how it is required but just for posting on facebook/twitter/BH etc...nah.
I agree with that :yes: For some it's a necessity, for others it's a luxury. How anybody could say it's a luxury for everybody I bid them good luck convincing my DP to do his work full-time at the library :laughing:
FutureMa
08-09-2011, 17:25
Necessity but I wish it wasn't! People don't talk anymore :(
FearlessLeader
08-09-2011, 17:27
Luxury.
It's called a 'Library'. Go visit one and use their internet.
Er.... See the OP
Er.... See the OP
Lol.
Perhaps I should tell my boss "sorry I haven't replied to all of your emails requesting me to do things, you'll have to wait until I can get to a library" :p
We have a single which we get 1gb free per month, which is enough for my work from home, paying bills etc, I think having limitless broadband is definatly a luxury
Sent from my LG-P500 using Bubhub
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 17:29
Luxury.
It's called a 'Library'. Go visit one and use their internet.
Li....bra...ry?
Purple Lily
08-09-2011, 17:30
:iagree:
I agree with that :yes: For some it's a necessity, for others it's a luxury.
FearlessLeader
08-09-2011, 17:33
Li....bra...ry?
It's pronounced 'Li-BERRY' sheesh! :D
brogeybear
08-09-2011, 17:33
For the majority of people these days it is a necessity. I don't get how that is so difficult to comprehend. There are some people for whom it really isn't necessary, but they are few and far between.
BlissedOut
08-09-2011, 17:35
Lol.
Perhaps I should tell my boss "sorry I haven't replied to all of your emails requesting me to do things, you'll have to wait until I can get to a library" :p
I don't know what you do for a job, but an employer can't expect you to have an internet connection unless it's part of the job requirements.
FL: As for an hour not being long enough... what are you doing online?
I lived without ANY form of internet for 7 months, did phone banking and spent 5 minutes at the library setting up and AP for my rent.
What part of life is internet NECESSARY for? As in no other alternatives.
Bubbygirl
08-09-2011, 17:35
Necessity!!! Everything is online! Alot of phone bills charge u $3 or more for a paper bill these days and alot of my things accept only online payments. N my govia tag- Internet is a must for that. Plus my work requires regular Internet access!
U can't go to library for these things special not with kids. N usually I gotta book way ahead to use library comps cuz there's so many kids on them these days!!
dreadlockfairy
08-09-2011, 17:43
:p I just KNEW this would be a spin-off!
Hmmmm tricky cause I see things of *necessity* being stuff like air, water, food, shelter, clothing, etc. And I could survive without the internet easily so for me it is not a necessity. But I'm not working or studying.
But I get that when you're working, or studying - you really do NEED the internet at home. Cause you cant rock up to the library at 10 at night requesting to use the comps. At least it was a necessity for me when I was studying and working. And I believe the internet helps socially for a lot of people - which is mental wellbeing, that being very important. And life is all round easy cause of paying bills, shopping ;), messaging, etc.
Littlemissmetal
08-09-2011, 17:45
Luxury.
I think people are getting the term luxury confused with convenient.
You can access internet in all libraries and most shopping centers have internet kiosks set up, and all universities and TAFE's have internet access at all hours of the day and night. People have internet because it is easier then going down to the post office to pay bills, it's easier then going to the library to study, it's easier to do your shopping online and so on and so forth. It is not a necessity to have the internet, it is just more convenient.
For the majority of people these days it is a necessity. I don't get how that is so difficult to comprehend. There are some people for whom it really isn't necessary, but they are few and far between.
I agree. The internet offers so much more then just a work/study resource.
It gives people access to social interaction that they simply may not get otherwise for a variety of reasons eg living in an isolated location, being physically or mentally unwell and unable to leave the confines of their house, are shy and are unable to talk to people easily face to face etc. I would think that people in these types of situations would call it a necessity as it enables them to purchase products and services and it keeps them sane by having a social outlet. It also allows people to keep in touch with family eg email, facebook and the like, VOIP and skype.
It is a very cheap source of entertainment where you can watch movies, tv shows, play games, and listen to music. $50 a month (for example) is pretty cheap when you consider all that the internet offers.
It is a cheap resource to access a wider range of educational materials then offered at most public libraries these days.
Forums such as this one offer people extremely helpful information which will often link them up with actual 'in real life' services that in some cases literally saves lives.
I also think that the internet is helping to make the world a smaller place which overall is a good thing (yes it can be used for negative reasons, but anything in life can). We can keep up with international events and we as a global village can actually put more pressure on governments eg look at how the internet enabled people in Egypt to protest on mass and overturn the dictatorial regime.
It is no longer just a luxury and at least in Western nations you would actually be at a disadvantage without access to it on a regular basis not just by having to catch a bus, train and then walk 10kms to your local library.
FearlessLeader
08-09-2011, 17:47
Necessity!!! Everything is online! Alot of phone bills charge u $3 or more for a paper bill these days and alot of my things accept only online payments. N my govia tag- Internet is a must for that. Plus my work requires regular Internet access!
U can't go to library for these things special not with kids. N usually I gotta book way ahead to use library comps cuz there's so many kids on them these days!!
That's a good point re. paying for paper bills. I'll bet if you had a cheap plan you could save money by opting for electronic bills.
BlissedOut, there are LOADS of things that must be completed online. Many job applications. Lots of things to do with banks. The other day i had a bloke who needed a statement from the commonwealth bank. They wouldn't give him one, he had to sign up for NetBanking and print one off. And yes, it took an hour as he had to set it all up, and that was with my help.
Myztiks#1Fan
08-09-2011, 17:49
Neccessity.
But i guess in some peoples eyes they could say its a luxury for me but what else do i have?
Fo those who think its a luxury for me i could say your car is a luxury as i get by without one fine 99% of the time
Sent from my GT-I9000T using Bubhub
BlissedOut
08-09-2011, 17:50
Don't get me wrong. It's very convenient and useful.
But just like an iced coffee at a mum-and-bubs meet, it's a nice to have.
I don't begrudge anyone who is financially 'hard up' that makes allowances for a few nice to haves. Life would be bland if we only had necessities.
What part of life is internet NECESSARY for? As in no other alternatives.
Um, studying? Yeah sure, I can go to the library, wait around for over an hour to get a computer, spend my allotted time on it and go home. Thats heaps useful when I spend hours upon hours researching, etc. Yes! Research on the net :eek: almost everything is web based these days, all scientific (and many other journals and resources - some of which I use) are published online and it is an absolute pain in the a** trying to get hard copies, it is almost impossible (as well as a waste of paper and other resources). I also need to keep in contact daily with my supervisors and I check my email very regularly so I can keep up to date with what is going on. Without the internet life would be very, very hard.
Luna Lovegood
08-09-2011, 17:55
Luxury.
It's called a 'Library'. Go visit one and use their internet.
Lovely...glad it is so black and white for you.
I don't know what you do for a job, but an employer can't expect you to have an internet connection unless it's part of the job requirements.
FL: As for an hour not being long enough... what are you doing online?
I lived without ANY form of internet for 7 months, did phone banking and spent 5 minutes at the library setting up and AP for my rent.
What part of life is internet NECESSARY for? As in no other alternatives.
People who rely on it for work because:
Their industry functions beyond library and work hours (finance for example).
They need to reply/send to emails to vendors/other companies because of time zones, and can't afford to wait till their next business day due to deadlines.
Their boss allows them to work school hours in office, but externally after school hours.
They work in the IT industry
People who want to get an education:
They're researching for uni/school assignments (libraries DON'T have the most up to date resources, and 1 hour online is not long enough). If I was to reference old or out dated material I would get marked down on it. It's expected we use online resources in our research. If I used books only and library internet time, I would fail.
They work full time and need to do uni at odd hours, and externally
They have children and little support (ie: single mother/father, or spouse works FIFO, or long hours) and can't afford to go to uni on campus due to childcare affordability so need to do it externally
The want to study, but have an illness of disability which means they need to study externally
People who rely on it to socialise
Because they feel isolated and physically can't join in on group activities
Because they have self-confidence issues and meeting new people IRL makes them anxious, but talking to noone makes the situation worse.
Because they have a disability which makes it challenging to leave the house, or uncomfortable around other people
Because they can't afford to go out and socialise which leaves them feeling isolated and depressed
Their family is overseas and it's the easiest, most economical way to keep in frequent contact
For living
They're ill/disabled/new mother with little support and need groceries, medication or other living requirements delivered
There is no post office near by to pay bills at (rural living for example)
I am sure there is much more to add to this list...
Ok here is my 2 cents worth
My husbands job requires him to be on the net for atleast 2 hrs a day in our home.
I have children in
Gr 12 spends a min of 3 hrs a day on the net doing research for school. With out it she would have a automatic fail in some subjects she needs a high (1 to 6 OP) sorce to get into her chosen uni course.
Gr6 spends 2 to 3 a week on the net for school
Gr4 1 1/2 hours a week on the net for school
Gr2 1 hour a fortnight on the net for school
It is not uncommon for us to 4 computers going at the same time on the net doing homework or work.
So without the internet hubby couldn't work at his job and my kids would be stuck in a endless cycle of poverty.
To us it is a need.
Lovely...glad it is so black and white for you.
People who rely on it for work because:
Their industry functions beyond library and work hours (finance for example).
They need to reply/send to emails to vendors/other companies because of time zones, and can't afford to wait till their next business day due to deadlines.
Their boss allows them to work school hours in office, but externally after school hours.
They work in the IT industry
People who want to get an education:
They're researching for uni/school assignments (libraries DON'T have the most up to date resources, and 1 hour online is not long enough)
They work full time and need to do uni at odd hours, and externally
They have children and little support (ie: single mother/father, or spouse works FIFO, or long hours) and can't afford to go to uni on campus due to childcare affordability so need to do it externally
The want to study, but have an illness of disability which means they need to study externally
People who rely on it to socialise
Because they feel isolated and physically can't join in on group activities
Because they have self-confidence issues and meeting new people IRL makes them anxious, but talking to noone makes the situation worse.
Because they have a disability which makes it challenging to leave the house, or uncomfortable around other people
Because they can't afford to go out and socialise which leaves them feeling isolated and depressed
Their family is overseas and it's the easiest, most economical way to keep in frequent contact
For living
They're ill/disabled/new mother with little support and need groceries, medication or other living requirements delivered
There is no post office near by to pay bills at (rural living for example)
I am sure there is much more to add to this list...
Thank you, you have summed this up perfectly.
Don't get me wrong. It's very convenient and useful.
But just like an iced coffee at a mum-and-bubs meet, it's a nice to have.
I don't begrudge anyone who is financially 'hard up' that makes allowances for a few nice to haves. Life would be bland if we only had necessities.
Without it you are making certain your kids will always live in proverty.
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 18:01
:laughing: why do people get SO defensive about things like this??
Without it you are making certain your kids will always live in proverty.
:eek::eek::eek::eek: really? Thats a bit dramatic isn't it? I certainly don't live in poverty and I never had the internet.
biscotti
08-09-2011, 18:02
My in laws don't have the internet and never have had it. They don't have a mobile ph either.
Anyway, they seem to be living normal productive lives without the internet :yes:
If they need to pay a bill, they use telephone banking, or go into where ever it is and pay over the counter. If they need to send a note to someone, they use Australia Post. If they want to buy something, they go into the shop. If they need to "connect" with someone they pick up the phone.
It's not a lifestyle that is for me though :freakingout:
FearlessLeader
08-09-2011, 18:04
:laughing: why do people get SO defensive about things like this??
:eek::eek::eek::eek: really? Thats a bit dramatic isn't it? I certainly don't live in poverty and I never had the internet.
Well, i know you ARE a spring chicken LH but things have chanced immensly. Loving5 is right. You actually can't pass school without the internet.
Luna Lovegood
08-09-2011, 18:04
Additionally, in my life, if I had to go to uni on campus, study at the library, go to the office to work (I work for my Dad from home), pay bills at the post office, do banking at the bank, and grocery shop my DD would be in daycare 5 days a week, which would be $200-$350/week, not to mention extra "lunch" type food for daycare, then travel money to get to each of these places...that a hell of a lot more expensive than $60/month for internet...
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 18:04
Well, i know you ARE a spring chicken LH but things have chanced immensly. Loving5 is right. You actually can't pass school without the internet.
My sister is passing fine.
:laughing: why do people get SO defensive about things like this??
:eek::eek::eek::eek: really? Thats a bit dramatic isn't it? I certainly don't live in poverty and I never had the internet.
I am being totally honest with you.
For my child to get a OP 1 or even a 10 she needs to be able to have access to the internet for more than one hour in a libaray. For her to suceed in her choosen career she needs a high OP. She just wouldn't cut it as a tradie.
So no it's not being dramatic
I am sorry LH but Gr 12 today is different to when you went to school. It changes every year.
Littlemissmetal
08-09-2011, 18:07
Seriously people, if you couldn't afford the internet you wouldn't have it. But most of us are able to afford the luxury of having the internet connected.
FearlessLeader
08-09-2011, 18:07
My sister is passing fine.
How does she get online sources for assignments?
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 18:08
I am being totally honest with you.
For my child to get a OP 1 or even a 10 she needs to be able to have access to the internet for more than one hour in a libaray. For her to suceed in her choosen career she needs a high OP. She just wouldn't cut it as a tradie.
So no it's not being dramatic
I am sorry LH but Gr 12 today is different to when you went to school. It changes every year.
Fair enough :)
I still do not think its a necessity though.
Luna Lovegood
08-09-2011, 18:08
:laughing: why do people get SO defensive about things like this??
:eek::eek::eek::eek: really? Thats a bit dramatic isn't it? I certainly don't live in poverty and I never had the internet.
But if you want your children to pass school, then they will need the internet, and if they can't freely access it, then they won't pass.
Hopefully she doesn't mind me saying this, but Ana Gram is the perfect example of the internet being a key tool in breaking the poverty cycle. She is single mother, with limited finds who is studying to ensure a brighter future. Without the internet, it wouldn't be possible for her to break the poverty cycle, and she would probably live in poverty for the rest of her life, and statistically so would her child.
My sister is passing fine.
That wonderful LH.
But it isn't really posiable to aim for the top 5% (a high OP) of the state with out it.
TurnedBatty
08-09-2011, 18:10
Well, i know you ARE a spring chicken LH but things have chanced immensly. Loving5 is right. You actually can't pass school without the internet.
I did fine getting my hsc without home Internet access.
I vote luxury. I can say it's a necessity here, I'm studying, use it for socializing, my kids play Games and research stuff. Buuuuut..... If I was struggling for food, to pay bills etc it would be the first to go.
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 18:10
How does she get online sources for assignments?
She goes to the library on the weekend and uses their internet.
Mum can't afford to have it at home, so she has to learn to make do.
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 18:13
But if you want your children to pass school, then they will need the internet, and if they can't freely access it, then they won't pass.
Oh my kids will always have access to it because we have no problem in affording it. I pay $90 a month for internet on an unlimited plan :) if sh!t turned to sh!t though and it was either have internet or buy food and pay rent...well, internet would go.
That wonderful LH.
But it isn't really posiable to aim for the top 5% (a high OP) of the state with out it.
Well goodluck to her :)
I only made it in the top 15% without internet. Wow, imagine if I had of had access to it :laughing: I'm kidding.
I did fine getting my hsc without home Internet access.
I vote luxury. I can say it's a necessity here, I'm studying, use it for socializing, my kids play Games and research stuff. Buuuuut..... If I was struggling for food, to pay bills etc it would be the first to go.
Thats fine, but for me it would be the last thing to go. I would cut back everywhere else I possibly could before even considering doing this. For some people, it is an absolute necessity.
FearlessLeader
08-09-2011, 18:14
She goes to the library on the weekend and uses their internet.
Mum can't afford to have it at home, so she has to learn to make do.
So she does need the internet. For year 12 the recommendation is for something like 3 hours study per night and 8 hours on the weekend. Even if you only used the internet for third of that, you'd need it far more than a library would allow you to use.
blissed out, my dp is a web developer... I don't see how having the internet could possibly be a luxury for him. My job requires internet as i lodge documents with government deprtments online and, yes, it is necessary in today's day and age. dp runs his ownbusiness with the internet making up 99.99% of his work. Oh how lovely it would be to have the internet as luxury only
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 18:15
I didn't have the internet for my first year of uni. I used to take a usb stick into the uni lab and download a heeeeap of stuff onto it and take it home, sift through it all and find what I needed from that. It helped me to learn to research quickly.
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 18:17
So she does need the internet. For year 12 the recommendation is for something like 3 hours study per night and 8 hours on the weekend. Even if you only used the internet for third of that, you'd need it far more than a library would allow you to use.
Oh no. Well I hope she wants to be a hairdresser or something then cos it looks like she will be destined to fail school, drop out, start up a crack habit, get pregnant to a mob boss at 15 and fall into deep depression by 16. Lord.
I didn't have the internet for my first year of uni. I used to take a usb stick into the uni lab and download a heeeeap of stuff onto it and take it home, sift through it all and find what I needed from that. It helped me to learn to research quickly.
Again, that's probably fine for first year uni, I did that too as I only had dial up for a while and it was too slow, but for ongoing study, 2nd, 3rd, 4th year and above, it's not as simple as that anymore (hence why we now have broadband). You cant waste hours and hours sifting through cr*p anymore, your are far better off spending that time sifting through it online to begin with and building on that.
FearlessLeader
08-09-2011, 18:21
Oh no. Well I hope she wants to be a hairdresser or something then cos it looks like she will be destined to fail school, drop out, start up a crack habit, get pregnant to a mob boss at 15 and fall into deep depression by 16. Lord.
Who's getting dramatic now? ;) i'm not questioning your mum's decision not to have the internet, but i think if schools are going to insist on kids using the internet, then they should be given proper and adequate access to it.
I see the luxuries as that aren't needs, but wants.
Sure luxuries enhance lifestyles, but you certainly wouldn't die without it.
If you require internet for work - then I'm sure if you didn't have it, then you'd be in a different job - you wouldn't die.
For study - I've taught and studied at uni - I found it much easier to study at the uni library (and to use the uni computers in extra time to do stuff which was required) than do it at home.
Socialising - I do use the net, but in all honesty - if I really want to talk to someone - I prefer to pick up the phone than talk over the net - much more personal.
bills - Sure a lot of bills I pay by net, but I'm quite happy to go into the post office or bank or whatever to do the payment otherwise. In fact in days gone past - bills may have been paid over the counter at the bank, however, I do go in and do net transfers at the bank quite frequently.
I did job applications and got a job without having net at home - used internet cafes occasionally (mostly to check emails)
I've also been known to log onto the net on a kiosk at a shopping centre to respond to an email at work.
It can certainly enhance the needs and wants in our lives, however, I do see it as a luxury not a necessity
BlissedOut
08-09-2011, 18:27
The replies to this are quite irrational.
Internet access at home is not a necessity.
All these replies have said is it's a very useful, helpful luxury.
It's the luxury of being able to do these things in your own space in your own time, which is awesome... but not a necessity.
Ana Gram
08-09-2011, 18:29
Necessity here.
Whoever said I could just go to the library :laughing: Too funny.
My degree is being done by distance education. I do two units which are internet based, I am required to have access to the internet to do them. I have to listen to lectures that go for longer than an hour plus tute work in online discussion boards. And all my reading can only be accessed online. This absolutely CANNOT be done in the hour time slot at my local library.
man this is hard to reply on phone but lemonhead i think people get defensive because often, for them, internet is necessary to get an income, study etc but we're constantly told it's a luxury for all lol because some people use it for facebook. It gets pretty old pretty quick. I hate being told by total strangers 'you could just, yeah but yeah but' when THEY don't need it but others do iykwim. Anyway, I shall go home and tell dp he is lucky to have such a luxury tonight while he is working his bum off until 10 pm on the internet.
The replies to this are quite irrational.
Internet access at home is not a necessity.
All these replies have said is it's a very useful, helpful luxury.
It's the luxury of being able to do these things in your own space in your own time, which is awesome... but not a necessity.
:eek::eek:
This has left me gobsmacked! Unbelievable!
And Pegasus, different strokes for different folks. While studying at uni and using their computers may have been better for you, I can assure you not having internet at home would severely handicap me and not be better for me at all.
NancyBlackett
08-09-2011, 18:31
But if you want your children to pass school, then they will need the internet, and if they can't freely access it, then they won't pass.
Hopefully she doesn't mind me saying this, but Ana Gram is the perfect example of the internet being a key tool in breaking the poverty cycle. She is single mother, with limited finds who is studying to ensure a brighter future. Without the internet, it wouldn't be possible for her to break the poverty cycle, and she would probably live in poverty for the rest of her life, and statistically so would her child.
And the same people who say Internet is a luxury would say she should have helped herself.
I don't think of Internet as a life and death necessity and I don't think anyone would suggest it was. But it's certainly one of those things you need to have if at all possible.
School children benefit from it, job seeking parents benefit from it, studying parents benefit from it, working parents benefit from it. And it's not benefit in a 'i get to socialise and shop online' way, it's benefit in a 'it's virtually impossible to achieve properly without it' way.
You can't take a bunch of textbooks to an Internet kiosk at a shopping centre, let alone properly research.
Sure, libraries are great - especially university libraries, but for parents that is not always an option.
FearlessLeader
08-09-2011, 18:33
The replies to this are quite irrational.
Internet access at home is not a necessity.
All these replies have said is it's a very useful, helpful luxury.
It's the luxury of being able to do these things in your own space in your own time, which is awesome... but not a necessity.
Please read the OP. I never asked whether having the internet *in the home* was a necessity. Honestly, if you don't bother reading the OP carefully don't reply.
I think the problem is the different definitions people have of what necessity is and what luxury is.
My definition -
necessity - needed to exist
luxury - embellishment
Dictionary definitions
necessity - what is needed
luxury - enjoyable but not essential thing
(Courtesy of collins dictionary - in paperback, not on the web ;))
Lemonhead
08-09-2011, 18:38
(Courtesy of collins dictionary - in paperback, not on the web ;))
Oooh Pegasus kicking it old schoooooooool!
By the way, if you make your kids read those "books" they are going to fail in life apparently :eek::freakingout::laughing: get them a laptop pronto!
BlissedOut
08-09-2011, 18:39
Please read the OP. I never asked whether having the internet *in the home* was a necessity. Honestly, if you don't bother reading the OP carefully don't reply.
Gee, I guess I'm the only person who can't reply to other posts in the thread about internet cafes, libraries not being enough?
BlissedOut
08-09-2011, 18:39
I think the problem is the different definitions people have of what necessity is and what luxury is.
My definition -
necessity - needed to exist
luxury - embellishment
Dictionary definitions
necessity - what is needed
luxury - enjoyable but not essential thing
(Courtesy of collins dictionary - in paperback, not on the web ;))
Exactly!!
Luna Lovegood
08-09-2011, 18:40
The replies to this are quite irrational.
Internet access at home is not a necessity.
All these replies have said is it's a very useful, helpful luxury.
It's the luxury of being able to do these things in your own space in your own time, which is awesome... but not a necessity.
Your right, it's a complete luxury for students to have access to recent studies and education resources, people to be able to work and maintain their employment from home, and other trivial things. These things only generate income for them, and really, who needs to generate an income...??? :confused:
I would call it a Necessary Luxury :D
That's how I see it.
So by those definitions I would class it as a necessity. I need to have the internet.
Reading books is not going to make you fail in life! This argument is beyond ridiculous! Libraries often do not have up to date material. I have already stated that almost all resources are now online. This is a fact. People use the internet to work. How do you suggest that any of this gets done without the internet!!!???
Luna Lovegood
08-09-2011, 18:47
I think the problem is the different definitions people have of what necessity is and what luxury is.
My definition -
necessity - needed to exist
luxury - embellishment
Dictionary definitions
necessity - what is needed
luxury - enjoyable but not essential thing
(Courtesy of collins dictionary - in paperback, not on the web ;))
I agree.
Necessity: what is needed
education- need free access to study, whether it be freely at a library, or at home (someone may not be capable of attending uni on campus for a variety of reasons)
employment- people need an income and plenty of jobs do require internet access at home (it's impractical to think that everything should be kept to business hours, or the time someone is in the office- especially for multi-national companies).
The replies to this are quite irrational.
Internet access at home is not a necessity.
All these replies have said is it's a very useful, helpful luxury.
It's the luxury of being able to do these things in your own space in your own time, which is awesome... but not a necessity.
Yup I agree.
:cheerleader1:
so crazy how you cant pass school these days without the net!!! My oh my,how did ANY of us here end up educated?!?!
OMG I used to go to the library and find books for my research and study:eek:
krystallxx
08-09-2011, 18:50
Necessary for me for study purposes.
over excited
08-09-2011, 18:53
Lots of people need the internet for study ect, but if you couldn't afford it and couldn't have it you wouldn't die you would adjust to life without it
Astraamy
08-09-2011, 18:55
Well sending your kids to school isn't a necessity.... But it will make kiddies a whole lot more successful.
Wearing clothes isnt a necessity... But you'll have more friends who are willing to stand next to you if you do.
Electricity isnt necessary. I see aboriginals in the city and they seem happy enough to eat sausages from an esky over a fire.
There are lots of things that arnt really a necessity. BUT social norms have now made them necessary for 99% of people.
And so Internet necessary for 99% of people. If you don't study, work in a job that used internet or email, jobseeking, don't need social interaction then it's a luxury.
For the rest of us it is a necessity, along with my clothes, my education and my fridge!
Luna Lovegood
08-09-2011, 18:58
Yup I agree.
:cheerleader1:
so crazy how you cant pass school these days without the net!!! My oh my,how did ANY of us here end up educated?!?!
OMG I used to go to the library and find books for my research and study:eek:
Ummm...find me a public or private school, or university with a library filled with up with an adequate to date text books, and a reasonable amount of research journals for student to not only pass, but excel?
Ana Gram
08-09-2011, 19:00
People do realize that education has changed since we were at school, yeah? :confused:
it depends on your circumstances. you can get by without it. but if you want a decent chance at studying, finishing school, job searching, that kind of thing- you need it. at least at a library, preferably at home. i know someone who is studying librarianship via the internet, and is doing a subject that requires the students to communicate solely by facebook. now, admittedly she works at a library as a library tech and could theoretically therefore do it there when she's not rostered on (especially because that council offers 3 hours not 1 hour) but it would be hard.
for me as a job searcher i'd hate to have to rely on the saturday courier mail. and i would have zero social interaction the vast majority of the time outside of work. i need the internet at home for my own sanity as well as to increase the chances of getting a proper job.
but for my pensioner grandparents who have phones, don't know how to use computer, pay bills at the post office or whatever, clean their houses obsessively, grow veges, live close to at least one of their children.. they get by just fine. they're a bit set in their ways, are my grandparents. okay, a lot set in their ways.
I think the internet is great, and for a lot of people provides opportunities they wouldn't have without it, but as many others have said, there are many other options for education and employment that don't require internet access.
Most students are able to access the internet at school during their lunch time, not to mention the government supplied laptops- surely they can access free WiFi at places like McDonalds, cafes etc?
As someone else said, the internet is a necessary luxury for a lot of people.
:iagree: With Rabbity Babbity
Well, we can wait 3-6 months for the journals to be published, and then wait for them to come into the library, or we can access them the same month they are published online. They only put journals together and do a hardcopy publish every 3-6 months depending on the journal. By then that is not up to date. And I know my uni library does not have many hardcopy journals because it is all available online :eek:
Same goes for text books. I have been able to access many a text book online that my or surrounding libraries have not had, either because it is too new, or because they never bothered to buy it.
I guess it depends on the individual as to whether it's a necessity. Some people can live fine without it, others depend on it for absolutely all of their needs.
Personally, I wouldn't turn blue if I had no access to the internet, but it would make me sad and impact greatly on my life. I never want to lose the net, I've really come to like it :goodvibes:.
Luna Lovegood
08-09-2011, 19:04
People do realize that education has changed since we were at school, yeah? :confused:
I think it is great that it has! It means that the children of low income earners at state school have the same access to information as students at private schools. Also it means that people who previously couldn't get a tertiary education because of illnesses, family situations, work commitments and financial limitations can via external education. :smiliedance:
Lemmings
08-09-2011, 19:04
Is the internet a necessity in every home? No its not.
Is it a necessity to the world? Yes. If the internet were to shut off, the entire world would shut down in a matter of minutes. Whether we like it or not it's here to stay. The world is changing and this is now part of our lives. The same as 100 years ago people didnt have the necessity Items we have now, our children have necessity items we didnt have, and people in 100 years will have things our children did without.
DD just pointed out you can't apply for a OP without the internet. :laughing: That is how much it has changed.
Ummm...find me a public or private school, or university with a library filled with up with an adequate to date text books, and a reasonable amount of research journals for student to not only pass, but excel?
I managed to get a distinction average in a TAFE diploma without access to the internet at home- I utilised the computer labs and libraries- even if it meant getting books transferred between libraries and accessing the library at TAFE, the local Uni and the public library. This was only a few years ago as well.
Yes, Loving 5, but there is also access to the internet at schools for those who are so disadvantaged to not have it at home.
Yes, I realise that times have changed, but there are still ways around having the internet at home.
I think it is extremely dependant on your personal circumstances.
If you had a job that was IT/internet based then you would say it is a necessity. You would also (presumably) have enough money to pay for your internet from your wages. If you lost the job and couldn't afford the net anymore, I'm sure you could live without it.
Students is a hard one. University is now days more and more online so it would be ALOT easier to have it at home, but you could also make do. I think CNL gives Tertiary students some sort of compensation for net bills.
Anyway, I'm a nerd and hate being netless, so to me it's a stupid selfish necessity :D
duckduckgoose
08-09-2011, 19:07
I cant be bothered reading the whole thread although it's nice to see some debate on BH - it's been boring round here lately.
But it is a necessity. For sure.
Ana Gram
08-09-2011, 19:08
I managed to get a distinction average in a TAFE diploma without access to the internet at home- I utilised the computer labs and libraries- even if it meant getting books transferred between libraries and accessing the library at TAFE, the local Uni and the public library. This was only a few years ago as well.
I would honestly find that a little difficult since my uni is in another state :)
Yes, you would :) But in some instances, it is possible to get around the issue of having internet at home.
Is there another university in your area? Because I actually learned that I was able to join the local university as a community member, even though my university is an hour and a half away. It's quite helpful.
Luna Lovegood
08-09-2011, 19:11
I managed to get a distinction average in a TAFE diploma without access to the internet at home- I utilised the computer labs and libraries- even if it meant getting books transferred between libraries and accessing the library at TAFE, the local Uni and the public library. This was only a few years ago as well.
I graduated from school on 2003, I did my first two years at uni in 2004-2005 and did not need the internet that much and did use books.
I am at uni again now, and some of my assignment criteria specify that I need a minimum number of "online resources". Not to mention, the information I need must be completely up to date, because research conflicts existing theories which means I can challenge them and support my argument...I could not get this from books.
further to my last post, because i tried to edit it and then pressed something and lost it. bah.
there is a million times more information available now than there used to be. i didn't learn to use the internet until grade 8. high school. 2001. nowdays that would be laughed at.
most of the newly available information is ONLY available online. online journals, which are an essential part of university research, for instance. part of the intrinsic role of school and also of libraries is to teach information literacy- what questions to ask, how to find information, how to use and analyse it.
it is becoming increasingly difficult to function, let alone move up, in society without at least a bit of information literacy. computers and the internet have become a vital component in modern information literacy. that's the fact. *takes lectury hat off*
Ummm...find me a public or private school, or university with a library filled with up with an adequate to date text books, and a reasonable amount of research journals for student to not only pass, but excel?
uuuummmmm did you and the rest of us not pass school?? old school styles:eek:
Naebie this may have worked for you but I am telling you this would never work for me. I would be literally in the library more than 8 hours a day. I have other things to do and I have to be in other places for my study (outside of uni off campus). I can't be at the library that much as I simply do not have that kind of time. As well as not being able to access the library or other campus computers for so long because so many people need to use them. So having internet outside of the library or council computers (at home) is a necessity as it means I can use it late into the night, in a safe environment, and adds hours to my day that I otherwise would not have had.
I think it's technically a 'luxury' but I need it!
Apart from my study, I would go crazy without the social interaction. My DH works in the mines and I have two young kids close in age, sometimes my mental health requires net time :)
Lemmings
08-09-2011, 19:18
my brothers career is internet based. If he isnt in a lecture he's on the computer/internet thats upwards over 10 hours a day not having an internet connection in his home would just be ludicrous.
My DF's work is working with VIOP radio communications... That work place wouldnt exist without the internet.
MOST courses have online content that you must do before you can pass.
There are so many more examples of why the internet is necessary.
Boobycino
08-09-2011, 19:20
I'd have never found out about the course I just completed and the course I've just started without the Internet.
I'd have not survived PND/anxiety without access to online support and also google to find out more information about the support group that was suggested to me.
I'd have not known even an 8th of the things I know about birthing and my rights in labour and would never have had the opportunity I've had to debrief my traumatic birthing experience and also build a plan through support of others.
Quite simply I would have no friends as im too shy to befriend anyone at the park, all my friends came via the internet.
Is it a necessity... Not sure. Would I feed my son first - yes. Would I clothe and shelter my family first. Certainly. But we make our incredibly tight budget work to include the Internet.
We can't afford a car, many people would consider a car a necessity but for us its an expense we cannot afford, but part of that is juggling priorities. I'm sure many people would feel a car is more essential to them and their livelihood than the Internet.
Luna Lovegood
08-09-2011, 19:20
uuuummmmm did you and the rest of us not pass school?? old school styles:eek:
Please read my below post...
I graduated from school on 2003, I did my first two years at uni in 2004-2005 and did not need the internet that much and did use books.
I am at uni again now, and some of my assignment criteria specify that I need a minimum number of "online resources". Not to mention, the information I need must be completely up to date, because research conflicts existing theories which means I can challenge them and support my argument...I could not get this from books.
The point is- times have changed. Read what Loving5 has said about her yr12 daughters study routine and the value of the internet for her study.
uuuummmmm did you and the rest of us not pass school?? old school styles:eek:
Yes, but I finished school 9 years ago. So much has changed since then. Including needing to use and be able to access online resources. School is completely different now to when I was there, and so is uni (and most likely tafe) education.
Ana Gram
08-09-2011, 19:26
Yes, you would :) But in some instances, it is possible to get around the issue of having internet at home.
Is there another university in your area? Because I actually learned that I was able to join the local university as a community member, even though my university is an hour and a half away. It's quite helpful.
Possibly, but as a single parent it becomes more difficult as the work I need to do on the internet when I have my child is done at night while she is in bed which makes actually physically going to a campus pretty much impossible.
NancyBlackett
08-09-2011, 19:27
I don't think anyone here is arguing Internet is a life or death necessity. Simply that without it life becomes a whole lot more difficult.
Yes, but I finished school 9 years ago. So much has changed since then. Including needing to use and be able to access online resources. School is completely different now to when I was there, and so is uni (and most likely tafe) education.
i graduated grade 12 in '05. got an op6, which is top 17% of the state. not too shabby.
i was required to have online resources for assignments. i guess it didn't help that i did ancient history and manual arts, both of which involved a lot of research, but even maths a and german involved necessary online research. there's been no escaping the internet for the purposes of school work for several years now. my school provided internet access but especially with ancient history that was nowhere near enough.
Oh, yeah I don't dispute it Ana Gram! I'm just putting it out there for you as I had no idea I could borrow books from another university until someone told me about it, it was a life saver at times!
Boobycino
08-09-2011, 19:31
^^ yeah.
I think it sits somewhere on the scale of luxury/necessity. Somewhere around telephone, washing machine, clothes in reasonable condition etc
It's not like food, water, shelter, oxygen, Internet. ;)
In this household it's a necessity, both DP & I are full time studying, with our crazy DS around we only have time to study from 7pm onwards (library shuts at 6pm), we can't use uni Internet because it's not convenient to head out there and expect to find someone else to watch DS while we're out studying. Not to mention our entire uni depends on the internet, all course info, lectures, tutes and labs are put up on the net and we're emailed about any classes, we have to use journal articles in our assignments and our uni no longer stocks them, plus it's much more time convenient to search journal articles world wide online than to try and find what I need off the shelf
Not to mention online shopping, banking and bill paying, the more convenient life gets in that respect the better, but I will admit having high speed Internet and 500gb per month in downloads is definitely a luxury I could cut back a bit haha
Luna Lovegood
08-09-2011, 19:32
Possibly, but as a single parent it becomes more difficult as the work I need to do on the internet when I have my child is done at night while she is in bed which makes actually physically going to a campus pretty much impossible.
I find this too, although I am not a single mother, my DH works very long hours, and doesn't get home till around 10pm. Also, we're not completely poor, but having to pay for DD to go into child care if I had to attend uni on campus and use the uni library to study it would totally screw us financially. I would have to quit uni, and get a job in the unskilled labour force (not that there is anything wrong with that, it just means that my family won't have the best life quality over the next few years, and I would like to own a home, access health and dental care without relying on the government and educate my child).
I find this too, although I am not a single mother, my DH works very long hours, and doesn't get home till around 10pm. Also, we're not completely poor, but having to pay for DD to go into child care if I had to attend uni on campus and use the uni library to study it would totally screw us financially. I would have to quit uni, and get a job in the unskilled labour force (not that there is anything wrong with that, it just means that my family won't have the best life quality over the next few years, and I would like to own a home, access health and dental care without relying on the government and educate my child).
Yes, this :)
delirium
08-09-2011, 19:35
Necessity. DH studies thru OTEN and also works thru a sydney based company where all his work schedule, inputting data etc has to be done.
The library won't let you sit there for 8 hour stints 5 days a week to complete assignments. You get an allotted time, at ours it's 15 mins.
I don't think anyone here is arguing Internet is a life or death necessity. Simply that without it life becomes a whole lot more difficult.
Yep, I am personally saying that my DP and I need it for our work. It is a necessity for our jobs. In this day and age it is a necessity for a heck of a lot of jobs. Will we die without it? No. But our jobs need the internet to exist and we need income to live.
Hollywood
08-09-2011, 19:37
It's a luxury I'm very glad I have. It's so convenient to be able to pay bills and do all my 'stuff' online but I'm sure I could manage fine without it.
FearlessLeader
08-09-2011, 19:39
excuse me i have deserted this thread because DP disagrees with me :eek: :eek: :eek: takin' this fight to the real world now!
delirium
08-09-2011, 19:39
I should add too that all the costs of running back and forth to the library or uni on a daily basis would actually outweigh the $30 or $40 per month it costs to have the internet on.
excuse me i have deserted this thread because DP disagrees with me :eek: :eek: :eek: takin' this fight to the real world now!
:eek::eek::eek: Watch out DP!
ooh he's a brave man, fl!
Ana Gram
08-09-2011, 19:42
Oh, yeah I don't dispute it Ana Gram! I'm just putting it out there for you as I had no idea I could borrow books from another university until someone told me about it, it was a life saver at times!
I'm going through Open Uni so the rules are a little different. I've had units through 4 unis so far and they all allow me access to their campuses and I can borrow from their libraries. However, they have all been interstate so that option has been a little useless :laughing: Oh uni logic, don't you just love it :laughing:
I think, if you have school aged children you should factor in the cost of internet connection as part of educating your children.
trishalishous
08-09-2011, 19:43
I agree. The internet offers so much more then just a work/study resource.<br />
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It gives people access to social interaction that they simply may not get otherwise for a variety of reasons eg living in an isolated location, being physically or mentally unwell and unable to leave the confines of their house, are shy and are unable to talk to people easily face to face etc. I would think that people in these types of situations would call it a necessity as it enables them to purchase products and services and it keeps them sane by having a social outlet. It also allows people to keep in touch with family eg email, facebook and the like, VOIP and skype.<br />
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It is a very cheap source of entertainment where you can watch movies, tv shows, play games, and listen to music. $50 a month (for example) is pretty cheap when you consider all that the internet offers.<br />
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It is a cheap resource to access a wider range of educational materials then offered at most public libraries these days.<br />
<br />
Forums such as this one offer people extremely helpful information which will often link them up with actual 'in real life' services that in some cases literally saves lives.<br />
<br />
I also think that the internet is helping to make the world a smaller place which overall is a good thing (yes it can be used for negative reasons, but anything in life can). We can keep up with international events and we as a global village can actually put more pressure on governments eg look at how the internet enabled people in Egypt to protest on mass and overturn the dictatorial regime.<br />
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It is no longer just a luxury and at least in Western nations you would actually be at a disadvantage without access to it on a regular basis not just by having to catch a bus, train and then walk 10kms to your local library.<br />
<br />
this. the amount of assignments which rely on the internet is crazy. i wouldnt have a degree if id had to sit at uni 6hrs a day to write papers, rather than work and use the net at home.
we also use choice and simple savings websites, saved a fortune over the years but shopping smart and budgeting well!
Bubbygirl
08-09-2011, 19:47
Seriously people, if you couldn't afford the internet you wouldn't have it. But most of us are able to afford the luxury of having the internet connected.
Actually that's not true. I can't afford the Internet n in my area there's only 1 carrier so I has to pick them (n they have the highest bills) n I'm scrapping by to pay it. However my work requires me to have it, specially when it comes to buisness money clients may not have funds untill late in arvo or nite or early morn which requires me to constantly keep checking works balance and updating as soon as it's received.... CANT do tat at the library!!!! Also u try paying bills sending off work papers n agreements n settling accounts n chasing a 4yr n 2yr old round the library n having it done in 1 hr.
Also for medical reasons there's weeks in the year I physically can not leave the house n am house bound untill the pain n swelling has subsided n I can actually move. Therefore . Necessity!
Pregnant women get bed ridden sometimes!
So People actually have a phobia of leaving their house!
Some people run their buisness or simply work from home!
Some people don't have a library close to home!
N thousands more reasons I have as to y it's a necessity.
But my point was, I'm struggling to pay it n am often late with the payment but if I had it disconnected..... I'd have to say bye bye job,
HOWEVER. If a person didn't have a job or didn't need Internet for work , n didn't have n e thing tat required Internet, no bills no family overseas nothing n they simply used it to play silly online computer games then yes tat wud b a luxury
delirium
08-09-2011, 19:49
Ummm...find me a public or private school, or university with a library filled with up with an adequate to date text books, and a reasonable amount of research journals for student to not only pass, but excel?
That's true. I went to uni from 96-2000 when the net was around but not as big as now (especially in my first couple of years) and let me tell you it was like a scene in those big myer boxing day sales. People almost having punch ups over text books bc there was never enough. After a assignment was given people would literally run to the library to borrow. I used to use the net heaps as they expected 15+ references and there simply wasn't the books.
The net isn't needed to breathe or eat, so in a way not a *true* necessity. But without it. my DH could never study IT as our local TAFE offers a cert 1 and that's it lol
The Australian Government consider internet as a nessary tool for children who attend school, that is why they include it in the education rebate scheme. We can claim 1/2 of internet use every year.
Janesmum123
08-09-2011, 20:14
For me it's a must! I just started an online course see key word here is "online". I can't go to a library. My son won't stay in his pram for more then 3 seconds. How would I study? It would not be possible. My DD needs the net also. Plus I speak to family who are overseas on skype. They want to see the kids etc. And I think it would be a mental health danger if I didn't have one.
Elijahs Mum
08-09-2011, 20:22
It's a necessity in my home - how else can I shop online at 1am!
This question comes up from time to time and I always find the fact that people say it is a luxury for them, therefore it is a luxury for all. I only use tools when i hang a new painting. Paintings are a luxury, my hammer is a luxury for me. Imagine if i said to a rigger "tools are a luxury, you wont die without them" - would that not seem a little absurd? Yet that is what IT and other people who use the internet as a tool for work/study are told here all the time. It is no different to riggers tools etc for many.
I also giggled when people say "the net is a luxury, you don't need it to study, get a book". Couldn't we also say we wont die without books, they are a luxury.
I assume those of you stating "I passed school using books from the library" just simply aren't aware of how libraries function now.
Until a few years ago I was a librarian working for one of the top university Information Literacy Programs in the country. A good grounding in Information Literacy is now considered such an important part of a university education that it is impossible to pass without evidence of it. Internet access, at home or on campus, is essential.
Added to this is the fact that it is not economically viable for universities to purchase everything in print anymore. Print journals are cumbersome to use and expensive to maintain, not to mention the fact that the most recent editions are not even able to be borrowed. If you want access to the majority of material a university library subscribes to, you must do so online.
Maybe books worked for you a few years ago, but that's just not how things are done anymore.
As to whether it's a necessity or a luxury, that really depends on your definition of these terms. No, of course it's not a necessity in the same way oxygen, water and food are in that you can live without it. But if you consider things like education to be necessities, then it certainly is. Like it or not, any student who lacks decent access to the Internet is at a distinct disadvantage.
NancyBlackett
08-09-2011, 20:36
Everything she said
*off topic* lambjam my dad is a librarian and i have a total soft spot for them :)
E*off topic* lambjam my dad is a librarian and i have a total soft spot for them :)
Naw, thank you! :D
::twists pearls in excitement, pats bun and adjusts twin set self-consciously::
Myztiks#1Fan
08-09-2011, 20:44
:laughing: why do people get SO defensive about things like this??
:eek::eek::eek::eek: really? Thats a bit dramatic isn't it? I certainly don't live in poverty and I never had the internet.
I was one of the only ones who didnt have the internet while at school. I failed big time there. I didnt actually really have access to the internet til a few years ago and i am now 25 and living of the bare minimum as it is.
Sent from my GT-I9000T using Bubhub
NancyBlackett
08-09-2011, 20:48
Naw, thank you! :D
::twists pearls in excitement, pats bun and adjusts twin set self-consciously::
Navy cardigans and pearls rock :)
suchislife
08-09-2011, 20:49
as others say, it depends on ur situation. at the moment its a luxury, as i dont study, well im on a break but when i was doing it i could of easily of done it a library, kiosk, or parents house who have net ( not a full time course, nor a course that needs a LOT of research., my partner is on net alot but its just for non important things, my kids use it, but not so much for school work- they do that at school( that will change when they r older im sure).. so we could go without it.. but life would certainly suck!:) But in past it was a necessity when my partner worked from home.. etc etc.. Just depends on ur situation!
doglover
08-09-2011, 20:50
Luxury. I Study by correspondence and my husband works from home sometimes - neither of which would be possible without the internet but we would just have to change our ways if we couldn't afford the net. I consider a necessity something that keeps us alive (food, water, shelter etc) and the internet aint in that category.
I think the people who consider it a luxury are those which use the internet to facebook, browse, online shop and download music and movies, and have never needed it to study or work (or not recently at least). If that is all you do with the internet then absolutely you could consider it a luxury. However, as many people have pointed out, it is a necessity when you are using it to work/study/keep on contact with friends and family. Aside from needing to use it for study, I find it pretty essential that I can skype my brother as he lives interstate and also when he is posted overseas for work. When he is overseas, yes, I do write him traditional letters that I send by post, but it is also great that I can see him and speak to him in real time using the internet. I can't really do that at a library now can I? Simply, I just would not live without it.
Stiflers Mom
08-09-2011, 21:19
I think, if you have school aged children you should factor in the cost of internet connection as part of educating your children.
I agree.
Littlemissmetal
08-09-2011, 21:44
I don't think anyone here is arguing Internet is a life or death necessity. Simply that without it life becomes a whole lot more difficult.
Yes, I 100% agree with this statement. Thus stating that it was a convenience not a necessity. Alot of households revolve around internet for studies and work, I get that, but if that luxury was taken away, or circumstances changed ie. financial breakdown, I don't think (and I hope) not many would chose internet over food, clothes, a roof. You would just find some other way to work around it. and make things work for you.
well obviously all of us have the net,and are here fighting about it:laughing::laughing: why??? lol
well obviously all of us have the net,and are here fighting about it:laughing::laughing: why??? lol
it may or may not have something to do with the op being a librarian..
ShanandBoc
08-09-2011, 21:59
Well its not a necessity like food or clean water ;) but i think it certainly helps in this day and age. I mean everything from home study, to job searching, kids use it for schoolwork, banking etc. So i would say to a in todays world its a necessity to a certain extent.
I consider a necessity something that keeps us alive (food, water, shelter etc) and the internet aint in that category.
I consider educating my children as important as providing the food, water & shelter.
These days internet and education go hand in hand.
ShanandBoc
08-09-2011, 22:17
I consider educating my children as important as providing the food, water & shelter.
Hmm i wouldnt take it quite so far. Children will die without food or water. They will not die without the internet :D
With you. It is a necessity for us. I pay all bills online, shop online, do research on items to buy online. I also maintain contacts with most of my family and friends who are overseas using the Internet.
I didn't know how grateful I would be that we have internet at home until my son turned into a toddler :O. I can do so many things online in a short time, compared to if I have to go out with my toddler.
And internet is now cheaper than what it used to be.
since the threas closed before i put in my 10c worth :p
I think it's an absolute neccessity. Sure you can go to the library to use the internet. I work in a public library and every day i see people using the internet because they don't have it at home. They get 1 hour a day, and if you don't get done what you need to do, bad luck. And an hour is a very short time if you have a toddler or two running around the library, while you try to keep them in check and ignore the filthy looks you're getting for 'not supervising your child'. if you're a single mum, you HAVE to take your kids with you, you can't pay bills once they're asleep or quietly playing. There are SO many things that require you to go online now, life is almost impossible if you don't have the internet or are computer illiterate.
TripleTime
08-09-2011, 22:56
Necessity.
Between running a business & both DH & I at uni, we need it. Thankfully DH's pays for it.
delirium
08-09-2011, 23:06
I also giggled when people say "the net is a luxury, you don't need it to study, get a book". Couldn't we also say we wont die without books, they are a luxury.
lol yeah education has really changed now. Most resource material is online, even for face to face classes. Most uni and TAFE students use online journals.... DH applied for an IT job a few weeks ago and you could *only* apply online, with the resume, a copy of his certs uploaded onto the site. No more paper job apps....
Luxury - if you are in a position to not be able to afford basic neccesitys like food for your children!!!
Yes it makes life easier to study, pay bills, social network etc but there are many viable other options to do those - Use uni or tafe computers, download the lecture notes etc you need, pay bills at post office or over the phone, get out and actually see people!!!
If you cannot afford to provide a basic human need - food - for your own child then sorry no matter how 'convinent' the Internet makes your life I'd choose providing my child food over making my life easier by having the net!
Ana Gram
09-09-2011, 01:19
Yes it makes life easier to study, pay bills, social network etc but there are many viable other options to do those - Use uni or tafe computers, download the lecture notes etc you need, pay bills at post office or over the phone, get out and actually see people!!!
You may have missed the several posts commenting on the idea of studying on computers at uni, TAFEs or libraries. For some people, it really isn't a viable option.
Ana Gram
09-09-2011, 01:28
Ok, so if necessity only encompasses those things that enable life, they are only food, air, water and warmth.
Which would mean anything above that is a luxury, including housing, electricity, gas etc.
In our society, it would be incredibly difficult to live with only the basic necessities met. If we were in an non industrialized country, then ready access to the internet would undoubtedly be a luxury.
Ok, so if necessity only encompasses those things that enable life, they are only food, air, water and warmth.
Which would mean anything above that is a luxury, including housing, electricity, gas etc.
In our society, it would be incredibly difficult to live with only the basic necessities met. If we were in an non industrialized country, then ready access to the internet would undoubtedly be a luxury.
I never stated anything along those lines!!
I am simply saying if you can't afford rent, electricity, clothing or food all those things come before something like the internet!
If you cannot provide those basic things then sorry but yes I view the Internet in that case to be luxury!
sockstealingpoltergeist
09-09-2011, 02:28
I have been very poor and not had the internet and a computer.
Internet access at home is now a necessity for people to participate in society. This is how we exclude poor people from society even further by saying they don't need certain things that everyone uses and does really need in order to participate fully in today's society.
I used to stay back as long as I could before child pick up time to do assignments etc, and it wasn't enough.
Most people use the computer to keep in touch and it is cheaper often then having a phone line.
Its a necessity these days. How many times are you directed to a website to ask questions of products or being told just email us. etc. i wouldn't have found half the information i was looking for over the last couple of days had it not been for the internet. Also how many of us pay our bills over the internet. Especially when its raining and you have a young baby and can't get out.
so its a big fat necessity:yes:
Anyanka
doglover
09-09-2011, 06:44
I consider educating my children as important as providing the food, water & shelter.
These days internet and education go hand in hand.
I don't think feeding and sheltering your child is in the same category as providing them with Internet access to make their education easier. It's no where near the same thing.
Internet at home makes life easier no doubt but not everyone has it and they still educate their children.
Internet at home makes life easier no doubt but not everyone has it and they still educate their children.
But I think what many people have completely missed is that the question wasn't specifically about Internet at home; it was about the Internet in general.
If you consider education a necessity, then these days you must also consider adequate Internet access to be a necessity. This then leads to another question, which concerns where students access the Internet; home, school, library?
A further question would be, to what extent is a child disadvantaged if they have less access to resources than other children? And this is where concepts like the cycle of poverty come into play. Yes it would be nice if schools and public libraries provided all the resources necessary for a child's education, but this thread is questioning that.
I think it's both a luxury and neccessity depending on the person.
DH and I have iPhones and use the net on them. Also have apps for our banking.
In saying that though, I was doing uni online and used the internet on the computer on a daily basis.
We have been staying with my mum and she is on one of the highest telstra plans.
Once I start back with uni (deferred for the time being) then i'll use the laptop and usb stick. Until then, we will keep using our phones.
zombiekitty
09-09-2011, 07:32
Unless the Internet is needed for your job or study then of course it's a luxury!
higgleandgoot
09-09-2011, 07:36
Bit of both really. But more a luxury.
carleena
09-09-2011, 07:41
Necessity for me. I work from home and my actual office is over 2 hours away so in order to do my job I need the Internet
Hmm... I think this has ended up being a bit of a debate over semantics...
It seems that most people have interpreted the question as either:
1) Out of either 'luxury' or 'necessity', which dictionary definition does 'the internet' fall into?
2) Is the internet necessary for you to live your life as you currently do?
Those that are answering question 1 are saying that it is a luxury, as it is not essential for life.
Those that are answering question 2 are saying it's a necessity, as they need it to live life the way in which they currently do.
I have to admit, my first thought was to go down the first path, and say that of course it is not a necessity. However, for me to live life the way that I want to - yes it is.
Two different arguments that are being argued in parallel, IMO.
BornToBe
09-09-2011, 08:11
Well, I'm grateful that for my family and I, having the internet connected at home is a definite luxury. I use month to month internet, no plan, and buy data when we can afford it. Sometimes not having the internet in the home is a lovely break, actually.
It obviously depends on your lifestyle. Many people in my area don't even have a television in their homes, let alone a laptop, and that is a personal choice rather than one defined by money. And I respect the hell out of it.
I just wanted to add: the locals without 'net still participate in their community, still have social lives, still manage to pay bills, organize their lives etc. Life without the internet in it is certainly not a deprived one.
I think we obviously disagree re need and luxury. I don't think it has to be a life or death but IMO it's not a "luxury" for those who need it to work or study.
Luxury means indulgence. Is it really an indulgence to go online to do the work/study you need to do to survive in our society? Really? Truly?
I also disagree that in our society all we need is food and water. I think humans are much more complex than other animals in that respect. We need love. We need companionship. In our country, we need jobs. Often, for that, we need to study. We can't all go on Newstart allowance. Our country wouldn't function if we all did that. Many jobs today need the internet. I've already checked my emails, downloaded attachments, updated my work website and I've only been here for an hour. If that is considered an indulgence, I think people have a different view of luxury to me lol.
Your job may require (aka need :D) other tools such as hammers, cookware, cleaning tools, a sewing machine... others need the internet as part of their job. I don't get why that is so hard for some to comprehend that it is not purely a luxury for everyone.
sweetseven
09-09-2011, 09:31
It really does depend.
Is Internet a necessity?
Is a mobile phone a necessity?
Is a home phone a necessity?
Is a car a necessity?
Is a home a necessity?
Is electricity a necessity?
Is running water a necessity?
Is a toilet a necessity?
All of the above, most people in our current society would consider them a necessity. However, people do get by without them and therefore they could be deemed a luxury.
I was speaking with someone that regularly visits Thailand and he was talking about the minimal living conditions there. Many people in the world survive without any of the above, but in our society it is expected that you will have it.
------------------------
By the way, I'm not adverse to making sacrifices. When I was in university, I didn't buy text books because I couldn't afford them, but I still bought a computer. The computer was much more of a necessity that text books.
BornToBe
09-09-2011, 09:32
That's well said re: tools for the job, Benji. Helps me to see the 'net in a different light. I've never used it for work so I guess it was hard for me to empathize with it.
BigBird88
09-09-2011, 09:55
Luxury deffinatley
PuppyGuts
09-09-2011, 09:57
Well, Trading Post is only online now........just sayin.
In my house its a nessisity just coz i wouldnt go without, Id have internet before new clothes, and im not even studying. We are finding ways to cut spending at home to try and pay some debt off but i didnt even think about cutting net. never gonna happen. Id be dead.
Lillynix
09-09-2011, 10:20
For me, the internet is a luxury. Sure it makes me life a heck of a lot easier, but it is indeed a luxury. I don't NEED it for anything.
For my Husband, however, it is an absolute necessity. He is required as part of his job description and contract, to have access to the internet at home. He is a shift worker, and when he does night shifts, once he's home (around 2am) he is then required to be 'on call', if he's called he is required to respond ASAP which involved using the internet.
You can't exactly go and use the Library computers at 4am now, can you? ;)
Ana Gram
09-09-2011, 10:38
I never stated anything along those lines!!
I am simply saying if you can't afford rent, electricity, clothing or food all those things come before something like the internet!
If you cannot provide those basic things then sorry but yes I view the Internet in that case to be luxury!
I wasn't talking to you specifically. If I was, I would have quoted you, like I am doing now.
Incidentally, I can't afford rent :wave:
I just wanted to add: the locals without 'net still participate in their community, still have social lives, still manage to pay bills, organize their lives etc. Life without the internet in it is certainly not a deprived one.
So true.
I wasn't talking to you specifically. If I was, I would have quoted you, like I am doing now.
Incidentally, I can't afford rent :wave:
That's what I fail to understand tho, if you can't afford rent why have the net? To me a roof over mine and my childrens head is far more important than the Internet?!
Different folks, different strokes!!!
This argument will just go round and round!
That's what I fail to understand tho, if you can't afford rent why have the net? To me a roof over mine and my childrens head is far more important than the Internet?!
If I may speak for Ana Gram, I believe her use of the Internet is helping her break the "cycle of poverty". In prioritising her education over her short-term financial needs, she stands to create a much brighter future for herself and her daughter. (My apologies if I've spoken out of turn or misrepresented her.)
This is the point; the Internet represents access to information, knowledge, power. Saying these things shouldn't be a priority to the poor is the same as accepting that they should only be available to the wealthy. We're not talking about Facebook and online shopping here, we're talking about tools that are necessary if one is to succeed and compete in the real world.
Jane Doe have you read any of the posts that people posted saying it is a necessity and why? You seem to think that because you think its a luxury therefore everyone should feel the same, even when people have made it quite clear that it is not a luxury in their circumstances (like mine and Ana Grams and many others which have posted).
In so many cases, no, there is no way to get around needing the internet. Life has changed.
I have read the replies yes but I guess like I said different folks, different strokes!!
It's all well and good to say you are trying to 'break the cycle' of poverty but if you end up out on the street from unpaid rent and your kids miss meals over it I don't think it's a sacrafice I would be prepared to make!!!
How about sacraficing study until your child is in school and you can study during school hours using uni or tafe computers etc?
We just see the issue differently I guess, Im happy to accept that and others see it diff to me, all good!
Not everyone is going to agree!!!
Lol JaneDoe, I think you should quit while you're ahead. Assuming things about other people's lives rarely ends well.
trishalishous
09-09-2011, 17:10
our lives would be limited without the internet, not counting work/study. i woud have had a break down, with 4 months in hospital/bedrest and only a wall to stare at (i read 3 ebooks a day on my phone as well as internet and audiobooks for sleeping)
i found out about playgroup/toddler gym/rhyme time on the net. bills would involve a 50km trip to the post office, and changing banks since there no branch here (and added fees/less interest)
i also would pay more for fuel and servicing, as i can look up both those things.
we would hire a handyman rather than dh researching how to xyz and diy ing.
our insurances (health car house) would cost more. (unable to shop around, and only 1broker here)
i also wouldnt be a confident parent since i can research ideas and techniques for my spirited child.
id pay morefor clothes, rather than buying/selling on our localfb page.
id be buying disposables rather than making my own mcns.
so the value of the internet is far higher than the cost.
trishalishous
09-09-2011, 17:16
study in school hours? hmm the uni and tafe dont run my course so public librarys censored computers for me haha. plus i wouldnt get much done in the 4 hrs id have between drop offs and pick ups and maybe eating lunch.
then there is the 1hr limit on the computers.
Pretty sure ana gram's child is in school :D
I think the same people who think that the poor should go without Internet are the same ones who go on about the "bludgers" yet when people are trying to better themselves, they get criticised for it!
bluerhapsody
09-09-2011, 17:45
Wow... what rock have I been living under to have missed this massive thread?! :laughing:
I think that as some have mentioned, classing the Internet as a 'neccessity' or not depends on individual circumstances.
As someone who has studied in recent years, I have found that there is a SIGNIFICANT amount of information which it is required that you read that is no longer available in books. In this instance, if I did not have access to the Internet, or to someone else who could print this information for me- I would be unable to complete a large quantity of my course work and would be likely to fail.
Additionally- my father runs a home business. It is of vital importance to him to correspond with clients via email (sending large documents, plans, etc.) dozens of times a day. Without this 'convenience', many customers wouldn't want to go to him. "Time is money", as they say- if it takes my dad 4 days to send plans via snail mail and back, as opposed to another businessman who takes a matter of hours, business is gone- clients will go elsewhere.
It is very subject to individual circumstances- when used as a resource for schooling or work, it is of great importance, and- if included in the same category as things like housing, toilets, etc., I personally believe it to be a 'neccessity'. Obviously, if you just use it for things like social networking, shopping and killing time, it's a luxury.
Lemonhead
09-09-2011, 17:56
I get what you're saying Jane Doe.
It baffles me too that someone who can't pay rent has the internet but then, I also understand why Ana Gram is doing her studies. If her parents are able to help her then why not take that help and do what you can to get ahead so that in years to come she can work and pay her own way and give her daughter a better chance in life.
I can't afford to study- daycare is insane- but then I never have to worry about my kids being impoverished because they will be provided for by a man who is educated and skilled and will never be without a job.
Pretty sure ana gram's child is in school :D
I think the same people who think that the poor should go without Internet are the same ones who go on about the "bludgers" yet when people are trying to better themselves, they get criticised for it!
Exactly, sometimes you just cant win.
MothersMilk
09-09-2011, 18:05
Sorry i don't have time to read the thread atm so just answering the OP.
I would say necessity, for me - sure i could live without it but it would make my life harder. I could live without a washing machine too and lots of other modern conveniences but why would i if i don't have to??
Internet is useful to my studies - i can't just pop down to the library with 2 kids without it being a big hassle, i couldn't study externally (which i need to do as childcare is not an option for me due to costs), it is also useful for paying bills online, looking up info etc.
You may have missed the several posts commenting on the idea of studying on computers at uni, TAFEs or libraries. For some people, it really isn't a viable option.
Agree. In a way, we safe money by using the internet to do so many things. We still go out and see people but imagine:
1) Petrol / public transport cost to go to those places to download study materials/read/pay bills/etc
2) Time spent and triple that time when you have a toddler or two or three in tow
3) When you're out, that means, either you spend money to buy food outside, OR you have to spare more time to make the food so you don't have to buy. Why? Because travelling takes time and that is we have to remember.
Internet can be luxury when we choose the 'top of the line' plan. There's like $19/month plan for some GBs of internet and that, I think, is cheaper than going out at least 3 times/week in the car/on the bus/train, paying the tickets and parking and/or petrol.
nothanksbye
09-09-2011, 20:25
I would say the internet is making it easier for mums to study and that makes it very important.
Sent from my iPhone using Bub Hub
We live rural, so for us internet is a necessity.
At the end of the day we all lead very different lives and what is a necessity to one is a luxury for other - doesn't make either party right or wrong.
Me&MrMagoo
10-09-2011, 11:23
It's a luxury for us ... And we only have it on our phones, no home Internet at all, it's an expense we can't justify ...
If I decide to study again then I will sacrifice something else so that I can get the Internet connected again.
** end of transmission **
[text deleted by moderator]
To answer the OP, IMO internet is one of those grey areas. It isn't a necessity if you compare to say, oxygen, food, water, adequate shelter etc. Without those, a human being would die. But as numerous posts in here have stated, nor is it a luxury for many but an essential tool in their daily lives. It's like the car. Some may be able to do without a car as they live close to public transport so it's a luxury. To others, who do not live close to transport or live rurally, a car is a necessity in order to access food, travel to work in order to earn to pay for necessities, avoid social isolation and in the event of an emegerncy. The internet is exactly the same.
Not getting into the debate, cbf about that but personally we need it in this house, DH is a systems admin and a lot of his work requires remote logins after hours for software installations :)
Cinderella82
10-09-2011, 15:01
Im not sure about the whole needing the internet at home for education & research thing.
When I was studying & still when I do research now, my uni library has multiple copies of reputable and relevant journals, up to date (as in, the current months edition) & I could also access subscriptions to online journals and education databases on the uni computers. To subscribe to all the online journals myself to use from home would cost a small fortune. I would never 'research' online from websites, etc. unless I wanted to fail my assignments for using inadequate and unreliable sources. So anything that is worth using has to be from published journals or purchased subscriptions to these journals online.
I don't think access to general internet websites that are free to view 'educate' me any more than popular media does. Well I guess a lot of the internet is just popular media, isn't it? we also had to spend around $1000 per semester on textbooks and the library had up to date texts. This way, the lecturers helped to select the texts they knew were reliable, rather than me spending hours online sifting through 95% crappy to find something usable.
My experiences at uni might be different to others, but for my degree, it was definitely not acceptable to use online references.
Sent from my HTC Legend using Bubhub
Fuchsia!
10-09-2011, 15:07
what is a neccessity? Really, we all have things that we class as a necessity but is actually a luxury.
Electricty, food from the supermarket, cars, joggers, 10 pairs of undies, 5 shirts, washing machines, fridges, are all luxuries if you put it into perspective.
We don't need all those things, it just makes our lives easier. And you can add in internet to those things also.
I definitely see internet as a necessity and is just as important as phone and electricity.
we budget it in with our necessary items.
To subscribe to all the online journals myself to use from home would cost a small fortune. I would never 'research' online from websites, etc. unless I wanted to fail my assignments for using inadequate and unreliable sources. So anything that is worth using has to be from published journals or purchased subscriptions to these journals online.
I don't know when you were studying, but students from most major universities should now have the option of logging onto all online services from home (including any journals that are available electronically).
This means that students who have difficulty spending time on campus (eg those who are parents, have a disability, have work commitments, or who study remotely) have access to all the resources they otherwise would, as long as they have an Internet connection.
Cinderella82
10-09-2011, 15:23
Hmmm it was 4 yrs ago now, so things may have changed since then.... to access the education & pediatrics, etc journals online we had to use uni computers to be able to use the unis subscriptions, but perhaps in the few years since I studied, that is available to access from home?
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Luna Lovegood
10-09-2011, 15:28
Out of curiosity, I wonder how long ago people graduated when they're saying that easily accessible internet is not crucial for study?
Hmmm it was 4 yrs ago now, so things may have changed since then.... to access the education & pediatrics, etc journals online we had to use uni computers to be able to use the unis subscriptions, but perhaps in the few years since I studied, that is available to access from home?
That seems a bit late to not have remote access available :(. I worked at ANU until 2006, and they had it well and truly established then. At ANU, anything that is available on campus is available at home, all you need is a uni ID and password; the external resources all perceive that you are on campus, whereas in reality you could be anywhere.
TinyLittleTootsies
10-09-2011, 16:10
That seems a bit late to not have remote access available :(. I worked at ANU until 2006, and they had it well and truly established then. At ANU, anything that is available on campus is available at home, all you need is a uni ID and password; the external resources all perceive that you are on campus, whereas in reality you could be anywhere.
ANU is probably better than most at being in front with these things. Other uni's are still catching up.
Uni in 2007 all we needed was our student ID to look at full journal articles, they had stopped buying them a few years ago so they had no new ones in hard copy at the library and they were getting rid of the ones they had and turning it into a media room!
You NEED the internet to study any course that needs journals now.
just her chameleon
10-09-2011, 16:26
Out of curiosity, I wonder how long ago people graduated when they're saying that easily accessible internet is not crucial for study?
I wonder the same thing... I'm studying accounting now but in 2005-2006 I completed 18months of Biomedical Science degree at Griffith Uni. We could access all online journals from home using databases that the uni subscribed to.
Fast forward to my accounting degree and CQ Uni offer the same thing.
You NEED the internet to study any course that needs journals now.
:yes: Print journals will be obsolete soon. Many are either not available at all or are prohibitively expensive.
nothanksbye
10-09-2011, 17:49
personally I think all people on any sort of welfare or help from the government should :
Not have internet
only buy black and gold or plain packaged foods
not use electricity.
not have a home phone or mobile...well maybe a phone that only allows them call 000.
have 30 mins of hot water every 2 days.
be limited to only buying healthy food.
only allowed to own bikes not cars.
Be allowed to buy clothing from vinnies only and underwear from coles.
Not permitted to buy cigs or alcohol or use their money for anything that brings pleasure or an education.
We really should not let them in to shopping malls in case they buy above their station.
I think that would make sense.:p
ShanandBoc
10-09-2011, 17:56
:laughing:
Luna Lovegood
10-09-2011, 17:59
personally I think all people on any sort of welfare or help from the government should :
Not have internet
only buy black and gold or plain packaged foods
not use electricity.
not have a home phone or mobile...well maybe a phone that only allows them call 000.
have 30 mins of hot water every 2 days.
be limited to only buying healthy food.
only allowed to own bikes not cars.
Be allowed to buy clothing from vinnies only and underwear from coles.
Not permitted to buy cigs or alcohol or use their money for anything that brings pleasure or an education.
We really should not let them in to shopping malls in case they buy above their station.
I think that would make sense.:p
You forgot;
"only permitted access to emergency health care, not preventative health care"
:p
nothanksbye
10-09-2011, 18:03
You forgot;
"only permitted access to emergency health care, not preventative health care"
:p
Yes good one! and not permitted to dental care at all.
and i hope they dont go to hairdressers and spend my hard earned money that I have to pay tax on, on hair..omg.
nothanksbye
10-09-2011, 18:04
and you know what, deodorant is a luxury! so is shampoo and body wash..so really a cake of sunlight soap should do all things..
laundry too.
Im not sure about the whole needing the internet at home for education & research thing.
When I was studying & still when I do research now, my uni library has multiple copies of reputable and relevant journals, up to date (as in, the current months edition) & I could also access subscriptions to online journals and education databases on the uni computers. To subscribe to all the online journals myself to use from home would cost a small fortune. I would never 'research' online from websites, etc. unless I wanted to fail my assignments for using inadequate and unreliable sources. So anything that is worth using has to be from published journals or purchased subscriptions to these journals online.
I don't think access to general internet websites that are free to view 'educate' me any more than popular media does. Well I guess a lot of the internet is just popular media, isn't it? we also had to spend around $1000 per semester on textbooks and the library had up to date texts. This way, the lecturers helped to select the texts they knew were reliable, rather than me spending hours online sifting through 95% crappy to find something usable.
My experiences at uni might be different to others, but for my degree, it was definitely not acceptable to use online references.
Sent from my HTC Legend using Bubhub
When I first went to uni in 2003 we had access to online journals through the university library website and could access from home with our student ID. I went back to uni 2007 and there were a heap more electronic journals available and it was growing rapidly. Today pretty much all journals are online and most universities will subscribe to the majority of them, allowing students free access to articles that might otherwise be upwards of $50 per article. On top of that, my university also allows students access to online text books free of charge.
I don't know why you are assuming that people that use the internet to study are any old website they like and referencing that. That is just not the case at all. I am not even really allowed to use text books that much as they are not as up to date as the latest research, so all of my information comes from journals, which I have to access online.
Luna Lovegood
10-09-2011, 18:05
Yes good one! and not permitted to dental care at all.
and i hope they dont go to hairdressers and spend my hard earned money that I have to pay tax on, on hair..omg.
Dental care= Extraction + paracetamol. The bludger probably has a sneaky bottle of gin stashed at home anyway to help deal with the pain.
SpecialPatrolGroup
10-09-2011, 18:05
It is a necessity here. DH and I both use the net to log in remotely for work occassionally, which is especially important if DD is sick and can't go to day care, despite not having a people we can call on to help out like grandparents, we can still get some work done.
For me at the moment, it is really important because I am feeling really quite lonely *violins* without much of a network of friends nearby so FB and BH are really helping me to feel a little less isolated.
Turk EnJayDee
10-09-2011, 18:07
Clearly they shouldn't be allowed bananas either. The price that they are... Luxury!! Haha
nothanksbye
10-09-2011, 18:10
Clearly they shouldn't be allowed bananas either. The price that they are... Luxury!! Haha
i would say canned fruit and veg would last longer so they dont squander and waste the fresh stuff.
Cinderella82
10-09-2011, 18:11
When I first went to uni in 2003 we had access to online journals through the university library website. I went back to uni 2007 and there were a heap more uni journals available and it was growing rapidly. Today pretty much all journals are online and most universities will subscribe to the majority of them, allowing students free access to articles that might otherwise be upwards of $50 per article. On top of that, my university also allows students access to online text books free of charge.
I don't know why you are assuming that people that use the internet to study are any old website they like and referencing that. That is just not the case at all. I am not even really allowed to use text books that much as they are not as up to date as the latest research, so all of my information comes from journals, which I have to access online.
Wow, my uni must be really behind the times lol! Good that uni students can access journals from home though, it would make things easier, I used to spend a lot of time in the uni library. Wow, libraries really might become extinct...
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Necessity. I work from home and need the net, skype, lots of emails back and forth and research. Ofcourse I use it for social interaction aswell, thats a necessity for me, otherwise I'd be stuck at home with no one to talk to :hissy:
Quoting another post. ***I was merely responding to ana's post that said she couldn't afford rent. I am genuinely curious as to where one lives when they can't pay rent?***quoting another post.
In the inner city of Sydney, Sydney City itself, North Shore, Bondi, Sutherland Shire. Especially if you need a house to rent. Houses to rent where I am are.
Fibro or weatherboard, old kitchen/kitchenette (very basic), old bathroom (60's/70's) style, no air con or anything spectacular $490-600 a week.
Brick old style , old kitchen/kitchenette (very basic), old bathroom, no air con or anything spectacular. ($600 - 790 a week.
Brick modern, new kitchen, new bathroom (or near new/less than 10yrs old) $700 - 900 a week.
Anything near the water!! $1500 plus a week.
Thats how you might struggle with rent.
Anyanka
nothanksbye
10-09-2011, 18:35
lol..so true..i live in a house with a crap kitchen and pay $850 a week in rent.
Turk EnJayDee
10-09-2011, 18:53
i would say canned fruit and veg would last longer so they dont squander and waste the fresh stuff.
Hahaha. Good one. Also tissues. If you have clothes, you have something to blow your nose on. Also, newspapers get delivered free in most places. No need for toilet paper!
Yeah and what's with suggesting underwear...... from Coles no less. Underwear is so a luxury. If you are poor, you can go commando.
FearlessLeader
10-09-2011, 19:21
Wow, my uni must be really behind the times lol! Good that uni students can access journals from home though, it would make things easier, I used to spend a lot of time in the uni library. Wow, libraries really might become extinct...
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Except libraries are quite clearly needed for people to access the 'non-essential' internet. Plus who do you think pays the subscriptions for all those online journals? Who will teach people how to access them? Libraries and librarians are more important than ever.
Except libraries are quite clearly needed for people to access the 'non-essential' internet. Plus who do you think pays the subscriptions for all those online journals? Who will teach people how to access them? Libraries and librarians are more important than ever.
Yay for librarians! In a nutshell my job at ANU was teaching students how to access online resources. My classes were run in the knowledge that I might only have this one opportunity to actually meet the students, and I had to use this to enable them to access as much as possible externally.
University libraries should now be structured on the premise that they may never actually meet a high percentage of their students in the flesh.
This thread has reached an end.
Thanks all
Regards
Jenny
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