Generations in Cyberspace

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Cyberpsychology may sound like a study of the minds of computers to the layman, but it is much more than that. In this course, we will study the new Cybercommunity, or the idea of netizens, which is quickly evolving. Now anyone who has access to a computer equipped with a modem and an online service can join this new community. Still confused as to the meaning of "Cybercommunity?" Perhaps these reports from the generations before me will shed some light on the subject.

Noteworthy Generation one Homepages

In the report byCheryl Renata,there is a wonderful accout of what the new online user may experience. The cartoon-like graphics are delightful and will enhace your sojourn there. Go for a visit, you will not regret it.

Kevin C. Bogan's homepage is quite different from the others in that there is no text readily apparent when you initially click on the page. Instead, there are graphics that are fun to look upon, a good exaple of what one can do with a little knowledge of html, and creativity.

The report byTrudy Moore is very complex with so many links to go to. These links are indespensible for putting a vast amount of information into easily accessed portions. Reading too much at once can be monotonous, links reduce that. However, I wonder what the title of this report was, it was not obvious. Take a look.

Noteworthy Generation Two Homepages

The hompepage fromLori Moritahas a good description about what one might experience when going online for the first time. So difficult was it that Lori prayed for devine intervention from the cyb erdeities, which many of us can wholeheartedly admit to doing also. I will tell of my experience with the deity later.

Curtis Nakao listed some interesting palces to visit on the internet. Also included are places to get help. As new sudents to Cyberpsychology, many of us will need help on nume rous occasions.

Braden Kato's homepage comes complete with a cute disclaimer and a no-nonsense approach. Truly original!

Noteworthy Generation three Homepages

Denise Tanaka's Homepage was very well organized. There was no confusion as to the location of any desired file. It was right there to be seen.

Conrad Moreno's hompage took a long time to download, but was very worth it! The page was soothing,almost dreamlike. My only complaint is that due to the complexity the background, the text was very hard to read.

Darin Kawamoto's page covered the subject of excercise and nutrition, which will surely make it one of the more popular sites to visit, as people become more aware their own health.

Noteworthy Generation 3a Homepages

Rahnelle Ring'spage contains useful information on how to use the Yahoo Search Engine.

Dalybeth Kadala made a superb page, showing Hawaiian Petroglyphs. The reports were very well rounded.

The page by Grant Muranakawas chock full of fun artwork. It was also very well organized.

I can leave no message for the future generations, at least not yet, for I am still very new to this fronteir, but I will share my experiences thus far, perhaps this will encourage those who will surely encounter the same problems I have already faced.

The instructor once said that logging on for the first time is one of the most difficult things. I believe it. If I belonged to the religion of "cyberspace," I would be under the impression that the great "cyberdeity" did not want me to join the church. Why you may ask? Well, if I were to list all the problems I had logging on and getting and getting started in detail, it would fill the pages of a book the size of the GTE yellow pages...that would just be the preface.

I will share just a mere overview of the trials I have experienced, and let you imagine the rest for I am sure that you can relate with each to some extent.

I was elated when I managed to join the class. "At last! The computer would not only be used as a guilded wordprocessor!!" I thought gleefully.

It seemed simple enough, and I followed the instructions from Dr. James as if they were orders from the regal officer, to whom I was but a plebe. His knowledge seemed unfathomable to me, and I wanted a piece of that wisdom right away, so I quickly aquired a unix account and went home with the three installation disks.

Alas, one of the three diskettes had too many bad sectors and could not be loaded into my computer. Because I am also a student at Hawaii Pacific University, I could not come to the University of Hawaii to resolve the problem right away, I had to wait until the following week to do so.

As luck would have it, I was again given bad diskettes. Can lighting strike twice in the same place? Or do I have a lighting rod for a spine?! I stormed back to Keller Hall with my computer in hand, and after chewing the student workers out for using corrupted disks, installed the program on the spot before leaving.

It seemed to be smooth sailing until I requested a css account. That proved to be a very difficult task!

The person who was supposed to issue me an account was so elusive that I began to wonder if he was a ficticious character who hid on the albedoless side of the moon that never saw the light of the sun. Weeks went by, and though I kept up with my readings, they began to have less meaning, for I could not put them to practice.

A month went by, and still no css login account. My heart sank with each passing day, as I only found an empty e-mail box. I then contemplated hanging the goldbricking account issuer off the seventh floor balcony by his ankles, until he agreed to create my account. Then wondered if I could plead temporary insanity for the offense. If that did not acheive the desired effect, would electric shocks in the right places help(on his body, not mine!)?

Nearly seven weeks passed before I finally got enough intestinal fortitude to walk over to them and demand the account. I got one that afternoon. Unfortunately, the password would not work!! If I had gecko feet, I would have run up and down the walls of my studio apartment until the neighbors called the looney tunes van on me. Instead, I played Super Street Fighter II until I got tired and fell into a fitful sleep right under the television.

Yet another week passed, and all my e-mail went unanswered. I learned of a classmate who was facing the same problems. We went together to the office and stayed until our accounts were made. At last!!

It was a relief to finally get the account, yet at the same time it gave me a sinking feeling to think of the precious time lost waiting. Now I would have to work twice as hard to keep up with my peers. But I believe it can be done, albeit late.

Most went well henceforth, but it was nevertheless difficult to get online, for the lines at the University were always busy. To remedy the situation, I subscribed to another online provider, sure it costs an extra $15.51 every month, but it is worth it, believe me!! When you think of all the time wasted waiting to log in, the extra money you pay pays off.

I guess my message to the future generations is this never be discouraged, no matter the tribulations. Though what you endeavor may seem far away, never stop trying, win or lose, at least the best efforts were made. And that feels good, even if you don't earn an 'A.'

Let me know what you think, and how you have fared.

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