The Web evolves and its innovations often change the world. If you are not paying attention, you can be left out in the cold, unable to experience the bounty these changes can bring. For example, one
day eBay and PayPal change the small retailers' business model - worldwide and forever - then a few months later, scams, security lapses and corporate ambivalence turn these once cool trend-makers into risky places. That's the point about the Web - it represents big change, fast.
Internet junkies know this, but they are in the extreme minority. Most Mac users I deal with on a day-to-day basis are happy to check their e-mail once in a while and create the occasional school or work document. Exploring the internet and the incredible future it promises serves no purpose because they just don't know what it all means or how to glean their share of the power from this wonder-filled gift. But it's simple. It's all about sharing, expanding horizons, truth and bargains. What's not to like?
Mac users with relatively new machines have all the tools they need to take them to the next level of Web utilisation. Often, all they need is a basic explanation of what the technology is and what it does, or more specifically, what it will do for them. Instant messaging (IM) is the first step. In its most basic form it is an instant, direct, communication tool. Your chat application window on your desktop contains a list of all your friends and tells you which of your friends are available to converse with. If you type into that window, the selected buddies will be able to read what you have typed immediately and respond as they read.
What you need to be able to use this technology is an instant-messaging client such as iChat (free on all newer Macs), an instant-messaging account that will host your IM address (.Mac - as in, dot Mac - is one such provider) and the IM addresses of all of your friends. Don't worry if you have only
one or two IM buddies in the beginning; you'll soon have many more. According to Net know-it-all Wikipedia, there are more than 225 million active instant messengers worldwide.