One of the things that I really like about the Internet is its ability to bridge people and make them feel like every person, regardless of where he’s residing, is just a few inches away.

The Webcam is a marvelous complement to the PC. It puts a face behind the sea of text messages that we receive from somebody in Internet Relay Chats or Instant Messengers. It has also curbed fraud in the chat rooms. I guess some of you already have experienced meeting people from the Internet that didn’t exactly match the self-description that they’ve given before you met.

Unfortunately for many workers, it has extended their working hours and the four corners of their offices. Before Web cams became staples, office tasks came to a halt when the boss leaves for a business trip. Nowadays, managers and executives make their presence felt in the office even if they’re hundreds of miles away therefrom. I guess it’s safe to say that the Web cam isn’t that too popular in the office.

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I thought I’ve outgrown my propensity to be absorbed in online chats. Back in my high school days, I was severely addicted to it. Many of us who got hooked on it can’t be totally blamed for spending half of our day chatting with somebody who we don’t even know.

The lure or thought of being able to talk with somebody who’s halfway across the globe is understandingly exciting. For those whose social circle just extends to the radius of the classroom, being able to extend it to Moscow or Sydney is a very thrilling prospect.

IRCs and IMs are not that wonderful when misused, though. Many frauds have already been committed in the chat rooms. There are some who even lost their lives by trusting the face behind the chat nickname. As with all things, be very careful when being drawn to somebody who you just met online. Be very wary on the claims that he’s making. Be also skeptical when he’s sending you something on your e-mail, especially if the attachment is dubious. Have the file scanned. While you’re on it, have him checked, too.

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