My head is spinning with all the methods of networking in cyberspace. First, I was so pleased to have discovered MySpace. I've particularly enjoyed re-connecting with friends I made on a Compassion sponsor trip to the Dominican Republic. It took me a while to understand how to make my page look decent, but I finally figured out how to use the automatic themes. I still don't know where others are coming up with their beautiful pages. But I do have to admit - most of my networking problems have only been resolved after begging help from a new techie friend of mine (whose name will not be linked to this site; he's already had too many SOS calls from me!).
Next, I discovered blogs. For a person who loves to write, as well as to read what others are writing, it's a goldmine! I learned that I could create my own website and add posts to it periodically each week. Then I learned that I could also link my readers to other people's blogs that I especially enjoy reading, such as Rocks in My Dryer, which recently posted some helpful tips for new bloggers. A month ago, I knew nothing about creating hyperlinks, and now I can direct you to zany photos of members of my family, or to beautiful photos of children in need of sponsors I also learned about RSS Feeds. With a simple click of the mouse, I added Compassion Dave's blog - Compassion + Jesus - to my feeds, and now I can immediately see when he has updated his blog or written a new post. It's right there near my in-box. I also set up a feed for another of my favorites - Compassion International's blog. Contributors from offices and projects all over the world have been writing these posts, and they're wonderful! I have been so touched by these words of passion and conviction!
To better understand blogging and websites, I picked up several books to read regarding html, Wordpress, Office 2007 & 2008, and Macbooks. Yes, I know I can learn all these things online, such as through the (free) Mactopia courses website, but sometimes I prefer a book in my hands.
If that wasn't enough, I also learned about that ever-popular, and socially intriguing Facebook website. Having been a piano accompanist in our schools for several years, it's been fun to re-connect with kids that graduated nearly 20 years ago. I can even click in to see recent photos of their adventures, often viewing entire families I've never seen before. Through Facebook, I can play games with my daughter, share music with our sons, talk to kids around the world that have lived in our home on exchanges, and make new friends.
It didn't take me long to discover networking Groups, and to create one of my own - the "Compassion International Sponsors" group. It's amazing to see people log in to this site from far-away countries. Some have admitted knowing my name through the Advocate's Network. Others have been friends of friends. Also, I love seeing what my favorite musicians are doing - where they will perform next, what their new releases are and who their family members are.
I wonder what is coming next? Yes, I've already joined Twitter, Del.icio.us and Flickr. But there's still so much more I can learn - and I guess it all goes to prove that you really can teach an old dog new tricks!