How do you use the Internet?

It would appear that I use the internet differently to most people.

1. I don’t want to lead large groups of people.
I prefer to be part of the group, get involved with the machinations and converse with the crowds.

Yes, I am the leader of the Adelaide/SA Photographers on Redbubble. It is merely a title, and gives me no financial reward. I basically keep the group submissions to the calibre we want to display to the world. We are not a happy-snap group, we display images that show Adelaide and South Australia in best light.

2. I don’t aim to make quadrillions of dollars from the internet. I do upload graphics and photographs that I sell occasionally, but I don’t expect the internet sales to jump through the roof so I can quit my day job. That might be a dream, but I am neither so egotistical nor naive enough to believe that is possible. Instead, I use the internet as an one very large online gallery. So far, it’s working.

3. I don’t connect with just anyone. I am not going to connect with you just because your popularity is determined by the followers you have swarming all over your profile. Unless I actually find your content to be interesting. Yes, I do connect with a lot of interesting people who have reached that interesting online status of ‘Guru’, ‘Pro’ and ‘Venerable’. But when we first connected, they were just regular Joe’s like me. They ran with the concept of using the internet to increase their net worth. It’s a grand scheme if you can keep up the pace.

So that is the do-not’s. There’s probably a few more, but those were the few that jumped out of my head after perusing a few other sites.

Here is my always-do list:

1. I always find time to talk. Even if it is belated. On twitter I sometimes respond with ‘Belated response : …’. I figure it’s polite to be honest. I also figure that a late response is better than no response. But I try to only respond to questions, not pithy responses or ego-aimed praise. Praise is nice, and admiration is OK, but an honest critique wins every day of the week.

2. I do a lot of reading. Mostly using Bloglines (an RSS reader). Not as much as I used to — we all change direction, evolve and sometimes take completely new paths. I’ve certainly done that. My reading matter includes web-design, photography, self-improvement and a smattering of philosophical stuff. For many, it makes no sense. For me, it’s the closest I have to surrounding myself with people with mutual interests.

3. I enjoy getting hooked on a site for a few months at a time. My longest addiction is Redbubble, which is now just over 3 years! I pray they neither sell-out nor collapse, as I plan to be with them for the long-haul, even if I was to never sell anything. Great people, both on the site and in the office. I’ve met a few, yet have to go Melbourne again soon, if only to meet Peter Styles. Great guy. Not just saying that, I mean it.

That’s my use of the internet. Whilst I’d love to make money from my blogs via advertising space (and I could), I’m not focusing on that at the moment. I have a bunch of emails asking me to take the next step, but I’m letting that option/idea slide a little longer. It’s not procrastination, it’s finding sufficient time to actually sit down and redesign aspects to enable it all sit aesthetically. I’m all for well-placed advertising that doesn’t take over a site.

That’s me in a nut shell. Oh, before I forget, and because I couldn’t NOT advertise myself: Check out my previous article. Someone other than me has to buy a PacMan shirt! !