The world just keeps getting smaller, eh?

It all started with a simple desire to let the world know your views and thoughts, and gradually grew into a socially-connected network of family, long lost friends and acquaintances.

I got introduced into the simplest form of social applications during my teens, by creating an online diary where all my rants and ravings will go on, and those who've stumbled onto that little blog of mine will leave comments. Interesting to say, having some anonymous interaction does encourage more entries, and thus I entered the world of social networking.

Time passed, and as the Internet grew, interesting applications started appearing which "enhanced communication and bridged gaps" between. When IRC was first introduced to us, it opened up a whole new world of instant messaging, file sharing and conversation opportunities. Many of us were hooked (Who could forget the constant nagging from our parents to get off the internet chat rooms?) Suddenly, the little shy boy could muster up his courage and actually hold a conversation with the school belle, albeit behind the monitor. Many relationships were formed, many were broken. IRC introduced a whole new playing field to us hormonal teenagers, where everyone is fair game behind the monitor screen.

Fast forward a couple of years ahead, and this little nifty application, Friendster appeared. Text-based networking was forced into the backseat. Friends, friends and more friends! From long-lost primary school friends to mere acquaintances, or even that cute chick you saw in school but never knew her name; now you can add her into your private network and actually see what's she's all about. Uploading of photos, testimonials from friends, and your life seems more interesting more of a sudden. Friendster took social networking and threw it a step further. You have friends bugging you for testimonials to show how much of a friend you are to them. You have friends posting photos and adding comments to show how much they enjoyed a particular activity. Everyday conversations in class had people gossiping about the new relationship the school belle is in. Surprisingly, those gifted in the looks department even had "friends" they don't even know of. The world definitely seemed so much smaller.

Instant messaging didn't make such an impact on me till 2005, when Windows Live Messenger started gaining ground. The early years of IRC and Friendster were enough for me to handle (or so i thought) and I did not see a need to install Live Messenger just to create another contact list with friends I'm already chatting with on IRC. Slowly, all my friends abandoned IRC and jumped onto the Messenger bandwagon, and so I went along. The impact did not hit me till my first overseas trip, where I grabbed every opportunity to log on and converse with my family and friends. Live Messenger was present in many internet terminals due to its ease of use and added functionality. Till today, I can't see a day passing by without logging on to drop a quick hello to my loved ones back home.

When Facebook came into the picture, many of us were reluctant to switch over too. Having to start creating your own personal network all over again suddenly seemed such a daunting task, with the carefully-managed network of probably a few hundred friends in Friendster, how was one to port over such a massive number of contacts? But still....

"Hey, I've just sent you a SuperPoke!" my buddy screamed over the phone. Huh? What's a SuperPoke? And I definitely didn't feel poking of any kind, much less the "Super" ones. Yup, I'd created a Facebook account just for curiosity's sake, and sad to say curiosity did kill the cat. Friendster was chucked aside, and Facebook was the "in" thing once again. Having the ability to add applications, increased interaction with your contacts just makes boredom so much easier to cope with. Irritating your friends during lunch breaks? Just poke them! Wanting to know how your friend is doing back home? Take a look at the pictures they posted up. Leave comments, tag them. The possibilities seemed endless. Everyday conversations and interaction can now be done in the comfort of your own room, coupled with the chance to check out cute chicks ala Friendster, what's there to miss about actually going out for once?

Music plays a big part in my life (who doesn't?). Checking out new bands, songs, hunting down that elusive soundtrack you heard during the movie advertisements, sharing songs with your friends, trying to impress that gal with your collection of indie material... When I just got started on the Internet, music sharing just seems like an individualistic activity. Downloading and uploading songs, that's it. No interaction or whatsoever with peers who share the same interests in the genres you are into. No discussions, no collective appreciation of music. Come LastFM. Sharing songs that you're currently listening to, having new songs which are similar, new bands to be discovered, and being able to find peers interested in the same genres, now that's networking! You are able to discover alot more music, bands through others, and others through you too. With music being the social glue that holds people together (in my opinion), you're no longer tied to aimless surfing to search for new (free) music.

Being in Australia only for less than a month, surprisingly I did not feel the familiar pangs of homesickness that usually accompanies me when I'm overseas. Constant interaction with my family through Live Messenger, being able to post up my whereabouts and doings on Facebook and being able to get connected with all my mates back home does help to stave off being homesick.

Yup, the world's definitely getting smaller.

ONG Chin Zhun
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