Studying for a degree with the Open University
My Ducati 900SL 
An insight into my various hobbies and spare time interests My use of the Internet.
I bought my first computer in 1995 (Viglen P133), and although it came with an internal modem, I didn't connect to the Internet until about a year later - despite the slow connection I was hooked when I finally logged-on and have used it regularly ever since. I went through the various modem speeds as they became available and now have a 1MB broadband connection.
As an Open University student I have watched online education evolve through innovative courses such as T171 'You, your computer and the net' and TT280 'Web Applications development', which are taught almost entirely online. I really enjoy learning and the Internet makes all kinds of subjects accessible.
As well as online education, I use the Internet for researching a variety of topics to do with my hobbies, publishing web pages, blogging (producing an online diary), and online shopping and price comparisons, etc.
Security considerations
Before using the Internet it's very important to have security in the form of a firewall and anti-virus software - this software must be updated regularly to give adequate protection. I use the following:
Zonelarm - Freeware basic firewall
Kaspersky - Open University supplied anti-virus software updated daily
Windows XP Home - always install critical security updates
Spybot - Freeware anti-spyware program
Adaware - Freeware anti-spyware program
Hijack this - Freeware anti-spyware program that checks for and removes unauthorised browser changes
Browsers
I have tried all the main browsers such as Internet Explorer, Netscape 7.1, Opera, Mozilla, and others, but I keep coming back to Internet Explorer as despite being MicroSoft, it does everything I want it to, and includes third party plug-ins for Goggle searches, spell checking, form filling, etc.
It's also important to clear your browser cache regularly - I use a freeware program called Internet sweeper
Adobe Acrobat can be speeded up considerably with a freeware utility called Adobe Speedup, that disables unused plugins.
Research
Information literacy is an important part of higher education, and other areas of modern life. Most people who use the Internet can do a basic search with a search engine, but information literacy is also about being aware of resources that are available and being able to do advanced searches, and then effectively process, evaluate, and cite the information found. I found Open University course U120 - 'Making sense of Information in the connected age', very useful for improving my information literacy.
I use software tools such as the Google deskbar, and WordWeb, a dictionary and thesaurus. Another useful tool is Visual thesaurus. Rather than Notepad, I use a freeware text editor called Editpad Lite, which is full of useful features, such as multiple open files using tabs.
Publishing web pages
I enjoy the technical aspects of web design such as coding HTML, designing pages bearing in mind accessibility, compatibility and useability issues, and I also very much enjoy being able to publish my own thoughts, notes, and information in the form of web pages. More information can be found on my Web Design page.
Blogging
Blogging is a quick and easy way to publish to the web in the form of an online journal or diary. I started blogging during U316 and intend to continue this year with a general blog.
Web conferencing
Conferencing allows people with similar interests to share information - the Open University uses the FirstClass conferencing system that has a huge range of conference topics such as course specific, hobbies or general interest.
Online shopping
I use the Internet for comparing prices and for getting reviews and feedback on items through sites such as PriceRunner, Kelkoo and Dealtime. It's surprising how much you can save on high street prices. For example, I recently bought a Sony DSC-P10 digital camera for £284.00 from Amazon, the same spec camera was over £100.00 more on the high street.