Situation 22:

The Internet

(Charles and his friend Kristina are

back in the dorm room using the internet.)

Kristina,do you usually use Netscape Navigatoror Internet Explorer

when you surf the web?

Charles,I don’t know anything about computers,

that’s why I’m here to learn from you.

Oh,right.Well,personally,I only use

Netscape.It’s the best and besides I don’t like

using anything from Microsoft.

Charles,let’s start at the beginning.

What on earth does "surfing the web" mean

I forgot,you really are a beginner."Surfing the web"means

exploring the world wide web.

That’s nice.And what,may I ask,is the world wide web?

That’s just like saying the internet.

Okay.That’s not so difficult to understand.

No,it isn’t.You’ll understand

all this in no time.

I sure hope so.Not knowing about

the internet makes me feel so premodern.

Well,the internet will have you feeling postmodern.

At this point I’d be happy with just plain modern.

I think we can do that.Here,let’s go to my home page.

Um,I don’t want to sound dumb,but what’s a home page?

Don’t worry about it,and don’t ask

so many questions.Just listen,watch,and

learn.Soon you will understand everything.

Is it really that easy?

Yes.I’m telling you,all you

have to do is be able to readand push buttons.

There is nothing more to it.

That much I think even I can do.

I’m sure you can.