The challenges of Internet

Internet fever is at present engulfing the world. Old and young, scientists, businessmen and journalists, with serious intentions or merely for amusement, are spending hours sitting in front of computers linked to this global network.

The fruits that are reaped differ from person to person, depending on the intent and purpose involved. Users whose interests are focused and who are aware of the advantages of accessing this network can get the information they want. Their knowledge will increase, their vision will expand -- in short, they will reap something which will increase their competitiveness. Those who use it without focus, on the other hand, will feel swamped by the flood of information the use of which is not clear to them.

On the basis of all this, some observers have suggested that the present era could best be referred to as the "era of information management", and no longer merely the "era of information". At present, all kinds of information is available all around us. And unless we have the capability to manage the different types we will be swept by the torrent of information and the time that we spend will be wasted.

The era of internet, the age of the information rush, is already upon us. The opportunities it offers are tremendous. But it depends on each of us whether we perceive this as no more than a sign of the times or whether we can use it to the fullest to improve the quality of life of our citizens. In this context, a wise attitude for us to take would be not forthwith to emphasize the negative aspects of the trend, but instead to develop a common culture that would enable us to travel on this information superhighway in order to benefit from its productive impacts as well as to improve the competitive standing of our society.

-- Kompas, Jakarta