SURF’S UP

Foreword

People believe that I am the first Internet user in India. About ten years ago, when India did not have her own service providers, like VSNL and MTNL, I used the services of E-World to log on to the net. From that moment on, I knew that this was a technology that was going to make waves in the communications and corporate world. At that time I used to log on to the net to chat with fellow netizens in chat rooms that were especially created for Indians to come and share their views on any subject under the sun. Bharat Varsh, one such chat room had Indians from all over the world coming together every week to discuss what was closest to their hearts. I yet remember the time when I had spent hours on this chat room sharing my views on the astonishing phenomenon of the Ganpati drinking milk. And of course, I will never forget the last moments I had spent with my friends from across the globe when E-World closed down. These were people whom I had never met in my life, but with whom I shared a special bond. It was truly a nostalgic moment as we bid each other good-bye, hoping to meet once again in cyber space. The Internet had proved that there can be no barriers to communication.

One striking incident that made me love the Internet even more was when I was able to get in touch with my childhood friend from yester years. I was so overjoyed at receiving his mail after a gap of 55 years. We had been separated during the partition of India only to be reunited in cyber space. I am in India and he is in Pakistan, yet we share an everlasting friendship. And none of this would have been possible if it was not for the Internet technology. Yes, I can say that the Internet is responsible for proving to me that friendships can survive distance and time. This is what I adore the most about the net. It bridges the gap between people. The world was already a small place. It has shrunk even further thanks to the introduction of the Internet. There is no limit to communication on the net. We started with simple email messages, progressed to attachments and chat modules and now have facilities to send voice mails and video clippings.

Another facet about the Internet that catches my attention is the astounding amount of information available. There is so much knowledge available on the net that we need not look any further. I myself use the net to access information about health care and cures. And I firmly believe that each individual should be provided access to this wealth of knowledge. India never had a computer culture like the one that was prevalent in America. But we are slowly catching on. The net is evolving at the speed of lightening and it is time that every person, especially every Indian take advantage of this vast technology. I am extremely happy that Vijay, Sejal and Shanta have written this book. It is a step toward making those who are skeptical of using the net, shed their inhibitions and just log on! Infact, I firmly believe that this book should be on the academic curriculum of every school in India. It will provide children with the exposure to a multi- dimensional technology at a young age. If I, at this later stage of my life, can find the net so useful, I can only imagine the boundless utility it can provide to the young and the enthusiastic.

I am a Mac man. I don't understand computer languages like C, C++ and Java. Yet I am an Internet freak. And yet I get along so infamously well with a PC user like Vijay Mukhi. I admire him for his teaching qualities. And I am glad that he is imparting so much precious knowledge to eager students. We both share a love for the net and this has made it possible for us to be such great friends. I am immensely happy to be associated with this book. I know that the efforts of Vijay, Sejal and Shanta will pay off. I am confident that their book will help millions of Indians to start using the net. However, I must add that even as we use the net, we must be careful not to abuse it. The Internet is a technology that must be used wisely. And this book will show you how.

- Shammi Kapoor