A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle. -Kahlil Gibran

By Marcus Isom

E-mail and the Internet is no longer just an alternate tool used mainly by businesses. It is a standard form of communication throughout many households. Business formerly done by phone, pen, and paper is quickly being replaced by the keyboard and mouse.

Some individuals resist using electronic communications. Here are some common misconceptions I’ve noticed:

It’s toooooo difficult to learn how to use a computer and the Internet.

This is no longer the case. Computers and e-mail have come a long way since the days of black screens with green text, and they’re now about as complicated as learning how to drive – perhaps even easier. Check with community colleges, youth and senior centers in your community; many offer basic computer courses.

Two words : Security Risk

Just be careful. Like driving on a crowded highway or through a school zone, there are “rules of the road” to be learned and followed with e-mail and web-surfing. For example, don’t give out your credit card information or social security number through e-mail. It is safe, however, to give out your credit card number to online stores with secure servers.

Computers are too expensive!

A decent basic computer system that can provide for most people’s electronic needs can often cost from $200-500.

Electronic communication is where everything is headed nowadays, and it’s starting to become difficult to receive paper invoices and consultation. In fact, postal mail is becoming a novelty. Newer forms of social networking, such as Twitter and Facebook, are now the norm.

The sooner one can learn how to make good use of e-mail and other tools we have now, the less of a struggle it will be in the near future, when social networking technology becomes the standard.

Marcus Isom is the warehouse office assistant of Larry Filato, and is part of the WinePress Fulfillment Team. His job primarily consists of taking and processing book orders, maintaining warehousing records, and ensuring that bookstores, distributors, authors, and customers receive their books in a timely manner. Marcus also helps to move inventory, processes book returns, and keeps things tidy.