Still, I bet you can list off at least ten people you know who would never, ever pop up in an instant message to say "Hi". But those people will, one day, and probably very soon.

My Grandparents are that way. I am amazed that they got a cell phone, because they don't even have call waiting on their home phone. I personally can't stand thought of not being able to get through when someone is on phone. Call waiting is a must for me. So I can never imagine them operating a computer and I can never imagine them sending email. Something that is first thing I do in morning and last thing I do at night. And they have never sent one, never received one, and have no intention of doing so in near future. They have seen so much of technology become reality. Their resistance is very strong, but I know day will come. I have a friend like that to. She had a old computer given to her. She doesn't realize how much easier using computer would be if she got a newer one. Now, she has signed up with an ISP and pays less then $5 a month, which means she can only be online a total of five hours a month! I could use that up in my sleep!

How can they stand not giving in to what is now norm?? While internet isn't always what it is cracked up to be, today you just can not do without it. It is extremely useful and valuable to most people. Many are building their entire lives online.

The Proof Is In The Pudding --------------------------------------- You can chat, complain, listen to radio, read newspaper, shop, pay bills, participate in auctions, fall in love, make friends, make a living, make trouble, explore new worlds, translate other languages, teach your children, find old friends, send greeting cards, send instant messages, send email, get junk mail, file taxes, save money, invest, get ripped-off, get inspired, get support, get advice, get viruses, get mad, be entertained, become isolated, become a pest, become enlightened... all online.

This is not going to change. This is what makes up our world. We will only find more and more ways to lead a completely virtual life. Basically, when you get right down to it, Resistance is Futile.

It's not just a news broadcast. For instance, after running through news of day, today's program included features on Amtrak, a "faerie festival" in Glen Rock, PA, an interview with international financier George Soros, hotels and motels which have decided that advertising themselves as "American Owned" is a good business idea (I wonder if that's true and if it's something that can be extrapolated down to one of my home businesses?), and Cuban piano player Ramon Sosa. It's eclectic. And you never know when they will introduce you to something that makes sense for your business venture (like that "American owned" thing).

Morning Edition is ATC's "little sister," celebrating 20th anniversary of its debut this year. ME gives you same mix of news and features in morning. Hear them both (as well as other NPR programs) here:

http://www.npr.org

The World: When my British in-laws came to visit they were shocked at how provincial America's news coverage is, focused almost entirely on what is happening in United States.

There's a whole world out there, folks -- and Brits are used to getting news on all of it from incomparable BBC. Well, this radio show brings a little of that comprehensiveness to good ol' US of A.

Co-produced by "Auntie Beeb," radio station WGBH and Public Radio International, "The World" is a fascinating mix of news and in-depth reports on events cultural, political and economic... in *all* Earth's hemispheres. I especially enjoy their daily "Geography Quiz" (and am ashamed at how rarely I manage to come up with correct answer!)

If it all sounds a little dry -- trust me, it's not. Catch it here:

http://www.theworld.org

To Point: This is talk radio at its best. I remember watching host Warren Olney when he was a reporter at some of L.A.'s local TV news stations. But as TV news became more about ratings and less about substance, Olney retired from that medium and moved on to Southern California's largest public radio station, KCRW.

This show got its start as an in-depth look at conditions that led to violence that followed Rodney King verdicts in L.A. A master at handling calls from people with differing viewpoints, Olney has kept this program on air for 10 years, covering just about every issue of importance to residents of Southern California.

Olney has also been hosting this national version since October 2000, in which does same for "hot-button issues" that face U.S. as a whole.

http://www.moretothepoint.com/

As operators of home businesses, many of us tend to close ourselves off as we focus on needs of our families and our finances. While focus is good, it can result in a kind of tunnel vision that can prevent us from seeing that next big thing. Don't let that happen to you! If finding time to get out there, to read, and to learn is a problem, you can fill in gaps simply by turning on radio.