Remember the days of posting photos via airmail, waiting for your aunt in England to call for a few minutes and corresponding via letters?

Thanks to the wonders of the internet, finding your distant friends and family these days is a simple Facebook search or email address away.

In much the same way that television revolutionised the way we receive information, the internet has revolutionised the way we communicate, particularly in the area of social networking.

It has given us a new way to meet people, who we would never have ordinarily met — from the guys on the motoring forum who share your exact interests to The One on a dating site. The possibilities are endless... and weird.

Are you inflicted with the scourge known as Herpes? Then www.h-date.com is for you — yes, a site dedicated to finding those with the same STD as you. For people looking for something a little more middle-of-the-road, www.freshmeet.co.za is the ideal place to start.

The wonders of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace mean that corresponding with your loved one (or not-so-loved-one) is a log-in away. Want to show your 21st pictures to the world? A few clicks in Facebook and it's done.

Facebook also highlighted another interesting social dynamic: the status update.

Many of us have taken to writing and reading status updates. From the wannabe goth's depressing soliloquy, to the friend bragging about his latest conquest, status updates open new windows into the lives of friends and family. But sometimes Facebook and MySpace just don't cut it when you want to share something with the world...

Diddit is another innovative social networking site that is rapidly gaining popularity. Ever wanted to brag about that bungee-jump experience? Diddit allows you to virtually tick it off — in other words, boast!

A different way to connect

Another ingenious invention is voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP). This allows one to make phone calls using the internet for a fraction of the cost of a normal call, meaning that the days of expensive calls are numbered.

Webcams aren't new to the online scene but are no less a wonder. From your voyeuristic exploits to chatting to family and friends on www.stickam.com, webcams give people the ability to enjoy an intimacy that voice chat can't provide.

Do you remember the days of playing videogames with your buddy in the same room? The internet has changed the way we have fun too. While not readily available in South Africa, for the most part, playing online is one of the most refreshing experiences in the world. But be warned: you'll probably encounter a few morons along the way, such as one guy I met from mid-western USA who asked whether South Africa even had Xbox 360s.

Taking online games to the next level, virtual worlds have become all-consuming, with Second Life and World of Warcraft becoming inextricably connected to real-life. Well, sort of.

Second Life's virtual currency, the Linden dollar, is exchangeable for real-life money and one can use it to buy property within the game. But with the benefits of real life, come the vices — Britain David Pollard's affair on Second Life resulted in his wife, Amy Taylor, divorcing him in real life.

» How safe is it, really? Page 2...