U3 - stronger together: How we have been changed by the Internet团结起来力量大

STRONGERTOGETHER:

HOW WE HAVE BEENCHANGED

BY THE INTERNET

团结起来力量大：互联网如何改变了我们

Muchhas been written about the wonders of the World Wide Web. There are countlessarticles telling us how the Internet has made our lives more convenient. We nolonger have to wait in line or carry cash around when we go shopping. We canget the most updated information from large databases. We can downloadsoftware, documents, and images whenever we need them. But the Internet hasdone much more for people than simply make life more convenient. People’s liveshave been changed by online communities and social networks.

关于万维网奇妙之处的著述瀚如烟海。讲述互联网如何使我们的生活更加方便的文章数不胜数。当我们去购物时，我们不再需要排队或随身携带现金。我们可以从大型数据库获得最新的信息。我们可以随时下载软件、文档和图片。然而，互联网为人们做的事情还很多，并不仅仅是让生活更加便利。在线社区和社交网络改变了人们的生活。

JanTchamani, an English teacher in Birmingham, UK, suddenly developed a seriousillness and had to quit her job. At age 50, she found herself out of work andstuck at home with only her computer to keep her company. After a while, shediscovered that surfing the Internet could help her feel less lonely and bored.She could listen to music, watch films, play games, and explore the world. Shealso joined an online group where she could talk about her problems and getsupport and advice from others. She realised that one of the greatest benefitsof the Internet was its ability to remove the distance that usually existsbetween people.

英国伯明翰的一位英语教师简·夏曼尼突然身患重病，被迫辞职。50岁时，她发现自己失业了，困在家里，只有电脑相伴。过了一段时间，她发现上网可以帮助她减轻孤独和无聊。她可以听音乐、看电影、玩游戏和探索世界。她还加入了一个在线群组，在群里她可以谈论自己的问题，并获得他人的支持和建议。她意识到互联网的最大好处之一就是能够消除通常存在于人与人之间的距离感。

Shewas so inspired by the people she met online that she decided to start an ITclub to teach older people how to use computers and the Internet. She and herfriends now organise events and collect money to pay for private teachers. Manypeople have been helped by the club. A 59-year-old man learnt how to apply forwork online and found a great job. Now that he works and can take care ofhimself, his daughter has time to study at university. A 61-year-old woman whowas living alone has started a small online company together with two friends.She no longer feels lonely, and her company has become quite successful.

网友给了她很大的启发，她决定成立一个IT俱乐部来教老年人如何使用电脑和互联网。如今，她和朋友们一起组织活动，并募集资金来支付私人教师的工资。许多人得到了俱乐部的帮助。一名59岁的男子学会了如何在线申请工作，并找到了一份不错的工作。现在他工作了，而且可以照顾好自己，他的女儿就有时间上大学了。一位61岁独居妇女与两个朋友一起创办了一家小型网络公司。她不再感到孤独，她的公司也相当成功。

Janhas started taking online classes to learn more about how to use the Internetto make society better. She believes that it is highly important to bridge thedigital divide and make sure that everyone has access to the Internet and knowshow to use new technology. Her next goal is to start a charity website to raisemoney for children in poor countries.

简开始参加网络课程，更多地学习关于如何利用互联网让社会变得更加美好。她认为，消除数字鸿沟、确保每个人都能使用互联网并知道如何运用新技术是非常重要的。她的下一个目标是建立一个慈善网站，为贫穷国家的儿童募集资金。

Jan’slife has been greatly improved by the Internet. “When you go through toughtimes, you meet others who are facing similar challenges,” Jan says. “Thinkingabout other people’s situations inspired me to offer help.”

互联网极大地改善了简的生活。“当你身处逆境时，你会遇到面临相似挑战的人”简说道，“想到别人的处境，我就会受到激励，伸出援助之手。”