We are busy talking about and using the Internet, but how many of us know the history of the Internet?

Many people are surprised when they find that the Internet was set up in the 1960s. At that time, computers were large and expensive. Computer network didn’t work well. If one computer in the network broke down, then the whole network stopped. So a new network system had to be set up. It should be good enough to be used by many different computers. If part of the network was not working, information could be sent through another part. In this way computer network system would keep on working on the time.

At first the Internet was only used by the government, but in the early 1970s, universities, hospitals and banks were allowed to use it too. However, computers were still very expensive and the Internet was difficult to use. By the start of the 1990s, computers became cheaper and easier to use. Scientists had also developed software that made “surfing” in the Internet more convenient.

Today it is easy to get on-line and it is said that millions of people use the Internet every day. Sending e-mail is more and more popular among students.

The Internet has now become one of the most important parts of people’s life.

Ask ChatGPT to write a five-paragraph essay on the symbolism of “The Great Gatsby” and it will produce a response within seconds. Plug in an algebra equation (代数方程式) and it can solve it almost instantly and even explain its process.

That’s not all. The capabilities of the artificial intelligence chatbot tool, launched in November 2022 by San Francisco-based startup OpenAI are vast. It can fix spelling and grammar errors, give feedback on writing, write poems and songs, create lesson plans for teachers and much more. It does it all in human-sounding text and with high efficiency.

But its presence has received mixed responses. Due to the probability for plagiarism and cheating, New York City Public Schools, the largest school district in the U.S., announced in early January 2023 that it was banning ChatGPT across all district devices and networks. Educators are concerned the application will fundamentally change how writing is taught and will impact students’ abilities to craft ideas on their own.

Some, on the contrary, say they are excited about its potential to advance learning for some students and become a valuable tool in education. Those teachers are envisioning ways to adapt their teaching to incorporate it in their lessons. Kelly Gibson, an English teacher in rural Oregon, is having her students analyze essays written by ChatGPT and find ways that they can be improved.

“It’s definitely scary. I understand the desire to panic.” says Torrey Trust, associate professor of learning technology at the University of Massachusetts. “Teachers and students should see ChatGPT as a helpful tool, much like a calculator might be in math class, but it cannot do a teacher’s job. It’s there to help teachers reach their learning aims. Whether it’s ChatGPT or another technology down the road, AI isn’t going away and, if anything, is likely to be more of a part of classrooms.”

There are apps help people prepare disasters. Some tell users when a disaster has taken place, other disaster apps can be used when people need rescue or other help. Here are some such apps.

The free SirenGPS Mobile app connects users to emergency services at the touch of the screen. The app will let emergency workers know where the person in need is. The app works over cell networks, but it also works on Wi-Fi if cell networks are unavailable. Users can create a personal health report on the app to share with emergency services.

Guardly is an app that can help keep people safe in places such as companies and universities. This app allows workers and students to report about unsafe conditions, dangerous activities and more. Reports can be sent to an organization as well as government emergency services. The reporter's location can be sent with the report so that emergency services' help can arrive more quickly.

The Life360 app provides a service to keep loved ones connected. Users can set up a network of people to share their location, chat, and be reminded when they are near someone in their network. People in the same network can use the app on iPhone and Android devices. The app helps users communicate when they are in a disaster.

When a person is in a dangerous situation, the Red Panic Button app might help. This app can send a text message or an email to chosen contacts, providing the user’s location. You can also add a voice or video message and/or a photo to your text message or email. This app can also be used to contact emergency services.