新视野大学英语视听说教程第一册 Unit 9 Task2: The Internet—A Small Town

　　The Internet is a global network, but in many ways it’s like a small town with similar services to offer. There are electronic post offices to send and receive e-mail, functioning somewhatmore efficiently than the Post Office we know. There are libraries of information that stay open 24 hours a day with millions of books and documents to browse or search through on the World Wide Web or WWW. You can also enjoy real-time text-based communication, using written or printed material to communicate with others immediately and almost “face to face”. Local coffee shops are seen in the guise of chat room, with people dropping by at all hours of the day and night to socialize. Online education and training is available just as it is in a “bricks and mortar” university or school. Online banking offers you all the services available at your local bank, without fearing to be mugged at an ATM. You can buy almost anything, listen to your local radio station or do your grocery shopping. Indeed, the Internet is your town in a box!