3rd May 2008 will be observed as a “Shutdown Day 2008” as per the Canadian non profit organization. This would be the 2nd such day since it was started a year back in 2007. They are estimating millions of people all over the world to shutdown their computers to support for the cause of bringing in a change in people to think about how their lives have changed with the increasing use of the home computer, and whether or not any good things are being lost because of this.
This is the purpose statement as per the organizers of the event:
“Shutdown Day was founded with the sole purpose of spreading awareness about the pitfalls and dangers that lie in the excessive use of television, computers, and computing equipment like game boxes, cell phones, music players, online social websites, etc. Our main purpose is to get people to think about how their lives have changed with the increasing use of the computer, and whether or not any good things are being lost because of this.
Shutdown Day calls people to shut down their computers for one whole day of the year and involve themselves in some other activities: outdoors, nature, sports, fun stuff with friends and family – whatever, just to remind themselves that there still exists an enjoyable world outside one’s monitor screen.”
All is well said. I certainly support this. However, some of the things on this site make me raise my eye brows ;). To point to a few – the way they have designed their registration form is a bit too confusing. People who are not so well versed with Internet and Phishing might put their valid mail address with actual password! This could be havoc. It just doesn’t end there, it goes on to ask you to key in the country and city info. That too all this info is *REQUIRED* fields to register. I am not questioning the integrity of Shutdown day organiation as such, but it is always good to be in our own precaution. Be careful while you sign up for this. As the golden saying goes… Prevention is better than cure.
May be I am a bit paranoia about the whole concept… what do you think?
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