Nowadays, an online search can provide information on just about anything, say on finding the best internet phone on the market.   But with so much information out there, how can one really get to the real deal?

To illustrate the point, let us go through a search engine exercise based on the keywords “best internet phone” using the 3 major search engines: Google, Yahoo, and Bing.   The search was conducted earlier today (March 3, 2010) and here are the results.

For Google (google.com), there were 149,000,000 entries for best internet phone data, with the following as the top 5 entries (websites or URLS for purposes of this exercise, and not including sponsored entries):
1. cell-phones.toptenreviews.com/multimedia/
2. www.phonerated.com/c-top-rated-best-american-internet-phones.php
3. reviews.cnet.com/best-cell-phones/
4. www.pcworld.com/…/is_an_internet_phone_right_for_you.html
5. www.galttech.com/…/internet…/best-internet-phone-service.php

For Yahoo (yahoo.com), out of 469,000,000 entries, ranked in the top 5 were:
1. www.bestinternetphone.com
2. bestinternetphone.org
3. bestbuy.com/site/Mobile-Phones-Office/VoIP/
4. answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091120035617AA6Kzve
5. amitbhawani.com/blog/best-internet-browsing-mobile-phones

At Bing (bing.com), the top 5 entries out of 169,000,000 entries were:
1. www.pcworld.com/article/115053/​internet_​phones_clear_​winners.html
2. www.slate.com/id/2121742
3. bestinternetphone.com
4. www.galttech.com/research/​internet-ecommerce/​best-internet-phone-service.php
5. www.pcworld.com/article/118734/is_an_​internet_​phone_right_for_​you.html

This search engine exercise will show the following basic points:
1. There are millions of possible sources of information online as well as offline, eg, books, product manuals, or conversations with other users.
2. The online search experience will vary depending on the search engine used and the criteria and algorithms adopted by the search engines. Also, note that there are other search engines aside from the major ones and one can also directly type in the name of a known website on the URL line (type in traffic) or go a bookmarked site.
3. The information will change from time to time as technology continues to advance.
4. The best internet phone performance, aside from the features of the phone itself, can also be impacted by the quality of the service provided by the internet phone service providers.

Of course, there is no substitute for actual internet phone experience, but hopefully this article is helpful in letting you find the best internet phone that is right for your needs.  Obviously, the best decisions in product selection come from being well-informed with the best information.

The acquisition of knowledge is a never-ending process of discovery.  Isn’t it wonderful when we learn how to use tech devices, including GPS (global positioning systems) and ipods, iphones, and ipads?   And how sweet it is when we can save in the cost of talking and staying connected with our loved ones using internet phones (where one can have a personal online number via internet telephony or voice over internet protocol or VOIP).   The internet has enabled and facilitated easier access to a vast array of information and wealth of knowledge.

Nurturing is essential to growth not just in physical aspect but even in terms of relationships.  For example, one of the factors for unsuccessful marriages, aside from financial reasons, is the “taken-for-granted” mentality.  Like growing plants, love requires regular watering and pampering.  Showering our loved ones both in mind and thru action leads to more inspired individuals who are ready to give their best and achieve their full-blown potential.

Some may complain that there is too much information out there.  But for me, the more the merrier, or rather the more the better. It is definitely easier to sift through the clutter rather than to start from scratch.  With the appropriate amount of nurturing, it is most likely that the fruits will be better than the tree.

In these hard times, appreciating simple joys and even going back to basics are some of the ways by which one can get by. The economic headwinds that the world seems to have experienced in 2008 and 2009 may have signaled a shift in the paradigm of modern living as we know it  and highlight the need to adapt in lifestyles and attitude consistent with the changing times.

Whatever the word one may use to describe - austerity, frugality, practicality, belt-tightening, “acute income deficiency syndrome”, or simply cash-starved state - the main point is one geared towards self-preservation yet still allowing for growth to occur. Some of the measures to take may include:
- shift to a more gas-efficient car or a cheaper mode of transport
- change in wardrobe or style
- availing of discounts such as those via coupons
- use of internet telephony via internet phones (eg, paying one low monthly fee to make unlimited calls to landlines , any time, any day with Skype)
- modifying other aspects of expense

Of course, there will be trade-offs. But then, back to basics via living on a budget and more importantly, within your means, is a much better alternative to entirely denying fundamental elements of nurturing the body and mind. With creative and positive thinking to back our activities, the task should be approached on a more doable level.

Our time is characteristically marked by new technology and modern machinery. Generally, our lives have generally changed for the better because of these advances. Yet there are moments when we need to pause and reassess if all of the great new stuff are worth having.

There are certain things that may be considered as priceless or paramount. One of these is the value of the process of nurturing.  For example, farmers know that a good harvest is usually to be expected when the necessary preparations (eg, harrowing the soil prior to sowing the seeds) and maintenance (eg, watering, applying fertilizers, etc) had been judiciously done. Of course, external factors like weather have also to be in alignment for successful outcomes.

And of course, nurturing is key to both physical and mental well-being. Regular dose of healthy living (diet and exercise) cannot be overemphasized. There is also the concept of “atrophy of disuse” so we have to flex, stretch , and bend those muscles!  Learning is a continuous  process of discovery, sometimes on a trial and error basis.   Isn’t it wonderful when we learn how to use new technology devices, including GPS  (global positioning systems), digital cameras, video camcorders, and other modern gadgets?  Notably, the cost of communication has gone down from before, thanks to internet phones and phone cards.  For example, ComFi phone cards provide lowest long distance rates around the globe.

The internet has provided us with easy access to all this wealth of knowledge. With proper utilization, the number of opportunities for nurturing and communications - as enhanced and amplified by information from the internet - should continue to rise each day.

So much has happened since the internet revolution came into our lives. However, the full benefits of the web, including internet phones, remain to be realized. Undeniably, the internet has opened the doors of the communication - to get people connected - across geographic boundaries and among peoples across nations.

Wherever one may be in the world - North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, or Antarctica - communications is vital to effective interaction. People talking, instead of fighting, over positions is good. Great ideas start from great minds but also need the input of others to percolate and eventually to translate into action with a critical mass to have a significant impact.

The potential for a better world is there.  It is up to all of us to make best use of the opportunities and tools and new technology that allow cheaper calls and more rapid exchange of ideas.  For example,  unlimited calls to landlines with Skype can be availed of.