Knowing your way about the Net does not tell a lot about you. Not as much as how you spend your time online does.

What you do on the Net is what you really are. So pick one…

The Netizen

He doesn't just hop from site to site but becomes a part of online communities. Akin to actual neighbourhoods, these may be interactive sites that offer discussion forums and chat rooms, among other services, to a whole community of users who frequent the site on a daily basis. Communities could be formed on the lines of…

• Sport; where people keep each other informed on the latest scores and guess as to who will win a tournament.
  
• Music; where people link to their favourite sites on the Net, trade songs online and discuss pop stars.
  
• Religion; where spiritual advice is sought and given, online prayers are conducted and people can access video clips of sermons, Bible teachings, etc.
  
• Uncommon interests/pastimes (No matter how vague or unusual your interest, you will find others who share it and the Internet is the easiest place to find them).
  
• Web sites of actual cities. (There are quite a few Indian cities that have their very own community portals giving their residents access to phone numbers, yellow pages, goods and services.)
  
• Family name sites; The Iyers have their own community site. There are many more such sites.
  

What this tells you: The Netizen is a gregarious guy who loves being in the company of those he identifies with. The proverb 'Birds of a feather flock together' was coined keeping him in mind. Always sociable, he takes a great interest in happenings involving his community and strives hard to preserve and promote his passion.

The Gamer

He has a competitive streak and will try his luck against any opponent at a multi-gamer site, or pit his wits against the computer. He loves surpassing his own previous scores and those of his friends. He delights in reaching gaming levels he hadn't reached before. Not infrequently, he is so enthralled that he forgets to have his meals. If he does surf a bit, it's mainly to get tips on improving his gaming skills.

What this tells you: The Gamer yearns for a mixture of fun and competition. He is goal oriented, and will do what it takes to keepNapster abreast of situations and get ahead of his rivals. Since he is so bent on success, at times, he can be a sore loser.

The Music Buff

While many surfers listen to music as they browse, this girl comes online with the sole purpose of downloading music. Her favourites list is full of sites offering the best music, and she has very definite views in favour of Napster. She even records CDs for sale. But if you ask her whether such activities negatively affect the artists, don't be too surprised if she turns up the volume and drowns out your query.

What this tells you: She is young at heart. She probably graduated recently and got a job in a company with a fast Internet connection. She spends most of her time downloading music to liven up an otherwise routine job. She may also go through mood swings and needs to listen to different kinds of music accordingly. As her CD collection cannot cater to such an array of emotions, she turns to the Net, which more than meets her demand. She's also taken up by the thrill of getting something without paying for it.

The Chatter

He can go without food and water but not without an instant messenger. At any given time you are likely to find him logged on to Yahoo!, MSN and Rediff Bol simultaneously, while also offering his tuppence worth in a public chat room. While his online contacts are many, he probably hasn't met most of them in person and relies on usernames liberally sprinkled with 'hot', 'jock', 'stud' and 'cool' to draw other chatters to him. He may not be very sociable or may lack in confidence while expressing himself in person. However, in a chat room, he is able to get his point across.

What this tells you: He is a slightly shy, soft-spoken individual whose voice may often get drowned out in a group conversation. However, though he is perceived as quiet, he has a lot to say. He therefore yearns to make himself heard and seeks out ways to do so.

The Email Addict

For her the best thing about the Internet is email. She has accounts with all major email providers and subscribes to around 43 humour newsletters. Emma has an exhaustive list of email buddies to whom she regularly forwards jokes, poems, quotes and yes… even chain letters. She uses email to correspond not just with relatives half way around the world but also with her next-door neighbour.

What this tells you: Here is someone who loves to keep in touch! If she's your friend you can be sure that the relationship will not fizzle away, no matter how far apart you people are. In fact, she is probably still in contact with her kindergarten classmates.

The Info Seeker

This person is of a studious nature. She's always interested in the whys and the wherefores, and if asked to name the best thing about the Internet, she'll be sure to say, "You can find information on anything and everything under the Sun."

Not for her the sites with pictures of the latest film stars. She'd rather mine data. She uses the Web as a potent tool for research on her projects and thesis and knows its intricacies like the back of her hand.

What this tells you: She has a healthy curiosity. Even as a child, she probably set aside her Barbie dolls and chose to play with clocks, eggbeaters and other gadgets, opening them up to 'see how they work'. She isn't content with how things appear on the surface but wants to examine everything thoroughly. It is because of people like her that there are constant inventions and innovations.

The Job Seeker

Job sites interest him most. Even when he is employed, he spends most of his time uploading and updating his profile and resume on as many job sites as he can find. And even taking the bold step of forwarding his resume, unsolicited, to many Web sites through their 'contact us' link.

Sometimes he's met with success. Most often, not. Other than job sites, he also browses the Web for tips on interviews and grooming and takes a lot of online IQ tests.

What this tells you: 'Career-oriented' is the term that best sums him up. He is ambitious and has his priorities clearly defined. Joe's not complacent: He knows he wants to climb higher and will do what it takes to get there.

The Money-Maker

Typically a homemaker, her husband has recently subscribed to a high-speed fibre-optic connection. She's enthralled by the classifieds that invite her to make money while she surfs and 'get paid for reading email' and decides to try it out.

What this tells you: She is an average homemaker who's looking to do something new and also contribute to the family income. Technology keeps on developing, and she does her bit to stay informed.