VeriSign asked in a contests called How Do You .com they're sponsoring, what role has .com played in your life? I decided to take a crack at it and hopefully earn $10,000 for my efforts (which will undoubtedly go straight to Emory University). Here's my story and video:

My Internet Evolution

I had a pretty big playground growing up. It all started with a dial-up modem and command-line interface email before there was spam. My virtual playground soon got new toys. On a family trip to Chicago I was handed one of those infamous 1025-hour trial America Online CDs. 1025 hours later, I was hooked. It was a new era for me of “you’ve got mail!” and a buddy list full of complete strangers I met in chat rooms. My dad set parental controls. I quickly bypassed them– anybody who stood in the way of me and my playground was a tyrant.

When high-speed Internet arrived, it brought with it efficiency and avid impatience. No more bleeps and waiting. Just seemingly instant access to my unconventional “textbook.” I signed up for a Yahoo! email account. I started creating websites with Geocities. I googled anything I wanted to know. The Web was rich in information and information was my currency.

As the Internet evolved, I evolved. The playground I once loved was no longer just a playground. It was my workshop and laboratory. I bought “Web Pages for Dummies,” but how could a book that probably took years to write and publish possibly be relevant? The Internet was changing so I learned everything on the Internet. I experimented with code and learned from my thousands of teachers.

The Internet taught me how to learn and it gave me the best gift ever: my own web design business. Since I founded my business three years ago I’ve helped over 20 charities, schools, and small businesses realize their potential. My business helps me pay for college and lower my student loans. And the best part? I can reach clients and work wherever in the world my adventures take me.