Over the years I have become so dependent on the internet for work-related tasks that I think it is at a point now where I would be useless without it. In the old days you would buy a software package and it would come with a 500 page book. You would safeguard that book and treat it as gospel. If it wasn't in the book then you could always resort to the 1-800 number.

By now, most vendors will include some type of electronic help files that will get your through the most common problems. However, as you move up the corporate ladder and become a level 2 or level 3 support person your solutions typically are not going to be found in the help file anymore. Therefore, over time you learn how to google.

Hopefully, at some point in your career you will start producing more answers than questions. You will be considered the subject matter expert at project meetings and the "go to guy" in the company. When that happens you really should make a concious effort to give back to the community. Start blogging and replying to forum posts to help out the next wave of IT people in thier career. I do not by any means claim to be a know it all. I have a lot to learn, but I have accrued enough experience to help out others who are less experienced. I don't know if I have enough patience to be a teacher (yet), but for now my goal is to become more active in the IT community. One of the ways I try to reach out to others is through writing articles for codeproject.com. So far I have written a total of 9 articles. The most recent one was published today and is titled "How to build an asteroids inspired Silverlight game". Please take a look if you get a chance and by all means drop me a line if you have any comments or questions.