I was on the Internet for two hours last night.

• What's the Internet? It's a worldwide series of interconnected computer networks which is accessible to the public.
• When we talk about activities related to the Internet we always say on the...
• Where's Jim? He's on the Internet. (He's using the Internet.)
• I found it on the Internet.
• I always read the news on the Internet.
• I study English on the Internet.

This sentence is an example of computers, technology.

I need to upgrade from dial-up to a broadband connection.

To upgrade. Think of up + grade (level.) to upgrade is to go up to a higher level, to improve. If you upgraded your computer you might sell your slow, old one and buy a new iMac, for example. Dial-up. The old fashioned type of Internet connection which uses a modem and a telephone line - typically a very slow connection. Broadband. A more modern type of connection to the Internet which is much faster than dial-up. (broad means wide.) This sentence is an example of computers, technology.

These days I generally text people rather than make phone calls.

• To text. This is a very English phenomenon.
• Text is really a noun - a text is something you read.
• However, the English language is quite versatile and often nouns are just turned into verbs.
• That's what happened here.
• To text someone means to send a text (written)message to that person's mobile phone.
• e.g. He just texted me.
• I'll text him.

This sentence is an example of telephones, technology.

Jim's mobile must be switched off. I just got his voice mail.

• Mobile = mobile phone - the phone you carry in your pocket.
• Voice mail. This means answering machine.
• I got his voice mail. This means that he didn't answer and I listened to his recorded message.
• Switched off. The power is off.

This sentence is an example of telephones, technology.

I spend loads of time chatting on MSN.

• To spend time: this means to pass time. E.g. I work from 9.00 to 5.00. I spend eight hours at work.
• Spend loads of time… loads of is a colloquial, informal way of saying lots of time.
• To chat means to talk (informally / casually) with someone.
• Chatting. There are lots of different 'chat rooms' on the Internet where you can 'talk' to people (that is, chat with people) by typing messages to them.
• MSN provides just one chat-room service out of many.

I'm going to upload some photos to my website.

• Upload. This is the opposite of download.
• You download (take) files etc. from a website and put them on your computer.
• You upload files from your computer and put them on a website.
• Website? Our website is www.linguagum.com

This sentence is an example of computers, technology.

I've just downloaded a new ring tone for my mobile phone.

:

• To download. This means to take something from the Internet (a document, a song, a photo) and install it (put it / save it) on your computer / phone.
• Ring tone. The noise your mobile phone makes to tell you someone is calling you..
• Phones generally don't just go 'ring ring' these days.
• They often play a song.
• Mobile phone. The phone you carry in your pocket.
• In the USA people usually 'cell phone.' (Cell is pronounced sell.)

This sentence is an example of telephones, computers, technology.