The internet makes it easier than ever to find and connect with old friends. When you can't see the people in your life in the flesh, going online is a great alternative and there are a number of different ways to stay in touch. By using a combination of email, social networking and video chat, you'll be sure to stay in the loop no matter where you are.

Using email as an alternative to regular mail is a great way to send messages, and particularly on occasions where you'll be communicating more formally or for business, email is the way to go. You can set up your own personalised email address and many email providers have custom templates that you can use to get creative and send more elaborate messages and email photos. You can also attach other important documents to an email, making it a convenient choice if you ever need to send anything off.

There are also a number of social networking sites that you can use to connect with friends and find other like-minded friends who share the same interests. Social networking sites are extremely popular for posting photos and sharing up to the minute information about your life. If you've lost touch with a friend and would like to track them down again, social networking sites are a good place to start. Most sites require users to use their real names, so if they have a profile you'll be able to search for them using their name even if you don’t have their email address.

If you spend some time abroad, or have friends and family members who are living in other countries, try using online telephone services or video chat. Video chatting puts you face to face with your friends even if in reality you are hundreds of miles apart, and you can use video functions on a chat to show off a new haircut or give a tour of your new home. Another advantage of these services is that they are often free, so you won't have to worry about hefty long distance charges if the person you're speaking to is on the other side of the world. Many services also offer a text service, where you can use your computer to send text messages straight to a mobile number, a useful feature if you ever want to send a quick hello or schedule a chat.

These are just a few examples of the ways you can connect to family and friends using the internet. Using a combination of social networking, email , online SMS and video chat will help you stay connected to everyone in your life, whether they are distant relatives, business associates or close friends, connecting you to your network every time you go online.